[Dec99] [Jan00] [Feb00] [Mar00] [Apr00] [May00] [June00] [July00] [Augt00] [Sept00] [Oct00] [Nov00] [Dec00] [Current Navigation Page]
We shall begin then with a link to TripulDoubleU's site that stole our thunder...NORTHERN Thunder (sorry Bob I hadta) on the nostalgia DoubleEH Fueler currently undergoing complete resto somewhere in the Fraser Valley. GO HERE.
Then once you assimilate that, check out the very, very cool (though not enuf people know it yet) TEAM MISSION FORUM PAGE for all kindsa good stuff, including all the latest on the THREE MRP dudes goin' to the World Finals of Bracketdom.
After that do this link of links that Bob Wilson sent us. Now be aware that as unbelieveable as this place is in still form, realize we will feature this place on our year end photo/video SPECTACULAR in video form...you will not freakin' believe it!
Maybe then you can try THIS, THIS and THIS...before...
...you finish with what is easily the baddest CHRR site of dem all. Our buddy Geo Adams has put up (ready?) 29 pages of glorious images! Now reapeat after me in your favorite Bill Doner Impression "UNREAL. UNBELIEVEABLE, AWESOME, KICK BUTT". Now Go there...JUST GO THERE. Damn I think I may well have just coined the internet version of 'Be there"...ooooooooooooo.
10.29.00 Congrats to more than a few Div Sixers on some great showing at today's national event at Houston. In Federal Mogul Dragster Gary Ormsby Jr. took Mike Johnson's BAD to a final round victory with a super 5.41/261.12 over Jay Meyer. D6 drivers dominated this race in FMD as three of the final four were from the Land of the Leaders with 2000 Division champ Mark Hentges making it to the semis to race Ormsby and Steve Federlin going up against Meyer. In an all 428 Cobra jet final Northwest veteran Jim Waldo emerged victorious in his awesome B/S '69 Mustang over the B/SA machine of Bill Howell.
10.26.00 Interesting Sportsman Forum posted on the corporate site HERE regarding the Super classes.
Some movement in the Division Six points standing are posted HERE.
The Grapevine has a followup to some recent 'stuff'.
A recent hardware breakdown on a new digital VCR has put me back a few days on video orders. Am back up to speed now and shaking my head at the fact that it seems the better quality stuff I get, the more it breaks down...
Not much else cooking around here so if you have some input on anything send it on in. We hope to be able to bring you daily updates from the World Finals Nov. 9-12, and hopefully the corp site will keep us up to date on the divisional stuff as the final FMDRS goes Nov. 3-5 at Phoenix.
10.23.00
Some interesting feedback regarding the 2001 NHRA rule changes can be found HERE and HERE.
Ron Houneit 'Ties' at Vegas as RAIN Halts Finals! RESULTS HERE
"Inside scoop" direct from "Classic Central"
Thought we'd let you break the news on the results from the record busting Halloween Classic VII at Firebird. It was Mick Alley who would conquer an event record field of 579 racers from all over the west in the runoff for the Trip for Two to Hawaii. After winning Pro eliminator over northern Idaho racer Jon Zehner (who downed Mick's wife Jackie in the semi's), Alley would dethrone the reigning Classic Grand Champion Dave Wilson from Vancouver, WA. Amazing enough, Wilson won Sportsman for the second straight year and nearly won a second consecutive trip in the 10 pm Sunday night final blast of 2000.
Other winners included Brian Birky from Montana who downed Mark Barnhart in a Super Pro dandy with Birky .01-off and Barnhart right on his dial, but the '56 Chevy was .505 at the tree (compared to a .539) to win the $2500 top prize. Eastern Oregon's Matt Jessel was the other driver in the four-way runoff after winning Thursday's Bud Light Fright Night.
The Wyoming Ethanol Top Gun shootout went to Rod Langley who downed Tom Elliott in the final. The low qualifier was Street Nat's champ Tim Ketlinski with a new Trans Am that carded a fine 7.51 followed by Dennis Fuller's Mustang at 7.52 (into a head wind on Saturday of about 25 knots!)
The Air Firebird Sky Show was another double throw down affair. In front of an overflow pit side crowd, Tommy Ramirez from Torrington, WY went vertical with his wild VW before rubbing the retaining wall on re-entry to win for "highest". Lew McArthur from Post Falls (northern ID) won for longest with a bumper tagging 110' long sky scraper with his short wheel based Vega. To say the least, it was a heck of a `stander show.
