NORTHWEST DIVISION Jr. DRAGSTER Ignitor to kick off 2002 GOLD CROWN SERIES NHRA Division 6 schedule 2002May 25 Nl'akapxm Eagle Motorplex Ashcroft, B.C. June 15 Lakeview Dragstrip Lakeview, Ore. Are you ready for some drag racing? June 15 Lost Creek Raceway Anaconda, Mont. June 15 Race City Motorsport Park Calgary, Alta. We may not have Al and John, but as Hank Williams Jr. says, "It's time to get the party started." We are just days away from welcoming in the 2002 NHRA Northwest Division season, and the June 28 Pacific Raceways Kent, Wash. home office is operating at a fever pitch. We have brought in some new sponsors, programs, June 29 Madras Raceway Park Madras, Ore. employees, tracks, and, without a doubt, racers. The New crew at Firebird Raceway has made July 3 Portland Int'l Raceway Portland, Ore. many more improvements and is ready for the 32nd running of the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro July 6 Mission Raceway Mission, B.C. Opener. After a very successful Boise Roadster Show, the New family is ready to roll out the red carpet for what should be the best Ignitor ever. I’ve been cooped up in the office for five months July 13 Bremerton Raceway Bremerton, Wash. and can’t wait to get started. July 20 M.H.D.R.A. Dragstrip Medicine Hat, Alta. July 27 Firebird Raceway Boise, Idaho The biggest announcement this off-season is that Lucas Oil Products has signed on as the title sponsor for the divisional events, which will be known as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Aug. 4 North Central Motorsports Park Prince George, B.C. Lucas Oil founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas have signed a three-year deal with NHRA for the Sept. 1Woodburn Dragstrip Woodburn, Ore. SIXTH series. I would like each of you to personally thank them for their support when you see them. Sept. 15 Coos Bay Int’l Speedway Coos Bay, Ore. Hopefully, they may come to one of our divisional races because their son, Morgan, races in Super Comp with teammate Tom Bayer. Lucas Oil also sponsors the national event at Pacific Raceways; Competition in two categories: the Top Alcohol Funny Car of Jason Rupert, whom we may see at a couple of Division 6 events; Jr. Dragster Lightning and Jr. Dragster Thunder SENSE and the nitro Funny Car of John Lawson. Kenny Bernstein and Don Prudhomme Racing also NHRA or Castrol GTX 10th Anniversary trophies to each receive sponsorship from Lucas Oil. For all of us, I say thank you to Lucas Oil for its support of category winner with bonus awards presented by host track. March/April 2002 NHRA and its racers. The NHRA Division 6 Gold Crown Series events CALL THE DIVISION 6 are conducted solely by the host tracks. THIS IS Mike Rice OFFICE FOR DETAILS: Another big announcement is the return of the B.C. Bracket Championship. This three-event NOT A POINTS SERIES! The program is 502 High St., Suite 205 series will crown champions in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Snow/Bike. The series will be held designed to promote good, safe, and clean Port Orchard, WA 98366-4716 in conjunction with the Northwest National Open Series events at Nl'akapxm Eagle Motorplex, Mis- racing with an emphasis on FUN. (360) 874-4579 (360) 874-4579 sion Raceway, and North Central Motorsports Park. Racers must participate at all three events to Fax: (360) 874-4570 be eligible for the championship. E-mail: [email protected] How about a big hand for all the Northwest Division racers who have already tasted success Jerry Valentine this season? Congratulations to Steve Federlin on his first national event win in Pomona (he beat 12525 Willows Road, Suite 134 Mark Hentges in the final). Obviously, the Pat and Bucky show will continue this season as the two th Kirkland, WA 98034 faced off in the final in Pomona; Pat emerged victorious. Mike Ferderer notched his 13 national Tech Line: (425) 821-7868 event victory in Pomona by winning Super Comp. Moving to Phoenix, we saw Chet Vandewater score his first national event win in Super Street. Mark Faul finished as runner-up in Super Stock. Tech Fax: (425) 821-6487 By far, the best start has to go to Eric Waldo. After scoring a runner-up finish in Pomona in Stock, E-mail: [email protected] he sold the car, then won his fifth national event in Phoenix. Once again, the Land of the Leaders showed the nation just how tough we are. Great job, everybody. We’re still working on many programs but have already secured some contingency sponsor- ship for both the Top Comp and Sportsman Motorcycle classes, bonus money for the Super- category racers, and