03.28.00 11:00am This may well be the final update for a week or more as the house move is coming on very soon, and I do not yet have internet access sorted out. Please note that as of this Friday (March 31) to possibly the middle of next week, I probably won't be able to answer any email, or post or anything.

Four foto pages of this past weekend's action at Mission are now posted HERE

Glen Braid on recent comments by Don Murray: "If he wants to rule the street this year, he'll have to do three things: Run quicker than us. Run faster than us. And do something he hasn't been able to in the last three years, defeat us in a heads up race."

The street legal 'Door War' in western Canada is a blast as these guys continue to be the most vocal, and fun to keep track of racers in the area. The possibility of a head-to-head confrontation between Braid and Murray in Top Comp at the Boise FMDRS April14-16 is a strong possibility. HH will keep you posted as there are also a number of other racers nearly ready to hit the strip and take on the obvious leaders in the street class.

Recent feedback:

WOODBURN NEW SURFACE REPORT
Hey Larry thanks for running the letter already got a response on it hoping it turns into something. Well made the jaunt to Woodburn and must say awful suprised at how things went for being a new surface. We didn't run quite as fast as wanted due to tire shake, but hey track is smooth and clean and with some more rubber will be awsome!
Wes Garvin

• A SuperWebHost.Com sticker must be displayed on each side of the bike.
• Stickers should be located in a presentable place for the entire race.
• Stickers are available in Blue or Yellow. - The winner is responsible for collecting the prize money.
• Each racer is responsible for submitting proof and tracking his/her best package.
• The first person to achieve a perfect package would win the prize money.
• Red light runs, win or lose do not count.
• Breakout runs, win or lose do not count.
• See J. Glenn Miller #61 in the MC Pits for stickers and prize money.

• Shawn Kvaas #6752 from Pitt Meadows BC, driving a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am in the Stock Eliminator Class.
• J. Glenn Miller #61 from Port Moody BC, riding a 1989 Suzuki GSXR 1100 in the Pro Sportsman Motorcycle Class.

 

Wallyless in Bracketdom
Hi Larry Just read your posting concerning Wally's in Division 6, I really hope you have been given bad information on this issue. I find it just a little difficult that the various drag strip operators cannot afford the additional costs incurred in purchasing Wally's for the bracket classes. I have been told by various track managers that NHRA does not want Bracket racers at there FMDRS events, and that the only reason we are there is by the insistence of the various tracks who feel that they might not get a high enough car count. Well now I don't think I am going to buy into that line of BS, as the opportunity to win a Wally is the main reason Bracket Racers are coming to FMDRS events & the drag strip operators are not that brain dead (but then again Hmmm). Then there is the story that NHRA is saying that Wally's are becoming far too common and are losing their racer's appeal. Anyone who would believe that statement definitely is not a racer. Hopefully Mr. Blair will respond with the official statement And NHRA policy ending this vicious roomer. Larry I could go on more on this issue but will wait to hear the facts first. Thanks for giving me the space to print some of my thoughts.
Bob Behnke G643 S/P

The 'official' response from Chris Blair is now on our Div. 6 page CLICK HERE . My take on this one is that it's one of those things where I can understand where each side is coming from, and have to agree partially with both. This kind of thing makes me glad I'm not the one who has to make any decisions. Though from Bob's email, I doubt we've heard the end of this yet.

The Digs - Question Of The Week Should Cylinder Head Porting Be Allowed in Stock? Come and vote at http://thedigs.8m.com

Larry, With just 4 days left in our "website calendar year", it's with a lot of gratitude (and some surprise considering the poor updates from Australia over the past 4 months), I am writing to inform you that you are still the flat out, absolutely, the #1 referal agent to our site. Since last April 1 we have had 100,651 hits at www.1320racing.com and Horsepower Heaven has referred 16% or 16,104 of them!
Thank you Larry for all your hard work and the link to our site. It's your work, content, and reputation that bring people to your site, and then to ours. I have been watching the news from home on HH while down under and I guess now I'll have to round up some pictures and start preparing a massive report. Maybe I'd be better waiting until the whole thing is over seeing as how I'm so far behind now?
Thanks again, you're still the champ!
Jim Grant
1320racing.com

