Monday, February 28, 2005

Shultz returns to Europe
Legendary US Crew Chief Bill Shultz is to renew his acquaintance with Europe's Carbon By Design Top Fuel Dragster team. Bill is joining the CBD team as second Crew Chief alongside Alan Jackson and will be overseeing the FIA European Championship challenge of Jöran Persåker's Team Nasty Toys Top Fueller, one of three cars fielded by CBD. Team owner Knut Söderquist told Eurodragster.com all about Bill's return and also about the possibility of a fourth car to be driven by Cory Lee.
2005 NHRA Phoenix Final Results
Defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher raced to victory Sunday at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix. John Force and Allen Johnson also were winners at the $1.8 million race, the second of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Supercharged Oulaws BLOWN CARS and Superstars
This entertaining Ozzie circuit features a wide variety of blown drag cars.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

2005 NHRA Phoenix Final Qualifying Results
Defending NHRA POWERade world champion Tony Schumacher raced to his second consecutive No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals near Phoenix. Tony Pedregon and Richie Stevens also will lead their categories into Sunday's 11 a.m. eliminations at the $1.8 million race, the second of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Life in pits no drag for Hamilton
Chris Hamilton's infatuation with motor racing began at his father's knee, as a 4-year-old sitting in the stands of the old Riverside International Raceway.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Enders in the History Books Now
Pro Stock rookie Erica Enders became just the fourth woman in NHRA history to qualify for a 16-car elimination round at Firebird International Raceway.
Two-Time Drag Racing Champion Tours Nimitz
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel racing's most successful active driver "finally" toured USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with his family Feb. 14.
Drag racing series begins tomorrow
Now in its third season, the NDRC Drag Racing Championship Series will contest 7 events in 2005, according to a release from the National Drag Racing Circuit, Jamaica.
Gallant, Payne lead qualifying at Gainesville
In qualifying today at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway, former Top Alcohol Dragster national champion Arthur Gallant took the No. 1 position while in Top Alcohol Funny Car defending division champ Jay Payne leads the pack.
2005 NHRA Phoenix Friday Qualifying Results
Tony Pedregon raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix. Doug Kalitta and Richie Stevens also were qualifying leaders in their respective pro categories for the $1.8 million race, the second of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Doug Herbert Gets First 4.49 Run of Career
Doug Herbert turned in the best run of his career and the best Top Fuel run of the second session Friday night at the 2005 CSK Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.
Friday’s NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing action at Gainesville Raceway a wash out
Rain forced the cancellation of the initial rounds of qualifying at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Gainesville Raceway Friday. NHRA and track officials had hoped to get some racing in once the rain stopped around 3 p.m. but cooling temperatures made it difficult to get the track dried.
Dependable in clutch
By the time you finish reading this sentence, a drag racer's run is nearly complete. It's hard to imagine being in a vehicle capable of screaming a quarter mile in 4.741 seconds at a top speed of 328.22 mph. But those are the kinds of numbers that dwell in the mind of Chandler's Johnny West.
National drag race a big hit
The first leg of the National Drag Race Championship was a big hit last night as more than 5,000 spectators enjoyed top-class action at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Friday, February 25, 2005

