HORSEPOWER HEAVEN NAVIGATION PAGE

HEMI is a hit! March. 31, 2006
Thanks everyone who have made the initial release of Hemi Heaven our biggest seller ever! In just two weeks online sales alone are the more than double anything we've ever introduced before. Our new promotional efforts are still moving ahead with Hemmings Muscle Machines leading the way by requesting a copy well before the release date and prior to our big promotion push to all the major publications. One point of great satisfaction to us is the amazing interest from all over. Orders have already gone to 26 states, six Canadian provinces, Sweden, New Zealand, & Finland! Thanks again for your interest and support, which will go a long way in pushing us even more to produce better products with each video we release.

Friday March 31, 2006

As we approach the local race season I'm wondering what the heck I might do with the ole' site this year. It's become very obvious that most anything 'interesting' shows up on message boards and forums first. That includes gossip, trash talk, results, who's racing where next weekend and who did what last weekend. It's one of the reasons you haven't seen much here over the winter. One of 'em. Still, most of you know how I feel about duplicating stuff you can find else where, so I dunno...

What is HH dot com really good for any more? I'll give it some more thought, but am feeling that the day of sites such as what HH has been are coming to an end. Post a few results, few pictures, some neat links, a video clip or two. Everybody is doin' that now.

Maybe it's time to try something different.

I wonder.

Hmm.

Mission Friday TnT rained out, fingers crossed for weekend
With track improvements complete and everybody just itching to give it a try, it appears the weatherman may well give everybody a break at some point this weekend. As this is being posted Friday morning, the atmospheric conditions are at a rather high level of humidity and today's Test n Tune session has been canceled. This evening's Street Legal may still go if conditions improve. An announcement on that will be posted on the track site at 3:30 p.m. Tomorrow however is a different story and if we get real lucky it could just be possible we'll get this one in.

FYI, the BCCCA boys and I have yet to get together and discuss our coming contract, but neither side is worrying about it. With this being the first points race of the year there are always things to sort out, but it should come together with a minimum of issues. Just give 'em a break if the race does come off and the points are not up at 8:00 a.m. Monday. I've been dragging my ass on this too, so if it takes a bit of extra time to come together it's no one person's fault. Everybody knows how important online points and results are, you just have to understand that the 'old' webmaster has been moving in a bit of a different direction the past few months, and while MRP has been seeking a replacement, the interest has not been very high. A disappointment of sorts knowing how many people out there are into doing websites, but don't step up when a great opportunity comes available. Now it's crunch time, decisions will be made asap.

That being said I guess we'll get to see just how good you guys n gals are eh? No practice time, new track, cool conditions. Surely some of the racers are concerned, but from a spectators point-of-view this is gonna be very interesting. Here's hoping we get it done, you all have a fun, safe time...and yes, I'll have some copies of HEMI with me at a special one weekend ONLY price for all those who want one...and maybe need something to do if it stays 'humid'.

Nanook Returns with new driver and crew chief
After the unfortunate accident at Gainesville, the Hough family announces the return of the Nanook AA/Fuel Altered. The new/old car is being built by TNR Racecars of Las Vegas and will be ready to test in mid May. With Rick Hough as crew chief and a new driver, the Nanook will be able to make its 12 remaining race commitments for 2006, which include three events in Western Canada.

The new driver of the Nanook will be Rick's brother-in-law Vince Generalao, owner of TNR Racecars, who holds current TAFC and TAD licenses. Vince 42, was a racecar builder in Hawaii for 16 years before moving to Las Vegas in 2003.

The Hough family wants to thank all our friends, fans, photographers and track operators for the encouragement to not let the Nanook die and to rebuild.

We are also looking forward to the European Fuel Altered Tour in 2007 where Fuel Altereds will be making exhibition runs in England, Sweden and Germany.

- Dave Hough
Nanook AA/FA

Why the don't build very many two door 'muscle cars' these days...

Tuesday March 28, 2006

The management of Race City is inviting potential sponsors, sanctioning bodies, race club groups, media and other interested parties to an information session. To be held at Deerfoot Inn and Casino on Friday, March 31 at 7:30 PM. An audio visual presentation, Q&A opportunity and a non-host bar will be on the agenda.

