Thunderbird Top Sportsman car now powered with Alan Johnson engine
COURTLAND, ONTARIO (April 7, 2011) – For Doug Cadman, the 2010 Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts was frustrating, as the Top Sportsman driver struggled with engine issues after modifications from the previous year.But for this season, Cadman will be ready with a new 526 cubic inch Alan Johnson 481X engine sitting under the hood of the unique and popular 1955 Ford Thunderbird.
"Last year was about the worst year I've ever had," said Cadman, who has raced since the mid 1970s. "I was frustrated with the limitations of the Ford engine. Although it was very reliable and consistent in prior years, difficulties emerged once I stepped it up in an attempt to knock another three-tenths off the ET slips," hence the switch to the AJ unit.
"I wanted, as everyone else, to go quicker so the change to the AJ seemed to be the best way of doing so," he went on to say. The highly modified aftermarket Thunderbird body, complete with fender skirts, sits atop a 2007 Advanced Chassis product. Behind the new engine is a Bruno drive / three-speed Lenco transmission and a 14-71 Kobelco K11 supercharger will be used in conjunction with an Enderle / Waterman fuel system.
Sponsored by Trackless Vehicles Ltd. and Work Equipment Ltd., the Pit Boss Racing Team consists of Doug and Julie Cadman who share in all the duties, with the exception of piloting the car down the track.
Aside from racing locally, Cadman was a member in good standing of the popular Supercharged Thunder touring group for six years, and has competed in IHRA events over the years. He has also taken to preserving the history of the sport, restoring an original Chi Town Hustler funny car, various gassers and a couple front engine Top Fuel dragsters. Recently he completed the build of a new Chi Town Hustler tribute car to match the restored original and will debut the car this summer.
Cadman said he will be ready to race when the Quick 32 Sportsman Series gets under way May 20-22 for the Victoria Day Weekend Challenge at Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park.
"For sure we'll be to more races than last year," he said.
"This is a great series," he continued. "It's perfect. Everybody has an opportunity to race and have fun, and that's what it's all about."
