AMERICAN AUTOPARTS
Insight News and chewing gum for the eyes
March 2015
Compiled by Mike Lintern, with graphics and tech work by Wojtek Samoszuk
Race reports and Still Ramblin’ words and pix from Mike Collins, including personal views that are not necessarily those of the company… but are a must read!
______Detroit Auto Show surprise Ford’s secret supercar challenger
“They didn’t see it coming!” Until its arrival on stand at the Detroit Auto Show’s January 12 Press day, nobody outside of the Blue Oval Empire had wind of the existence of a 2017 Ford GT supercar. “We had it developed literally in a secret location in the basement of the company,” revealed CEO Mark Fields in an ABC News interview at the show.
This “third generation” Ford supercar, evolved from the late sixties GT40 Le Mans winners, will go into production next year and is expected to compete competitively price-wise with the likes of the McLaren 650S, Ferrari 458 and Lamborghini Aventador in the $200,000-plus bracket. And it will be sold in the UK. But will it run at Le Mans? The GT’s mid-mounted 3.5-litre, twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 produces more than 600 horsepower, with some 500-lb/ft of Above, the Ford GT at Detroit, and below, the 350GTR torque, a seven-speed auto box and features a body and frame of carbon fibre and aluminum.
Sharing the stand at Detroit was a new “racetrack ready” stripped-down variant of the Shelby GT350 Mustang, the R. The GT350R packs the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine Ford has ever produced – a 5.2-litre DOHC V8 putting out 500hp and 400-lb/ft of torque matched to a six-speed gearbox.
Avenir: Buick’s beautiful concept
Revealed just before the Detroit Show, this is the Buick Avenir (French for future), a beautifully-sculptured long-hood short-deck, concept four-seat sedan. Riding on 21-inch wheels, the Avenir is equipped with a V6 motor offering fuel-saving cylinder deactivation and stop/start technology, a nine-speed automatic with paddle shifter and driver-selectable variable suspension. The stylish interior gets leather trim, with a touch of real wood. GM says the Avenir, which was actually designed by GM’s Holden design bureau in Australia, “re-affirms Buick as an international brand attracting new customers in the United States and China.” China has for some time been the brand’s biggest market.
Meantime, three Buicks currently on sale in the United States – the Verano, Regal and Encore – plus the marque’s newly- announced Cascada, are all essentially re-badged Opels.
______EVEN MIGHTIER RAPTOR
The incredible twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5-litre V6 has found its way into the mightiest-yet Ford F150 – the 2017 SVT Raptor 4x4 pickup unwrapped at the Detroit show. Ford has yet to give exact performance figures, but claims the EcoBoost will deliver even more punch than the 411bhp and 434-lb/ft of torque of its predecessor, a 6.2-litre V8.
The 2017 is six-inches wider than the stock F150, yet thanks to an aluminum body and bed, is 500lb lighter than the current version. It will come with a paddle-shift 10-speed automatic box and a Terrain Management System to “optimize driving dynamics to environmental conditions.” The V6 Raptor goes on sale from the fall of next year.
Fiat Chrysler’s “bambino” Renegade
Now available in Europe and the Americas is Fiat Chrysler’s 2015 Jeep Renegade compact SUV. Built at the massive Melfi factory in Italy, the baby Renegade has been developed from the Fiat 500 platform, so can trace its ancestry all the way back to the 1937 Topolino (Mouse) saloon as well as the US Army’s WWII MB Jeep (spot the Jerrycan images incorporated in the rear lights and elsewhere, as well as the iconic seven-bar grille).
European Renegades come with a variety of Fiat engines, including a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and a 2-litre diesel. The transverse power units are hooked-up to six-speed manual or nine-speed autos and come in front-wheel-drive and 4WD forms – plenty of powertrain options. UK prices from £17,000 on the road.
______
Granatelli jet cars fail to sell at auction
Think of Indianapolis, think of jet turbines and think of STP. Put those thoughts together and you should come up with the late Andy “Mr 500” Granatelli, who together with Lotus boss Colin Chapman created the number 70 Indy 500 racecar that Britain’s Graham Hill drove to a initially-record-qualifying speed of 171.208mph for the 1968 race. Team- mate Joe Leonard, in another STP turbine Lotus, later gained pole position at 171.559mph and led for most of the race, though both he and third STP turbine driver Art Pollard went out on lap 191 with snapped fuel pump drive shafts – letting Al Unser take the win with a piston-powered Offenhauser piston-engined car. Hill, in the meantime, had crashed on lap 110 after losing a wheel and contacting a wall.
Today, Hill’s number 70 car has been restored back to race-day condition and was put up for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction on January 17. Bidding reached $1,320,000, but failed to reach the reserve price.
The Pratt & Whitney ST6B jet turbine of the number 70 Lotus and (right) Graham Hill prior to the race in 1968
Also presented at the auction but attracting “only” a best bid of $220,000 and failing to meet its reserve price, was a very special 1978 Corvette, created that year by Andy’s son Vince and employing an essentially-similar Pratt & Whitney ST6B turbine. The “Jet- Vette” was the quickest street legal Corvette in the world at the time, recording a zero-to-60 time of 3.2 seconds, and reputedly once clocking a zero-to-60 of 2.5 seconds, according to its creator.
To handle the 880 horsepower of the jet, Vince modified the chassis with a sub-frame structure, a fortified driveshaft and NASCAR- style oversize disc brakes. Using a reduction gearbox and 3.03-to-1 rear axle reduced the engine’s 35,500rpm figure down to 6,230rpm.
A Pratt & Whitney ST6B is shoehorned into the ’78 Vette, but externally the car is virtually stock
______BAUER MILLETT CLOSES AFTER 40 YEARS
Central Manchester’s long-established American and high-end car dealership, Bauer Millett, closed suddenly with the loss of 20 jobs at the dawn of the New Year after 40 years in business. Directors decided the company could no longer sustain itself, having not traded profitably for the last five years as a consequence of high city centre overheads coupled with insufficient vehicle sales. Bauer Millett had a GM franchise for Cadillac and Chevrolet, plus, until recently Chrysler and Jeep. It was the country’s first official supplier of Hummers and also sold up-market European makes.
The business was started in nearby Blackley Village by Lawrence Millett and Chris Bauer, selling secondhand models. When it closed it had showrooms in Albion Street, Manchester, and a parts and service centre in Dark Lane, Ardwick.
______MSD buys Mr Gasket and family
MSDP Group LLC – known for their MSD hi-energy ignition and tuning systems – has purchased for an undisclosed sum the Accel Performance Group, a family of established muscle car and hot rod parts manufacturers consisting of Accel (ignition parts), Mr Gasket (primarily dress-up goodies), Mallory (ignition parts), Lakewood (bellhousings and scattershields), Hays (clutches) and Quick Time (suspension components).
The Accel Group grew from the Mr Gasket business established by drag racer Joe Hrudka in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1964. Coming Events
(With thanks to Classic American and Custom Car Magazines, from where most dates have been taken)
“For Britain and the Hell of It,” a major exhibition of British Land Speed Record cars, is running at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hants SO42 7ZN until March 2015 (01590 612345 or www.beaulieu.co.uk)
March 1
NSRA Southern Swap Meet, Arena Essex Raceway, Purfleet / Thurrock, RM19 1AE (0845 301 6772 or www.nsra.org.uk)
April 3
American, Hot Rod and Custom Car and Bike Show, Horndean Showground, Five Heads Road, Horndean, Hants PO8 9NZ (www.route-a3.co.uk)
April 3-5
Festival of Power, Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough, Northants NN29 7XA (01234 782828 or www.santapod.com) ”There aren’t any American cars on the roads today, really…” Keith Bartlett Santa Pod CEO aka The Kaiser on SantaPodTV (see page 23 - or somewhere close to that!)
Well Keith, this is the daily driver (when the weathers fine), of our resident octogenarian who‟s been driving American cars during the six decades I‟ve known him. Better yet, at the time of the photo, his Lil‟ red Corvette C6 was being hustled around Goodwood by a professional driver to a lap time of 1.29 with an average speed close to 97mph – the fifth fastest of any road legal car ever driven round that glorious circuit! ************************************************************** Those two little weirdoes really messed things up with last month’s Insight. After their boss found out what they’d done he freaked ‘em out by saying there’d be no more nitro racing for them! But when they gave him the Haynes Alien book he lightened up, cos now he knows how to sneak through our defences! It shouldn’t happen again honest, and they said they’re sorry, but were thrilled we managed to get the awesome Arizona race in! (see page 20)
St ill Ramblin’ SWordts anid plhotlos R amblin’ Words and photos
Mike Collins
This my friends was pure bliss, filling my frame with in y‟face, 100% unadulterated NitroFire as a pair of fuelers thundered into a Saturday night at Pomona, California – and I‟d driven across the USA to get there in my own car! Larry Minor‟s Miller American car, driven by Dick LaHaie got the jump on fuel coupe legend Gene Snow at the 1987 Winston World Finals. Qualifying had been awesome; LaHaie led the NHRA‟s closest ever field of fuel cars with his 5.118 just 0.306seconds ahead of Ed Moore‟s 5.424 bump – and that‟s close! Earlier in the day, LaHaie lost the quickest ever side-by-side top fuel race, and $50,000, when his stellar 5.124 was eaten by Joe Amato‟s 5.110 in the final of the Cragar Top Fuel Classic. They raced again on Sunday, but Amato‟s trans broke and LaHaie‟s 5.196 at 277 won him the NHRA Winston
World Championship. The final round saw a battle of the breweries, with Budweiser taking the Winston Finals title over the Miller American car
Darrell Gwynn‟s 5.138
gave the young Floridian his second straight win; he also gave fans a 5.098 ET track record, while the Texan Eddie Hill gave the track a new 283.91mph top speed
record. Larry Minor‟s Miller American Olds was put in the finals by Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, but it had problems and Billy Meyer‟s Chief Olds ran 5.472
at 268.95 to win. Mark Oswald thrilled Pomona fans, showing them the NHRA‟s quickest ever fuel coupe pass, a 5.357 in his Motorcraft Thunderbird. And Mike Dunn gave „em some top end thunder, replicating his 280.72mph from Texas in Joe Pisano‟s classy two-tone Olds, here lining up with SoCal‟s original Over the Hill Gang‟s In-N-Out Burger car driven by local hero Dale Pulde. Mike took that win. Those weekends in California (it rained during the first – and they say it never rains in California!), were a perfect way to end a
three race tour - my introduction to the real world of HorsePower Unlimited Happily for me, it had begun with a flying visit to the Texas Motorplex for the biggest record breaking event in NHRA Winston history, where I met up with long-time UK mates Andy Willsheer and Eric Sawyer – we had a ball to say the least! A high speed round trip to Houston led to a weekend of wild Texas-style parttee-ing, which, on top of the horsepower overload at the Motorplex, meant taking time off for some much needed R an‟ R with my pal Harlan Thompson
when I landed back in New Jersey - yeah right! But it was fun; fixing the Thompson family‟s new garden, moving furniture, getting my Dodge legal - and
then he‟d told me about the Funny Car Finale at E‟town. And it was awesome!