There were tons of other winners, including Boise's Rod Page ($1000) and Washington's Mark Faul ($1500) in No Box, Montana's Bob Olson and Idaho's Don Anderson ($2000) in Electronic's. Plus Bob Tomb (sled) defeated Scott Grondahl (bike) for the Trip to Treasure Island in Las Vegas for the Snow/Bike champion.
Tons more to follow on our website as everyone trys to recover from the five and a half day racing marathon.
Later from the land of the famed Western Classic...p.s. - the Eastern Classic begins Monday with over 1,500 racers expected for one and only Norwalk season closer!
10.22.00
For Ray Higley
Down in Vegas the Saturday qualifying in Top Fuel saw 27 bikes come forward! Jim McClure was number one with a 6.632/219.12mph. Houneit was seven at 6.872/203.49mph. In the 13 position was Ken Kent at 7.153, 198.47 then 14. Jim Gauthier 7.154, 189.71 and 15. Robin Gauthier 7.188, 194.74. Dave O'Hara was 22 at 7.616, 158.84 and Edmonton's Kevin Boyer was 25th with an 8.036/142.90. As of 9:30pm Pacific time I have not seen anything posted on today's eliminations. For complete results including many more local riders CLICK HERE.
Wish happy birthday to Dave Strell, say goodnight to MRP for this year, come back later for a little video 'Cack', but first go read what Billy's gone and posted on the Vine.
Now about that cack. Nothing major happened at Mission today, but the season did end if fine style, as George Swann was the last car down the track. Here's his two runs in the Swann Bros. AA/FD on about 78%. CLICK HERE FOR HIBAND REALVIDEO.
Larry....Thank you! Thank you
! for posting the video of Missions last pass
of 2000. It made me grow goose bumps the size
of basketballs. I could feel the power of
that car all the way over the mountains! The
Swann fuel car is very Kick Ass! -Jay Mageau
Follow
the adventures of The Prospector, Canada's
only '57 Chev funny car, at Mageau Family
Racing's web page... http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/RallyRd/girltroubleracing
DIDYOUKNOW...you can change the font size on this browser? This print too big? Too small? Go into the preferences and reset your display font and size.
10.21.00 HEY, HEY! Last race of the year...if we had any hard drive space woulda layed out some video, but here's the next best thing. Proof positive that even when the MRP pits are not full, it's still a decent day at the digs. CLICK HERE for Same Day Photos of MRP
10.20.00 For those interested in the Merritt, B.C.motorsport complex CLICK HERE. Note there is no drag strip on the plans, and despite the optimisim expressed on the site, I'll believe it when I see it.
And here's a cool site for Chevy lovers...I mean Ford lovers...hehehehe
Hi Larry. It was a good year
for QUALITY RACING,#2 in points for 2000 IN
Super Street,# 7 IN S/P.Looking forward to
2001. Here is my web site http://home.prcn.org/~quality/
It has some interesting links and pages.We
should have Super Street Sstats on it soon
plus sponsor list.
Thanks: Dan 6036 S/ST
10.19.00 FOTOSPECTACULAR PAGE 2 PREVIEW HERE
In case you missed them, the 2001 NHRA rule changes were posted a couple of days ago HERE. My favorite is the inclusion of Pro Mod into Competition Eliminator. A noble idea, but I will be surprised if many show up at (especially divisional) events. The Pro Mods racers I know don't want to run on a certain number and their first question is always how much the winner's purse is. Unless it's a bunch they will most likely continue to do booked in shows where they can probably make more money for less runs. I could be wrong, and I have no idea how this will go on the national circuit, but whatever happens it will be interesting to watch.
Pro Stock continues to plod along with carbs, as fuel injection gets tabled...again. I may be wrong, but there is still no class for all those tricked up turbo and nitrous front wheel drive imports flying (literally) about our streets and (to a much lesser extent) strips. The boat has been missed here. How about 'Import' or 'Mini' Pro Stock for those cars? I know WJ would probably have a coronary, but what a way to bring them to the forefront of the sport. Maybe it's a case of a few too many old guys still haunting the halls of Glendora...
The Big five oh. Along with the lamest logo I have ever seen for such a milestone, NHRA is joined by a couple of other groups in 2001. I 'hear' it's also that 50th year for both BCCCA and the Vancouver Motorsport Show. Will these three entities get together and do something special for us all next year? Gawd I hope so....
