VOLUME XX,  NUMBER 8 - AUGUST,  2018

Plenty of firsts at Nitrolympx in Germany

It was quite a weekend on the European drag racing tour at the Nitrolympx held at the Hockenheimring, Germany, with a whole slew of firsts.

Alex Hope (left) and Liam Jones  (Rose Hughes photo)

 

Headliners included breakthrough wins for CBD Asylum teammates with Alex Hope and Liam Jones taking the event trophies in FIM-E Pro Stock Bike and FIA Top Fuel Dragster back to the UK respectively. Hope delivered the goods with some spectacular reaction times, while Jones and his RFM team were very much the class of the very quick TF field throughout the weekend.

Robin Noren (FIA Pro Stock Car) and Marcus Christiansen (FIM-E Super Twin Bike) will be cherishing their first European event trophies on their way back due north of Germany to Sweden and Denmark.  (Rose Hughes photo)

Marcus Christiansen  (Rose Hughes photo)

 

Most of the other winners had a more familiar look to them including Micke Gullqvist (FIA Pro Modified), Timo Habermann (FIA Top Methanol) on four wheels while Filippos Papafilippou (FIM-E Top Fuel Bike) and Graham Balchin (FIM-E Super Street Bike) added to their palmarès on two (wins) while Lorens Bochnig picked up FIM-E Junior Drag Bike honors in the first season that the class has been contested at European Cup level.

We also saw the first side by side 5-second pairing in FIM-E Top Fuel Bike with Rikard Gustafsson (near lane) and Papafilippou (far) delivering the historic numbers although a shutdown area incident rapidly curtailed the celebrations. We wish Rikard the very best as he embarks on recovery from the injuries he sustained.  (Ivan Sansom photo)

 

DRO’s European correspondents, Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes, will have the full results coming soon.   [08/20/18]

Doug Rose, driver of “Green Mamba,” killed in Michigan crash

Doug Rose (at right), driver of the “Green Mamba” jet car died in a crash while making an exhibition run on Friday, Aug. 10, in Norway, MI.

 

The 80-year-old Rose was taking his jet dragster around the third-of-a-mile paved oval and when it approached turn 1 the vehicle was going faster than it should have. Rose tried to make the turn but drove into the guardrail and the jet burst into flames. There is evidence that Rose suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

In 1966 Rose was driving Walt Arfons’ “Green Monster” at a new drag strip in Virginia when the vehicle hydroplaned on the damp track. Both of Rose’s feet and ankles were sliced off by the guardrail and doctors had to amputate both legs below the knee. Within three months, he was back in the cockpit.

 

Rose was a man who never gave up.  (DRO file photo)   [08/20/18]

Strutmasters steps up as Great Clips steps down for 2019

Suspension manufacturer Strutmasters will increase its sponsorship of the NHRA Top Fuel team Stringer Performance with driver Clay Millican in 2019 to become co-primary sponsor. Strutmasters.com will replace Great Clips, which is ending its sponsorship after the 2018 season, and will share co-primary positioning with longtime partner, Parts Plus. (Ron Lewis photo)  [08/20/18]

Krug tops at World fuel Altered Nationals

Jeff and Linda Krug of Mt. Pleasant, IA, took home the top prize for the 13th annual World Fuel Altered Nationals at Eddyville, IA, Saturday night, Aug. 11. Their “Obsession” Fiat Altered outlasted the competition for top honors in the "A" class.

 

An hour before the final Linda Krug was awarded the top money in the back up girl (BUG) contest that was judged by a panel of photographers. Her professional manner and guidance helped husband Jeff win his second big race of the year.

 

A few weeks ago the Krug racing family also won the Midwest Pro Outlaw event at the new Onawa, IA, race track.   (Dennis Mothershed photo)   [08/20/18]

Haas takes his pick: altered or Funny Car

“Nimrod” with its altered body.  (Dennis Mothershed photo)

 

Nitro racer Joe Haas has a lot to be proud of this year as son Joey took home the win in the "B" class at the 13th annual World Fuel Altered Nationals at Eddyville, Iowa.

 

Continuing his winning streak, the young gun drove his "Nimrod" black coupe to an easy final round win when his competitor was shut off for an oil leak.