Chuck Etchells‟ Future Force (a great name indeed as he ran a 4.98, the first by an AA/FC in ‟93, taking the money from Castrol and John Force!), and East Coast fuel coupe match race legend Jerry Caminito‟s Blue Thunder running five-fifties,
and ground pounding burnouts from alcohol funny cars - and jet floppers racing side-by-side! Awesome indeed - and then, more than a tad behind schedule, I finally set off to drive across America to Pomona… But right now let‟s get back to the future, hunting up some NitroFire, big numbers, total bullsh*t, some ffffun - and some occasional false facts! Not here though, just big numbers and pure NitroFire in Florida from the
Standing between two blown an „injected fuel cars with wide open flaps is nitro nirvana!
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PPRROO WWiinntteerr WWaarrmm--UUpp mcSnips courtesy CompetitionPlus.com and Bangshift.com
mcPix During the third week of January, the pastel colours, sweet scents and gentle sounds of south Florida are eaten and beaten by an invasion of nitro-fueled
thunder machines as the NHRA‟s top teams enjoy some pre-season test and tune up time at Palm Beach International Raceway. The first three days are strictly private, but any passerby would know there‟s something other than cicadas crackling in the air. Don Schumacher Racing dominated as Spencer Massey‟s new, satin black Red Fuel car set the pace on Tuesday with a 3.762 at 328.30 followed by 3.736 at 329.10 the next day. But his teammate Antron Brown was quickest, driving his Matco Tool fueler to a stunning 3.720 elapsed time on a 324.36 pass on Wednesday - impressive or what!
Things changed on Friday afternoon when the gates were open to the general public who paid $50 for two days of almost nonstop action and four sessions of NitroFire under the lights! Oh yeah, Palm Beach International was definitely the place to be for nitro fans, but for those of us without that type of budget, Bobby Bennett‟s team at CompetitionPlus got together with Chad and Brian at Bangshift to give use two days of almost non-stop LIVE action from the annual PRO Winter Warm-Up – it was AA awesome on my computer with the sound cranked up high, so being there would‟ve been Nitro Nirvana! Except when the racing was delayed – that‟s when we got the best of it, and I was so impressed that I sent this to Competition Plus‟ Bobby Bennett… “Since my first meeting with Don w-a-y back, when he spent much time entertaining me with such tales which made for a pair of great exclusive features, I’ve always enjoyed hearing him talk and can’t think of a better way to wait for some nitro thunder than listening to Big Daddy reminiscing, so thanks. Guess this Legends series of yours has been running for some time, but I’ve been off planet for awhile and it’s a first time for me, but I’ll be back to catch the rest ASAP.” As you can see from the partial list of clips at ComPlusTV at right, they‟ve some great films to keep you off the time-wasting forums and up all night sippin‟ a beverage or three instead, getting maximum pleasure from some AA awesome nostalgia – try the Don Garlits interview first, it‟s truly inspiring. Click the link, enjoy, and don‟t forget to tell „em thanks!
…and then they fired the first pair - both went up in smoke a millisecond after his Snip was taken!
Teams weren‟t racing for Mello Yello points or even big buck$, just bragging rights, pushing the limits, trying to rotate the earth, make a real thunder run and gain data for the season ahead. Often this meant blowing the tyres off at the hit like Leah
Pritchett above at right, while the DSR cars below thundered all the way
Earlier they‟d have also been testing some new parts or even different combinations, but come Friday there were nothing but ground pounding burnouts whether they were runnin‟ solo or side-by-side, and then they‟d either smoke „em or go thunderin‟ into the night with NitroFire lit bright all the way down the short track. Talking of which, there was also a short field compared to last year, but the teams on hand gave us some amazing racing. Above right, it‟s Connie Kalitta‟s nephew Doug pounding the ground with a real power launch in Mac Tools car alongside Spencer Massey‟s Don Schumacher Racing new-look Red Fuel backed dragster. There were some powerful passes too, and both those cars ran big numbers on Friday – guess who led the pack?
Doug Kalitta, left, has been racing top fuel for some time, and he‟s used to unleashing 10,000 horsepower, running 3.7‟s at over 320mph, and he knows how to handle things when the car makes a turns hard on the launch
However, former Pro Stock racer Dave Connolly, who switched to Top Fuel this year to drive Bob Vandergriff Racing‟s C&J Energy Services fueler has no experience of AA NitroPower, but he was obviously a good driver (and crew chief too!), having won 26 wins of 46 final rounds. His best numbers were also impressive, 6.476 and 214.55 through the quarter mile. But he‟d been used to far less power than a top fuel car produces, and his time at PBIR was a tough introduction to say the least. In fact nitro neophyte Dave Connolly found out the truth about driving a blown and injected, nitro fueled hemi very quickly indeed! Above right he makes a good hard leave – too hard perhaps, the front soon in the air (below), and then it all went up in smoke!
Dave Connolly‟s team mate, three times NHRA Top Fuel champions Larry Dixon carded bests of 3.758 at 321.65 and 3.783 at 322.88. DC‟s best run on Friday was a swift 3.795 at only 287.41mph, his ET a tick behind DSR‟s Tony Schumacher‟s 3.793 at 305.70 - slowest of the quick cars! On Saturday afternoon Dave learned more about the volatile Top Fuel car when his motor exploded at the hit, the car trailing fire down track a short distance
Later Connolly got a really good launch and thundered down track, clearly “on a pass” as they say, but the motor started spittin‟ bits out of the pipes, slowing the C&J Energies car to a 3.817 at 284.69, a tick behind Leah Pritchett‟s 3.811 in her Dote Racing car on Saturday, but way behind her 314.17mph
In a recent, very entertaining interview with nhra.com, eight-time and defending NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher spoke of many things. When asked about Dave Connolly he said, “I think he's a great driver. I think Vandergriff made an excellent choice, but it's going to take him time to get used to a Top Fuel car… There's so much that's different. But he understands how to race. He's got the perfect attitude, and he's a good athlete. All those things are going to play right into it, and he'll go out and make some laps and he'll get used to it and become a great driver like everyone expects. That's why Bob put him in the car.” Although we saw him lose a couple of times, The Sarge ran the second best elapsed time on Saturday night with a 3.745 at 318.92mph - he also gives a really good interview; click the link and enjoy, then come back for more NitroFire
Did you guess who led the pack and gave fans these AA awesome numbers on Friday night? If you‟d said a DSR car you‟d be halfway there – not former Top Fuel champions Antron Brown or the Sarge, but young Spencer Massey! And his 3.723 at 332.26mph was faster than his 2012 NHRA record of 332.18!
HorsePower Unlimited indeed as he blasts
Photos courtesy off the line in this powerful DSR image Don Schumacher Racing Facebook
Spencer Massey also ran the best numbers during the final race on Saturday night, laying down a 3.741 at 332.01 alongside DSR teammate Antron Brown‟s 3.772 at 321.59
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Side-by-side NitroFire all the way from DSR on Friday night with Ron Capps‟ 4.023 at 321.42 (at left), just ousting team mate Matt Hagan‟s 4.058, 320.05
Chad Head, left, drove his dad‟s Jim Head
Racing Toyota to a 4.079 309.49 on a solo pass Friday and DSR‟s Jack Beckman ran a 4.083 at 305.91
Hagan smokes „em and Tommy Johnson JR‟s Make-a-Wish car looks to be on a pass, but soon lit „em up - TJ struggled to a best of 9.42 at 71.73
Still lookin’ like he was thundering, TJ went up in smoke on Saturday night to an 8.054 at 75.09
Still lookin‟ like he was thundering (at right), on Saturday night TJ went up in smoke a split second later to run a 8.054 at 75.09
Bangshift‟s Brian and Chad laughed through the cold
But TJ was streets ahead of the best numbers from his DSR teammates on Saturday! Ron Capps‟ NAPA car ran 8.451, 81.71 and Matt Hagan‟s Mopar 8.550, 81.56
Jack Beckman laid down a stout 4.03 at 321 early in the day…
During a December test, Matt Hagan ran the quickest 1,000ft fuel coupe pass ever!
…and then claimed bragging rights in his new-look DSR/ Infinite Hero Mopar with a stunning 4.003 at 323.97mph to close the show under the lights along side Chad Head‟s best of 4.054 at 314.53 (below)
A pair of Jungle Jim nostalgia fuel coupes added to the show, as did the IHRA‟s Nitro Jam all-girl team of five jet dragsters! They closed Saturday night with some real flame and thunder
OOnnee wweeeekk llaatteerr…… 22001155 pprree--sseeaassoonn NNiittrrooTThhuunnddeerr ppaarrtt ttwwoo The NHRA held a test session at Arizona‟s Wild Horse Pass, the air was awesome and the new-look John Force Racing team ran the best numbers you could ever wish for. Wearing their all-new Camaro bodies, all the JFR fuel coupes now ran an in the three-second zone, but Top Fuel driver Brittany Force blasted her way into the history books with the quickest ever short-track pass, a 3.69, the first under 3.7! She also ran a 3.760 at 323mph
Brittany Force shots courtesy Arizona Auto Scene click the link to see this lightning quick pass
Courtney Force‟s wild lookin‟ Traxxas car went 4.021 at 320.97, 4.032, 321.27 and then a 3.980 at a huge 326.16!