From Air Firebird Flight 618: "Yesterday we checked in nearly 400 entries and it was just parking/testing day. Joe Shiflett gave us a preview of the Air Firebird Show yesterday about 6 pm when his 618 inched (new) Mopar Dart went about 3 1/2' in the air for almost 150' before touchdown...was hoping to run Top Gun this weekend, but bent all the front end up upon re-entry and is relegated to tow truck for weekend." -Scott New
In other action this weekend, all eyes will be on the Plex in Dallas especially to see how the Top Fuel cars hold up as the NHRA tour comes to Texas for a two race swing. Mission will hold their last race of 2000, with weather looking sorta ok, we'll be out there with the camera to bring you whatever exciting stuff we can get. Another item of local interest is the AHDRA season finale at the Strip in Vegas. CMDRA T/F champ Ron Houneit will once again go up against the biggest and best 1/4 mile field of the year in an effort to back-up his Sturgis 1/8th mile victory. I heard second hand that he won in Sacramento last weekend and had the entire field covered by a good margin. Follow all the drag bike action from Vegas HERE.
Speaking of Mission, the TeamMRP site has an update today.
Don't forget our photo/video party here on HH Dec. 31. Send your tapes, video clips and pics in NOW!
Think about it eh? UFO guru Stanton Freidman was in town yesterday and had a great line for the naysayers: "If you gave Christopher Columbus a nuclear submarine, an unlimited budget and told him to build one, he couldn't even come close". This in reference to the idea if the government had a ufo, could they make one...
10.18.00 Tomorrow marks the beginning of the final major drag racing event in the Northwest. Firebird Raceway's 7th annual Halloween Classic. A party to end all parties, we wonder why no other track has done anything similar...then again few tracks have the ability to do what the New Crew does with events such as this. Among all the other festivities, the hilight has to be the Air Firebird Saturday night wheelstand competition. Last year a rear engine dragster won it...believe it or not. Check out the pics HERE. If you are anywhere near Boise this weekend you owe it to yourself to take this in. For complete details goto FIREBIRD ONLINE.
Here's a good one for all you folks who work at MRP. Last nite on the 11pm VTV news as a follow-up to their 'street racing' profile of a couple of weeks ago it was said "The RCMP are trying to convince Mission Raceway to run from midnight to dawn in an effort to give the street racers a place to go". When you stop laughing let me tell you that I actually heard some people talking about this last week. Could they do it without a starter, announcer, 'regular' safety crew? I could just hear those three inch muffled Hondas screaming down the track...in the dark...oh look there goes a flying pig!!!
In other news, one of the finest people NHRA ever had on staff has departed for greener pastures. Former Director of Field Marketing Melvyn Record is heading north from Glendora to Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma to become the new Director of Marketing. Melvyn spent more time in Div. 6 than any other "because the people here are so great" he often told me. Personally I'll miss Melvyn a great deal. He was always a breath of fresh air and was very professional at what he did. NHRA will have a difficult time replacing this guy.
10.16.00 And so, could the nine second Stock extravaganza move to Boise in 01...or even MRP, as the masses seem to want it at sea level. More HERE.
Congrats to Russ Parker and team for the huge win at Vegas. Not the quickest car there, but he showed more than a few of the boyz how to win a race with some awesome driving! Also a big smile on Dale Carlson's face after moving into second in D6 FMD points with his qualifying effort at The Strip.
My thoughts on Cha Cha's return in 2001. Not fit to print. Never missed her 'smiling' face up to this point, so if you think the whining has been bad in this sport the last few years, you ain't heard nuthin' till this babe opens her yap...
Speaking of Top Fuel, their future does not look good. What do you do? Build 'em stronger and heavier? Center mount wings? Cover the engine in an iron bullet-proof box? Protect the tires? A number of concerns that I have no idea how to make safer, but whatever they do, I hope it does not come too late for the next guy or girl. Quite obviously something has to be done to keep these cars in one piece, and on four air-filled tires as they go down the course.
There has gotta be a better way. I mean when people are trying to figure out who won what, it's amazing to me the only way in this data age is to get on the damn phone. I'm talking about the remaining Division Six points battles that are still alive. Even the people involved don't know for certain where they stand, and when it comes down to making plans to go to places as far away as Phoenix from up here...like I say, there's gotta be a better way.
Top Comp was so cool the way it came down to the final round at Medford. This allowed the press to report on it, the racers to celebrate, the fans had something more to get into...sponosrs...you name it. Now we have this stretched out, who-the-hell-know's what's going on 'out of division' crap. No wonder the media gives you racers little attention when there's no way they can figure out if you're a champion or a chump....Like I say.
