Got something we should cover? Click here to tell us! Close this box
Smith, Moon getting screwed
(Oh come on, you know we just HAD to use that headline.) Von Smith attended the Norwalk ADRL race in the team’s new '57 Chevy. It currently has a Roots blower but tuner Howard Moon said they will change to a screw blower as soon as they get it ready. Perhaps by Dragstock Sept. 12-13 at Rockingham? (Greg Bunsold photo) [8/26/2008]
Will Bandoleros be added to Jr. Dragster?
On Saturday, Aug. 23, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and INEX officials conducted a Bandolero test session at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to explore future drag racing applications. The Bandolero car, which is mass-produced by LVMS’s parent company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc., under the 600 Racing banner, is designed for competition by children 8 years and older and is primarily raced on ovals and road courses.
"We've received several requests from parents who have an interest in youth drag racing who want cars that can be purchased ready-to-race, have cost controls to keep the program economical, can be used for other racing applications, and self-starting that can be raced in a heads-up format," said Chris Blair, LVMS’s vice president of racing operations. "The 600 Racing Bandolero accomplishes all of these goals and fills one huge void, since it resembles a Funny Car, which today is the most popular class of drag racing today.
The car used in the test was a stock-from-the-showroom 600 Racing Bandolero from Las Vegas and used the basic set-up for the Bullring, LVMS’s 3/8-mile paved oval. The car made multiple runs on a eighth-mile drag strip and reached a top speed of 57.85 mph (12.78 sec. E.T.). Officials predict that with a clutch spring adjustment, gear change and a change from new treaded tires to a cut tire, the cars should be able to break into the 10-sec. range and reach eighth-mile speeds in excess of 70 mph.
"The great thing about these cars is that we can create a full-bodied, spec drag racing class where drivers may compete in a heads-up format so that the first one to the finish line wins," continued Blair. “That will encourage some parents who have fears of how to 'dial-in' a car for E.T. bracket racing to join the sport.
"Another great aspect of the 600 Racing Bandolero is that a complete car may be purchased for less than $8,000," said Blair. "There are some Jr. Dragster teams who have that much invested in their motors alone.”
Additional tests will be conducted at The Strip at LVMS and an exhibition event will be held in late 2008. Plans also are in place for INEX to host a series of Bandolero and Legends Cars heads-up, eighth-mile drag races at The Strip in 2009. There currently are more than 40 Bandoleros and 60 Legends Cars within a one-hour drive of the LVMS facility. [8/26/2008]
Grand Bend to host weekend events including PMRA
This weekend kicks off Friday night at the Grand Bend (Ontario) Motorplex with the Fastpix’s Test & Tune. Then on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. will be the Thunder series programs plus a Rudy Held’s Performance Centre Top Sportsman & Armando’s Pizza Top Dragster race.
The Saturday “Night of Nitro” program begins at approx 6 p.m. and features four nitro Funny Cars running two match races each, with IHRA/GBM event winner Terry Haddock (shown) vs IHRA national event winner Jack Wyatt, and Michigan’s Rob Bruce vs Ontario’s own Jason Duchene. The World’s fastest Kenworth, Pepi’ Urban’s Extreme Jet Semi, will make two runs plus the PMRA Pro Modifieds and the Top Sportsman/Top Dragster classes. Racing will continue on Sunday.
The track says this is the last chance to see nitro cars in Canada this year. Info and pricing is available at grandbendmotorplex.com or call 519-238-RACE (7223). (Brad Turk photo) [8/26/2008]