Robert Hight‟s full pulls in his Auto Club Camaro netted a pair of four-zeros, a 3.985 at 323.97 and 3.976 at 323.43 mph. Papa John‟s new blue PEAK Camaro ran a 3.985 at 322.81 off the trailer, followed by a 4.001, 321.73 pass before topping „em all with a blistering‟ 3.971 at 322.50 mph. Tim Wilkerson and Cruz Pedregon also each ran a pair of four-zeros with their fuel coupes JFR test data courtesy RacinBoys CC aappttaaiinn CCooooll rree--vviissiitteedd
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llloonngg sshhoottss ffrroomm MMaattttss HHaannssiiinnkk eeXXtttrreemmee ccrrooppss During the off-season, Andy Willsheer and often I spend time bench racing and laughin‟ a lot on the phone. Recently
he mentioned meeting Matt Hansink, a photographer who‟d not only seen ol‟ Nitro Nostrils shooting Steve Gasparrelli‟s wild ride at the Pomona Auto Club Finals in 2009, he‟d also shot a bunch of images. Early in January, Matt sent them over, with a line in the email reading, “I would love to see what it looked like from your lens!” On hearing that, my response was, “Great Andy, j‟st send me the pix and we‟ll put a page together.” So here y‟go Matt, eXtreme crops of your images catch some action, but the full frame image above captures the instant the rampaging TAFC filled Andy‟s lens with a totally awesome in y‟face image – no wonder he took a step backwards!
You gotta admit, that‟s quite a wicked right turn, the car already trying to flip over
About now it must‟ve been a hairy ride for driver Steve Gasparrelli, especially if he looked out the window and saw the rapidly approaching safety barrier!
The advantage of being tall allows our Andy to look down on this amazing, and thankfully not often seen view – talk about what d‟y‟ have for breakfast!
Sensing the photographer running away, Andy had moved back a tad, slowly, while he continued shooting and Matt caught some his cool moves
As you can see our Andy didn‟t really move back a whole lot – he‟s definitely got balls of steel, but wasn‟t too thrilled Sadly Matt didn‟t take a couple when he saw just how close things came on the big screen replays. But the fans loved it and cheered him wildly! more frames or he might have caught Andy checking his shots never look closely – like the other young dudes
Wow! This image is so powerful; it just blows me away every time I see it
During one of our late night teleconferences, I discovered that ol‟ Nitro Nostrils was starting his 42nd year of shooting with NHRA accreditation - which meant we‟ve been laughing out loud more than a lot during the last couple of weeks while swapping tales. As he was jetting off to California to kick off his nd 42 year of covering the NHRA action at the Winternationals, I decided to show you some of his powerful images. Hope you enjoyed seeing the shots of him "in action" as they say. In fact, click this link and watch as the funny car takes to the air in a wild ride seen on TV highlight reels around the world along with some of Andy‟s awesome images, featured in media everywhere. After a couple of viewings you notice other pressmen run wildly away, whilst our Andy stands firm – until that huge slick gets in his face! Then he steps calmly back a couple of paces, his aim never faltered – balls of steel indeed! Click the link, and then come back for more nitro-fueled reminiscing, with images of friends and events we‟ve shared over the years. Andy began his years on the NHRA‟s nitro powered trail with first visit to California‟s famed Ontario motor speedway in 1973 where he saw Jerry “the King” Ruth win top fuel with a 6.11 at 232.55, top speed and low ET, over Gary Beck‟s 6.52 - but he‟s got no photos to hand, see below! Meanwhile, I was still down under on the other side of the planet, enjoying the blissful life as a beach bum on the West Coast of Australia. Happily we also had a drag strip,
Ravenswood. Typically, we arrived late for my first visit, but as I could see a Top Fuel car at the back of the start line we climbed up on the roof of my Holden and enjoyed a cold brew. Soon Proud Australian over from the East Coast fired up and we got to smell the sound of nitro thunder - eight trunks
trumpeting as Andy Willsheer would say, and feel the ground shake – but then the engine died and it was pushed back down the track
During the lull in proceedings, we crossed over to the other side of the strip and I joined the Press corps - with an Instamatic! The racing was fun, the beer cold, and during the day we for to see the fueler running stout seven-zeros, which was cool
At right it‟s racing, what we were told was the “fastest Y block in the world.” Either way, its holeshot advantage went up in smoke, and the Top Fuel car thundered by ahead of a huge rooster tale. And I still think it‟s good lookin‟
Andy first went to Pomona for the 1974 Winternationals - the year before Winston came onboard. That race was won by Gary Beck with a 5.94 at 243.24, but sadly, Andy couldn‟t locate any images from that weekend –
back in those days original slides were often given to publishers and invariably lost! They usually vanished into drawers and were never seen again. Either way, almost a decade later, Nitro Nostrils was on the line for some in y‟face action as Gary Beck hiked the front end and thundered down Parker Avenue at Pomona in 1983. Beck, along with team owner Larry Minor were the quickest Top Fuel cars on the planet, with both having carded identical 5.381‟s! Having used the shot at left with Street
Machine, I took care of Andy‟s slide and kept it safe!
Andy also shot the wet t shirt winner at left, my headstand in celebration of 25 years as a nitroholic at the Pod and Wojtek, ML et moi in 2010. My John Force burnout was placed on an early, pre-digital “selfie” „cos we both love fuel coupes
Andy enjoyed shooting this 2013 fuel coupe final, when John Force won his 16th NHRA championship and the Auto Club Finals over Matt Hagan‟s DSR
Mopar, but when I asked for his most powerful memory from Pomona, he replied, “The Run,” Tony Schumacher‟s classic win back n 2006, now widely as one of the all-time great quarter mile races. In order to gain sufficient points to win his fourth NHRA title, Schumacher not only had to win the PowerAde Auto Club finals, but also set a new National elapsed time record - and run no more than one percent quicker than his back-up form the previous night!
And he did just that, carding a stellar 4.428 at 327.98 mph - watching it on ESPN was awesome, but to have been there wow! Click the link and enjoy And now, some not-so-big numbers, just fun facts for real lovers of fire breathing,
ground shaking, flame throwin‟ blown an‟ injected nitro burning fuel coupes and fuel dragsters. Forty different top fuel drivers raced on the NHRA Mello Yello circuit in
2014 and 34 in fuel coupes. With the help of his wife Jenna, fuel coupe owner, driver and crew chief Terry Haddock made it into the NHRA‟s top 20, qualifying at five events. Terry was also Jenna‟s crew chief when she went Top Fuel racing, and not only qualified at her first event, she beat the ultra tough US Army car of Tony Schumacher in her first race at the Denver Mile High Nats! Her first pass, at left, was a planned 300ft click-off, but best run was a 4.166 at 270.75, when she lost a cylinder and the second round to Brittany Force, but she placed 26th in NHRA points
Andy Cross photo courtesy the Denver Post
Check out hubby Terry‟s grin as his wife fills the night with NitroFire on her first Top Fuel pass – and Jenna‟s smile in the shots below, magic!
It‟s easy to understand why today‟s fans love this old school style back-up Photo courtesy nhra.com
World class super-tuner Dom Lagana was 20th, two rounds ahead of the legendary Golden Greer, Chris K while young Noah Stutz was in the final trio at joint 38 – livin‟ the dream as they say! Known as "The Surfer,” Jeff Diehl is a fan favourite with wife Leeza as back-up babe – quite
common on the old school nostalgia circuit perhaps, but almost unique on the NHRA‟s Mello Yello tour. During 2010 Jeff had a few spectacular explosions that made the highlight reels, including one at the Z Max Four Wide Nats in the same race at Matt Hagan – both cars launched their bodies
sky-high! In 2014, Jeff Diehl ran a best of 4.120
and 302.14 in his Rimz One Chevy Monte Carlo SS and came 16th on NHRA – not bad for someone with a limited budget who only drives part time on the tour. Very definitely a case of Nitro-A-GoGo!
Long legs, tall boots and a fine lookin‟ fuel coupe with a great logo– what more could a fan ask for? Go get „em Surfer dude! In 1982 and „83 Frank Hawley won the Gatornationals, another of Andy‟s favourite races, with his best memory being of the world‟s first 300mph pass from a Top Fuel car. Not so much Kenny Bernstein‟s thundering 301mph in the Budweiser King, although that was AA Awesome, but when he went to shoot the winner‟s circle he found our old ex-pat pal Dave Fletcher, part of the Bud King‟s crew stood tall and proud - a magic moment for a pair of Brits. Anyhow, always loved this shot „cos Andy‟d been doing it long enough for the ever delightful Linda Vaughn to smile into his lens, just for us! Happy to say that Linda always smiled for me too – here as she called my name on the third day our first meeting in Texas. Our few meetings always had the same result, but the last time, 20 years down the road at Bakersfield
in California was special. “Hi Linda, bet you can‟t remember when we last met.” “Don‟t be silly Michael,” she laughed,
“Maple Grove, Pennsylvania, 1988,” leant forward with a big grin, took my arm and then kissed me. Often I‟ d heard of her magical memory, but - wow! Later she joined us at our table, gracing me
with another smile – how lucky can y‟get? Well Andy scored again last year when he celebrated his 41 years on the NHRA trail at the Pomona Auto Club Finals in that the usual early morning track walk was delayed. Meanwhile, Andy took breakfast, arriving trackside in time to say “Hi Linda…”
dtcPix
Linda is still a firm fan favourite and sits proudly between Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen “TV” Tommy Ivo. What a magical shot of three real-deal drag racing legends, as ever they're smiling for Andy (and you!), and happily we both know 'em well - like I said, how lucky can you get! Naturally
Andy was on the line to capture this classic shot of Top Fuel NitroFire as Morgan Lucas ended a fabulous season for
Lucas Oil and parents Forrest and Charlotte Lucas by beating the newly crowned Mello Yello Top Fuel Champion Tony Schumacher (an unprecedented eighth NHRA title!) This is why I said Andy got lucky!