I did find out that in Super Gas Joe Meloff lost first round and Mark Cavar was out early as well. I believe Brian Hudson went more rounds than Lee King, so the bike title may be done, but no way I know for sure. Wish we could all get into this fun stuff a LOT more, but due to the system, it's IMPOSSIBLE....and I think IT SUCKS! I wanna know who won...waaaaaaaa!
Ok, now that I have that off my chest, check these pics from this past Saturday at MRP by clicking HERE.
We have a BUNCH more cool pics from CHRR we'll post soon too. LP
10.13.00 Well, since none of the big guys have anything posted as of yet (10pm pst) here's a quick Vegas report:
Car Count...and you though it might be big...
FMD- 21
FMFC - 20
Comp - 36
Super Stock - 70
Stock - 120
Super E - 45
Super Comp - 140
Super Gas - 150
Super Street - 100
Bike 20
"The track is great, lot's of good Super Stock wheelstands, but not so good for anything quicker than about seven seconds...othere than the nitro cars." Rick Henkelman is number one with a 5.46/255, as Brandon is back in school. After one session bump is a 5.86. Floppers can't get down too well with a best of five ninety something best so far.
More when it comes in.
It's probably quite fitting that the end of the 2000 drag season get off to a roaring start on a full moon Friday the 13th. Around here we have but two weekends to go. A bunch of Div. 6 racers are in Las Vegas, some attempting to gain points in the still-much-alive divisional championship battles. Tomorrow is a non-points bracket bash at Mission, but the real action will revolve around the CPSA Street Legal cars. Now I'm not sure how they schedule these things (does anybody?...maybe that's why the turnout is often so dismal), but the bottom line is that the big boyz will do it one more time.
Glen Braid and Don Murray have their respective rides set on kill. It could well be the last time either one runs their current cars. Who knows...I know they don't. Murrey's rat is as 'fresh' as it's ever been and Braid has a pulley the size of a thimble ready to bolt on the mouse. If the weather holds and the track is there...get your cameras ready. There's also the possibility somebody new could step up and blow both of 'em into the weeds...it could happen.
As for the rest of the street racers...or do ya call them drag racers when they're on a strip...or is that bad manners? If the recent slanted news coverage....uh... make that 'infotainment' (calling those reports 'news' is laughable. What I mean is, if there aren't a ZILLION 'street racers' out there tomorrow after all the media attention (none of them mentioning MRP still had an upcoming street race...) then BCCCA might want to take another look at this form of income. This time the street stuff comes at the expense of the lowly bracket people (you know, the racers who pay more bills than any other group of people out there)...who because of this last minute added event will most defiantly get less runs than they would have...
Next weekend sees the final drag race of the year at Mission along with the GIANT Halloween Classic at Firebird. Would you drive 13 hours to see a Saturday night wheelstand contest? I'm thinkin' about it.
We'll post links to Vegas, etc soon as we can. LP
10.12.00 1:00am
Today is crunch day. Video tape has been flying around this place like never before. Powerbook is almost full of Sharkman promo...due noon tomorrow. Capture just complete...editing to do. It's easy when the hardware handles it. Unlike right now. Gawd I HATE video 'tape'. G3 is topped up with Houneit, Leeland King, and that giant Super Street tapes (that I hope to have available for delivery later next week).
Many more tapes to come, so what better time for the email to pickup...Too much of it is'link me' stuff. Man, if I did it for everyone, I'd do nothing else...and still maybe not get them all done.
Too much 'negative' drag news on the web lately?
Let's get to know Mr. Sorenson again, and everything will be nice with the world. Wonderful CHRR foto feature HERE
10.07.00
In case you eagle-eyes missed it above, there's some neat new stuff HERE.
10.06.00
Dear Divsion Six Racers:
I'm working on a couple of ideas for what we could do to make a proposed National Open event at Bremerton work for 2001. Instead of the typical event format where you pay an entry fee of $100-$125 to make three or four time runs on Saturday with eliminations on Sunday, this event would follow a doubleheader format.
Entry fee would be $100 per day -or- $150 for the weekend. (Crew passes would be $15 per day or $25 for the weekend).
Purse for Stock/Super Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street both days:
Win: $1,000
R/U: $500
Rnd 6 winner: $400
Rnd 5 winner: $300
Rnd 4 winner: $200
Rnd 3 winner: $100
(Each day's winner would also receive an NHRA Wally)
Another option: Charge a $125 entry fee that covers both days. Each class gets a minimum of three time runs/qualifying on Saturday. Following time trials, the best 8 packages in Super Categories (reaction time/closest to index) and Stock (reaction time and under your index -or- posted dial in) would face off in a Saturday evening shootout that would pay:
Win: $400 + trophy and jacket
R/U: $200
Semi: $100
Sunday would award the same payout ($1000 to win) as posted above (plus the Wally).
