IHRA at Epping, NH
PART 2 (click here to read part 1)
Words by Jeff Burk
Photos by Jeff Burk and Bryan Epps
9/14/06
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Burton Auxier (Bryan Epps photo)
PRO MODIFIED
It was definitely a case of the haves and have nots when it came to the Pro Modified class at the IHRA Northern Nationals. A quick look at the barometer and the qualifying list at that event showed that a racer had to “have” a supercharged power plant if they were going to have a legitimate chance of winning the event. Only three of the “have not” nitrous-injected racers made the 16-car field.
New York racer Mike Castellana did qualify in the Top Five with a solid 6.134/231, and Detroit-based Harold Martin with his unique EFI/nitrous power plant did go to the final round, but the quickest car of the class was Eddie Ware’s record-setting 6.032/231.91 lap which was a tenth quicker than Castellana.
Georgian Eddie Ware lowered the Pro Mod ET record -- which had been set at 6.045 almost a year ago at Rockingham Dragway’s World Finals -- to a 6.089/235.84 in the first round and coupled that with a second round 6.035/235.89 to re-set the record.
 Kenny Lang (Jeff Burk Photo) |
On the other side of the ladder Harold Martin ran steady 6.20’s to eliminate supercharger favorites Quain Stott, Danny Rowe, and Tommy D’Aprile. Against D’Aprile, Martin ran his best ET of the event recording a 6.19, but probably hurt his engine in the process as in the final round he bulbed against Ware but the engine coughed and barked and Martin shut the engine off, allowing Ware’s ‘67 Camaro to coast to the win.
Some other notables and not so notables had great races. Canadian Kenny Lang shocked the knowledgeable crowd with a stellar 6.102 first qualifying lap that held up as the No. 1 qualifier he also ran a 6.11 in the first round of eliminations taking out points leader and fellow Canadian Glen Kerunsky. Reportedly he is getting help from engine builder Al Billes.