More than that Morgan ran the second quickest elapsed time since Antron Browns NHRA record setting 3.701 back in 2012 at the fames fast track at Maple
Grove, Reading, Pennsylvania – and he did it twice! In the semis he drove away from Antron‟s 3.742 at 320.74 to an awesome 3.707 at 325.45 and the
crowd went nuts! But they almost blew the place down with their roars when Morgan drove left late-ish (.054), but drove his Lucas Oil car around the Tony Schumacher‟s .034 light, taking out the US Army car‟s stout 3.742 at 324.98 with an earth shaking 3.704 at 325.14 to give the fans a new track elapsed time
record. Pour a beverage, click the link and feel the thunder of all the final rounds! NNiittrrooFFiirree -- nnoott bbuunnnnyy eeaarrss!! Two-time NHRA Winston Funny Car champion Frank Hawley lights up the night at Santa Pod in Tony Boden‟s Hit Man fuel coupe.
Check the iced-up BBuunnnnyy EEaarrss injectors! UUllltttiiimmaatttee NNiiitttrrooFFiiirree
Gene Snow‟s 4.99 at DeSoto, Manatee County, Florida, the first four outside of Texas - hand held available light
With thanx to Bunny BBuunnnnyy EEaarrss Yasmin (far left), Bunny Rose, Bunny Natalie and
Bunny Chloé
Bunny Natalie
NN iiitttrrooFFiiirree from a Fuel Zippo and Timo
Lehtimäki as he starts the final “…and bunny ears Saturday night quarter mile at are floppy and have Santa Pod f*ck all to with the untouched scan power and fury of Hand held available light shot NitroFire!” with flat batteries! Mulefoot Mike aka The Stovebolt Kid
QED
“Blown fuel is drag racing - the rest are there to make the numbers up…” Nitro Nostrils
Here‟s that NitroFire Q session, the Pod‟s final display of quarter mile thunder under the lights from No1SantaPodShooter. It‟s definitely old school in every sense, so just enjoy the power and forget the shake. Not seen this before and it‟s AA awesome, with not a bunny ear in sight! Bunny Yasmin
MMeeaannwwhhiillee,, bbaacckk aatt PPoommoonnaa……
Photos courtesy nhra.com mcSnips courtesy ComPlusTV YouTube
On the first weekend in February, the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello tour got under way at the Circle K Winternationals and DSR‟s Matt Hagan got an explosive start to his title defence with this wild ridin‟ fireball!
Check out the eyelashes on 2014 champion Erica Enders-Stevens Camaro. She took pole, low ET and top speed with a 6.516 at 213.10
Jim Dunn‟s retro Mooneyes fuel coupe looked super-cool, but the crew soon swapped the white pants for black! New shoe John Hale lost to Matt Hagan in the second round
Alan Johnson Racing showed just how tough a team they really are, even without the funding, running the quickest ever, NHRA legal Top Fuel pass down the 1,000 foot track with a 3.700! Wow, can you believe that the best teams on the planet have taken since 2012 to reduce the elapsed time record by 0.001 of a second! Remember that next time you hear some BS coming over the PA at the Pod – or on SantaPodTV!
Courtney Force took pole with the low ET of 3.995 and top speed of 322.65 mph
And then it rained, with racers and fans losing the fourth Q session
First round upsets came in both nitro classes; Bob Bode‟s 5.126 at 202.82 took out John Force‟s 5.599, 156.72 on a pedal fest, and then Leah Pritchett ran a 3.791 at 323.04 to drive away from Brittany Force‟s 3.811 at 321.19
Jeff Arend got a good hole shot in his Bucky Auto Service Center Charger, but then went k‟boom big time, leaving Tommy Johnson Jr‟s Make‐A‐Wish Charger to take an easy with a 4.045 at 315.19
Alan Johnson‟s team powered on, hoping to get the chance for a back-up to get 20 extra points. They fell short, but Shawn Langdon battled his way through a strong field to the finals and really gave fans a Knuckle Sandwich. Langdon drove the unfunded AJR car to a 3.799 at 309.91 over DSR‟s Antron Brown who ran a 3.804 at 310.70 – both cars were running on seven cylinders! Click the link to see the race
After the earlier explosion, Matt Hagan donned a fresh Mopar body and marched through the field to the finals to face DSR teammate Ron Capps. The NAPA car got a visible hole shot, but 2014 champion Matt Hagan drove his Mopar Express/Rocky Boots Charger to a 4.011 at 320.89 over Capps‟ 4.078 314.90. Click the link to catch the action
tthhuunnddeerr iinn tthhee ddeesseerrtt
Photos and data courtesy nhra.com Told you we’d blend in
with the natives! Pomona winner Matt Hagan drove DSR‟s Rocky Boots Charger to the first pole in Q1 with a 4.025 at 316.60 ahead of Cruz Pedregon‟s Snap‐on Tools Camry‟s 4.032, DSR team mate Tommy Johnson Jr‟s 4.034 at 312.21 in the Make‐A‐Wish Charger with John Force‟s new Peak Camaro a tick behind at 4.035, 315.05mph. Ron Capps‟ NAPA car ran a 4.066, Alexis DeJoria gorgeous lookin‟ Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota (below left), ran 4.069 followed by Courtney Force‟s Traxxas Camaro at 4.095. But things changed in the evening session…
Courtney Force blasted to new track records of 3.996 and 321.58 in her colourful Traxxas Camaro with Alexis DeJoria Patrón car close behind with a 4.000 at 313.58. Del Worsham put Connie Kalitta‟s DHL Camry next with a 4.005 at 318.17 while most of the other heavy hitters failed to improve, although Robert Hight stepped up to a 4.038 in JFR‟s Auto Club Camaro. Tony Pedregon ran a 4.060 at 310.13 and Tim Wilkerson drove his Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang to a 4.076, 314.39 just ahead of Chad Head 4.078 in his WSM Auctioneers/Head Racing Toyota In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher put DSR‟s Army car on pole with a 3.750 at 313.15 ahead of Pomona winner Shawn Langdon, whose Knuckle Sandwich fueler was a tick behind at 3.755, 319.37. J.R. Todd was the only other driver under 3.8, running a 3.766 with a 323.97mph top speed in Connie Kalitta‟s Red Line Oil fueler
The Army car continued to lead the way in Q2 with a blistering 3.722 at 325.61, but Doug Kalitta made Uncle Connie smile with a 3.733 at 329.02 in the Mac Tools Dragster, and JR Todd widened his grin with a 3.753 at 323.97. DSR‟s Antron Brown ran the same 3.753 ET at 318.69 in DSR‟s Matco Tools Dragster but the Knuckle Sandwich smoked „em Larry Dixon put his C&J Energy car in the top half with a 3.784 at 321.42 ahead of Steve Torrence‟s 3.790, 323.27 in the Capco car Brittany Force was a tick behind at 3.792, 323.81 filling the top half ahead of Leah Pritchett„s 3.808 at 317.72. Fans who packed the Wild Horse Pass stands on Saturday saw a great show too, but not from the long skinny cars. Tony Schumacher‟s 3.722 stayed on pole, but Richie Crampton moved up with a 3.774 at 319.45 and Leah Pritchett ran a 3.794 at 315.93. In Q4 DSR‟s Spencer Massey went 3.791 and k‟boom, slowing his bright yellow car to 298.34. Steve Torrence went 3.760 at 325.85, but Richie Crampton‟s 3.739, 324.51 pass was the quickest of the session
Jenna Haddock made the field on the bump spot with career best numbers of 4.015 at 295.59, putting her against top qualifier Tony Schumacher for the third time! The Sarge‟s
3.741 at 322.27 was no improvement, but showed his team had found some consistency alongside Doug K‟s 3.771 at 322.88 which kept the Kalitta car second. As ever the fuel coupes added some fireworks, when former TAFC pilot Shane Westerfield, whose Mello Yello nitro tour debut at Pomona also made the highlight reels, went k‟boom again to lead of Q3, but this time he gained his sponsor some major TV time as it happened early in the run, and the clips had plenty of side shots of his fiery fuel coupe . Shane not only walked away, he came back in Q4. TJ drove DSR‟s Make-a-Wish car into the number three spot with a stout 4.003 at 315.27 - the only car to step up!
Don‟t know which run this young fan was watching, but you know he‟s hooked on NitroThunder!
