BURK’S APOLOGY TO THE AUSSIE TOP DOORSLAMMER RACERS; 249/252 LAPS NOT SUSPECT!
In a note yesterday Jeff Burk wrote an Editor’s Note questioning the speed performances recorded by Australian competitors Gary Phillips who recorded a speed of 249.86mph/402.27kmh and Brett Stevens, who then blitzed that short-lived milestone by running a 252.66mph pass. Here is Burk’s portion of crow.
“I did not say they were bogus just suspicious because of the tremendous back-half speeds some of the cars were turning in. After a few heated emails from our antipodean readers I made a couple of phone calls: one to my old boss, Jim Oddy, and one to my friend, supercharger guru Darren Mayer. Both men explained to me that 50-mph, back-half passes are common here in the states. Jim Oddy went on to explain that the ADRL Pro Extreme Pro Mods are basically similar to their Aussie Top Doorslammer cousins.
“’We are going 195-200 in the eighth-mile and I guarantee you we would be going 250 if we ran these cars a quarter-mile. I don’t doubt those racers at Willowbank could have gone those speeds,’ Oddy said.
“’Very often Australian cars are up on the tires and in high gear a lot longer than U.S. Pro Mods, so they could see 50-60 mph back halfs,” Mayer added.
“So, to quote Ralph Kramden, ‘I’ve got a big mouth.’ I sincerely apologize if I caused anyone any grief. I forgot I was comparing apples and oranges (U.S. Pro Mods and Aussie Top Doorslammers) when I looked at the incrementals.” -- Jeff Burk [6/11/2008]
IHRA CANCELS CAYUGA EVENT
Citing uncompleted renovations to the racetrack, IHRA has cancelled the Sept. 19-21 Canadian Nationals scheduled for Toronto Motorsports Park. As the Agent remembers, Toronto Motorsports Park got a makeover, including repaving when Bill Bader bought the IHRA to meet his specifications. The 50-plus-year-old track has always had problems with enough paved pit area and other racing and fan related issues.
“Our contract with TMP concluded following the 2007 event and we had some facility issues we needed addressed,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “After the visual inspection last week, IHRA is not satisfied these stipulations have been met and improvements made, so we’ve chosen to cancel the 2008 event.”
The event will not be moved to another venue and the IHRA 2008 season will consist of 10 events.
TORRENCE NAMED VIS VIVA DRIVER
Steve Torrence, NHRA's 2005 Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion (see, the Agent told you), has been named to replace Alan Bradshaw as driver of the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" Top Fuel Dragster owned by
Dexter Tuttle. Torrence will begin his driving duties at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. on June 19-22. Torrence
previously drove for Tuttle as teammate to J.R. Todd for the final three events of 2006.
"I couldn't be more excited than I am right now," the 25-year-old resident of Kilgore, Tex, said. "Having worked with Dexter in the past, I know the kind of team that he runs and I can't wait to get back in his car. I'm also excited to be representing Dexter's sponsor, Vis Viva Energy. They are a new and upcoming energy drink and I'm a new and upcoming driver in Top Fuel, what a perfect fit."
Tuttle is optimistic about the change. "Steve really is the perfect choice for this team," Tuttle said. "He has driven for me before and I was pleased with what he did in the car. He is a good kid and I'm looking forward to seeing what he will bring to our team." (DRO file photo) [6/11/2008]
3-TIME PRO FWD CHAMP TRIES IHRA TOP SPORTSMAN
Jason Hunt and Charlie Schafer Industries are bringing their 200 mph, tube chassis, front-wheel drive, 4 cylinder Ecotec-powered Chevy Cobalt to the Top Sportsman class this weekend at the IHRA President’s Cup race in Budds Creek, MD.
Hunt, who is a three-time and the reigning NOPI PRO FWD Champion and currently sits third in points, is trying his hand at competing against rear wheel drive, 8 cylinder, door slammers before heading out to Denver, CO next week. Maryland International Raceway is the team’s home track and they were really excited when the race could work into their schedule.
Hunt has never raced the Matco Tools Chevy Cobalt on a handicap tree before, so qualifying will be a little bit of a learning curve. They will also be competing with limited electronics, keeping the car legal for their next race.
“We will be happy to even qualify. The field will be large and fast, hopefully we can fall somewhere in the middle. I can’t wait to mix it up next to the rear wheel drive cars. I think some of the other competitors will be surprised at what 130 cubic inches can actually do,” said Hunt.
We’ll be watching. (Todd Dziadosz photo) [6/11/2008]
HAVE A VERY MERRY UN-BIRTHDAY
The Agent evidently had one too many Margarita at lunch yesterday and thought that Cory Lee’s birthday was June 13. He was born on a Friday the 13th {still don’t know what month or year). And did you notice that his car is number 13? Can you say triskaidekaphobia.
And, the Agent is happy to note that the Funny Car will sport a DragRacingOnline.com decal. The first round of Margaritas for Cory Lee and car owners Jeff and Bonnie McGaffic is on the Agent! [6/11/2008]
EQUITY FIRM TAKES OVER PETTY ENTERPRISES
Just to show how the economic times are changing, even for NHRA’s role model NASCAR, the Agent passes along this news from the oval track racing world. Boston Ventures, an investment firm that is heavily involved in media and entertainment interests, has been chosen by Richard Petty to take over majority control of the Petty family’s 60-year-old racing operation and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
“Everything has changed so much from where we first started, and as time progressed, it really got away from us,” Petty said about the racing team’s nearly 10 years of struggling. The team hasn’t won a race since John Andretti in 1999. Kyle Petty has only a partial sponsorship of his No. 45 car, and General Mills announced earlier this year that it will not sponsor the No. 43 car next year.
Along with the infusion of money, Boston Ventures will move their managing director, Barry Baker, in as chairman of Petty Enterprises and David Zucker will be CEO. Petty says he will still be involved in the day-to-day running of the team. (file photo by Glen Grissom) [6/11/2008]