MOPARS at the STRIP Hemi Shootout reports at nhra.com and dro.com.

Monday March 27, 2006

Calgary Pro Modder starts year on high
Once upon a time Glen Kerunsky drove a very bad big inch Pro Street pickup truck. In 1996 he moved into Pro Mod, stuck with the truck bodies and had some fun. Fast forward to 2006 and the Calgary driver now wheels perhaps the most wicked doored shoebox the sport has ever seen. Kerunsky now begins decade number two in PM with a runner-up finish at the NHRA Invitational in Gainsville, then yesterday wins the IHRA opener in Texas. HH simply must begin today with a hearty congrats to the entire team...along with those 'other' Kanuks who are doing so well in Pro Mod. It's the new era of Canadian Prairie racers moving to try and dominate a top class much like their fore fathers did thirty years ago in Top Fuel. Pretty damn cool eh. For more check out Kerunsky's site along with that of Rick Distefano.

Some concern after PSCA Phoenix race
Some racers are airing their serious concerns regarding an accident this past weekend in Phoenix where some are basically trashing the track safety crew. Though HH does not often condone this kind of unofficial, mostly nameless way of doing things, some of it does make for good reading that all drivers can take heed of.

PSCA results are here...and here, photos here.

TV tragedy
For first time maybe ever an on-track fatality is being met not just with sadness, but harsh criticism of how the big money world of professional racing has, in some cases, become not just sad, but very dangerous. In an accident that has been replayed over-and-over on every channel on the dial it was the SpeedTV's Robin Miller who posted this last night...the very night of the tragedy, that started the ball rolling.

I watched the final few laps of the race live before I was aware of the morning practice incident, and frankly have never been more tense watching a race in my life. For lap-after-lap two cars went side-by-side at close to 220 mph often with wheels almost touching amid radical sideways movement. I felt like I was watching a bloodspot. I mean really, these guys were so close to mayhem, it was crazy. Now I like close racing, but for the first time in my life I'm wondering if what I saw is pushing the envelope just a bit too far. I dunno, I've never seen anything like that before. That close, that fast. That scary.

Just one of the reasons why HH is not yet moving into High Definition video.

Saturday March 25, 2006

For Immediate Release
By Shane Tecklenburg FASTMotorsports.com
Surprise, Arizona 3-25-06 - The FASTMotorsports Racing Team and their Twin Turbo 57 Chevy Pro Street arrived early for Fridays PSCA Test Session at Phoenix Speedworld raceway near Phoenix, Arizona. After spending the last several days reassembling the car with the new parts supplied by sponsor Extreme Speed, the team which consist this weekend of Shane Tecklenburg, Doug Stewart, Larry Kennedy and special guest Gary Kubo struggled with the raceway surface.

After violently spinning the tires at the hit of the throttle on their first attempt, the team backed the tuning down to what they felt would be a nice safe level. Turns out - the car made a move for about 30 feet and then instantly spun the tires again.

"We have had the opportunity to completely revamp all of our racing program with the addition of our sponsor," explained Ed Thornton driver of! the race car.

"We have many new components and we made some changes we had wanted to make for a while including pistons, rings, bearings, and a new cam grind. We are making way more power down low than we used to which has changed our tune up."

For the final run - the team made the necessary adjustments to get the car down the racetrack. And ran a great 6.661 at just 213 MPH.

"We are happy that we tested because we would have had our back against the wall in qualifying to figure out how to manage this new engine combo," explained Thornton.

"We feel confident that we have a competitive package for this weekend especially given the fact that I shut the car off early on that run."

Qualifying for the PSCA Arizona Nationals begins today at 11:00 am PST.

Friday March 24, 2006

Alberta racer walks away from big Vegas wreck
Patricia, Alberta driver John Jenovese walked away from a major accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway today during bracket racing at MOPARS at the STRIP. "He hit both walls hard and the car is more-or-less a ball" photographer Rich Carlson told HH this evening. "He'll be hurting tomorrow" Carlson added. Jenovese was in a seven second door car believed to be an 80s Daytona.

