KARAMESINES VS. FARNDON AT IHRA SAN ANTONIO RACE:KARAMESINES SAYS MAYBE, MAYBE NOT

The IHRA has been promoting a side-by-side qualifying run between 79- year-old Chris Karamesines and 69-year-old Fred Farndon. Karamesines, who practically invented the match race and still thinks like a match racer, told the Agent that he would attend the race and race but, “I don’t think I will be lining up against Farndon during qualifying unless they (IHRA) pay me. As far as I’m concerned that’s a match race and I get paid to match race.”

The Greek might be almost 80, but evidently he hasn’t gone soft on promoters or getting paid for match races that draw a crowd. Yeah, Greek! [3/26/2008]

GUENTHER MAKES SOME CHANGES FOR PMRA SEASON

With some weight reduction, a new transmission, and an updated engine combination, the Guenther Racing team is hoping to make its mark on the 2008 Pro Modified Racing Association tour.

“We’ve made some changes,” said team driver Matt Guenther, who drove the 1941 Willys-bodied Pro Modified to second place in the PMRA standings last year. “We’ve been working all winter to refine several aspects of the car, with the objective of reducing weight and improving the aerodynamics.”

The team, which is owned and operated by Matt’s parents Mike and Rhonda Guenther, has also opted to install a new Lenco four-speed transmission with a Ram clutch, getting rid of the former Lenco drive three-speed automatic.

The younger Guenther admitted there will be a bit of a learning curve with the new transmission, which is coupled to a Sonny’s 737-cubic inch Chevrolet Nitrous Hemi, one of the few non-supercharged cars in the PMRA.

“Yes, it will be a bit of a challenge,” Guenther said regarding the change to a clutch, “but we’re not tremendously worried.”

The Willys is still in the process of being rebuilt, but the team plans to do some testing before the first PMRA event May 17-18 at the Victoria Day Weekend - PMRA Challenge at Toronto Motorsports Park.  (Mike Goodwin photo) [3/26/2008]