Mickey Thompson Spring Break Super Shootout ala PSCA!

Words by Tim Marshall
Photos by James Drew and Tim Marshall

After over a year of fighting Fontana City noise problems PSCA finally returned to Southern California in fine fashion with a full field of the nation’s top street cars -- minus the crowd favorite Pro Street division, which will return when the new sound barrier is put into place.

PRO STREET - EXHIBITION ONLY

Three of the finest west coast racers put on a good exhibition passes all three days with John Mihovetz’s twin turbo Mustang 2 leading the way at a fine 6.25, 219 mph. Ed Thornton and Shane Techlenberg were next with their ‘63 Vette at a nice easy 6.49 217 mph. Canadian Perry Thor’s nitrous Trans Am had traction woes but made some sideways passes showing the good crowd both sides of his ride!

We understand that Mike Maggio’s ultimate 1970 Camaro turned in a fine 5.95 at 233 mph while testing the new all-concrete surface at Famoso. Congrats to Mike, Kirk Kuhns and crew!

OUTLAW 10.5 STREET RADIAL

Rick Snavely  (Tim Marshall photo)

A nine-car field of the best in the West 10.5 Street machines made three qualifying passes on the Auto Club Dragway at Fontana track surface. Not too far behind was the extremely quick and fast turbo Mustang of Bothwell Racing/ Garrett Turbos with veteran shoe Rick Snavely at the controls. Snavely turned in an easy (for these guys) 6.812, 211.69 mph for the second fastest of the breed during qualifying. Riverside’s Ron Weems, who runs his GTO at both PSCA and NHRA, was next up at a very close 6.817, 200.86 mph.

Mark Lutton’s turbo Stang ran 6.991, 205.04 mph but, unfortunately, broke on that pass keeping him from returning on Sunday.  Number 5 spot went to the crowd favorite turbo ‘62 Bel Air of Chris Kephart of Simi Valley, Calif., at a 7.032, 205.93 mph. Gary Ross put his immaculate 2005 Grand Am in the show next at 7.155, 200.41 mph. Johnny Coleman’s Camaro was next at 7.227 and a speed of 199.40 mph.

Gary Soulgas, who was battling handling problems with the Accufab Ford Lightning pickup, got in the field at 7.577 195.88 mph. Scott Slotten of Las Vegas was a late entry and only made one pass at only 11 seconds and 73 mph and broke as he also could not make it back for eliminations.

With a lot of singles due to first-of-the-year breakage, first Greg Seth Hunter in his 1970 Nova cranked out an easy 7.529 at only 126 mph. Chris Kephart got a free pass when Gary Ross broke a lifter in his immaculate Pontiac Grand Am so Kephart drove it to the eyes a little sideways at 7.611/194.41.