In other word from the event, Jerry Jenkins captured the Cannery Casino Super Stock Hemi Shoot-out Low ET award, though we await the exact numbers.

Mission ready for April Fools...
"The work was basically finished today and we hope to run next weekend" said Mission Raceway Park Race Director Wally Duperon to HH tonight. About all we can ad right now is pray for sun.

Thursday March 23, 2006

Thanks to our ole' SVABC buddy Tom Carlson, HH has learned that a local legend has a bit of a website. Now 80 years young, Jessie "Boots" Olsen is still active doin' what he does best click here.

Tis the time of year when most northwest drag racers start to go a little nutso. The season is basically upon us, but Murphy's law keeps popping up. In the case of Mission it's either the weather man, the weather man...or a case of 'track prep' forced to wait for...you guessed it, the weather man...or excuse me, weather person.

I haven't kept too close tabs on the track resurfacing since about last October, so I really don't have a good idea what the delay is, but rest assured, look at it as saving money for the sunny weekends ahead. You'll all get to test the hook soon. And frankly from recent past experience I don't recall seeing all that many cars out the past couple of Marchs anyway.

This weekend HH plans to attend the first Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show in Abbotsford to cover it for VTwinPlus.com, so hopefully we'll see some of you cabin-fevered monks out there eh. This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Biker TV is said to be showing the Mission CMDRA program on Global in BC, Saturday in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario as well as MenTV. (link)

In videoland we're sorta 'Hemi'd out', for not only did we spend a good deal of time on Hemi Heaven, but also put together the annual West Coast Hemi team video. For the past few seasons Michael Ogburn has contracted HH to edit together all the video his people shoot. I like to say it's a challenge, as much of the tape is not exactly 'steady', but we usually end up with something entertaining. This year we got to play with a bunch of stuff from the usual races plus the NHRA Finals at Pomona and a ton from Indy. Exclusive footage that Hemiholics would die for, but sorry it's not available to the general public. Ogburn gives it away to friends, family, other racers and business associates. Then again HH does have a master copy and once or twice a year we are allowed to donate a copy to fund raisers of various kinds. Keep your eyes and ears open as this truly is a very special video.

Though HH may be suffering from 'Hemiroids', in Las Vegas it's a totally different story. As this is being posted Ogburn has rented LVMS to test their Super Stockers and MOPARS at the STRIP starts tomorrow. Rich Carlson is already there, so are a box full of Hemi videos for what is sure to be an awesome event. One thing for the lucky locals down there to look for is the new Dodge Challenger concept car (that makes the Camaro concept look a bit lame), but unfortunately HH has learned that the Warfish will not be there. Charlie Westcott Jr. has engine problems that has forced him to stay home. Jeg Coughlin will be on hand driving one of the West Coast cars.

Which brings me back yet again to the online video thing. Can you believe our Wicked trailer has had over 95,000 views in just a couple of weeks? That's sick, but proves beyond a doubt this could well be our biggest seller ever. Work will begin next week.

Interesting 'discussion' going on over on mater regarding online video. Mr Biggs' folks are on a roll going full speed on their live (and still free) online coverage of some of America's biggest door car races. An experienced TV guy, Jimmy Biggs is already doing what many though was all but impossible. His Your Way Network has some very ambitious plans for the Fast Ford Weekend in Atlanta April 6-9. You can bet many people are watching this ongoing 'test' though his statement that online streaming video will replace broadcast television within 4-5 years could be wishful thinking. Even though broadcast and print medias are not exactly thriving these days, it's more like web-based 'broadcasting' will supplement television rather than replace it. At least in the 4-5 year timeline. Ten years from now???

All this again leads into our plans to do something online with video. We are contacting all of the major players now into this gig and it's possible we may try to work with one (or more) of them, or maybe do our own thing. Regardless, HH has little interest in doing live video at this time, and with the plan to shore up our video library first, HH will continue to keep a close eye on how this all plays out and make our move when we are ready.

