The Pro Mod Meltdown was on as soon as the Texas Automatic Outlaws (TAO) doorslammer racers rolled into Houston Motorsports Park on Saturday, September 10, for the ninth race of their 12-race sophomore season. Despite recent record-breaking temperatures in the Houston area averaging over 100 degrees daily, the weather and track conditions were perfect for a great night of outlaw doorslammer action. With one of the largest crowds of the year on hand to watch, eight automatic equipped ‘slammers vied for a spot on the ladder and a chance to race for the Pro Mod Meltdown title.
Of significant note was the presence of Chris Smith and the Smith Racing ‘63 Corvette. Smith, from Houston, is a regular in the south Texas area. The team completed the conversion of the blown split window machine from a clutch type transmission to an automatic that day. The Meltdown was their first ever TAO event and they were utilizing the occasion to test the new transmission combination.
Smith’s first qualifying attempt ended shortly before the 300-foot mark. The ‘Vette grabbed hard and got out of the groove forcing Smith to feather it through the traps with a meager 6.16 at 71.95 mph effort.
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Texas Automatic Outlaws at Houston Volume XIII, Issue 9 - September 13, 2011 - Page 1 of 4 |
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