VOLUME XIX,  NUMBER 12 - DECEMBER  2017

Gateway introduces new drag racing points program

Gateway Motorsports Park is introducing a new drag racing points program that is designed for drivers and teams who may not fit in the current track bracket points championship series.  The Mid-America SuperStar Showdown will provide an alternative racing program and offers drivers more opportunities to win.

 

The show will be headlined by the heads-up racing action of the Missouri Outlaw Shootout, Missouri Street Cars and Outlaw Street Motorcycle classes. Elapsed times and top speeds will not be displayed on the scoreboards; only a win light will be displayed.

 

Two full-body 1/8-mile Index classes: 6.0 and 7.0 Index. Cash purse: $500 to win, $250 to runner-up. Semis paid when more than 12 cars compete in first round of eliminations.

 

Index Motorcycles: Crazy 8s (8.88) and 9.50. Payout will be based on total number of entries.

 

Jr. Index: 13.90, 11.90, 8.90 and 7.90. Classes are contested on a .5 pro tree.

 

Call-Out, Grudge, Time-Only Racing – Settle the score on the track. Track will be open from 10:30 p.m. to midnight for no-time, win light-only racing. Three-run punch card provided with entry.

 

Mid-America Superstar Showdown Schedule: Friday, April 27; Friday, May 18; Tuesday, July 3; Friday, July 27; Friday, Aug. 31; Friday, Oct. 5; and Friday, Oct. 26.  (Jeff Burk photo)   [01/05/18]

TV producer steps away; blasts NHRA management

News reaches the Agent that Kymberly Higgs, producer of the NHRA television coverage, tendered her resignation in December after one season.

 

Citing a poor working relationship with NHRA management and a “culture of secrecy” in the organization, Ms. Higgs says she was excluded from decision-making and her input was disregarded, among other factors in her decision to leave.

 

Read the full letter here   [01/05/17]

Car builder John Buttera on Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee list

​Buttera, show here with his son Chris, at the 16th California Hot Rod Reunion where he was inducted into the NHRA Hall of Fame.  (James Drew photo)An illustrious seven-man list representing six motorsports disciplines and one iconic racing facility comprise a most unique class of 2018 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) inductees announced Friday, Jan. 5.

 

Honorees include drag racing car builder John Buttera, Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher, four-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, record-setting pilot – and world-famous billionaire – Howard Hughes, motorcycle great Fred Merkel, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion owner U.E. Pat Patrick and sports car legend Bob Tullius.

 

“Lil John” Buttera built championship-winning dragsters, funny cars and pro stocks for the biggest names in the sport in the 1960s and ‘70s, including Danny Ongais, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, Tom “Mongoose” McEwen and Don Schumacher. The late Kenosha, Wisc., native (and the “B” in R&B Automotive) moved to California after a chance meeting with 1990 MSHFA inductee Mickey Thompson at the 1969 U.S. Nationals. Characteristics of a Buttera car were simplicity, elegant design, a wicked stance and flawless craftsmanship. His cars not only looked amazing, they won races and championships. Later, Buttera built award-winning street rods and motorcycles and helped pioneer billet wheels and components. In 1987, on a shoestring budget, he redesigned a castoff Eagle chassis which qualified on the third row at the Indy 500, winning him the prestigious Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, Buttera designed parts and components for Edelbrock, Harley-Davidson, Bonspeed and others. He was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2010. He died in March 2008 at age 67.

 

The milestone 30th Annual Induction Ceremony presented by Bridgestone is set for Tuesday, March 13, at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach. Tickets for the induction activities can be purchased at www.mshf.com.    [01/05/17]

Hangover Nationals’ draws cars from 17 states to Tucson

 

Four chances to win $3,000 drew 280 race cars to Tucson Dragway over the New Year holiday.

The popular Candies & Hughes Funny Car was readying for the 2018 season with Jim Maloney in the driver’s seat.

The first $3K winner on Saturday was James Warden from Tustin, CA, driving one of three attractive Lucas Oil sponsored dragsters.

And while the Super Comp type dragsters had all the fun in the two electronics fields, a plain Jane ’68 Pontiac Firebird from Colorado won the money on Saturday with good lights and consistent times. Ernest Ralle from Lakewood, CO, drove his 455 Pontiac-powered entry to the final over Arizona star Kim Zimmerman.  (Brad Baker photos)

 

Sunday’s action was as hot as Saturday with the same huge fields of cars running. Mark LaLond made it two straight big-dollar races in a row at Tucson Dragway.    [01/05/17]

New Product of the Day

 

FAST® XR Series Coils for GM LS Engines

The New FAST® XR Series Coils for GM LS engines offer 15 to 20 percent more spark energy than stock coils. Constructed from premium, ultra-pure copper alloy windings, resulting in firing performance approaching 50,000 peak volts. Tested to 8,000+ RPM and almost 1,500 HP. Designed for all popular generations of GM LS engines, the FAST® XR Series Coils are ideal for any street or racing application where reliable, powerful ignition output is needed.   [01/05/17]

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