Shane Westerfield not only ran in Q4, he made the field in the 15 spot with a 4.55! Chad Head stepped up to a 4.043 with a small fire, then Tim Wilkerson improved to a 4.034 as did Ron Capps Runs to a 4.020, but his DSR team mate Matt Hagan leapt to the pole with a blistering 3.978 at 320.28, the quickest of the season. Del Worsham also made a power-pass to 3.997 at 319.98 and John Force moved up with a 4.025. Jack Beckman didn‟t improve, but his earlier 4.047 placed DSR‟s Infinite Hero Charger in the field for this first time this year, while Surfer Jeff Diehl‟s Solara made the bump spot with a 4.866. Click to link to see all of the qualifying action…
Big Numbers, tight races… mcPix courtesy espn
Robert Hight took out Papa john Force in a pedal fest, then whipped up on Courtney Force with his hole show aided (0.094) 4.069 at 315.78 to the Traxxas Camaro‟s 0.115 light and a 4.057 at 315.71. He also cut a good 0.058 light against Del Worsham 0.086 but Hight‟s 4.050 at 316.23 was eaten by the DHL car‟s 4.010 at 315.78. Meanwhile, Matt Hagan was taking care of business with DSR‟s Rocky Boots Charger – his 4.072 314.09 unchallenged by Jeff Diehl, and his 4.058 at 316.30 gave an easy win over Cruz Pedregon‟s 4.380 then his 4.02 at 7 318.32 ran away from Alexis when her chutes popped out early. But in the finals he showed fans some pure NitroThunder, winning with a blistering 3.975 at 324.83 running away from Del Worsham‟s 4.010 at 318.17
It was Hagan‟s third straight win since Pomona last year, giving the 2014 Mello Yello champion more than 50 point lead in his title defence. And ol‟ Nitro Nostrils can be seen going for the shot at far right. Click the link to enjoy the a great fuel coupe race
DSR‟s Antron Brown drove round rookie Top Fuel pilot (and former Pro Stock champ), Dave Connolly‟s 0.050 (best RT of the event), holeshot to win this close first round race with 3.760
Shawn Langdon put his Knuckle Sandwich fueler across the stripe first with his 0.059 hole shot aided 3.758 at 324.59 over Richie Crampton‟s 0.091 light and a 3.755 at 321.50 in his GEICO/Lucas Oil car Weather conditions: much to team owner Forrest Lucas‟ disappointment
To say Tony Schumacher dominated would be an understatement. From the pole he ran a 3.725 at 325.14 to take out Jenna Haddock, a 3.768 at 320.43 over DSR team mate Spencer Massey and a quicker 3.738 at 325.53 over DSR‟s Antron Brown whose Matco Tools car was close with a 3.753 at 319.45 as you can see
You can almost feel the thunder
and smell the power as the Army car pounds the ground en route to the Sarge‟s 78 th Top Fuel win and fifth at Phoenix, moving the eight time Top Fuel champ to third in the points – click the link and check it out
As ever, my thanks to nhra.com for
their great photos and race data
Although Kalitta had a hundredth off the line, the US Army car soon thundered by to low elapsed time of the event, a stunning 3.720 at 326.56 ahead of the Mac Tools dragster‟s 3.758 at 325.14. Kalitta set top speed of the meet at 329.02mph Next stop
Gainesville
To see all the eliminations go to KMan's
Ultimate Drag Racing Channel on YouTube
“There aren’t any American cars on the roads today , really…” Keith Bartlett
Santa Pod CEO Mike Collins aka The Kaiser aka the Stovebolt Kid Maybe there aren‟t as many
Hummers as Hondas on the road, and obviously there are far more, ugly jelly-mould sewing machine econo-cars. But my T‟bird‟s not ugly, that‟s why I
fell in love with it 22 years ago Been driving it for almost a decade now; it has more comfort that cars four times its price, a V6 that runs on LPG and corners like it‟s on rails! Not liking ugly cars is why
many of us want our motors US built, „cos when it comes to owning a classy, stylish
and usually powerful machine, there‟s no Wonder what the Kaiser drives! If your ride is Automobilous substitute for American iron – especially Americanous, then ask him next time you‟re at the track… when it comes to value for money! Which is what I‟m led to believe the Pod‟s For some years now the Kaiser, God bless him, has been suffering annual Mopar Nationals is all about - and delusions of grandeur, living under the impression that he‟s God‟s ultimate American muscle cars! gift to drag racing, but that‟s his problem. As is the fact that the shot at right is the closest thing to a smile we‟ve ever seen. Having made him money for the past couple of years, cash paying fans deserve to
see smile in return… unless of course he‟s got a medical condition which prevents it, in which case, my apologies sir! But before we get to his SantaPodTV speech – have you
seen the 2015 SPR events brochure? It‟s actually lauding that “This fast growing event” (Dragstalgia) “also incorporates the famous “Cacklefest” – and that‟s a totally false fact as you cannot have a Cacklefest
without NITRO-fueled cars! Anything else is just a noise, which as a self professed drag racing aficionado he should know! Unless of course he‟s pre-booked some, which I doubt very much as there‟s no mention at all anywhere! But if he has, it‟s about time! However, let‟s talk about some of the things he said on-camera that were enough to make the hackles rise, and some just ridiculous. Like f‟instance talking about rising stars of the sport, “like Noah Stutz,” with no mention of the delightful Gabby
Mc D – who was seen burning out in her RFM fueler as he spoke! If he‟d watched his own show he‟d have known that young Noah hopes to be racing on the NHRA circuit – and surely someone would have told him Gabby ran a 4.11, fourth quickest of the afternoon on her final licensing pass! We all know that “would‟ve, should‟ve and could‟ve” mean nothing in any drag race, but as these Snips from SantaPodTV show, losing cylinders like this at the top end would‟ve cost her far more than 1/100th of a second! Had her run been on all eight, Gabby could„ve run well down in
the four zero‟s, and made a laughing stock of
many of big guns! Let‟s hope she gets funding to race with them this season „cos we need more fuel cars!
And while it‟d be cool if Noah got enough to race over in the US, for us nitro needy Pod fans, it‟d be far better if he came home to race here in Europe – and maybe even back up the Kaiser‟s boasts of his future stardom!
Perhaps, had The Kaiser known that Per and Karsten Andersen were retiring along with their driver Thomas
Nataas, Gabby might have got a name check along with words of encouragement, but sadly we‟ll never know! One thing‟s for sure, the FIA trail has lost the most consistent big number, low ET runners of the past few years - that blue Batmobile will be sorely missed by all! Then the Kaiser made remarks about Pro Stock rule changes to give the class a European flavour to influence car manufacturers as “There aren‟t any American cars on the roads today…” Which, as we all now really is total bullsh*t! At the time it was raised in après lunch discussion I was with half a dozen guys, of whom I was alone in owning only one American car, most of „em had at least two! And Wojtek, who often drives American cars but prefers his diesel Golf for good reason; it‟s been with the company with for years, it‟s more than just reliable as never let anyone down, it‟s cheap to run, with plenty of leg room (“More than Mike‟s Mustang,” he‟d chuckled), which comes in handy when you‟re Wojtek‟s size! And he does drive far more American cars than most folks. Since that lunch I‟ve ridden in half-a-dozen totally different cars, all of them classic examples of Automobilous Americanous, all amazing rides and instant head turners. Besides, who wants a Pro Stock Fiat500 instead of a bitchin‟ Camaro or Mopar? Now let‟s have more ffffun, some false facts and the truth about NitroFire!
AA bbooookk aatt bbeeddttiimmee…… words and photo mike collins
Couldn‟t understand why ML put me in
the frame to write a review of Haynes Top Fuel Dragster manual – he‟d already bought a copy for his library and the following had been posted on Amazon amongst four five star reviews…
…but he did, so here we go. My bed time reading was Wojtek‟s copy of the Don Garlits book above, and it was more than just interesting it was entertaining as Big Daddy long been one of the best interviews on the planet for drag race fans, and the tales it contained kept me up late for a few nights. My original Haynes Manual is stashed away somewhere, but I recall reading it avidly, wanting to know everything about my new Camaro, obviously skipping the bits which were too technical. The book was fat and filled with facts that left me with far more knowledge that before – which is what a manual is supposed to do, I guess! When my review copy of the Haynes Top Fuel Dragster manual arrived, I naturally opened it up and got inside – five times I literally threw it down on the floor because of the words I‟d read on the opened pages! But with four five ***** reviews and one four **** - who am I to disagree? After all I‟ve been driving a fleet of AA Fuel Zippos for almost half a century and my tastes are obviously a tad too jaded for such a tome, especially with some of their “action shots!” Like on the first full page bleed where we‟re meant to be looking at a 8,000 horsepower Top Fuel car launching, yet the slicks and the tarmac are just a dark shape – not even a hint of a wrinkled slick in sight! Below is an untouched, cropped scan of that image and next to it an eXtreme crop of one of Wojtek‟s photos in which you can clearly see the result of 8,000 horsepower doing its job – QED!
Blowin‟ in the wind - NitroFire on a good launch from one of my AA/FZ‟s
Haynes Top Fuel Dragster manual Wojtek photo But the book is well presented, sort of, except again I‟d have been happier to have seen more images with better quality. But when they‟re good, the technical shots are even interesting, if you know what you‟re looking at! F‟r instance, the caption to the image below begins, “The front wheels are attached to a titanium spindle by one central nut.” And that nut, I guess, is sort of visible in the right hand corner! If you‟re not into reading books (shame on you!), but you can still enjoy a bunch of technical photos, providing you know something about cylinder heads, or crankshafts, as not only do most of the captions just state the obvious, you‟ll have just read the exact same words in the book‟s text. Take the page at left, it opens with the words “The cylinder heads have a hemispherical combustion chamber and are machined from billet aluminium.” And then they‟re used as caption under the cylinder head image – which is either lazy or cheap! Actually, some of them are different, but only one of four Haynes Top Fuel on that page. However, if you don‟t read books, and this Dragster manual is not a cheap shot, just a fact, click the link and you‟ll learn far more about driving blown, injected hemi- powered, fire breathing, ground pounding, nitro fueled machines . “Drag racing, it‟s the ride of a lifetime,” says John Force, “I would say it‟s better than sex,” his big grin fills the screen as he adds, “But how would I know at my age!” This short film, called Fire Breathing Monsters, is totally awesome! Edited by Lenny Mesina and Wes Lipman, it truly captures the fact that, more than just the fastest sport in the world, it‟s the most exciting. The sound of eight trunks trumpeting makes your heart beat faster, and all that kind‟ve jazz! This “still” from the credits at left, in my humble opinion, captures the true essence of our powerful sport, a haze of mcSnip smoke and a blur of side-by-side NitroFire!