Stock/Super Stock would get the opportunity to make record runs with posted awards if the pull it off. All NHRA classes would receive a National Event grade point.
I'm just looking for a few ideas to see what we could make happen as I want to have another major Sportsman event in the Seattle area. The event has to be fun, economical and rewarding. Got any ideas?
I want to come up with an event that can get people coming out of the woodwork to participate. Bremerton would do an excellent job to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. Should it work here, this same formula would be examined for future National Open events in Mission and Calgary.
In order to make this program work I need to ask you one question... "Would you be there?" If not, where do we need to hit the nail on the head to pump some life into our National Open programs. They seem to work well back East but have yet to generate a buzz in Divisions Six or Seven.
Pass this around to your other friends in the above classes and let me know what you think.
GHOSTS & GOBLINS TO INVADE FIREBIRDıS HALLOWEEN CLASSIC VII
Unlike any other event all season long, the Halloween Classic offers participants and fansalike "frightfully good-times" and "countless unexpected moments" as the seventh boo bash returns to western Idaho on October 18th thru 22nd, 2000.
The Classic attracted 536 racers from 12 western States and 2 Canadian provinces last year.
A record $35,000 in cash and merchandise will be up for the taking in a multitude of different classes, including Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Pro Snow/Bike & Junior Dragster. A Trip for Two to Hawaii will be awarded to the Classic Grand Champion on Sunday. Additionally, the highest finishing Snowmobile will runoff against the top finishing Motorcycle for a Trip for Two to Treasure Island in Las Vegas at the end of the event.
Wyoming Ethanol will present the Top Gun shootout, which will qualify the quickest 8 open wheelers against the quickest 8 full-bodied rides. Considering the number of early entries, the qualifying alone should be dynamite.
Lots and lots of fascinating things happen during the Classic, too, ranging from the Bud Light Fright Night to the Super/Tow competition during Wednesdayıs kickoff day. One of the most anticipated happenings at Classic VII will certainly be the return of the "Air Firebird" Wheelstanding competition. Reigning champions include eastern Idahoıs Donny Jimm (Camaro) and Mike Polich from Montana (Dragster). The sky show will start at 7 pm on Saturday night following kidıs trick or treating at the start of the eveningıs Witching Hour.
But the Classic is much more than a drag racing event. It represents all the "festive atmosphere" that surrounds one of North Americaıs favorite holiday celebrationsHALLOWEEN!!!! Costumes, decorations, unique race machines, and the like create one of the wildest racing weekends on the Firebird Track Schedule.
Classic VII brochures are available by calling the Firebird Ghostline at: (208) 938-8986. For those planning to make the journey to Firebirdıs most popular race of the year, all we can recommend is to "rest up"itıs four non-stop days of fun.
10.05.00
Hmmmm, almost daily updates at HH...what the hell's going on??
Easy, the good stuff is cumin' in like crazy. We'll have a bunch of new stuff tomorrow too. I've been drag racing videoin' from dawn till dawn lately. Doin' the web is a nice break.
It's just enough of a change of scenery. Video editing can do that to ya. I have so many video projects fighting for attention right now, I needed a couple of days to lay back and restore some creativity....well the fact the roofers were in for two of those three days didn't help either.
And for the first time in a long time, I'm doing the web stuff again. Scary.
No web Larry...video, video, VIDEO. Web fun, video money. Repeat when necessary.
Video this year is going to be outstanding. Have stuff from the four recognized video guys in the Northwest. Chuck McDonald, a newcomer from Oregon. Great Guy! He covered the Summit Bracket Finals at Woodburn. Another Oregon shooter is a little more well known, for the simple reason he's been doing great stuff at Woodburn for years. George Adams is a pleasure to work with. He has a killer site HERE, and has some great Woodburn drag tapes available for sale. To make this project complete, we have footage from the BetaCam of Bill Bushmaker of Q13 the Seattle Fox Station. A pretty decent Stock Eliminator driver too, who has proven himself year-after-year to be one of the most respected shooters in the Northwest. And me. Ya, that GL-1 saw some pretty neat footage in the year 2000. Enuf for the first hurdle of the HH2000 Video race to be cleared. Hey Casey...strike up the band...I need sum new tunes!
