Jim Halsey obliterated the SGMP track records with a 3.848 at 196.19 mph to become the quickest and fastest eighth-mile nitrous Pro Mod in the country. 

Records Fall in SGMP Testing

Words and photos by Marvin T. Smith

South Georgia Motorsports Park presented the Eastern Spring Test Nationals February 25-28.  This event is designed to allow racers from all series to test on a quality track prior to the big national events in the eastern United States.  With the NHRA limitations on nitro testing this year, the ESTN became a big doorslammer event, although alky dragsters and one funny car participated.  Quarter-mile and eighth-mile Pro Mods, Outlaw 10.5s, Drag Radial cars, Pro Mod cycles, snowmobiles, and sportsman cars provided thrills for four days on the SGMP all-concrete quarter mile.
    
A few racers took advantage of the early Wednesday start this year.  Most cars were having trouble navigating the track on the first day. Tim O'Hare ran a 4.14 at 174 and Brad Personett ran a 4.11 at 185 in his turbo Pro Mod Camaro.

The big surprise of the day was the appearance of Josh Hernandez with the ADRL Red Team Camaro. This was Josh's first outing with a screw blower in the car. After a troubled first pass, Josh ripped off an effortless 3.95 at 192 for the best run of the day.
    
By Thursday, many more cars had arrived.  Tom Carter’s “Jawbreaker” Alky FC ripped off a nice 5.81 at only 209 for the quickest pass of the day.  Dan Kracht made a few hits in Randy Meyers’ A/FD. 

The highlight of Thursday’s action was the record-shattering run by Jim Halsey in his nitrous Pro Mod.  Halsey obliterated the SGMP track records with a fine 3.848 at 196.19 to become the quickest and fastest eighth-mile nitrous Pro Mod in the country.  Josh Hernandez made another fine pass at 3.865 at 195.  Ed Hoover arrived and ran a nice 3.91 at 192, and Tim O’Hare ran a 3.99 and a 3.98.  John Montecalvo ran a great 6.281 at 223 mph quarter mile pass in his Pro Stock machine.