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THOMPSON TAKES GOVERNOR’S CUP
Brad Thompson and the Thompson-Bless Nostalgia Top Fuel team won the 38th annual Governor’s Cup at Sacramento Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 23. When the third qualifying session of top fuel was cancelled due to rain on Saturday, Thompson and his nitro gang found themselves in the next to last qualifying position going into Sunday’s eliminations.
In the first round of eliminations against Rick Williamson, Thompson ran a 5.876/251.16 to advance and in round two Thompson took the win by the smallest of margins with a 5.820 to 5.825 victory over Jim Murphy. In the semis against Adam Sorokin, Thompson had to get on the brakes hard when Sorokin’s R&B Entertainment car used a little more of the track than normal and momentarily went into Thompson’s lane. Thompson eluded #1 qualifier Rick White with a 5.819/252.18 in the final. This had to be discouraging for White-Neal who put together a 5.81-5.88-5.86-5.83-5.84 sequence of runs and lost. This puts Thompson in the points lead going into the last race of the season for the 2007 All American Fuel Dragster Championship. (Steve Justice photo) [9/26/2007]
HILLER RECUPERATING AFTER INDY ACCIDENT
Following a frightening incident during Aug. 30 tech inspections for the 53rd annual U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, David Powers Motorsports first-year crew member Adam Hiller is now resting comfortably.
Hiller, 29, underwent major facial reconstruction surgery on Sept. 10 in Indianapolis. The outpatient procedure rebuilt both eye sockets and repaired a broken nose and cheekbones. The surgeons used both plastic and titanium during the three-hour surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. H.B. Harold Lee. Hiller underwent a procedure on his jaw on Sept. 26 in Indianapolis.
After a six-week recuperation period recommended by the doctors, the former Wyotech student plans on returning to the Matco Tools team for the final two races at Las Vegas and Pomona. In late November, he will undergo a full follow-up with his doctors to evaluate the healing process, discuss tear duct replacement surgery, and experience a full vision test. Hiller currently has minimal vision in his right eye.
“I feel great,” Hiller said. “I’m getting daily phone calls from the doctors, workers’ comp folks and our crew. The outpouring has been exceptional. It’s very uplifting that everyone cares so much. That really helps keep my spirits positive during this recovery process. I think it helps me heal quicker too. The NHRA community has been great.”
Nearly $9,000 was raised to aid in assisting Hiller and his family in the recovery process. Donations were accepted at both the David Powers Motorsports pit and the Harley-Davidson NHRA Midway display. Both Rod Fuller and Andrew Hines’ teams donated their Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge earnings to Hiller, and Powers matched the amount collected during U.S. Nationals.
The Adam Hiller Benefit Trust was set up by Frank Bohannon through Irwin Union Bank in Avon, Ind. Further donations to the Adam Hiller Benefit Trust can be made via Paypal (ted@davidpowersmotorsports.com) or sent directly to the bank at: Irwin Union Bank, 10045 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon, IN 46123, Attn: Beverly Parks. Payments must be made to the Adam Hiller Benefit Trust. [9/26/2007]
$440,000 ‘BELLY TANK’ LAKESTER!
Although not too many made it to the drags “lakesters” have always held a spot in the Agent’s heart. When reading through the current issue of another fav magazine, AutoWeek, we came across an item regarding Tom Beatty’s famous Lakester. The car was fabricated from a World War II era P-38 fighter plane’s “drop tank.” The Lakester, powered by a huffed 260-inch Olds, ran over 243 on the salt back in 1962. At a recent West Coast auction the car sold “as is” for $440,000. Forget saving the salt, save the car! [9/26/2007]