In the meantime we've set up a few links on the sidebar here for the sites featuring regularly updated drag race video. If we've missed some, feel free to send us a link that we will review and maybe ad. It HAS to be a site that has been up for a while, is updated at least weekly and where videos are available to anyone. Forget the ones where you have to subscribe or register before you view, and we won't link to general vid sites like myspace etc.

It's really amazing how drag racing video is currently going crazy on television and online. We have a good feeling about all this, but know we have our work cut out for us with all the new 'competition'. It'll just make us try harder to do our very best. New year's comin' folks, it's gonna fun!

That's it for the moment. Sales of Hemi are going very well, thank you all so much for your support. Mission's gonna try again April first...really...no joke...trust me. hehe.

Monday March 20, 2006

Dave Hough on Nanook Gainsville Incident
We here at HH have had the pleasure of knowing Dave Hough since the seventies. We have long followed the on-and-off exploits of this famous Fuel Altered team. A bad accident in Boise last year saw the team regroup and get back to the strip testing at Las Vegas just a few short weeks ago.

Last week we got e-mail from Dave, who was in Gainsville Florida,wanting HH to pass the word that they were back and had two western Canadian dates booked for 2006. Then on Saturday the drag racing world was shocked to learn of another bad crash for the Nanook car and driver Rick Hough, Dave's son.

With the web being what it is and some rumors going around, we are fortunate to be able to have Dave himself tell us the story. Here is the e-mail we received this morning:

"We followed the last funny car session where the F/C in our lane oiled the track and stopped on the track right before the finish. There was a short cleanup, then we ran. The car made it's normal AA/FA run with a little weaving on the top end. Right at the finish line Rick said, the car made a violent move to the wall he couldn't correct. Rick didn't,"stay in too long" or "over drive the car" as uneducated fans of AA/FAs have speculated on the Internet. The car did run its best ever ET of 6.16 and Rick had over 100 runs in this car. As to his hand injury, his right arm restraint failed during the roll overs and caught his hand between the cage and the track surface.

Rick will be released Monday, no head, neck or body damage. Unfortunately, his right hand was crushed and couldn't be saved. We will rebuild and return with Rick as Crew Chief and a new driver."

We join with everyone who wishes Rick, Dave, the entire family and team all the best for the future. It's impossible at this early hour to surmise what the future will actually bring, but we sincerely hope it is somehow positive.

CompPlus photo sequence

Friday March 17, 2006

Competition Plus Exclusive Hemi Heaven video clip
Thanks to all the great people over at Competition Plus for posting an exclusive clip from our newest video release Hemi Heaven. To have exposure like on one of the web's top drag sites is a wonderful thing for us and as we move forward with new videos, we hope to be able to pass along much more to Bobby Bennett, Michael Beard and the rest of the crew at Comp Plus. (Link)

A note on this clip is that it's a short compilation from the 2005 MOPARS at the STRIP portion and although these two minutes don't have all that much Super Stock highlights, fear not as we figured for this site a bit of nitro and such would maybe work better. Don't worry folks, this production has FAR more Hemi SS action than anything else.

Horsepower Heaven Videos Returns As Sponsor
Horsepower Heaven Videos, makers of fantastic videos covering the Canadian motorcycle drag racing scene, has re-signed as an “Official Product Sponsor” of the N.E.T.O./VTwinPlus.com Nostalgia Series for 2006.

Each winner at the six scheduled events will receive a copy of the CMDRA 2005 Season Highlights DVD, nearly four hours of the wildest drag bike action ever put on DVD.

Last year the 2004 Highlight DVD was a big hit with all who received them and with nearly double the length this year N.E.T.O. winners will have twice as much enjoyment.

Larry Pfister, president of Horsepower Heaven Videos had this to say about his company’s involvement in the N.E.T.O./VTwinPlus.com Nostalgia Eliminator program.
"Horsepower Heaven Videos is thrilled to once again be hooked-up with NETO/VTwinPlus.com. As one of the very few independent producers of drag bike videos the site has proven to be a terrific marketing tool." (link)

Thursday March 16, 2006

Surprise...SurPRISE!! Hemi's ready to ship. Click on image order.

