All awhirl over ‘Toranado’

Regarding Martin’s hilarious and quite accurate retelling of John Smyaser's "Terrifying Toranado", Chris, I experienced it pretty much the same way. I was at Irwindale when they dramatically took the wraps off the thing, and Mel Reck is correct, he was the MC and track announcer. Mel was prone to saying some great off color stuff as the night wore on, but that’s another story.

The Toranado was every bit as terrifying as you describe it and I saw all of those horrifying runs you mention. I remember being surprised that the NHRA allowed John to run the beast at the Winters considering its reputation for hitting anything but the finish line. When it smashed through the guard rail on the "street" side, as it was called then, I was sure it was headed for the cow pastures and runway 1-R at Brackett Field.

A great story told with your signature style and perspective.

Terry Spencer
Covina, California

Go west, young IHRA racer

Our local track (Rocky Mountain Raceways) just switched to the IHRA. I know to the racers on the east coast, this is no big deal since you race on NHRA tracks and IHRA tracks. But out west, we have never been exposed to the IHRA.

At first I was not too happy about it when I first heard the news. After attending the annual pre-race meeting and listening to Skooter (Peaco) and his team, I am looking forward to this year with great optimism. I also understand that many other tracks on the west coast are watching this move with great interest.

Perhaps the NHRA should stop and check their dance card. I think they have forgotten who they came to the dance with.

Earl Helm
Salt Lake City, Utah

An idea whose time has come?

NAPA stores in Northeast Ohio are giving out free tickets to the Div. 3 race at Norwalk courtesy of Lucas Oil. Kinda pickin' up after the ADRL. (Took long enough.)

James Boos
Allan M&S Auto Parts

Fan of our photos

Thanks for the great Hemi Challenge pictures. Nobody does it better.

Alvin Writer
Florida

Thanks. We think Darr Hawthorne and photographers James Drew and Tim Marshall did a great job too.

You’re all wet

Drag boats: the other white meat.

Though I really enjoy all the coverage that DRO provides, is there any chance that we could see some for the guys that run the "Liquid Quarter Mile"? With sanctions like the IHBA, SDBA, SLDBA, NJBA there is a lot of racing going on. Nitro burning, sub-five-second passes, over 250 mph with 30-50 foot water spray off the back of the boats: man, that is a sight to see. How about covering a few drag boat events?

Michael Lone
Duncan, South Carolina

Michael, where have you been? While we don’t cover the series on a regular basis, we have had several race reports over the years and will have more this year. Just type in ‘drag boats’ in our Archive Search at the top of each page and you’ll pull up eight pages of listings. Enjoy!