Unlike this Top Fuel Manual where, sadly, there‟s nowhere in the book‟s driver‟s description of his Top Fuel ride that‟ even as exciting as riding a bike through the park, just a long numbered list – like nine pages long, which Andy Carter says is “Ninety-eight per cent of what a typical run entails from my perspective.” But then, being a manual, I guess it‟s not meant to be exciting, or even entertaining! Happily the next pages are from Andy‟s old crew chief Ben
Allum, and he comes closer to capturing a taste of sport‟s excitement. The back cover boasts about the “driver‟s view from some of the biggest names in European Top Fuel,” amongst whom we find our favourite Santa Pod bullsh*t artist, DC Bradford. Research suggests he was responsible for introducing the term “bunny ears,” which has absolutely f*ck all to do with NitroFire, yet the amazing thing is that what he‟s written in the book is actually halfway entertaining – guess this proves that he doesn‟t always have an enema for breakfast, probably just on race weekends! Sadly, that term is actually listed in the book‟s glossary of terms as “a popular name for header flames” – and yet again, more total BS is hoisted on the unsuspecting public as the truth! When I mentioned this to an informed colleague, he moaned softly as he exclaimed, “Oh God, no!” Heck it even upset my lil‟ alien buddy, „cos he not only loves the thunder of Top Fuel racing, he‟s a long-time member of the Playboy Club! So here we go folks at left
are bunny ears, at right NitroFire from SantaPodTV, and I‟m sure you‟ll agree there is no resemblance at all! Trouble is if the book is “factually incorrect” and “historically inaccurate” as it most certainly is when the author writes about the early years of “Top Fuel” racing in the UK. Back then ours were known as fuelers or fuel cars. More correctly they were AA/FD‟s, as in blown an‟ injected, nitro burning dragsters, especially during the DragFest years, and the early days of racing at the Pod. Top Fuel came later in life, so how can I trust that his clinical details of a dragster chassis‟ 4130 chrome moly steel components at right are correct! Not
that it matters „cos none of us are ever going to try and replicate the recipe! Anyhow, if you‟re a Top Fuel freak go buy the book off the web, unless you‟ve a disposable budget that‟s big enough to pay full retail, then just call Haynes and they‟ll deliver one for you, at a price of course! But as we all know, nitro fueled drag racing is not for the weak minded or those with an unfriendly bank manager. It requires mega buck sponsorship, or in many cases, for some often foolhardy and brave souls, a bank balance bigger than their egos! Except of course, ego‟s can be deflated quicker than a fuel car can cover the distance, and even mega funding can vanish in an instant when the car goes k‟boom! But then all of the Top Fuel pilots get the best ride on the planet, and all of „em do try to entertain us for the price of a ticket, so who cares what it costs! Long may they continue to dream, and maybe even now there‟s some rich kid out there intent on eating daddy‟s funds by building his own fueler because of something he read in this Haynes book – wow! Imagine 20 years down the road, a top-end interview with some rising superstar who says,” well mcPix back in the day I read this Haynes manual on top fuel dragsters…” Don‟t laugh, stranger things have happened – as you might discover if you buy a copy of another Haynes Manual, cleverly re-titled Alien Resistance manual! I wonder if Don Garlits has a copy – again, don‟t laugh; Big Daddy is a
confirmed fan as the snaps taken at last year‟s US Nationals and posted on his Facebook page confirm! Have fun folks an‟ remember - if you can‟t laugh about it you should‟ve stayed in bed - but not with this alien book!
When it comes to the Haynes Top Fuel manual being “factually incorrect,” well I prefer the expression historically inaccurate! When discussing the first British “Top Fuel” car, the book mentions a “rumour” that the original Allard dragster used some nitro – obviously begun to justify the cars “restoration” – as a cackle car instead of in its original mechanical form! Apart from anything else, you don‟t just add some fuel and go race – you‟ve got to tune the sucker to run on nitro, as the Allard resto-rodders found out when they tried to cackle it at the Pod – is sounded like, well cack! It was always a fine looking machine, just archaic before it was finished being built. However, as I told the purveyor of this “gossip” when he mentioned the rumour to me (the same weekend as the Haynes book‟s shot of the Commuter was taken at the Pod), “That‟s b*&^s@*&t!” Previously I‟d done more than just research the matter for Nick Pettitt‟s Early Day‟s book, having spoken with someone who was not only involved in drag racing since those early days, but is also one of the most knowledgeable and
respected folks on this planet when it comes to nitro, and his answer was definitely negative! Wojtek photo
From him I also learned that the car always ran rich, and regular big tens, until it was brought out for a final pass at the „64 DragFest where, following conversations with visiting American crews concerning tuning, Sydney Allard and his team led by John Hume gleaned sufficient information that they were able to finally tune the car to run strong. This image captures that magic run, with a very happy Sydney Allard standing proud alongside, knowing from the “feel” of that launch that his car was really on a pass, and he was right. His son Alan drove the ol‟ girl to its best ever mark of 10.28seconds Photographer unknown Asphalt Archives
At that time I was still serving Her Majesty and had yet to meet my nitro mentor, who also missed that particular run, but when it comes to facts concerning fuel dragsters in the UK, my source was far more than just reliable. Having now read this “rumour” in the Haynes Top Fuel manual, and knowing from whence it came, it‟s easy to imagine meeting an aged person who‟d “worked” with the Guv‟nor,” as Mr Allard was affectionately know, with the question being posed “but we think it‟s possible that the car had some nitro added, don‟t you agree?” Perhaps, said with a smile and a warm pat on the ol‟ dude‟s knee! But that‟s just my interpretation… Unlike the fact that the Commuter, Tudor Rose and the Allard-Skilton were all using nitro methane fuel during the halcyon season that was 1968. How do I know? Well, as commentator at the Pod, as the track‟s PR person and as a friend of the crews! And also because of what I wrote as Features Editor of Drag Racing & Hot Rod Magazine, and in much respected publications such as Autosport and Motoring News, and even The Sunday Times! Somewhere I‟ve a clipping which states that “Skilton was loaded for bear,” which means he‟d tipped the can – I‟m not talking Coca-Cola, but nitro! In the Haynes Top Fuel manual there‟s a lot concerning nitro which should never have been published, yet strangely there‟s no mention of G-Max, yet they‟ve been providing this ultimate power fuel to racers since Santa Pod began, and sponsoring my AA/FZ‟s just as long! Had the author spoken with the company, asked the right questions and taken note, then his book probably wouldn‟t have contained so many errors Alan Allard and Clive Skilton
aren‟t talking about the weather, but probably what CJS should expect from the added fuel! At right, Clive finds out for himself, and told me later how much he‟d enjoyed the drive – with a big grin on his face! Check the old school, pull down nitro mask – two wheel nitro warrior Alf Hagon wore one Photos John Bennett DragRod
Actually, unlike today where racers get drums of pure nitro, all that was available back then was a pre-mixed 40/60 cocktail, from which teams made their own brew, adding extra methanol to reduce the load during those first tentative runs with their new machines! Clive was the first to race in actual eliminations Nothing tentative about young Rex Sluggett‟s first AA/FD race against the Commuter, he was so excited he red lit,. Sadly, for many years it was suggested that Rex had got a hole shot, but as he agreed about a decade ago, that was something he never could do against the Commuter! never the
And as you can see from the caption at far left, both the Commuter and Tudor rose ran 38% nitro during this, the first side-by-side eight-second race at the Pod, and also the quickest we‟d ever seen between our fuelers! The clipping is from Autosport. But let‟s get back to the Haynes Top Fuel manual, and the argument about the UK‟s first “Top Fuel” car. Forget the fact that they were AA/FD‟s and not Top Fuel, and also forget the word “definitive,” as that too is a total BS word and in our home-grown sport, it‟s generally bogus to boot! However, I‟ve come up with a formula (discussed with my nitro mentors), which could help straighten this thing out – but not this time around AA/FD race photos John Bennett DragRod
OOooppss,, mmaakkee tthhaatt ttrruucckk!!
Even on a cloudy day, this „59 Chevrolet El Camino has a distinctive look, with the blue ‟57 Chevy pick-up behind, it‟s bulbous styling showing how far design had changed in such a short space of time When the sun came back out, I found ML sat alongside it on the rear bumper of a ‟59 Cadillac, day dreaming, his eyes with a kind‟ve far-away look until my camera click snapped him out from where ever he‟d been lost in his reverie. Before I could say anything Dave the Cab spoke over my shoulder, “Think I‟ll give it a wash so I can take it for a test drive,” and the moment was gone. Lo and behold, about an hour later Wojtek was stood tight against the fender of a ‟59 Impala convertible helping Dave move the El Camino out from its tight confines. Boy did it look good! Naturally, I hitched a ride...
… lookin‟ out the front was cool, but soon as the tail-fin was lined up in the mirror, I realised why ML had been all misty eyed - his first Yank had been a ‟59 Impala! The view was just one of many pleasures owning such a ride would bring, and we‟d yet to hit the open road
Although our brief journey through Redhill was traffic laden, the El Camino was a head turner all the way, which was cool. The view in my rear view mirror kept me smiling and the 55 year old beauty was a smooth, easy living mode of transport. In fact the ride was far more than I expected, the pick-up handled better and the engine seemed to have far more response than a regular ol‟ 283
ML waxed lyrical on AAP‟s auto sales page and this extract shows just why I‟d been so impressed with my ride… Wow! By far the best '59 Chevy El Camino pickup in the country. She's a dreamboat of originality, but with subtle upgrades, including adjustable rear air shocks… She drives like a dream, and comes with power steering and brakes, plus a hidden sound system in addition to the original radio. It's as super clean as the day it left the factory under the hood, with a 350 (5.7-litre) small-block residing where once sat the original 238 (4.6), while original-style Chevy Orange valve covers and a "283" air cleaner decal are retained for a period look. Upgrades include a three-speed TH350 auto box, modern radiator and thermo fan
Closed or open, nautical styled cleats in the pick-up bed look good
1959 was the first year of the El Camino pickup and Chevrolet treated it to the same gull wing fins as the Biscayne, Bel-Air and Impala sedans and Brookwood station wagon. The sedans' teardrop taillights were modified to allow for the tailgate to be lowered. ML
The roof projects over the rear window, following the "flyaway" style of the '59 Chevy hardtops
Before we do a butt check on 1959 big fin GM motors, here‟s a glimpse of a few recent rides. Haven‟t been in Alan‟s late model pick-up yet, maybe soon! The shot was taken from a haul-arse Pro Charged Mustang I really fancied, but my easy livin‟ T‟bird‟s still the ride for me
No American cars on the road?
How about a cruise round town in a chop top Mercury, it was wild, and the Torino not Yeah right, but here are five winners only looked good enough to turn even more heads, it had a smooth ride and cornered well right off the bat - the Kaiser needs to too! But neither were a match for the head-turnablity of the beautiful El Camino check out Custom Car!