New NASCAR Rules Debut at California
In Sunday's Auto Club 500, the unrestricted engines will produce considerably more power, but the spoilers will be cut to 4 1/2 inches and there also will also be a new generation tire to contend with. Both changes, to be implemented everywhere except Daytona and Talladega, are intended to slow the cars in the turns by giving them less downforce, thereby making passing easier and improving competition.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Opponents catch up to Anderson in series opener
Greg Anderson's worst fears were realized at the NHRA's season opener in Pomona, Calif.
NHRA lands at Firebird
Round 1 is over. Up next for the fastest-traveling road show in motorsports is the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals, Friday through Sunday at Firebird International Raceway. By then, maybe normalcy will return to the NHRA, which started its 2005 season three weeks ago at Pomona, Calif., in an event filled with a string of startling finishes.
Toyota Supra dragster set for debut in Malta
With the new season now about to start, drag racing enthusiasts and vehicle owners are applying their last polishes and tune-ups ahead of their first runs at the Hal-Far Raceway this weekend. Gary Curmi is one of them. Better known in local motor sport circles as 'il-Mibrum', he is doing his utmost to complete an ambitious job on his brand new Toyota Supra powered dragster.
Infineon Raceway announces 2005 Drag Racing schedule
The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will highlight a record number of drag-racing events at Infineon Raceway for the 2005 Big O Tires Racing Season, raceway officials announced.
DENSO Announces 2005 Motor Sport Sponsorships
DENSO Corporation today announced its motor sports sponsorship plan for the 2005 season, including many drag racing teams. DENSO has been sponsoring motor sports since 1971.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Aryan sets record in drag practice
Bahraini driver Ali Al Aryan set a new record of 7.8 seconds in testing yesterday ahead of the Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship which begins with qualifying rounds tonight at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Army rolls its dragster on campus
World champion top-fuel dragster team, Don Schumacher Racing, helped the US Army recruit students in parking lot 13, Feb 15. Standing alongside a dragster at the old bus stop, Army recruiters Sgt. Christopher Evans and Sgt. Leonard Davis enticed students passing by to enlist in the armed forces. Schumacher Racing's Sponsor Relations Representative, Wes Collier, was also there to answer questions regarding the drag car.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Full Tilt Boogie
Kerry Watson is back with this '37 Chevy Pick-Up Wheelstander, Canada's only 1/4 mile Wheelstander.
Drag, Rod & Classic E-zine
Welcome to DRCReview.com - dedicated to drag racing, hot rodding, classics and American car culture.
Gulf Drag race set for off
The opening round of the Bahrain National Drag Racing Championship, organised by the Bahrain Drag Racing Club (BDRC), takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The championship is creating a huge level of interest throughout the GCC and no fewer than 85 Kuwaitis arrived over the King Fahad Causeway yesterday with 24 of their Pro and Pro Street Drag racers.
Baileyton 'Good Time' Drag Strip announces 2005 opening schedule
The venerable Baileyton 'Good Time' Drag Strip in Baileyton, Ala., announces the following 2005 opening schedule.
Xtreme Wheels International
The UK's biggest off-season show to feature drag racing took place this past weekend at London's historic Alexandra Palace. Eurodragster.com attended last week's Press Call, which included a flame and thunder show by a Jet Funny Car in one of the venue's parking lots, and the weekend's Show. We found plenty of racers to talk to and even more race cars and bikes to photograph.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Drag Racer linked to Calgary because of famous father
When Tony Pedregon takes the stage at the World of Wheels today at Stampede Park, he wouldn't be surprised if he sees a certain photo. The 2003 NHRA national funny car champion and drag racing star has a connection to Calgary, although this will be the first time he's visited the city.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Dixon taking races round by round
Larry Dixon had the quickest run of his career at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway last weekend, but it was only good enough for a quarterfinal finish.
Bangkok: The 100-million baht HKS Dragster
This week's add-on highlight is a classic example of a quantum leap in power upgrades as shown in what was previously a Nissan Skyline R33 -- which normally is no slouch on the tarmac with its factory-issue 280hp engine -- but was morphed into the HKS R33 Drag GT-R monster which can develop a sick 1,300hp.
Roslyn hot rodder makes NHRA Hall of Fame
Mechanic. Dragster enthusiast. Family man - all terms used to describe Roslyn native Ken Montgomery, who started the year off right by being inducted into the National Hot Rod Association Hall of Fame Jan. 15 at a ceremony at the Hershey Motor Lodge.
Lucas Oil Race Report on Inside Drag Racing to feature NHRA Sportsman Racing
Masters Entertainment Group, producers of the popular weekly magazine series "Inside Drag Racing" on ESPN2, has announced that Lucas Oil will sponsor a special "Lucas Oil Race Report" focusing on a variety of NHRA sportsman programs.
Local Restoration Shop to Create Show Quality Drag Car
Muscle car restoration shop E-Muscle and race car driver Rodney Bitgood have teamed up to complete a 1969 Camaro Drag Car. This is a new project for Connecticut born race car driver Bitgood, that is replacing his former race car, a 1972 Chevy Nova. This car will be running in the 10.5' tire class, 'The hottest racing class out there right now!' says Brian Chaffee, owner of E-Muscle LLC.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Quarter-mile wash and brush-up
The racing surface of the UK's legendary Santa Pod Raceway has undergone some pre-season maintenance with the removal of what was becoming an excess of rubber. SPR's Track Manager Kjell Pettersson and Ray Wicks of Foster Contracting, who provided a mighty rubber-removal machine usually used on airport runways, told Eurodragster.com all about the spring-clean of the famous track.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

The Strip at LVMS recognized as Best Race Track Facility by Drag Racing Action Magazine
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been recognized by Drag Racing Action Magazine as the Best Race Track Facility of the Year. The honor was bestowed in the 'Best of 2004' feature in the March 2005 issue of Drag Racing Action Magazine.
Canada's TSN renews contract with NHRA
Racing series

