OFAA at Denton, Texas
Poloson Says ‘Take Me Back to Texas!’
The evening of April 5th at North Star Dragway in Denton, TX, started a new chapter for the Outlaw Fuel Altered Association under its new series sponsor, Royal Purple Oil.
Nineteen evil-handling, unpredictable, blown fuel altereds came to battle for points, prestige and pride on the north Texas eighth mile. The large field equaled the series’ high car count record and, amazingly, six teams that earned points on the circuit last season did not make it to Denton, showing just how much the circuit is growing (there are rumors of up to four more teams in the works for this season).
The first event of the eight-race tour is usually exiting for racers and spectators as teams test new parts and performance combinations, seeking the slightest edge over the competition. This held true in Denton.
In past years the championship battle usually boiled down to two cars duking it out for the title at the last event of the season, but don’t be surprised if there are a handful of teams with a fighting chance to take home the crown at this season’s last OFAA event.
Among the new racers and race teams at the first OFAA race of the year were Anthony Whitfield (shown) and Roy Sanchez who debuted their new hot rods for the first time in competition. Whitfield, a former Eric Medlen crew member, drove a 400 c.i. small block Chevy blown alky burner appropriately called “Mighty Mouse” and Sanchez wheeled a 1948 Fiat with an 85% nitro 427 Chevy-branded Nitro Coupe. [Ed note: Now that is a fuel altered by God!]
Denton also hosted the return of the Cross Bros. “Crossways” machine and Jack Heslink’s “Punisher” with son J.T. behind the wheel, who recently returned from serving in the U.S. Navy.
The qualifying rounds of this event also served as the final elimination rounds of the OFFA final event of 2007 at Pine Valley Raceway in Lufkin, TX, which was postponed and finished up at this event. Not only were the teams fighting for a spot in the field, but the ten qualified cars from Lufkin were battling for an event win at the same time.
Prior to qualifying, the OFAA members and fans paid tribute to long-time friend and driver Bob Voirin who has dedicated a half century of his life to the sport of drag racing, especially in the fuel altered scene and spent the last ten years as a prominent member of the association. Voirin decided at the start of this year to hang up his helmet and sell his “All American” AA/FA. The car was purchased by Ray and Chris White, owner and driver of the “White Lightning” team. The Whites plan to run the car and leave the paint alone in a tribute to Voirin, who has helped many race teams and was involved in the formation of the series back in the mid 1990’s. The starting line was packed as series announcer Kay Wright read a dedication to Bob followed by the first cackle of the day from Dale “Lurch” Wilkens, who made a squirt in the “All American” car before Voirin let it go home with the White family that night. rr