BBuutttt ttoo bb uutttt!!
Which of these stylish ‟59 rear-ends
lights your fire? Talk about a booty call!
PPiigg FFaarrmm BBlluueess Sadly they were solo passes as Bud Barnes had the only Top Fuel car in PPaarrtt oonnee town! Regardless, he set new track records of 8.47 and 189mph and I was My first taste of nitro thunder… hooked on blown an‟ injected Nitro Power. Soon after, Don Garlits‟ (23rd
…so close the ground shook each time Ultra Sonic smoked in a 32 car field at Indy), took a stunning 6.77, 220mph US Nats win, down the quarter mile at Santa Pod almost two seconds and 31mph faster! And we‟ve been playing catch-up ever since - in every sense of the term!
This was really brought home when the NHRA‟s regular season ended with the 60th US Nationals, a five-day celebration of straight-line power. Almost 1,000 race cars saw racers, crews and officials pushed above and beyond the call of duty. And we long-distance fans too, as ESPN gave us 10 hours of stunning television packed with far more than just nitro fueled action. The excitement was such it kept me glued to my chair for a couple of days until I‟d reached the finals, all five on „em – and they were definitely AA awesome viewing! In amongst the racing the NHRA had arranged for fans to “re-live” some of the magic history from the US Nats storied past with the now-legendary racers talking of those iconic moments that were also featured on special credentials (shown at right), available to the first few hundred through the gate (and probably a few luckier “special guests”), which were no doubt signed, to be cherished for fans old and new. Featuring iconic moments like when Mongoose beat Snake in 1978, Shirley Muldowney‟s great big win, Kenny Bernstein‟s amazing first double-up in his Budweiser King fuel coupe and also Indy‟s winningest drivers, Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden, Big Daddy and Tony Schumacher – 26 US Nationals title between them! These all evoked great memories, but the one which set my mind whirring was Big Daddy Don Garlits shaving his beard following his first-ever six-second pass, a 6.77 at 220.58 in winning the 1967 US Nationals. And that was the same year I got my first hit of Nitro Power when Bud Barnes set the Santa Pod at 8.47 at 189mph putting us almost two seconds behind! This year also saw the 50th anniversary of the 426 Hemi, the legendary King Kong of motors - still the basic design upon which today‟s nitro engines are built. For many folks at Indy the big race for the past few year has been the Mopar Hemi Challenge featuring a field of 1968 hemi-powered SS/AH (Super Stock A/Hemi in case you wondered) Dodge Darts and Plymouth Photo courtesy nhra.com Barracudas racing heads up for glory. After a year off, five-time winner Charlie Westcott Jr returned to do battle in his Warfish Barracuda, racing his way through five rounds to win an amazing final
Photo courtesy nhra.com
In a race usually won on holeshots like the one above, Warfish came from behind in every sense of the word. Having qualified sixth in a 26 car field, Westcott got lucky when his 8.67 beat a red-light 8.58 – and then he was a tenth late in the finals against Canadian Wendell Howes who took out Charlie Senior in the semis. Luckily for Charlie
Jr, the legendary Westcott horsepower came through, getting a sixth win at the US Nats by just 13 thousandths of a Hemi Challenge mcSnips courtesy second! Wow! His $15,000 winner‟s robzneed4speed YouTube cheque also came with a unique 50th anniversary 426 HEMI Challenge trophy (a huge 42.6 lbs!) and – new this year - a custom Mopar winner‟s jacket
To see all the action of the 2014 Mopar Hemi Challenge Shootout, click the link and enjoy a 12-minute-long package for hemi lovers
The fuel coupes Friday night qualifying, with five cars in the 4.0‟s, including DSR‟s Matt Hagan who set top speed of 318.47 mph in DSR„s HEMI 50th anniversary Charger. Del Worsham put Kalitta Racing‟s DHL
Toyota on pole with a 4.044 closely followed by Ron Capps‟ 4.052 I his DSR NAPA car. Worsham also gained three valuable points towards his bid to stay in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship field, the US Nats being the final race of the regular season
Photo courtesy nhra.com
Photo courtesy nhra.com
Photo courtesy nhra.com
Tony Schumacher set the pace for a field of 20 fuelers, the nine-time Indy winner lighting up the night sky with a blistering 3.777 at 322.65, a tenth ahead of Steve Torrence‟s 3.786 at 318.09. The US Army car‟s pole run was also three seconds quicker than Big Daddy Don Garlits‟ 1967 US Nationals winning 6.77. Talking of which, that‟s famed national Dragster lensman Mark Gewertz enjoying a Saturday afternoon thrill of having his very being shook as Big Daddy cackled past in his original 1967 Wynn‟s Charger AA/FD on the hallowed turf that is Indy. And you just know that Don was thrilled to take drive amongst other fuel dragsters and fuel coupes to join in one of many Cacklefests taking place over the weekend at this special 60th anniversary US Nationals. They all looked great and sounded sensational
Big Daddy Cacklin‟ images courtesy Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Top Fuel‟s second Q session was the scene of the first final round at Indy, the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, with Tony Schumacher‟s 3.748 at 328.54 taking both ends of the track record and rookie Richie Crampton‟s 3.798, as 318.24. With the huge trophy came a $100,000 winner‟s cheque Off the track, Mongoose and Snake were busy regailing fans with anecdotes of their 1978 fuel coupe final, with Snake suggesting he couldn‟t have won even without problems. It was Photo courtesy the second of four special nhra.com nostalgia showcases, the first nostalgiaon Friday showcase with Don events,Prudhomme the first and on Jim Friday "Superman" afternoon Nicollwith talking of their DonTop Fuel"the finalSnake" at thePrudhomme 1970 US Nationals.and Jim "Superman" Nicoll's car wasNicoll cut in half by an Photo courtesy nhra.com spokeexploding of the clutch, 1970 theTop cockpit Fuel finals barrel when-rolling Nicoll's past thecar youngwas cut Snake who almost inquit half at theby antime exploding – today it‟sclutch, a race the of cockpit legend! barrel Mike- rollLintern past (nowthe American Autoparts head honcho) Snakewas present, who almost reporting quit onat thebehalf time, of butthe it‟sfledgling a now Customfamous Car Magazine - that‟s 44 years of elapsed hightime!- light race Photo courtesy nhra.com
Best prior run: 3.772/324.20, Was #3
Photo courtesy nhra.com
Jack Beckman‟s DSR Valvoline Charger thundered to a track record ET of 4.004 at 319.07 ahead Unless noted all Mello Yello images courtesy nhra.com of 11 other 4.0 cars, but the big buzz came was the rain delayed fuel coupe final from Brainerd‟s Lucas Oil Nats between defending event winner Ron Capps and 11-time Brainerd winner John Force Capps visible holeshot led all the way, his DSR NAPA Charger taking the win with a 4.026 at 320.36 ahead of John Force‟s 4.126 at 313.88. They were all smiles after the race
With two more qualifying sessions, Sunday was another hectic day for the crews, with more thrills for the thousands of fans filling the stands, especially as the first four pair of fuel coupe qualifiers were also racing for glory and $100,000 in the Traxxas Nitro Shootout! Alexis DeJoria left first, her Patrón Toyota storming down track and obviously on a thunder run ahead of a trouble Tommy Johnson – until her engine went k‟boom in the lights! Her 4.072 came with a slowing 275.67 – but she got the win easily over TJ‟s 4.313 at 265.17
Next up Courtney Force kicked off her day with 4.005 and a track record speed of 322.73, running away from Ron Capps 4.043 at 319.37, to win the race and move from “not-qualified” to second
JFR‟s Robert Hight also moved into the top half, and won with a stout 4.042 at 318.24 over Cruz Pedregon‟s 4.052 at 316.15. The final pair also gave fans a Photo courtesy nhra.com good side-by-side race; John Force, who was not qualified, used another 4.042 to defeat Tim Wilkerson‟s 4.073 at 311.34 - his higher speed of 319.75mph bumped Hight down a notch too! Blake Alexander marked the return to straight qualifying, finally making it down track in his Monroe Shocks Charger with a 4.144 at 299.46 gaining him 15th spot much to the delight of the fans. But the huge crowd really went nuts with Matt Hagan‟s bye run, his DSR HEMI 50th anniversary Charger blasting to a 3.998 at 316.01, the three-second pass for a fuel coupe at Indy. (The nhra.com report said the next pair “fired, did their burnouts,” and “were shut off for invisible rain” – which we didn‟t see on TV!)
Photo courtesy nhra.com
The second round of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout took place during Sunday‟s fifth fuel coupe Photo courtesy nhra.com Q session and it too began with a bang from Alexis DeJoria‟s Patrón Toyota. Not so dramatic, but sadly
her race was lost almost instantly - sheets of nitro fire filled the air then vanished as the engine j‟st quit! Traxxas Nitro Shootout mcSnips courtesy LitbyNoonProductions YouTube
Nitro fire at the hit! Nitro fire being eaten! Dead in the water!
Meanwhile John Force‟s Mustang was charging, but soon began smokin‟ and sashayed down the track to a 4 .96 at 169mph win. Two more JFR cars came out next – and they both went up in smoke, with Robert Hight pedalling through to a 4.76 at 264 as Courtney Force floundered to a 5.37, 162.3, a far cry from her Photo courtesy nhra.com earlier 4.005! None of the other cars improved, most of „em smokin‟ and stroking their way down track. Happily for fans, the session ended with side-by-side full pulls from DSR team mates Matt Hagan and
Tommy Johnson Jr. Hagan slowed to a 4.103 at 311.63 while TJ ran low ET of the session, his special edition DSR Charger running RileyKids.org colours (supporting Terry Chandler‟s Riley Children‟s Foundation), running a consistent 4.059 at 313.07 behind his earlier 4.053, 316.67. The field remained unchanged, with Hagan‟s 3.998 leading a dozen 4.0‟s tail ended with a 4.10, a 4.14 and a 4.436 at 304.87 on the bump!