Marking its fourth consecutive year on the network, NHRA announced today that The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada will televise the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series' entire 23-event schedule in 2005, dedicating 60 hours of programming to NHRA, the fastest and most exciting motorsport in the world.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

2005 Motorsports Preview: NHRA Not So Predictable: Plenty of changes may lead to no changes at all
Resource

With the 45th Carquest Auto Parts Winternationals dropping into gear Feb. 10-13 in Pomona, California, it marks the 54th annual launch of an NHRA drag racing season. The lineup cards in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock have some eye-opening changes riddled throughout, but don�t be surprised if in the end the reigning class champions successfully defend their titles.
Pasadena judge won't set bail in 1988 murder of racing legend
A judge Monday declined to set bail for the man charged in the 1988 shooting deaths of racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife. The judge rejected a defense argument that Michael Goodwin, Thompson's former business partner, should be released on $500,000 bail because he should not be considered a danger to society and is not a flight risk because prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty.
Back to the Future for the NHRA
Drag racing's future looks to be solidly in the hands of its first generation of stars. And that might just be a good thing.
2005 California Hot Rod Reunion honorees named at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Drag racing legends Leon Fitzgerald, Dave Wallace and Dale Armstrong were among those on hand Friday night as the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, announced the Honorees for the 14th Annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. Armstrong was named Grand Marshal for the event, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Bakersfield. Fitzgerald, Wallace, Dick Landy, Shirley Shahan, Bill Simpson and Dave Uyehara will be those honored at the event. Tie votes by the selection panel meant that six persons will be honored rather than the normal five.

Monday, February 14, 2005


End of Qualifying at the 2005 Winternationals
Robert Briggs is back with more photos and notes from the second and final day of qualifying at the 2005 Winternationals.
2005 NHRA Winternationals Final Results
Tommy Johnson Jr. ended a three-year winless drought by racing to the Funny Car victory Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Pomona Raceway. Scott Kalitta and Dave Connolly also were winners at the $2 million race, the first of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Local impact felt in Funny Car field
The San Bernardino County Sun covered the local L.A. area racers at the Winternationals. Includes a photo slideshow.
Shunk, 17, In NHRA's Fast Lane
James Shunk, an NHRA Junior Dragster, has already claimed championships, but what's more important are the educational values he picked up because of this sport.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

From the streets to the strips
Orlando Jarlego is angry. For one thing, two 17-year olds, Michael Kevin San Juan and Prince Allan Cristobal, died several days ago along a dark stretch of the Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. For another, the police are chalking it up as another death caused by 'drag racing.' Orlando Jarlego is angry at all of these because it makes his job, as president of the Philippine Drag Racing Familysport (PDRF), all the more harder to do. Jarlego wants to make it clear. Whatever San Juan and Cristobal were doing in their cars during that early Sunday morning, it definitely wasn't drag racing.
Cruz and Tony Pedregon recreate father's memory
"Flaming Frank" would be proud. His sons, NHRA nitro Funny Car drivers Cruz and Tony Pedregon, used the same hard work and determination they were instilled with as children to help recreate his dream -- the legendary front engine Fiat Coupe.
2005 NHRA Winternationals Final Qualifying Results
Tony Pedregon raced to the second-quickest Funny Car run in NHRA history just before his Q-Racing Chevy Monte Carlo went out of control and crashed in the shutdown area at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Saturday at Pomona Raceway.

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Tom's Lowbuck Bracketeering Site
I'm a firm believer in running brackets, and doing it cheaply. Therefore, don't expect any really attractive cars or high dollar philosophies here. Heck, even this webpage isn't costing me anything!
Quick Times Racing News Online!
Thanks to Bob Gettys of Computer Magic Online, fans of Quick Times Racing News now have an online home to catch Becky White's words of wisdom and great stories about sportsman drag racers.