Nice to hear from our local door guy after his lengthy trip down under. The team really made a splash in Australia, so make sure you visit his site to check up on their progress. LP

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03.25.00 9:00pm Let it now be official, John Evans and team have convinced me to run their website for the entire year. It's a full time, regular deal, the kind of which people like me kill for, and it's all racin! I really feel that we can make this a racer site like few others. I've known John for a long time, and that sense of history can make for a great website. Thanks to a great team, a team that includes your friend and mine (obviously...thanks Wilson) Bill. This 'vine' guy has handled this amazingly well, and I thank him for that. BTW, The Grapevine has an update that includes some of that very entertaining email he gets...

8:30pm never got a car down the track at Mission today, but managed a few images to make sure you come out tomorrow. CLICK HERE.

Rumors have been circulating that officials had placed unreasonable demands on SIR by forcing them to leave both Monday and Tuesday after the FMDRS open as rain dates. Hence a partial reason to turn down the race. HH has learned this is not true. ALL host tracks are asked to hold Monday open so that the racers left in elims won't have a costly return trip the following (or later) weekend. Tuesday had never been mentioned in any instance, therefore SIR was not asked to do anything all the other tracks have already agreed to, even the multipurpose ones.

...and in related views:

Just wanted to drop a note and hope that Jim from Screenprint sees it. There is one more track in Washington that you forgot, right in between the two you mentioned, RENEGADE RACEWAY in Yakima (I think we are still in Washington even though it is tribal land) and we still have our Federal Mogul race the last week of August. So if you want to come see a race remember its only a 2 day race (Friday and Saturday night) you are more than welcome to come over. Jeff Foster

Bruce Mullins Racing Cures Darlington Fuel System Woes

Hello Larry, Thank you for the use of the photos. Although still under some construction, the CPSA (Canadian Pro Street Association) website is alive and well!! The URL is http://cpsa.tripod.com/index.htm and should be one of the foremost Street Legal Drag Racing sites once the final touches are done.
Bob Strain, President CPSA

Hello Larry Was wondering if I sent you all the info and a pic if you could advertise a Super Gas roadster for sale plus alot of spares? Dad was wondering if maybe you could help us sell this car on your web as it would greatly help us in our campaign this year. Whatever you can do.
Thank you Wes Garvin A.k.A the NAZTYONE
P.S . check out the front page of this issue of the Digger! Rich out did himself once again!

Wes: My recent posting of Glen Braid's truck was not something I really have the facilities to do here on any kind of regular basis. The only place I know of that does is our friends at wheel2wheel.com And yes, I hear the newest ish of ND features both you guys and Jimmy Behnke on the front. Congratulations! And BIG thanks to the best damn Division photographer there is, Rich Carlson!

BIG HH thanks to John Evans, John Towner and Chris Evens for asking us to video every run we can of them for the entire season. A couple of dozen more like that and we be set. Thanks guys, and yes, for all you others remember we can only do SO many of these and it's first come, first serve. I will have season-long packages and prices posted by Boise. Per event price is $20 for one day $30 for up to three full days. EMAIL for complete details.

Work on the HH99 drag video continues..wish I could get to all the March Meet stuff sooner...a couple of other 'features' also sit on the backburner...we move a week today...whew!...

...and last, but certainly not least, a bad bit o news for any Div 6 bracket racer who has not yet heard: The way I understand it, none of the bracket classes at Div. 6 FMDRS races in 2000 will have a 'Wally' trophy up for grabs. Now I also understand a few tracks have not given them out for a few years, but this is the first year none of the tracks will do it. I do not know the reason, but before I go on want to state that if it's simply the cost of the trophy, I'm sure this website could come up with more than enuf people who would sponsor them, starting with me. I'm certain Rich Carlson would be good for a few...so you get the picture eh. If it's another reason (and Lord knows I have heard them all on this subject), I guess that's just the way it is, but I know how much these special trophies mean to the bracket racers...and ya, I'm sure the new Summit deal may make up for it somehow, but it comes down to this: An FMDRS is the only place Joebracket can get a winner's circle picture beside the FMD, FMFC and all the other winners. It's a big deal, that to me is worthy of a Wally. Hell, the bracket guys know they are lucky to be at these races in any case. To be in one of the very few Divisions that even does (did) this is a treat. But ya know what? Wallys for bracket guys was always one of the things that gave our division that little extra, few others could boast about. Our bracket guys would be (could still be) the envy of the world if this was the last place you could come to get one in FMDRS bracket competition...think about it. Could it be a FM vs summit kind of problem?? I dunno. But I think it sucks. LP