In the all-JFR final of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for fuel coupes, John Force‟s 0.084 was late behind son-in-law Robert Hight‟s 0.042 light, but he chased him down and thundered past, the Castrol Mustang winning the $100,000 with a 4.061 at 317.19 Photo courtesy nhra.com to Hight‟s 4.178, 304.32mph Photo courtesy nhra.com Although he wasn‟t racing, Sunday was busy for Big Daddy. In the morning he went on
stage with Bob Glidden and Tony Schumacher where they talked about some of their memorable victories at Indy. Then Big was back again to standing ovations, recalling his first 6-second pass in winning the ‟67 US Nats - and the shaving of his beard. Shortly later, Don put on his racing gear, climbed in and fired-up his 1967 US Nationals winnin‟ fueler, cacklin‟ on down to the start area to shave off his beard, just as he‟d done all those many years ago. Once again Big Daddy received a standing ovation – click and enjoy!
Photo courtesy nhra.com
Back in the world of today‟s 320mph NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel racing, cars were struggling. Out of 23 fueler hitting the track during their fourth Q session only, Larry Dixon‟s 3.791 at 322.4 and Richie Crampton‟s 3.799 at 322.50 were quicker than Khalid alBalooshi„s 3.810. Things were even tougher in the fifth and final session, which Photo courtesy Photo courtesy began with Pat Dakin on the bump spot at 3.956.Sadly for thousands of nhra.com nhra.com fans, a 3.963 at 307.86 placed Chris Karamesines 17 – bummer! Man you gotta love that Golden Greek; he‟s the quickest and fastest octogenarian on the planet and just keeps on keeping on! Then Leah Pritchett stepped up to the plate and clipped a tenth off the bump with a 3.846 at 318.32 – the quickest bump spot in NHRA History! Sadly for all babe lovers, DSR‟s Antron Brown stole her glory, a 3.845 at 316.75 in his Matco Tools car (right), bumping her out by just 0.001seconds! The last pair was a re-run of Saturday‟s Traxxas final, only this time Richie Crampton‟s 3.793 at 323.97 showed pole sitter Tony Schumacher‟s 3.814 at 326.16 the way home. But the Sarge must‟ve slept well knowing his 3.748 at 328.54 led the quickest field in NHRA history, while Antron Brown was relieved to have made the field after his fraught qualifying sessions. “Labor Day” is a huge holiday in the USA, the busiest weekend on the highways as folks travel far-and-wide to visit family and friends. More than that, it‟s a long weekend as “Labor Day Monday” is a Photo courtesy nhra.com National day of rest for American workers. But not for NHRA drag racers, their Labor Day celebrations means more hard work, fighting for a win at the US Nationals, held for many long years at Indy, “It‟s the gran‟daddy of „em all,” John Force said with a grin. Any win on the NHRA circuit is huge, but a win at Indy propels you into drag racing legend. This year, being its 60 th birthday, more than ever racers wanted the extra glory that goes with winning the Big Go, and the thrilled the vast crowd of fans at the US Nationals with truly memorable racing all day long. Top Fuel opened the day with a typical first round – if you‟re lucky enough to have a 16 car field! Photo courtesy nhra.com
The biggest upset was seeing long-time family racer Dom That was the final pair of the round, and the first pair was much the Lagana, drive the Aussie owned Rapisarda car to a 3.86 same, one car lit „em up almost at the hit, while t‟other ran a strong 3.78 win at 306.12 over point‟s leader Doug Kalitta‟s up-in- at 322mph, and then came a pedalfest! Four time Indy winner Larry smoke 4.415, 270.92 in Uncle Connie‟s Mac Tools car Dixon (recently back in a car after a lengthy respite), was up in smoke at the hit followed by Brittany Force. Dixon showed his experience, getting on and off the pedal half a dozen time, passing her with a 6.50 to a 6.62. Rookie Richie Crampton took out sometime racer Billy Torrence (Steve‟s dad!), in a great side-by-side duel, his 3.782 at 320.20 taking the stripe by 0.0155 seconds ahead of Billy T‟s Capco car‟s 3.795 at 324.28
Photo courtesy nhra.com mcPix courtesy espn
Presented by TJ Zizzo and Rust-Oleum mcSnips courtesy LitbyNoonProductions and es pn
TJ Zizzo‟s all-volunteer crew must have been over the moon as they waited in the staging lanes at Indy alongside their newly sponsored Rust-Oleum Top Fuel car, and with good reason. TJ had made four full pulls during the five qualifying session, from an off-the-trailer 3.871 at 320.89 to a career best 3.795 at 319.22 sandwiched between a 3.829, 321.583 and a 3.838 at 317.12 – far more consistent than some of the big guns, and then the team overpowered the track in the fifth Q session. Better yet, their 3.795 not only qualified for the Big Go – it placed them 11th, ahead of ten other cars including some mighty mega-buck machines; a pair of DSR cars, one of Connie Kalitta‟s and one of AJR‟s Al-Anabi cars – a great way to impress a new sponsor. Leaving the line just 0.007 seconds after his opponent, TJ and the crew thought they were in for a good drag race - and they were…
Then TJ’s ride
went from …in a mild to wild… millise cond!
…forget conflagration – let’s stick with
The way horsepower and down force holds the chassis close to the track is amazing, yet moments later it seems to almost float as the explosion kills the engine! TJ‟s head is held straight by his HANS device, but the blower‟s takin‟ a ride! The flames intensify and air pressure starts sucks them into the driver‟s cockpit!
“Holy cow, look’t that!” Mike Dunn ESPN
“It probably dropped a valve or something,” said Zizzo later. “I saw him creep (Bob Vandergriff), out there, and all of a sudden, I heard, „Boom!‟ I‟m pretty sure my head hit the dashboard on that one. There was fire everywhere. I saw parts fly past me. I said, „I know what that is – that‟s the supercharger coupler. That‟s not good.‟” Quote courtesy National Dragster. TJ was right, as you can see from Mike Dunn‟s telestrater circle
“Wow dudes!” Those were the words uttered by TJ Zizzo during his first round ride at the US Nationals following a “gi-normous” explosion - talk about cool! “The car was a little bit soft,” said Mike Dunn on ESPN, “the numbers were soft…” However, the multi-camera replays were tough and in y‟face!
Bob Vandergriff ran a strong 3.805 at 323.43 to advance while TJ‟s Rust-Oleum car continued to blaze its path to International TV highlight reel fame which probably went down well at the Rust-Oleum company Tuesday morning board meeting!
The expression “gi-normous” is actually a nautical expression from way back when – usually to describe a wave…
…but as you can see, this fireball is close to being a wave of flames – and it‟s ‟kin‟ tall too! Click the link to feel the heat!
“TJ Zizzo found the culprit of his huge first-round explosion: a broken camshaft. The Rust-Oleum team stripped down the chassis after discovering that a piece of debris had dented the upper-left frame rail behind the motor…" National Dragster
Maybe there was no race quite as dramatic, but the race for the 60th annual US Nationals title was more than just exciting, especially for Australian rookie racer Richie Crampton. He‟d smoked „em during the first two Q sessions, but after that tuner Aaron Brooks found his stride with every pass in the 3.7‟s. After losing the Traxxas Top Fuel shootout to the Sarge, Crampton got revenge in the semi finals, driving the GEICO/Lucas Oil fueler to a 3.784 at 322.81 to beat Tony Schumacher‟s US Army car (3.788, 325.69), by just 0.0014 seconds – about eight inches! In the final, Crampton had a slight advantage at the green and thundered to a 3.766 at 327.98mph ahead of Steve Torrence‟s 3.799 at 327.82 in his Capco fueler. National Dragster wrote “Talk about an impressive year – his first win was as the NHRA‟s 100th different Top Fuel winner at Englishtown and now he‟d captured the crown jewel that is the US Nationals title. It‟s hard work for anyone, and pretty damned impressive for e first year rookie!” “Yes siree bub,” as they same in some southern states! And then the young Aussie later won the Rookie of the Year award – far out!
OOnnccee aaggaaiinn,, lleett’’ss nnoott ffoorrggeett tthhee ffuueell ccoouuppeess……
The semi finals at Indy saw a classic battle of the babes between Alexis DeJoria and Courtney force – and it was a real gunfight! Click the link and enjoy the view from the stands courtesy TJenkx6 – it‟s an awesome race!
mcSnips courtesy NHRA YouTube
Alexis DeJoria had a slight lead at the green, but it changed couple of times before she thundered ahead for the win in her Patrón Toyota with a 4.057 at 311.77 ahead of Courtney Force‟s Traxxas Mustang‟s 4.069 308.92. A great drag race to win which put her against Papa John Force‟s Castrol GTX Mustang that had just run a great 4.033 at 322.04 to beat a smoked in Ron Capps
This was also a great race - Alexis DeJoria Photo courtesy nhra.com cut an 0.037 light against the 16 time and almost 10mph faster at 319.67 Champ‟s 0.071 and thundered away in her Patrón XO Cafe Toyota to win the coveted US Nationals trophy with a 4.038 at 310.34mph, 0.0358 seconds ahead of John
Force‟s 4.039 in the Castrol Mustang. Click the link to enjoy Alexis DeJoria's big win at the 60th US Nationals at Indy
With the 2015 Winternationals in the books, it‟s pointless filling pages about last year‟s Countdown, but if you want to check the action from Pomona, or the great racing from 2014 click the link and visit KMan's Ultimate Drag Racing Channel - you‟ll also find Afterwards Alexis thanked Connie Kalitta, “You‟re the best boss a all the ESPN NHRA Mello Yello shows back to 2011! girl like me could ever have, thank you for having faith in me…”
Click the link and re-visit our 2014Special summer edition which contains a virtual NitroXtravaganza of power filled pages and there‟s some good ol‟ nitro thunder at Santa Pod‟s annual September Showdown – as you‟ll see if you click this link to our Holiday edition 2014
OOkkaayy ggaanngg,, oonnee mmoorree ttiimmee……
NitroFire NitroFire
bbuunnnnyy eeaarrss……
…and legs! …and legs! Now I‟m off to enjoy some much needed astral travel, hoping we cleared all of the naughty alien‟s glitches…