MILAN DRAGWAY FOUNDER DIES

Clifton (Cliff) E. Riley, died May 5, 2003, at his home in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Riley, age 69, had been undergoing treatment for cancer. The former drywall contractor, along with his late wife Barbara, built and opened Milan Dragway located near the small Michigan town of the same name in 1963. They would operate the Detroit area track until 1989 when they sold it.

Riley was one of the first "Northern" track operators to join the fledgling International Hot Rod Association, when Milan Dragway became an IHRA member track in late 1975. Milan Dragway which just recently secured the IHRA Motor City Nationals for the year 2003, was the host to a previous IHRA national event, the Northern Nationals for the years 1977 through 1989. With a race track known for it's park like setting, and a highly regarded track surface that was used extensively for testing by the Detroit automakers, particularly the Chrysler Corporation, the Riley family's facility played a major part in the both the early success of the IHRA and in the development of drag racing technology.

Riley is survived by two sons, one daughter, and numerous grandchildren. [5-7-2003]

PRICE INJURED IN VEGAS

Ray Price set the new AHDRA record at 218.41 mph at an 6.487 e.t., but was unable to stop the 850 horsepower Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley and ended up in the sandpit at the big end of the quarter-mile. Price was taken to UMC Trauma Center in Las Vegas. His most serious injury appears to be nerve damage to his left arm, but the neurosurgeon is waiting for more test results. Price, 65, will be returning to his home in Raleigh, NC as soon as possible. (Jeff Burk photo) [5-5-2003]

PRO STOCK TRUCK UPDATE

A very reliable source close the case has told the Agent that NHRA lost the first round in court of their legal fight with the Pro Stock Truck Owners Association. According to our source, NHRA lost all four parts of the lawsuit which was initially filed and heard in Arizona. That same source told DRO that NHRA has appealed that decision and the second round of the legal fight is now being waged. The ramifications to auto racing in general should NHRA loses the court fight could be enormous. [5-5-2003]

DARK HORSE TEAM SUPPORTS THE TROOPS

If you look close at the side of Johnny Rocca's '49 Merc at Bristol you seethe words HMM-165 White Knights. No, that isn't Rocca's old Virginia Car Club, but rather the name of a Marine 'copter squadron serving on a helicopter carrier somewhere in the Middle East region in support of the Iraq War. One of the test pilots in that squadron is Matt Kucharski.

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He's the guy that test flies the copters after they have had battle damage repaired. He also happens to be the cousin of Darren Mayer, the crew chief for the Dark Horse. Rocca is having a poster-sized print of the Dark Horse made which his team will sign and send to the Squadron to replace the old photo they have hanging in the hanger deck.

A tip of the Agent's helmet to the Rocca crew and the guys and girls of the HMM-165 White Knights. [5-5-2003]

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