JFR joins with Simpson for safety partnership

Simpson Performance Products and John Force Racing have reached an agreement naming Simpson as the official safety gear for John Force Racing, beginning with the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle season. The partnership between the two companies will further the safety initiatives undertaken by The Eric Medlen Project, a safety initiative that grew out of the tragedy that claimed the life of driver Eric Medlen.

Additionally, discussions are underway between JFR and Simpson to move some personnel to Brownsburg, Ind., to grow the influence of The Eric Medlen Project and safety programs in motorsports. The Eric Medlen Project has been responsible for many of the safety innovations that now are mandated by the NHRA in Funny Car and Top Fuel. Simpson will operate as a “safety partner” with JFR, working with Eric’s father, John Medlen, and The Eric Medlen Project. [2/3/2010]

More details on NHRA Unleashed

NHRA Unleashed will be your standard NHRA race, which means there will be entry fees, purse payout, and an NHRA Wally for the winners. The eighth-mile drags will feature 10.5 wide tire racing in four classes: Outlaw 10.5, Limited Street, EZ Street and Modified Street. In addition, Heads-Up Weekend Warrior Sportsman Index Racing will have classes: 8.50, 10.00, 11.0, 12.00 and 13.00 index and Pro Modified cars will run in exhibition.

The first of the 2010 NHRA Unleashed events will be June 11-13 at Georgia’s Atlanta Dragway, followed on Aug. 6-8 at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Sept. 10-12 at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, and the final event on the 2010 schedule Nov. 5-7 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla.

Additional spectator activities include a vast manufacturers’ midway, with a number of national and local sponsorship exhibits and interactive displays and a Kids Zone with inflatables and other children’s activities. In addition, a large automotive swap meet and automotive seminars will be held covering various aspects of muscle car restoration and high performance secrets.

The Agent can’t help but think this sounds like the “lifestyle” events of the Sports Compact drag racing – except the NHRA Unleashed aren’t R-rated. What’s next for the NHRA, a vacation destination in Glendora called “Wally World”? (Okay, DeGrandis, get busy on yer next ‘toon!) [2/3/2010]

Move over, Walker, there’s another lawman in the camp

John Force’s brother Walker was a Deputy Sheriff, but now fourteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force is one up on his older brother, having been named Grand Marshal for the 52nd running of the March Meet, Mar. 5-7 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in McFarland, Calif. (about 20 miles north of Bakersfield).

“We’ve had some big names as Grand Marshals at the March Meet,” said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet, “but John Force is in a class by himself. He’s a living legend and the greatest Funny Car racer of all time. This will be a real treat for fans.”

Bowser said it would be a homecoming of sorts for the 59-year-old Force, who cut his teeth on the drag racing circuit by competing in Bakersfield back in the 1970s. Force won the iconic March Meet back in 1975. (Ron Lewis photo) [2/3/2010]

NEOPMA schedule announced

The North East Outlaw Pro Mod Association season will begin May 1 at Virginia Motorsports Park’s NAPA Day at the Drags.

NEOPMA will team up with the newly formed Mountain Motor Pro Stock Association for the second event on their 2010 schedule, May 15 at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek.

Other events for the Pro Mods will be June 5 at Capitol Raceway in Crofton, MD; June 26 at Atco, NJ; July 17-18 at Maple Grove Raceway; Aug. 7 at MIR; Sept. 10-13 at the NHRA Unleashed event in Columbus, OH; and the season ender Sept. 25 at Atco. [2/3/2010]