ADRL.us - Agent 660 Notes

February 28, 2009

Campbell’s PXM Chassis #1

A mysterious stranger delivered to your Agent this single shot of Monte Campbell’s new, state-of-the-art Pro Extreme Motorcycle on the jig down at Walt Timblin’s one-man shop in south Georgia.

It’s apparently the first of two new bikes ordered by Campbell from Timblin Chassis.

Unfortunately, however, neither is expected to be ready for next weekend’s ADRL season-opening Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park, though at least one should show up at race number two, the ADRL Georgia Drags Apr. 10-11, at South Georgia Motorsports Park, near Valdosta, GA.

Your Agent is noticing the two-bike team theme is really starting to catch on with the PXM guys.

Twice the runs, twice the data, twice the opportunity to win. The reasoning is impeccable.

February 27, 2009

Wootton’s Wild Nitro Ride Arrives

Well, it’s no longer just Internet message board fodder.

The first of ADRL’s new injected-nitro entries for Pro Extreme arrived today at Houston Raceway Park for the inaugural Goodridge Spring Stampede test session.

The ‘69 Camaro (although Wootton says it’s a hybrid ‘68/‘69) is a joint project of Houston-based driver Don Wootton and noted A/Fuel dragster builder Joe Monden of Gainesville, TX.

February 26, 2009

Halsey Hits 3.84 in PN Testing!

Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!

Your Agent thought his old eyes were deceiving him when they came across the blurry timeslip posted online by Rich Halsey, brother of Pro Nitrous star Jim Halsey, who is testing his new McAmis-built Camaro with a brand-new Fulton “monster motor” at South Georgia Motorsports Park this weekend.

Yes, it’s a little hard to decipher, but the slip does say 3.848 seconds at just over 196 mph! That’s .025 quicker than the official ADRL Pro Nitrous record held by Andy Jensen and nearly five mph faster than the 191.91 record set by Shannon Jenkins.

Halsey, the defending race champ, has to be at the top of the favorites list again heading into next weekend’s Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

February 26, 2009

First Look: ‘Iceman’s’ New Paint Job

Look what just arrived in your Agent’s in-box, an exclusive first look at the new livery for Shannon “Iceman” Jenkins in this year’s ADRL Pro Nitrous series.

In a radical departure from the “Black Ice” theme the David Janes-built car sported in its 2008 debut season, after being given practically free rein on the new look, graphic artist Eddie Hollon came up with a colorful collage to emphasize the ‘68 Camaro’s classic lines.

Shhhhhhhh; if you listen very closely you can hear ADRL photographers everywhere cheering wildly.

(Photos courtesy of Team Speedtech)

February 25, 2009

Stoken Stoked on Running Full PN Tour

Your Agent heard through the gravevine this afternoon that two-time Pro Nitrous top qualifier Pat Stoken is the latest racer planning to run the full, 10-event 2009 National Guard ADRL tour.

Intrigued, your Agent called up the Montana-based Stoken, who confirmed that he and sons Cory and Casey are ready to return to the ADRL fold Mar. 6-7, for the Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park. He also said they will enter all remaining ADRL events this year in an effort to secure a coveted top-eight points finish and earn a place in the championship-deciding Battle for the Belts in October.

"The ADRL is definitely the place to race," Stoken told your Agent. "I'm looking forward to getting back to it."

Stoken said he'll be driving the McAmis Race Cars-built '68 Camaro (shown) he's had the last few years at this season's first two ADRL national events, but expects to debut a brand-new McAmis '68 Camaro at the ADRL Memphis Drags II in May.

"It's the new body style, like (Jim) Halsey has now, and will be a lot lighter with all the trick parts," Stoken said. Either way, he'll be powered by a new Gene Fulton 833 cubic incher with four stages of nitrous on tap.

Looks like Pro Nitrous just got a little tighter -- again.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

February 25, 2009

Samuel Signs On with Viscardi Boyz

Your Agent received a call last night from Keith "Pappi" Viscardi (second from left), who revealed noted turbo specialist and veteran driver Chuck Samuel (behind car) has joined the Viscardi Boyz Racing Team as crew chief on the new Jerry Haas-built Mustang that Alex "Boom Boom" Viscardi will pilot in Pro Extreme competition this year. Samuel will work closely with fellow Chicagoan Joe Oplawski, who tuned the Viscardi's Extreme 10.5 '66 Mustang throughout the second half of last year's ADRL action.

The New Iberia, LA-based team was out at Houston Motorsports Park a couple of weeks ago, but made only a few short hops. Viscardi said theyll be at it again this weekend at Houston Raceway Park's inaugural Spring Stampede test session.

When asked why the move the Pro Extreme, Viscardi said both the fact that Haas built the car to accept the "big tire" and Samuel's ability to also serve as driving coach to young "Boom Boom" factored into the decision to switch.

"We know it'll be a challenge to even qualify for a Pro Extreme field," Viscardi confided, "but with Chuck and Joe on board we just think it's a good time to step up."

Well, no matter what happens on the track, your Agent has a hunch the stellar-looking Stang will be a prime contender for Best Appearing honors Mar. 6-7, in its debut during the season-opening ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park.

(Photo courtesy Viscardi Boyz Racing)

February 24, 2009

‘Adrenaline’ Asking for New ADRL Entries

ADRL teams, do you have a new car, new bike or new look for the 2009 National Guard ADRL tour?

If so, ADRL VP of Publications Ian Tocher wants to know and would like to include a photo of it in the next issue of Adrenaline, the official magazine of the American Drag Racing League.

You've got to hurry, though. To make the cut, Tocher tells your Agent he needs high-resolution images e-mailed to Adrenaline@ADRL.us no later than this coming Sunday (Mar. 1). He says to be sure to include a few details about your ride, as well. Who built it? What engine/tranny combo does it use? Who built the motor? Who painted it? Who's the driver? Crew chief? Sponsor? You get the idea.

Don't miss this opportunity to get your new look for '09 into Adrenaline. Send high-res photos to Adrenaline@ADRL.us today!

(Photo courtesy Steve Gorman)

February 23, 2009

Naiser Knocking on XTF Door?

Yesterday, your Agent reported Texas outlaw racer Jeff Naiser is preparing a 2009 assault on the ADRL's Extreme 10.5 (XTF) class.

Originally, he was told Naiser would be campaigning a late-model Chevy Cavalier, but this photo of what clearly is a Pontiac Grand Am arrived via one very pooped-out carrier pigeon this afternoon from the Naiser camp.

As far as your Agent knows, though, the car is still packing 622 big-block cubes of nitrous-injected power backed up by a Liberty/clutch transmission combo, but he'll make sure of the details Mar. 6-7, when Naiser makes his Flowmaster XTF debut in the Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park.

Your Agent was sworn to secrecy over exact numbers, but was told Naiser posted some very competitive times in testing this past weekend.