SAMPEY TO RACE FOR RUSH RACING PRODUCTS IN 2008
Ending weeks of speculation,
Pro Stock Motorcycle team owners Karl and Kim Klement announced
that three-time NHRA POWERade champ Angelle Sampey will pilot their Rush
Racing Products Buell in 2008.
Rush signed on as Klement's primary marketing partner just in time
for the 2007 Countdown to the Championship. A short time later,
the U.S. Army dropped their sponsorship of Sampey's team for 2008.
"I had three different opportunities to choose from, but Karl offered
me an opportunity to be a part of the business beyond my racing career.
I put them all on the table and Karl's (Klement) was the one I chose to
take.” said Sampey.
Sampey is part owner of Performance Suzuki in her hometown of Houma,
Louisiana, and throwing her leg over an S&S powered Buell is going
to take some getting used to. "The Buell was probably the toughest
part of the decision," said Sampey. "I've been riding Suzukis
since I was 6 years old. I know it's gonna be different, and I'm looking
forward to taking advantage of all that power and see what I can do on
one. I'm very excited about it and I can't wait to see what we can do.
After 11 years in the sport, that will be a big change and it should make
for a very interesting year." (Todd
Dziadosz photo) [12/28/2007]
EVAN KNOLL TRYING TO BUY IHRA STOCK!?
Rumors have circulated around the IHRA for several years that Evan Knoll has attempted to buy the IHRA from the Live Nation entertainment company. He was also rumored to have been considering purchasing former IHRA owner Bill Bader’s shares. So far all that has been is rumor and the Agent discounted it, but in the last 30 days the Agent has been told by two highly placed and reliable sources that Mr. Knoll has made a legitimate offer to Live Nation for the controlling shares of the company. One of the Agent’s sources says that the two parties are not yet close on the money but negotiations are ongoing.
The Agent wonders if the deal goes through would Bill Bader return to the IHRA since he and his son still own shares and two seats on the IHRA Board of Directors? Wouldn’t life be interesting indeed if both the NHRA and the IHRA changed hands at the same time? Stay tuned. [12/28/2007]
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE
Over the holidays the Agent received this photo of what is reportedly the Johnny Loper tribute Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car under construction. It’s apparently a 125-inch Bruce Dyda chassis, but unfortunately the builder of the Plymouth Arrow body had an issue with the measurement and fit of the fiberglass replica, which looks to be about a foot longer. The owner of the car, John Powers III, will be using this body to make a plug and form his own Arrow flopper body to finish the project. Plans had been for the car to debut at the 50th Anniversary March Meet, but with this delay it is doubtful the car will make it to the historic event at Famoso Raceway. [12/28/2007]