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03.21.00 10pm Our Mission Schedule Page is updated with new FMDRS June 23/24/25. Look to have schedule page become result page after each racedate. Will be THE place to go for the best MRP coverage all year long. This page is open for business. Send email for details.

12:30PM A response from the Division Director to some questions regarding Calgary and the FMDRS schedule change is now posted on the 2000 HH Div 6 Homepage. Also of interest there are some other announcements and new images...and yes this page is also under re-construction.

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03.20.00 Midnight Decided to stay up late tonite. Do a few things around here.

Yes I have listened to this advice:

Larry, I'd love for you to update your site, BUT.............as you said it doesn't pay the bills, so work on the Video so I can buy one ! I hope to be racing at Mission April 1 & 2. Maybe I'll see you there. Keep up the good work! Brad Owens Bellingham Wa.

Yes. I did. Thank you Brad...and ended up redoing one of the voice overs on the Firebird FMDRS spot, and deciding it needed music behind it...So much for progress.

More neat stuff has come in here the past week than at any other seven day period before it. And one other thing. Got my first 'correct' stats recording of 2000. Wow. There's more of you out there than I thought. So I figured I had better do sumpthing around here...Am also still doing changes on the Evergreen Speedway pocket schedule...Try to make their season opener this Saturday night the 25th. The NW Tour cars are always wild first night out, and together with the wicked fast winged sprints all on the big track at night...well, very few races of any kind in the entire Northwest can compare.

March Meet. MAN, have yooawl EVER sent us some great stuff from that. Jim Sorenson is a God. I'll get to that next time...

THUNDER IN THE DESERT UPDATE
Club Drags at Eagle Motorplex, April 22 & 23.

So far we have almost 60 cars registered. There have been some questions on eligibility by some avid drag racers who don't belong to an "official" car club. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM! If you don't belong to a club, but want to take part in this annual event, we will put you into the "Eagle Motorplex Club". There will also be NO minimum number of entries per club, only a maximum of 150 cars for total entries, so don't miss out. If racers want to do only Time Only runs without actually competing, that's OK too. The ONLY stipulation is that you MUST register yourself and your car by the end of March. This way we can see how to facilitate your needs. The registration fee for the weekend is $50 Cdn or $35 US. We will have racing fuel at the track, but we will organize that aspect at the beginning of April. To register, contact Gunther Gottgetreu, at e-mail: turbo6@home.com This event is organized by the Grand National Racing Association (GNRA), and all entry fees should be sent to: GNRA 1701 - 1235 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC V3M 6J5 For telephone questions, phone Paul Russell at (604)882-8720 after 7pm.

An I guess that's about it.

what?

Oh THAT!

That Seattle/Mission/FMDRS thingie...

GO HERE for the 'Official' release

"in a couple of years Seattle will be really good track."
-Jeff Jackson, 1999 Div. 6 Super Street champion

What the heck does "by mutual agreement" mean? This deal about SIR losing the Divisional race, means that there basically are no more drag strips in Washington State...no offense to Bremerton or Spokane, but one's a bracket car track, and the other, well, how many times a year DOES Spokane run anyway?
I guess my trip to Bakersfield last weekend will be my last drag race until the Nightfire race at Boise. And by the way, Bakersfield was BITCHIN'! 28 top fuel cars made qualifying runs...I think that beats the NHRA circus by about 10 cars...Jason Howell almost took the second eight field or "Hooligan" Eliminator, but hurt the motor in the semis...he had the Tetford/McGee entry covered though...and "Wild Bill" Alexander...try for 40 years and you just might win one. He took it over Jim Murphy, and was it sweet! I'm outta here, quit breakin' stuff and get busier! LOL!
Jim -- Ringleader, Mysterion Screenprint Nitronic Research-Minister of Merchandise: http://www.nitronic.com Awful Awful Fuel Altereds website: http://www.mysterion.net/AAFA The Funny Car Years website: http://www.mysterion.net/funnys

The Nat'l Open at Calgary in 96 was bigger in both car count and spectator count than any other drag race they had ever had there ever. There were no major problems, except for the fact they ran low on BEER !!!!. Had over 350 car there in 96.
-One of a few who mentioned the C word.