Never before has a group of such talented shooters gotten together for a video presentation. They all will have work featured on the 2000 NHRA Div 6 banquet videos. That's video with an S. We won't give it away just yet, but rest assured, the optical entertainment on December the ninth will defiantly be much more entertaining than what we brought you in 98. Though we are doing year-end tapes for a number of groups, the NHRA banquet will feature the sound and image quality many of you will ever experience in your homes. It'll be a one showing show. Like they say...
and if you said "be there", please continue.
Here we sit. Cpl of more weeks of Northwest racing, then it's gone for months. A few of you going to southwest...especially THIS weekend. It is THE California Hot Rod Reunion. It is the THE entire MONTH to be on Header Flames. For the best....I mean the best Famoso coverage this weekend, check out anything you can find with the name Cole Coonce attached to it...as I was saying:
THE HUNTED AND THE HUNTERS CONVERGE AT CALI HOT ROD REUNION
WW2 & CHAMPION SS Challenge Heats up; Cali Trucker Takes on Fuller & Dunlap for #6 Spot
by Cole Coonce, NR AA/Fuel Dragster Mojo Wire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/05/00, Los Angeles, CA--With this year's front-motored fueler drag racing season gradually seeking resolution, various members on the Nitronic Research AA/Fuel Dragster List are using the last couple of meets as an opportunity to catapult themselves towards the top of the standings in order to claim superiority as well as contigency and bounty posted by List sponsors Titan Engineering, Mysterion Screenprint and Pete Millar's Drag Cartoons.
The jockeying for position on the NR List will continue this weekend at the NHRA's California Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso, CA.
Some teams will rely upon the traditional method of moving up, which is via accumulating "points" through outstanding performances in the fields of elapsed time, trap speed and event wins. Others, however, have realized that time is of the essence and have adopted the "Screw Patience! I'm Going to Kill Something" ethic and are using "challenges" as a method of advancing towards the top of the List. These include the destroked Chrysler entry of WW2, (the slingshot fueler campaigned by nitro veteran Jim "Holy Smokes" Murphy and currently #3 on the List) who has called out the current top-spot holder, the Chevy-powered Champion Speed Shop entry, ruddered by the cagey and venerable "Handsome Rance" McDaniel.
In this "first or worse" drag race contested during the last pair of qualifier Saturday afternoon, the winner will claim the #1 spot on the List.
It is no secret that WW2 has been a wounded animal lately, which any sportsman will tell you is the most dangerous kind; furthermore Murphy elucidates on this battle as way or setting straight what he considers a misconception about the Chrysler's place in the AA/Fuel Dragster wars: "We believe Chrysler was king in the nostalgia years," he said on the Header Flames internet bulletin board," and (it) still is..."
Champion Speed Shop majordomo Bob McLennan stated on Header Flames that, "I think it is interesting that as soon as the little small block Chevrolet got back to its rightful #1 position, the Big Hemi's get pushed out of shape and are lining up to get their shots in."
But wait, there's more: In addition to the WW2/Champion Speed Shop ego battle, Lee Jennings and his Big Block Chevy-motivated "California Trucker" entry (#7 on the List) is seeking to undo the damage from a challenge at the beginning of the season when the Chrysler-powered entry of Fuller & Dunlap put them down at a Pro Nitro race in Tucson.
These two diggers will compete for the #6 spot on the List Saturday as well, just before the WW2/Champion Speed Shop challenge.
Jenning's bunch (spearheaded by ace tuners Ray Zeller and Gene Amaya) feel they were pretty vulnerable when they lost their position to Dunlap, as they were experimenting with different aerodynamic approaches (specifically, no canard wings) as well as motor postions that never really panned out to their satisfaction. After more or less going in the toilet with that approach, a month or so ago they have set up the car the way it was last year when they dominated quite a few contests.
Dunlap, meanwhile is still sorting out similar gremlins and beyond: After back-halving the car and moving the motor back at chassis builder Dave Uyehara's shop, he has experienced tremendous frustration because of chronic tire spin which some attribute to the position of engine. Theory has it that this confounding tendency was exacerbated by the recent use of beadlocked tires, which wrinkle more than the liner-variety and apparently are causing the 12" M&H slicks to "squat," whereupon the wheelie bar strikes the pavement and unloads the Uyehara chassis.
This weekend Fuller & Dunlap will be sporting the more conventional 'liner model of M&Hs, which would be prudent not only in ending cycle on the Domino effect of tire spin, but also in the knowledge that beadlocks will most likely be prohibited in competition at Goodguys VRA events in 2001.
