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September 12th, 2009
U.S. 131 Martin, Michigan
Photo by Tom Nagy | This is the second year that we have had the pleasure of being a part of this event. It has grown into a great all day show for the spectators. This year's lineup included late model nitro funny cars, nostalgia nitro funny cars, the GLNFCC, nitro front engine dragsters, a top fuel motorcycle, The Supercharged Thunder, The Great Lakes Gassers and Les Shockley's 3 engine jet truck. Plus a full day of all types of bracket cars. The exhibition cars took to the track about 7:00 and the sun had just started to set behind the trees. This was the run that should produce the better times, as once the sun sets at this track the dew can come in very heavy. First up for the GLNFCC was a rematch from The Marion County Nostalgia Funny Car Nationals. Mike Klontz and the Snakebite taking on Mark Horvath and the Damn Yankee Vega. This was a great run and Mark redeemed his error at the MCIR race. The Vega was way out first and never looked back. 7.06/192 to the snakebite out of the groove but trying to catch up 7.66/189. 
Photo by Dave Ferrin | Next up was Rob Pfiester in Mike Little's Mutiny Mustang, taking on Lance Good in the Sharkeys Machine Omni. Rob did his usual killer half-track burnout with the Omni breaking on the burn out. The Mustang took a single at 7.38/184. Next up was the Doran Chevrolet driven by Steve Timoszyk and the recently painted and looking real good Solid Rock Mustang driven by Rocky Ausec. Both cars did long burnouts and a few old style dry hops. Both cars left about the same time with the Camaro taking the win at 7.59/175 to the Mustangs out of shape 8.05/168. Last pair up pitted the Fuelish Monza driven by Tracey Klingerman against the Detroit Thunder T-Bird of Bill Hallett. This pair also gave the spectators a good idea of what the old funny car shows of the 70's were like. Good burnouts and dry hops. 
Photo by Tom Nagy | The T-Bird got the jump but would not hold of the Monza. Tracey rode the front tires in the air at least to the 330 mark, and stopped the timers for a personal best of 7.20/184 to the T-Birds 7.67/177. After our cars ran, the nitro cars and the jet truck wowed the crowd with their show. Second round came well pass 10:00 so the track had cooled down and the dew had moved in. First up were Damn Yankee Vega and Detroit Thunder T-Bird. The Vega was in the left lane, which proved to be a real challenge for all of the show cars. The Vega was out first and held on for the win, but Bill tried real hard to catch the Vega with a 7.54/179 to a quicker 7.42/150. Next up were Solid Rock Mustang and the Fuelish Monza. The Monza just blistered the hides and filled the track with smoke on the burnout. The tree malfunctioned and the Mustang took off first with the Fuelish car not moving. The tree was reactivated and the Monza was off on a single. This proved to be a real handful as the Monza hiked the front end hard and when it settled down the car got sideways. Tracy got the car settled down and stopped the clocks with another personal best of 7.17/185.9.
Photo by Tom Nagy |
The Fuelish crew had a special guest tuner for the night, he was Don Geradot. Don had piloted his own alcohol funny cars back in the 70, 80, & 90's. He now has his own machine shop and line of speed parts used on the drag racing and truck/tractor pulling circuit. Next up were the Mutiny Mustang and the Doran Chevrolet Camaro. Both cars did great burnouts with a few dry hops. This pair proved to be the most fun to watch. The Mustang moved first but shuddered, Rob got the car under control and finished the run in front of the Camaro. Steve really had his hands full as the Camaro got out of the groove and then turned ugly. Steve was able to keep the Camaro off of the wall but it was by mere inches. Then the car violently tried to buck Steve out and the car turned sideways and was almost up on two wheels. Steve was able to calm the car down and get it safely down the track.
Photo by Dave Ferrin |
Last car out for the GLNFCC was the Snakebite Mustang. The Mustang took advantage of being in the better lane and topped the group with a 6.91/213 To close out the show they brought back the nitro cars and the jet truck one more time. This was a great show for the spectators who really seem to fill the stands. U.S. 131 is a fantastic facility and we are very grateful to be a part of the event. If you want to see a great show for a great price keep an eye on the schedule and put the 6th. Annual Funny car Nationals at U.S. 131 on your calendar. Next stop Pittsburgh Raceway Park on September 19th for their P.I.D. Reunion Race.
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