Friday, February 11, 2005


Photo Review: 2005 NHRA Winternationals -- Thursday
Day One at the 2005 Winternationals -- Thursday ... looks like Friday and maybe Saturday will be a rainout.
Drag race rattles Whittier residents
Locals have grown used to the noise. They know to keep their windows shut during the day. And they warn that the hubbub Thursdays doesn't mean anything in comparison to the uproar coming Saturday, when the big cars race. By that time, the noise drowns out conversations.
New look for Q Racing Monte Carlo in 2005
Tony Pedregon and the Q Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car will be opening the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season this weekend with the traditional Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.
Force's new deal is family affair
The new John Force/Castrol deal is contingent on the oil company sponsoring Ashley for the next seven years. The younger Force will drive an alcohol dragster for the next two years under the Castrol banner, and when she moves into the professional ranks in a Funny Car owned by her father, it will be under Castrol sponsorship.
Castrol extends Force Racing contract
John Force announced Wednesday that he has signed a contract extension with BP Lubricants that will keep him in the cockpit of the Castrol GTX Start Up Ford Mustang through the 2010 NHRA drag racing season.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Rebelsled.com
A cool website dedicated to snowmobile drag racing. Contains links to all major snowmobile drag racing organizations, classifieds, and more.

1320 News - 2004 NHRA Testing Photos from Las Vegas
James Drew was on hand in Las Vegas and sent these shots of the new iron being sported by the top NHRA teams.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Pomona will always have a place in Dixon's heart
Larry Dixon has a strong affection for Pomona Raceway. Not only did the two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion grow up in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley and he is a 1984 graduate of Van Nuys High School, but Dixon has experienced a great deal of success at the historic drag strip scoring three wins in four final round appearances in 10 seasons as driver of Don Prudhomme's Miller Lite dragster at the NHRA season-opener.
Cockerill unveils Pro Mod
Previously a Super Modified Champion, UK racer Danny Cockerill has now completed his dream move to Pro Modified as he has unveiled a stunning new '57 Chevy Bel Air toting a 526 ci Atchison-built Alan Johnson engine. You can even get your hands on the car, in a manner of speaking, as Danny is looking for crew members. Danny told Eurodragster.com all about his new ride.
New NHRA specs will limit horsepower as season starts
Drag racing enthusiasts will tell you their sport was the first extreme sport, one in which competitors could race as fast as the laws of physics would allow. That's the myth of the sport.
Car and Driver Review: Chrysler 300C SRT-8
If your mind grinds gears like ours, you've been counting the minutes since the Chrysler 300C Hemi went on sale last spring, wondering what the hot-rod SRT-8 version would be like when it finally went on sale. How much horsepower would it have? What (gulp!) would it cost? Brace for a trio of startling numbers.
World Street Race contenders leave UK
After a year's planning, the four UK race cars in the USA v UK v Canada World Street Race, which takes place at Louisiana's No Problem Raceway in March, were put into their containers yesterday (Monday). Andy Frost, Ian Hook, Steve Pateman and Jeff Meads took their cars to Benair Freight Forwarding, who had given the UK contingent a good deal on transport and who are sponsoring the WSR. Eurodragster.com went along to Benair yesterday to watch the loading process and to talk to the racers.

Monday, February 07, 2005

Bulls! set for drag racing
The MTC-Bulls! racing team, owned by Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is ready to charge into the new drag racing season scheduled to kick off at the Bahrain International Circuit this month.
Saving Lives: While Many Talk, Robinson, Team Kalitta Act
Talk is cheap. Testing isn't. Money isn't the issue, though, when one NHRA Top Fuel team rolls into Las Vegas for the final preseason testing in preparation for the Feb. 10-13 Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.
Defending POWERade World Champs Begin Quest for 2005 Series Crown at Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals
The 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season will be remembered as one of the most memorable and epic seasons in NHRA history. Now it's time to start all over.
Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Quick Facts
NHRA Communications provides the 411 on how to enjoy the 45th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals on site or at home.