Regardless of Dunlap's plight, Lee Jennings' bunch feels that they have been bottlenecked behind Fuller & Dunlap all season. With their car running better (semi-final finish at the Goodguys Fall Classic last month, followed by a sweep of the Governor's Cup in Sacramento the next weekend), they feel it is time to end cycle on this scenario. California Trucker co-tuner Gene Amaya had a rallying cry that summed up the attitude of the entire team. He bellowed, "In the words of the famous boxing referee, Mills Lane...'Lets Get It On.'"
So, going into the California Hot Rod Reunion, here is how the List shakes out:
1. CHAMPION SPEED SHOP
2. GOTELLI SPEED SHOP
3. WW2
4. ORANGE CRATE
5. NITRO THUNDER
6. FULLER MOTORSPORTS "MIDNIGHT"
7. CALIFORNIA TRUCKER
8. STEINER & BERGER
9. GROUND ZERO
10. KUHNS & HANSEN
For more details about where they stand and why, go to:
THE NITRONIC RESEARCH AA/FD LIST http://www.nitronic.com/thelist/
And visit the patrons of the NR AA/FD List!
TITAN SPEED ENGINEERING http://www.nitronic.com/titan/
Pete Millar's DRAG CARTOONS http://www.nitronic.com/dragcartoons/
MYSTERION SCREENPRINT http://www.nitronic.com/mysterion/
I had a short discussion in the pits last Sunday night with a few friends. "We're gonna take it to the March Meet" they said with glee. It's a vehicle so cool that we're gonna wait until it's done before we show it to ya. It will instantly become one of the finest nostalgia AA/FD car restos of recent times. Just a show car....maybe. And no, it is not the car pictured in the HH 2000 Videospectacular notice atop this page. While on the subject, we've been promised exclusive video of what was easily THE nostalgia moment of the year 2000 in Div. Six. Sorry Nightfires, but this one came at a remote British Columbia locale...Maybe we could start a push to have Jack Williams put in the Div. 6 Hall of Fame. This guy is God-like in B.C. and many, many still remember his Winternationals 'Best appearing' year.
Like I said, the HH year end blast is gonna top anything you've ever seen here before. The videos have already come in from Kenny Sitko up in Edmonton to Charles Jolliff's unbelievable nostalgia doorslammer footage from the DEEP south...from George RAY'S no less...all to be a part of our year end assault on your senses of sight and sound. From what we have so far it's gonna be a cool way to celebrate the year 2000. Like always it'll debut at midnight Dec. 31 and will feature cool drag videos YOU'VE sent HH! We promise not to resell it, though that would be an idea if we could sell enuf so that everybody involved could get paid....sumpthin. So, if you have a video of a non-injury drag acing experience you'd like to share with the world, send it now to HH:
Speaking of video...
Currently wrapped up in the completion of the Super Street tape. The banquet in the pits will be included...uncensored. Again...you know what to say. Must have tapes done of Ron Houneit before he leaves for Southwest swing, as too for SharkMan Joe Mellof, making a big run for the Division Super Gas title. Maybe we can even slide in one for Leeland King, also going to Vegas, Phoenix and/or Pomona on a long-shot 'Get Hudson' mission.
Speaking of 'entertainment' you must be buzzing over the stuff on the Vine eh? It really is better than WWF. Best part is though, most of them will continue on as usual. I was one of the very, very few who has personally seen both sides of the deals...and I credit it to a bit of burnout on both sides. This game is really easy to figure out if you just sit down and watch it for a minute. Once you are in it...and have it figured, your judgment of it changes. I mean shit happens. Always has, always will. Some can continue through such stuff, while some cannot. Pretty simple.
If yur inta drag bikes, have a boo at the Weekend Frames website at www.weekendframe.com. This is the place Houneit and Gauthier get their frames from. It'za neat drag bike site.
FLASH Northwest Super Street banquet video is now complete. Our mail address is on our HHVideo page.
10.04.00
Neat stuff that have come in recently:
http://mbmustangs.tripod.com/mainpage.htm Mustang stuff.