some extra low-qualifier awards. I hope to make more announcements before or at the Boise event. We will also attempt (read: weather permitting) to have shootout-style pro- grams at each of the seven Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events and a big shootout at Mission featuring the baddest Super Stock Hemi racers from all over North America. The Pro Street cars that made such an impact at three races last year will be featured in an expanded five-race series. They will have stops at Pacific Raceways (LODRS), Mission Raceway (NWNOS), Race City Motorsport Park, Renegade Raceways, and Southern Oregon Dragway (all LODRS). These guys SIXTH SENSE First Class Mail put on one great show; for more information, contact Glen Braid or me. U.S. POSTAGE 502 High St., Suite 205 NHRA Northwest Division Safety Coordinator Louis “Walla Walla” Murray has been ill and is Port Orchard, WA 98366 PAID being treated at the University of Washington Medical Center. Louie is an original member of the SILVERDALE, WA (360) 874-4579 Hurst Safety Safari team and has worked at NHRA events since the early ‘70s. His spirit remains Permit # 16 strong at this time and he will beat this. Anyone wishing to send him their best wishes (no flowers) can do so at the following address: University of Washington Medical Center, c/o Louis Murray - Address correction requested Room 7240, 1959 N.E. Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195. You are in our prayers Louie; we wish you all the best and know you’ll be back with the crew before we know it. Safety is my number-one concern, so let’s all give another pull on the belts and helmet strap and be prepared for anything. My thanks go out to all of you who make this sport what it is, and I want to see you at the next event. I am having a blast. Remember, don’t hesitate to let me know how things are going (good or bad) or of any concerns or ideas you may have. I’m ready to get this party started. See you in Boise. Mike Rice NHRA Northwest Division Director -1- NHRA Northwest NHRA Northwest National Open Series schedule May 25-26 Nl’akapxm Eagle Motorplex Ashcroft, B.C. National Open June 29-30 Bremerton Raceway Bremerton, Wash. Series July 20-21 Mission Raceway Mission, B.C. Aug. 3-4 North Central Motorsports Park Prince George, B.C. While gearing up for the 2002 version of this fast-growing series, we reviewed numerous suggestions and concerns regarding points Aug. 16 Race City Motorsport Park Calgary, Alta. and procedures. As a result, we have formulated the following proce- dures and guidelines to be instituted for all participants and events of this series (unless otherwise noted): Top Comp news 1. All drivers must have (and use) a valid NHRA permanent number to There are only minor changes for 2002. The first is receive points for the series championship. You can race without an that racers will have eight events to earn points. Race NHRA number (brackets only), but you will not receive points. The City Motorsport Park and The Strip at Las Vegas number must be purchased before eliminations begin. Motor Speedway have been added to the schedule and will count as out-of-division races. The best five of the 2. All NHRA class racers (TC, SC, SG, SST, and Stock/Super Stock eight will be your points total toward the NHRA Northwest Combo) must have a valid NHRA membership and competition Division title. Although Top Comp will continue as a 32-car number to participate. field at all Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events, we will return to the use of a “Sportsman” ladder, with No. 1 3. Points from all events count toward the championship. running No. 17, No. 2 versus No. 18, and so on. Another thing to be aware of is that the first round for 4. Racers in Top Comp, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Snow/Bike Top Comp will be on Saturday at the Mission, Seattle, compete in all six events. and Las Vegas events. Once again in 2002, all Top Comp non-qualifiers will 5. Racers in Jr. Dragster compete in five. (They will not run at the be allowed to enter the Super Pro category at events Bremerton event, but Nl'akapxm Eagle Motorplex will be a dou- where Super Pro is contested. Also note that Super Pro bleheader with events both Saturday and Sunday.) Two classes may be running the first round Saturday afternoon. (Lightning and Thunder) will be contested at each event. All Northwest National Open Series events will be “open” fields, with anyone running quicker than 8.19 quali- 6. Racers in Super Comp, Gas, Street, and Stock/Super Stock fying for eliminations.