Joey competes with the coupe body and has an alternate red Mustang Funny Car body also called “Nimrod,” which he drove at the recent Funny Car Chaos. (Scott Bessee photo)

 

Having grown up around his father's nitro cars, the young Joey is a natural racer and winner. With multiple wins under his belt this year, he has been able to save some of that money for a honeymoon before getting married to racer Elizabeth Head. Congratulations on the wins and the upcoming wedding.    [08/20/18]

Billy Torrence breaks through at Brainerd

Billy Torrence, 60-year-old father of Steve Torrence, earned a stunning first career Top Fuel victory at Brainerd by beating three-time world champion Antron Brown in a final round decided by .003 holeshot. A round earlier Brown had beaten Steve. The Torrences had qualified 1-2 (Billy at No. 1) in their Capco-sponsored dragsters. (Mark Rebilas photo)

 

Jack Beckman picked up his 28th Funny Car win and second of the season in an all-DSR final with Tommy Johnson Jr. Both Beckman and Johnson clinched spots in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs during the weekend, as did Antron Brown, meaning all seven DSR drivers in Funny Car and Top Fuel have earned berths with one race to spare before the start of the six-race playoffs in mid-September.

 

Beckman’s third career final round appearance at Brainerd was a charm, as a sharp .027 reaction time off the starting line paired with his quickest run of race day, 3.961 at 325.69 mph, propelled “Fast” Jack to his first winner’s circle celebration at Brainerd. (photo courtesy DSR)

 

Deric Kramer was Pro Stock winner for the second time in his career, getting past a red-lighting Tanner Gray in the final. Eddie Krawiec topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle class defeating his teammate Andrew Hines with a 6.897/195.14 to 6.903/193.99.

 

POINTS with one event to go before Countdown begins

 

Top Fuel: 1. Steve Torrence, 1,332*; 2. Tony Schumacher, 1,145*; 3. Clay Millican, 1,144*; 4. Leah Pritchett, 1,118*; 5. Doug Kalitta, 1,027*; 6. Antron Brown, 1,026*; 7. Terry McMillen, 791; 8. Brittany Force, 787; 9. Scott Palmer, 701; 10. Mike Salinas, 694; 11. Richie Crampton, 692; 12. Blake Alexander, 522.

 

Funny Car: 1. Courtney Force, 1,372*; 2. Ron Capps, 1,177*; 3. Robert Hight, 1,154*; 4. Jack Beckman, 1,110*; 5. Matt Hagan, 1,102*; 6. (tie) Tommy Johnson Jr., 987*; J.R. Todd, 987*; 8. John Force, 855; 9. Shawn Langdon, 791; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 747; 11. Bob Tasca III, 723; 12. Cruz Pedregon, 672; 13. Jonnie Lindberg, 649.

 

Pro Stock: 1. Greg Anderson, 1,262; 2. Tanner Gray, 1,242; 3. Erica Enders, 1,146; 4. Vincent Nobile, 1,084; 5. Jeg Coughlin, 1,055; 6. Deric Kramer, 1,045; 7. Jason Line, 986; 8. Chris McGaha, 983; 9. Drew Skillman, 959; 10. Bo Butner, 930; 11. Alex Laughlin, 741.

 

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 784*; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 773*; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 646*; 4. LE Tonglet, 641*; 5. Jerry Savoie, 588*; 6. Matt Smith, 540*; 7. Scotty Pollacheck, 480; 8. Angie Smith, 409; 9. Angelle Sampey, 372; 10. Hector Arana, 353; 11. Jim Underdahl, 343; 12. Steve Johnson, 334; 13. Joey Gladstone, 317; 14. Cory Reed, 310; 15. Ryan Oehler, 300; 16. Karen Stoffer, 277; 17. Mark Paquette, 178.

 

* Clinched berth in NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship  [08/20/18]

Women tops as Brainerd sees many first-time sportsman winners

Jackie Fricke and Annie Whiteley led the list of winners in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Brainerd International Raceway and the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals followed by a slew of first time winners.

 

Fricke had her work cut out for her as Dean Dubbin was out first with a great .009 second reaction time in the Top Alcohol Dragster final round. But Fricke had the power all day running 5.20’s and 5.30’s with a 5.302-second pass at 269.24 mph in the final to power by Dubbin for the win and her third at the national event level.  (DRO file photo)

 

Whiteley qualified number one and faced off with veteran Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Jay Payne in the money round. Payne left first but had trouble at the hit of the throttle as Whiteley shot past with a 5.564, 267.37 mph lap for her second national event win of the season and sixth of her career.