Tuesday March 14, 2006

Calgary Drag Racing Association message board posts info regarding future of Race City.

NOOK is BACK!
The AA/ Fuel Altereds will be in Canada twice in 2006. We are running at Saskatoon's 40th Anniversary race on June 17th and at Mission on July 15th & 16th. We are also at another Div 6 track, Yellowstone (Billings), on July 1st. I hope everything is going well with you and your family.
Dave Hough

Bakersfield, CA 3/14/06 - The Goodguys 47th March Meet presented by Clay Smith Cams, originally scheduled for March 10-12 will be run in its entirety the weekend of March 17, 18 & 19 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway just north of Bakersfield.

The postponement marked the first time under Goodguys sanction the March Meet had been postponed. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Goodguys Senior Vice President Marc Meadors. “The forecast is much more favorable for this coming weekend and we’re confident we’ll get the race completed on the second go around. The temperatures will rebound to the mid 60s which is perfect for racing.”

The entire western US was under a cold spell last week which shut down roads in and out of California’s central valley due to record snowfall.

Big Daddy Don Garlits, the event’s official “Hot Rod Hero” is returning to Bakersfield, Friday March 17th. He will be on hand all weekend with his restored Swamp Rat 1B and will sign autographs for fans at his booth located in the Top Fuel pit area.

Over 550 competitors are returning for the event which serves as the country’s largest nostalgia drag race. Gates open at 8am daily. General admission is $25 Friday, $30 Saturday and $30 Sunday. A weekend pass is available for $75. For additional information visit www.good-guys.com

Goldammer to display at Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show Set to Fire Up March 25-26th
Tradex Centre Will Host the Hottest Custom Machines in North America

The new Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show is being heralded as the biggest pure custom motorcycle show in Western Canada. Not only will it feature some of the hottest bikes in North America, most of them will be produced locally, as this area is the undisputed home to some of the world's top custom builders including professional bike builder Roger Goldammer of Kelowna, BC, who will have several bikes on display. Goldammer's amazing work won him 1st Place at the AMD/Custom Chrome World Championship in 2004 and 2005.

This show, brought to you by the people responsible for the Gastown Motorcycle Show n' Shine in 2005 and the B.C. Custom Motorcycle Show from 1990-1998, will feature over 200 custom bikes on display, more than 30 classes including Foreign, Street, British, Vintage, Radical, “Specialty" and a new "Pro Builders" class, with a $1000.00 prize for Best Bike. Also featured are several vendor displays that range from custom motorcycle shops like North Shore Choppers and Jarz Performance to the B.C. Lottery Corporation and Easy Build Structures.

The Tradex Centre, renowned for it's other two wheeled event - The Vancouver Motorcycle Show - is just minutes off the #1 highway and conveniently located next to the Abbotsford International Airport.

Proceeds of this event will go to support the B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists (BCCOM). BCCOM is a professional lobbying organization that works on behalf of all motorcyclists rights in the province of B.C.

Show organizer, Adele Tompkins, said, "We are very excited about this show! It's long over due."

For more information, visit www.westcoastcustom.ca.

Monday March 13, 2006

Pacific Raceways Management Changes OFFICIAL HH Exclusive
"It's official" Pacific Raceways President Jason Fiorito told HH by phone at noon today. "Russell told me he was getting too old for all this stuff. We need to hire some younger people." Hence Drag Strip Manager Russell Stevenson will now assume the position of Track Manager with Jay Livingston coming in under him to be the new Dragstrip Manager. "I welcome him back with open arms" Stevenson said enthusiastically. "His first race is this Sunday, and I'll back him up every step of the way." Livingston was unavailable for comment, but in the opinion of HH this is a positive move that bodes well for the future of Pacific Raceways.

The Hemi video is currently in the duplication process, with the case cover art at the printer. Plan is to have a good number ready to ship to Vegas later this week, then get into online ordering, so looks like we will have some before the 'official;' release date of a week today. That being the case, while we will not offer online orders until we have some actually in stock ready to ship, you are invited to send in mail orders now and we will ship the minute your check clears and we have some in stock. CLICK HERE FOR HEMI MAIL ORDER FORM. Simply print it, fill out and mail.