Larry...   Figured I should get my 2 cents in here...I had actually raced for almost 2 years before I even knew that the Div 6 race came to SIR, and even then it was not because of promotion but word of mouth. I have a great memory of heading out to it in 95 or 96 and actually just walking on in through the open gate w/o paying!...for the sole reason that there was no one to take my money. It has always amazed me how few people show up to that race, it always has been without a doubt the best event at SIR, and the stands have always been empty. If Rockstad would promote the event, people would come. SIR is the closest facility to a major city in the division, but is the only track which does not consistently pack the grandstands. In the past, he has not invested any money in the event, and as such there has been little return; in all his decision doesn't suprise me much. This is the last straw with me and SIR. I have been looking for a reason to stop giving them my money and I think this is it. I am going to go run the import event on Saturday, and unless I have the greatest damn time in my life, I doubt I will ever go back...  
Casey

Here's a message HH received just before Gainsville from Mark Hentges crewman Scott Nelson

Larry, Was checking out the pictures from Mission this past weekend and had a question for you. Looking at the George Swann FED, did they put the roll cage on after he got in???? Maybe it is just the camera angle or something but boy, it does look tight. So, we will get to play at Mission twice instead of having to go to that "World Class Racing Facility" (CB's words, not mine) in Kent. Sounds good to me, other than not being able to sleep in my own bed. I expect the track and air will make up for it. We ran 5.44 at Phoenix with Mark's car, and Carlson went 5.42, how about a 5.30 from a couple of the "local" guys?
Later, Scott

That's about how HH feels as well. How can we complain that these cars get two kicks at the quickest track in the Division? In our own backyard? Yes, I feel for Alberta. Feel something needs to happen here, but I don't know what. This Canadian recalls back to a Calgary race deep in the past...
Fun place Calgary

 

STREET NEWS! Don Murray Speaks:

 

"OK...Well to start, I'm planning on RULING the street for 2000! I think 7.50 is a big possibility with the changes I've made. I should be out testing in a couple of weeks without the bottle. Then we'll test at Ron Parr's with NOS and should be ready for the first race."

First look at Don Murray's 2000 T-Shirt design.

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of design. We ran across a guy at the Vancouver Motorsport Show named Andrew Kerr. This 17 year old just happens to have a full page in the April 2000 edition of Street Rodder, and has just completed work on a shirt for the Northwest Doorslammers. look for much more of Kerr's work here on HH.

"Professional art at a affordable price"........Andrew...604-574-2827

2000 Northwest Super Street Schedule
Ashcroft April 29,30 (Double Header)
Ashcroft May 27,28 (Double Header)
Mission June 17,18 ( Double Header)
Mission August 19,20 ( Double Header)
Mission September 30,31 (Single)

$ 80 Entry Plus Track Fee .
Any questions just ask: Craig Bickle

The incorrect link to the Okanagan Rodders Schedule should now be fixed.

• How Jungle Jim Got His Name - Clare Sanders tells the tale of the "real" Jungle Jim Liberman.
  
• La Verne: Welcome Back, Street Racers - A cry for sanity in the La Verne city council.
• Toilet Paper and Nitro Fumes - Even a common cold looks cool when you race a funny car.
• Tommy Joe and the Landfill Record Attempts - Gonzo's zany tale of youthful fearlessness and speed.
• Top Fuel "Top End Flight" - Wayne King recalls the days when lifting the front wheels in the lights was very common.
• Too Close for Comfort - Ralph Crosby witnesses a racing accident up close and personal.
• Buster & the Reverser - Don Roberts and the Freedom Machine surprise Buster Couch with the the first reverser.