Dear Larry -- I was impressed with your site and ask you to please visit my site -- www.murfink.com -- with a view toward linking. And if you know any drivers who could use some free publicity, please click on the "Rising Stars" section. We recently added Row 2 and I need drivers. My only requirement is that the driver give me info on upcoming events and finishes in a timely manner so this info can be posted on the site. Best of racing luck, Nina Murphy
Larry, Please forgive my delay in writing.... Just wanted to let you know that it was a pleasure to meet the man behind all the great coverage of Division Six! Thank you for the picture of my ride at Yakima even though I did not make it to the starting line! .... found out that the manifold gasket let go around the water jacket and dumped water into # 2 cylinder....so after a rod and piston we are running again! .... the crank, rings & bearings all checked out great! I made my quickest pass ever out of my 396 last week.... 10.00 @ 136! Look forward to seeing you again! Ron Brindisi - "The Bobcat"
DRAG RACERS ON TV: We understand that VTV in vancouver BC will be broadcasting interviews with a number of local drag racers in regards to the street racing problem tonight at approx. 6:30pm
The NHRA Northwest Division has concluded the 5 race Canadian National Open Championship with the recent National Open event held at Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft, B.C. The following individuals have earned championship titles and will be recognized at the 2000 Northwest Division Banquet to be held on Saturday, December 9, 2000.
• Super Comp: Mike Pople
• Super Gas: Eddy Plazier
• Super Street: Craig Bickle
• Stock/Super Stock Combo: Ed Matiejewski
• Top Comp: Terry Cameron
• B.C. Super Pro Champ: Dave Magee
• B.C. Pro Champ: Cory Thompson
• B.C. Sportsman Champ: Chris Brandt
• B.C. Snow/Bike Champ: J. Glenn Miller
• B.C. Jr. Dragster: Darren Barton
• Alberta Super Pro Champ: Martin Rachel
• Alberta Pro Champ: Adolph Sabourin
• Alberta Sportsman Champ: Chris Brandt
• Alberta Snow/Bike: Tim Reyerson
• Alberta Jr. Dragster: Aaron Giroux
SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR 2001 ANNOUNCED
The NHRA Northwest Division, at the suggestion of several
racers, are proposing new programs for 2001. If you are
a racer, and you are interested, please provide feedback
and suggestions for the following programs. If you have
ideas for a more interesting way to provide extra "race-within-a-race"
excitement, please pass it along. Racer interest and response
will determine when, and if, these programs are held.
SUPER CATEGORIES Based on the positive feedback and support received at the Woodburn and Medford FMDRS events, the NHRA Northwest Division is adding Super Category "Cash Bash" events to a minimum of two races next season. The first two "Cash Bash" events being added to the two Mission FMDRS events. The format for the event is as follows:
During the first two time trial sessions of the event, drivers will "qualify" for the bash based on their best package (reaction time and e.t. to index). After the second time trial, the top eight best package qualifiers will be laddered and will square off in eliminations (in conjunction with time trials). Eliminations will continue in conjunction with time trials until a winner is determined.
Cost for entering the event at both Missions and Medford is $20 (and will be required prior to the first time trial). Participation in the cash bash is not mandatory for participating in the FMDRS event. The Cash Bash will pay back 75% to the winner and 25% to the runner-up. The NHRA Northwest Division will provide a plaque and NHRA hat to the winner.
In the event that inclement weather prevents us from completing all rounds, entries will be split equally between qualified participants.
DIALING FOR DOLLARS (STOCK, SUPER STOCK, TOP COMP) Similar format to that of Super Categories with the exception that driver qualifying will be based on a package of reaction time and dial-in. Qualifying would also take place during first two qualifying runs with laddered pairings starting in third qualifying round. Same payouts and awards as above.
Comp Eliminator "King of the Coast" Since the "King of the Coast" battle between the top drivers in Division 6 and Division 7 has worked so well in the motorcycle category, a proposal is being sent to Comp Eliminator racers to see if there is an interest in hosting a similar event. The Comp King of the Coast would also be held at Medford, Oregon in September and will see the top 4 drivers in Division Six points face off against the top 4 drivers in Division Seven points.
A driver's total "in-division" points in the 2001 races leading up to Medford will qualify him/her for the event. These eight drivers will be seeded on a tournament style ladder (D6 #1 races D7#4, D6#2 races D7#3, and so on...) and will face off during Saturday qualifying.
Like the Motorcycle program, the winning driver will receive awards donated by the racing community.
Again, these are just a few ideas to consider. If you have a company that would like to sponsor these programs (with product or cash) please contact Chris Blair at cblair@nhra.com.
All postings, prizes, etc. will be paid back 100% to the participants with no service fees or charges for sponsorship.
10.01.00 The silly season has begun...
"Wadda ya mean...DID I GET IT?"
The latest three page HH adventure starts HERE.