Really have to take a moment here and thank Phil Painter down in Vegas for all his support for this very late project. He so wanted HH to be there in two weeks, but we have to stick to our program and get immediately into Wicked once the Hemi video is complete. Well almost, as there's still a matter of another big supporter of HH, Michael Ogburn of the West Coast Hemis, whose personal team video has to be in Vegas in two weeks as well. Top it off with the continued support of Chris Blair and we're trying hard not to think about how cool it's gonna be at LVMS March 24-26. One big reason being that we've just learned that their Hemi Shoot-out is gonna be perhaps the biggest and best ever on the left coast because of confirmation that both Jeg Jr. and the man hisself, CHARLIE WESTCOTT JR. driving his famed WARFISH will be racing MOPARS at the STRIP!!! Gawd, it's tough to even type it knowing I won't be there.

So if you'd like to see the battle of the Hemi Super Stock giants for the first time ever in the west check all the details at moparsatthestrip.com and BE at Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 24-26, 2006!

I must say that just a day's work on the (first) Wicked trailer has made us realize that this long-planned video is actually gonna start very soon. Our ambitious plan is to hopefully debut it April 21 at Vegas, but that could be pushing things. Then again, we'll soon see. Here is easily the biggest project we've ever tackled with some video going back well into the 90s. No, it won't just be a bunch of wrecks and wheelies set to music, in fact even at this late date we're not exactly sure how it's gonna all go together. We do know it will include footage never seen before by anybody, have a bit of history, a lot of totally insane stuff, and a few surprises that we won't let outta the bag until release. In our own quirky style, this will be a video so far removed from anything else ever done on the subject...well, let's just say some rather 'unconventional' thinking is going into this one. And how 'bout that clip on streetfire eh? Free promo don't get no better. Makes one realize even more that drag race video has a huge future online, and HH is gonna be there.

We watch with interest the huge increase of drag racing television and online video projects coming at us continually, and HH has been online a lot seeking out solutions for our entry into this game. We've found a few items of interest, but won't get too into it until racing actually starts around here...which could be a while despite the scheduled MRP opening date of March 24. For all we know now, it could still be snowing. That's ok though as MPR, HH video and the Internet is a trio to look for real soon. Don't worry about their website. It's still off-season. That thing will be taken care of , and once we all get rolling, you'll forget the past and realize it's all about the future baby...just be patient.

Thanks to all the forum sites, most of the news is out there, so for now we're back to it.

On other fronts we're sad to hear of yet another needless fatality on the Patullo Bridge, and of the loss of an Island racer posted on Team Mission.

Thursday March 9, 2006

I kinda think a few of ya might like this. Was done so it could be included with Hemi Heaven. From here on all new vids will come with trailers...like this one for WICKED STREET OF THE WEST.

March Meet Postponed
Bakersfield, CA 3/9/06 - The Goodguys 47th March Meet presented by Clay Smith Cams, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed one week and will be run the weekend of March 17, 18 & 19 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway just north of Bakersfield. The bleak weather forecast which is predicting a 70% chance of rain showers for Friday and Saturday coupled with record low temperatures and snow levels down to 1500 feet, caused Goodguys officials to postpone the event.

This marks the first time under Goodguys sanction the March Meet has been postponed. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Goodguys Senior Vice President Marc Meadors. “The forecast kept getting worse and worse with a 70% chance of rain Friday and Saturday. We could most likely handle a few passing rain showers but the cold temperatures are going to be the main problem. After meeting with the racetrack, we all agreed the impending forecast of rain and cold temperatures would cause unsafe racing conditions. We will not take a chance when it comes to drivers safety.”

Every facet of the event has been postponed one week including the annual Goodguys/VRA Banquet which was to be held tonight to honor last year’s Goodguys VRA Champions. The banquet will now be held next Thursday night, March 16th at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield.

Racers and event participants who pre-entered the event should hold on to their confirmation letters and passes. All passes will be honored for the re-running of the event.

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association