Door Wars, Pennsylvania favorites and the 'King of Quake' highlight Nitro Jams return to Pittsburgh Raceway Park
NEW ALEXANDRIA, Pa. (May 30, 2013) – The Suzuki Pittsburgh Nitro Jam at Pittsburgh Raceway Park is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting races to be held at the track in some time.
The June 1 event, which is set to go green at 7 p.m., will feature everything from the return of Top Fuel Dragster to one serious finale and that has local race fans more than excited as Nitro Jam brings its unique brand of motorsports entertainment to a venue that is used to seeing the greats race. And this year's event will simply be another chapter in that long Pittsburgh Raceway Park legacy.
Here is what is making headlines entering the event:
BATTLE OF THE DOORS
Race organizers are always looking for ways to add more value for your buck at Nitro Jam, so when the promoters of the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam saw an opening for even more entertainment jammed into an already thrilling evening they jumped on the opportunity.
Just recently added to the schedule, Door Wars will feature a special heads-up, first to the finish line race among the fastest Pro Mods and doorslammers in the area all competing for an Ironman trophy and a nice payout. The event is open to Pro-Am racers and pretty much anyone with a sweet, fast ride and will feature a Quick 8 showdown on the 1/8 mile with qualifying Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.
Fans will get a sneak peak of the action Saturday during Nitro Jam and can return during Sunday's Summit Pro-Am Tour sportsman competition to see the finale.
ONE OF THE BEST AT HIS KRAFFT
In July of 2011 IHRA Funny Car racer Rick Krafft was injured in an accident at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Ontario, Canada when his "Chicago Fire" Corvette suffered a broken transmission which, in turn, severely injured Krafft's legs.
Since that injury Krafft has been healing and honing his skills with hopes of one day returning to Nitro Jam and competing in the always exciting AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car class where he has won three times in his career.
In Pittsburgh Krafft will finally get that chance as the Ohio-based "Bullet Bob" Funny Car team will give him an opportunity to take their beautiful nostalgia machine down the track to the thrill of local race fans.
Rick, who in his spare time produces a delicious brand of chips and dips under the Racin' Ricks Salsa brand, will also be behind the wheel of the "Bullet Bob" entry at events later this season in Ontario, Canada and Martin, Michigan including a return to the track where he was injured two years ago.
In Pittsburgh, Krafft's top priority will be to get back to the winner's circle where he was a regular visitor just a few years back.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
One of the neat things about the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam is that so many race teams are based within a few hours of the track.
Two-time AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car driver Peter Gallen lives just a little over four hours from the track from his home in Broomall, Pa. As the defending race winner and IHRA World Record holder in the class, Gallen looks forward to defending his Pittsburgh title with dozens of friends, family and special guests watching from the stands.
"This is always a neat event for us because it gives us an opportunity to have a bit of a home race," Gallen said. "We have family and friends coming from all over to come watch us race and we really hope to bring home another Ironman for all those in attendance."
Not far from Gallen's home is the hometown of the world's fastest woman Jill Canuso. Canuso will bring her world-famous "Queen of Diamonds" jet dragster to Pittsburgh to take on an 8,000 horsepower Top Fuel Dragster in one of the most unique matchups of the entire season.
The Funny Car teams of "Bullet Bob" driven by Rick Krafft and "McAttack" driven by Mike McIntire are both from Ohio and are just a short drive down the road to Pittsburgh Raceway Park.
FANTASTIC FINALE
If you enjoy seeing, hearing and feeling things you have never witnessed before, then you will most definitely want to stay until the very end in Pittsburgh.
The 2013 Suzuki Pittsburgh Nitro Jam will feature a finale unlike any other as Nitro Jam brings in the most famous jet truck in the world, the appropriately named "King of Quake" driven by Bob Motz, to quite literally bring the house down.
Motz will close the June 1 show with his unique fire show and launch that is so loud and so powerful it literally registers as an earthquake. Under the Pittsburgh night sky Motz's final pass will be greeted with a wall of fire followed by a chorus of firebombs to send fans home with a finale you won't see anywhere else in the world.
220 MPH ON ONE WHEEL – SAY IT AIN'T SO
If you thought the thrill of 320 mph by a Top Fuel Dragster was amazing, just wait until you see the speed produced by those brave enough to mount the back of a Nitro Harley.
These nitromethane powered beasts traverse the quarter-mile at over 220 mph all on two – and sometimes just one – wheel. With nothing strapping them in and a Kevlar vest being all that stands between the man, a 2,000 horsepower motor and the ground, these daredevils will reach speeds in excess of 200 mph with no safety nets, no roll cages and, through most of the pass, just the rear wheel touching the ground.
At the Bradenton Nitro Jam earlier this year in Florida Nitro Jam superstar Jay Turner reached 228.31 miles per hour and Turner will be back to challenge the record books in Pittsburgh.
THE KINGS ARE BACK
There is nothing quicker, there is nothing faster and there is nothing more exciting than a Top Fuel Dragster.
And Pittsburgh fans will finally see these beasts return when Bruce Litton brings his 8,000 horsepower, bright orange "Nitro Jam" themed dragster to Pittsburgh for a 300-mph showdown with Jill Canuso in the "Queen of Diamonds" jet-powered dragster.
It is a night you won't soon forget as Pittsburgh welcomes Nitro Jam back to the Keystone State!