Friday, February 04, 2005

New Amato-Herbert racing alliance a small step
Joe Amato has always believed the best route to success on the National Hot Rod Association Powerade Drag Racing Series tour is to take little steps. His decision to form an alliance with fellow Top Fuel competitor Doug Herbert will be no different.
Is IHRA a sleeping giant?
With Clear Channel aboard, the IHRA appears to be taking a new direction and for the first time in its long history, the NHRA is dealing with an opponent it can't outspend or intimidate.
Kalitta clocks a sub 4.5-second pass while Bernstein makes fastest run in FIR history
Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta dipped below the 4.5-second range during a preseason test session outside of Phoenix on Sunday. NHRA race teams are participating in various test sessions around the country gathering valuable data in preparation of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, which begins with the 45th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 10-13, at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway.
FRAM AirHog Dragster passes first test
The FRAM AirHog Dragster, driven by Cory McClenathan, and the Carrier Boyz Racing team, led by crew chief Todd Smith, passed their first preseason test leading up to the 2005 NHRA POWERade season by running three quarter-mile passes -- one in the 4.50s and two in the 4.60s -- at the 21st annual National Time Trials at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix.
What has the 85% rule done to performance?
We got a letter from reader Dave Smithers who said, 'You hear complaints from time to time from fans who are disappointed with the 85% nitro rule. But, it seems to me that we are actually seeing more good runs with a lot less tire smoking since the inception of the 85% rule. I wonder if anyone has any records on the number of good runs before and after the 85% rule?' Well, we wondered too. So, we queried our resident stat-man, Jim Hawkins, who put together some info and graphs on percentages of good runs in eliminations and percentages of good side by side eliminations.
Tommy Johnson Jr testing wrap-up
Five-time NHRA winner Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Don Prudhomme-owned Skoal RacingSM Funny Car concluded preseason testing on Tuesday at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix.
Bathroom construction critical to drag strip deal
An agreement to build new bathrooms at the Jackson County drag strip may be the key to finalizing a lease with a new operator.
Bangkok Drag Strip to stretch over 800 metres
Rapeesak Puasiri and Peera Jungthirapanich represent a new breed of entrepreneurial adrenaline junkies cum motoring buffs who welcome `illegal street racing' at the Bangkok Drag Avenue facility.
Larry Dixon Phoenix test notes
Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon blasted his Miller Lite dragster to its quickest performance in testing Monday at Firebird International Raceway as Don Prudhomme's Miler Lite team completed preseason testing.
Erica Enders to debut at Pomona
Erica Enders is looking forward to adding her name to a very short list of female professional Pro Stock drivers when she makes her first qualifying attempt Feb. 10 at Pomona Raceway.
PMRA Is Heading To New York
It's off to Western New York for the recently-established Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) as the series will run one of its five events at Lancaster Motorsports Park Friday, August 19.
Blue Thunder star of the show at this weekend's drag meeting
The big boys of New Zealand drag racing descend on Hood Aerodrome this weekend, when Masterton Motorplex hosts the Central Nationals, final regional points round of the national competition car series. AAnd the fastest of them all, Aucklander Mark Holland's Blue Thunder, left, will be the car to watch. The 1970 RT Charger has a 511 cubic inch Chrysler alloy aftermarket racing engine which pumps out 3000hp. It is currently New Zealand's fastest car and NZ Champ and was first 'Door Slammer' to run 200mph and first to cover 1/4 mile in NZ in 6 seconds.
Hot rods on at Brainerd, but not AMA bikes
The National Hot Rod Association will hold its Brainerd International Raceway events as scheduled this summer, but the American Motorcycle Association announced it was pulling the Brainerd program from its Superbike schedule.
Whisnant, Stanfield and PiranaZ team up for 2005
Mark and Gina Whisnant, owners of PiranaZ Racewear, are proud to announce that Greg Stanfield will carry the PiranaZ colors on his Chevy Cavalier for the 2005 NHRA POWERade drag racing season.
STAR TOURING & RS WARRIOR MEMBERS INVITED FOR OPENING ROUND OF THE AMA PROSTAR DRAGS
Star Touring members and RS Warrior members are invited to Rally with Star Motorcycles and Patrick Racing on your way to Bike Week! The first race of the 2005 AMA Prostar Drag Races happens the weekend before Daytona Bike Week at the South Georgia Motorsports Park, in Valdosta, Georgia located near the Georgia / Florida state line. Meet your riding buddies at this event as you tour south to Daytona Beach.
Summit Racing Equipment Announces Pro Stock Motorcycle Contingency Program
Jeff Winters, the Marketing Team Manager for Summit Racing Equipment has announced that the company is going to be a contingency sponsor for the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class this year. The company will post $250 to the winner and $100 to the runner-up at each NHRA national event in the motorcycle class for use of the company's log book.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

A sexy new body!
Swedish carbon fibre company Carbon By Design, together with Sboke Composites, has added a new product to its range of carbon fibre products which are already in use by Pro racers in the USA and Europe alike. Knut Söderqvist of Carbon By Design revealed to Eurodragster.com the prototype of a one-piece, one-design-fits-all carbon fibre Dragster body which is fresh out of its mould and due to be mated to a Top Fuel chassis on Friday.

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

DON PRUDHOMME Q&A
Forty years ago, a youthful, intense 23-year-old from Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley captured the first of what would be 49 career NHRA victories when he powered Roland Leong’s Hawaiian dragster to earn the title at the 1965 Winternationals. Fast forward four decades and that young kid is now 63-years-old and as intense to win drag races as he’s ever been.