Pulde recovering from Valley Fever

Veteran racer Dale Pulde is recovering from a nearly fatal case of Valley Fever. For more information about this fungal disease of the desert southwest, see our Getting Nostalgic column by Brian Losness.

For those of you who would like to contribute to Pulde’s medical expenses which were considerable and as far as we know he is still not able to work so any help will be appreciated  go to http://www.gofundme.com/Dale-Pulde-fund.  (Darr Hawthorne photo) [2/10/2011]

Bryces plan motorsports complex in Georgia

Word comes to the Agent that George and Jackie Bryce of Star Racing’s motorcycle team have plans to build a racing complex in Americus, Ga.

The Sumter County Commission approved a zoning change and construction is expected to begin later this year across from South Georgia Technical College near Carter Regional Airport. Americus is a little over 200 miles south of Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. The $12 million complex will include a quarter-mile concrete drag strip, a road racing circuit similar to Road Atlanta, and a technology park for motorsports-related businesses. The complex will also include a training facility for driver education and law enforcement training. [2/10/2011]

Trying to keep it glued down

Brandon Bernstein had an aerodynamic addition to his Copart Top Fuel dragster when he was testing at Palm Beach International Raceway. The idea is to allow pressurized air coming under the car a route to escape.

The Agent has seen fuel cars with NACA ducts to do that but this is the first time in some years he’s seen louvers like this. Since it is obviously an unpainted part it must be something new the Coparts team is trying.

See all of the Top fuel and Funny Cars at the test session in our Lead Story. (Steve Gruenwald photo) [2/10/2011]

We’ve got the date

Our 2011 calendar of events is now up at http://www.dragracingonline.com/calendar/calendar.html.

We changed the look a bit this year. The weeks run Monday to Sunday so that weekend events can be easily listed on one line.

And if your track or organization has a special event that isn’t listed, send the information to calendar@dragracingonline.com.[2/10/2011]