 

Brian Johnson, Don Nichols, Jeff Crooks and Todd Fleck all grabbed their first NHRA National event win and famed Wally trophy. Johnson took the Super Stock title with a great 11.164-second run on the 11.16 dial to oust Jason DeForrest while Nichols led from start to finish with a stellar .004 reaction time in Super Comp over Donald Leisdon.

 

Crooks ran it out to an 8.899, 160.04 for the Super Gas trophy after Tom Carlson left early with a foul start, and Fleck scored his first win in his first final round in Top Dragster when Ross Laris broke on the line. Fleck clocked in at 7.591, 154.30.

 

Defending event champion Ben Line continued his Brainerd reign taking the Stock title over Randi Lyn Shipp with a pass of 10.538 at 123.15 and J.R. Lobner extended his winning streak capturing the Top Sportsman crown to go along with his win a week ago at the NHRA Lucas Oil divisional event at BIR. Lobner had the power and was better at the top end to nip Michael Freischel by about five inches.

 

Glenn Hall rounded out the winner’s circle taking the holeshot win against Matt Ernst in Pro Stock Snowmobile. Hall went 8.273, 155.79 to Ernst’s 8.242, 155.19.  [08/20/18]

Troy Jr. garners third TAD win

Troy Coughlin Jr. scored his third Top Alcohol Dragster victory of the year at this weekend's Northeast Shootout at Cecil County Dragway. The win adds to an impressive opening season in the class for Coughlin, who also collected the trophy at the Division 3 race in Norwalk, OH, and a $20K bracket race in Jackson, SC.

 

"All credit to the guys at McPhillips Racing," said Coughlin, the son of three-time and reigning Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin. "To come into this class as a rookie and get to work with a top organization like this is more than I could have ever asked for.”   [08/20/18]

Noonan moves head manufacturing operation to U.S.

Noonan Inc. will be adding the production of cylinder heads and manifolds to their American capabilities, designing and producing high-end components under one facility. A little over a year ago Noonan Inc. announced the purchase of the NAS Racing facilities and subsequently moved existing USA operations from Utah to Spartanburg, SC, where they have been operating since.

 

“Our business plan has always been to bring the operations under one roof, as this will allow us to improve many facets of our business” said Jamie Noonan. “We have listened to and acted on the advice of our customers and believe we can create a more efficient end to end service delivery capability. We are looking forward to being able to improve our customer philosophy.”

 

The timeframe of the transition is not finalized, however the CNC machines required to manufacture their complete line will be in place at Spartanburg by the end of November. Noonan said he anticipates the mainstream Australian production will decrease in September allowing the company to transition assets from overseas.

 

A tip of the Agent’s fedora to a company increasing manufacturing in the USA.  [08/20/18]

New Product of the Day

 

Four Performance distributors from ACCEL

Four high-performance ACCEL distributors have been released, including models for GM HEI applications (both standard and small-cap versions), GM Vortec V8s, and Ford 5.0s. All four are the utmost in quality at an affordable price, perfect for both daily drivers and street machines.

 

(From left) GM HEI DISTRIBUTOR: ACCEL HEI Distributors are an inexpensive upgrade for pre-computer Chevy V8 engines from 265-454 cubic inches. A direct plug-in replacement with OE-style connectors, they feature a cast aluminum housing, built-in coil, factory-style ignition module, sintered bushings for years of dependable service, and a distributor cap with brass terminals.

 

GM VORTEC V8 DISTRIBUTOR: ACCEL's Vortec V8 Distributor is a direct drop-in that replaces the old plastic-style factory distributors. Designed specifically for 1996-2000 Chevys and other GM cars and trucks, they feature a correct-a-cap firing-order distributor cap with brass terminals, OEM-style ignition module for years of trouble-free service, high-quality distributor gear, durable cast-aluminum housing, and sintered bushings.

 

GM SMALL CAP HEI DISTRIBUTOR: ACCEL Small Cap HEI Distributors are a fast, easy way to improve the performance of 1988-95 Chevy V8s. They feature an external coil, long-lasting sintered bushings, high-quality distributor gears, cast-aluminum housings, and high-dielectric-strength distributor caps with brass terminals and ensure a hassle-free plug-and-play installation.

 

FORD 5.0L DISTRIBUTOR: ACCEL Ford Distributors are ideal for 1986-93 5.0L engines and come complete with a TFI ignition module that's a perfect fit for factory connectors. Direct-plug factory replacements in a cast-aluminum housing, they feature sturdy, long-lasting distributor gears, sintered bushings, and durable, tough distributor caps with brass terminals.  [08/20/18]

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