If something happens at one of our events that I think would be of interest to them, I will inform them of the conditions. It's a proactive approach towards safety that I think helps everyone.

DRO: WHEN PRO MODS RUN AT NHRA EVENTS, DO YOU TAKE NOTE OF THEIR PERFORMANCES, AND WOULD YOU INSTITUTE ANY IHRA RULE CHANGE BASED ON WHAT HAPPENS AT AN NHRA TRACK?

Baker: I base our adjustments upon competition at IHRA national events.

Last year I attended two of the NHRA events where Pro Modified was contested on an exhibition level. I paid attention to their performance at these events; however, the numbers were just numbers. You cannot base any constructive information upon unconfirmed rules. The class was contested on an exhibition basis. I basically considered the posted numbers along the same lines as if they were conducting pre-season testing. As I stated earlier, we base our adjustments upon confirmed legality at our events.

DRO: DOES IHRA HAVE TO APPROVE THE ENGINE COMBINATION THAT PRO MOD RACERS USE? FOR INSTANCE, DOES A CERTAIN MANIFOLD HAVE TO GO WITH A CERTAIN HEAD, OR ARE SPECIFIC COMBINATIONS OUTLAWED, BEYOND THE STATED PARAMETERS OF SIZE, FUEL FLOW, BOOST, ETC.?

Baker: We regulate the combinations more today than we did a few years ago. I basically want to be able to verify the manufacturer of the components the engine builders utilize. What they do to them after that is their choice, within reason. If a condition presents itself that is bad for the class, I will get involved.

Mike Baker says keeping the car recognizable is an important consideration when making Pro Mod body rules.

We do mandate that new body designs must be approved prior to competition. This is done to maintain some regulation to prevent what occurred in the early '90s from happening again. At that time, the cars were out of proportion, we had front ends that you couldn't even identify, and it made it harder for the fans to relate to them.

The body regulations for Pro Modified are not as clear cut as they are in Pro Stock. They're in place to set high side parameters that will keep the front end and spoilers in context with the rest of the car. We realize that Pro Modified is meant to be wild; I only regulate them enough as to make them proportional and recognizable to the fans.

DRO: WHAT IF THE NITROUS-ASSISTED PRO MODS PICK UP A LOT THIS SEASON, AS A COUPLE OF ENGINE BUILDERS HAVE HINTED. WILL WE SEE ANY NEW ENGINE RULES FOR THEM?

Baker: As the 2002 rulebook states, we would approach any changes from a minimum weight adjustment. It would be a pleasant change if the 2003 rulebook did not have any increased limitations placed on any combination.

This, as I am sure you are aware, has not been the case over the last few seasons. I can't predict the future, but as I emphasized earlier, Pro Modified needs both combinations.

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