ADRL.us - Agent 660 Notes

August 25, 2009

The Puck Stops Here!

Okay, the title is a bit cliched, but your Agent just learned that National Guard ADRL VP of Publications Ian Tocher backstopped his HockeyTime USA team to the Summer ‘09 AA Over-35 championship in the Atlanta Amatuer Hockey League.

What really impressed your Agent, though, is that our Veep of Wordsmithing apparently posted a pair of shutouts in the semi-final and final rounds, helping HockeyTime to manage 3-0 wins in both games.

Getting hard, rubber discs shot at you at a hundred miles an hour. And your Agent thought drag racers were crazy!

August 25, 2009

Ulsch Exceeds 201 MPH on 10.5Ws!

Your Agent can’t believe more is not being made of Chuck Ulsch’s blindingly fast 201.28 miles per hour blast in second-round eliminations at National Trail Raceway this past weekend.

Granted, he wasn’t able to back it up within the required one percent for an official record, but c’mon! 201 MPH! On 10.5Ws!

That’s nothing short of incredible in your Agent’s opinion and he sends hearty congrats to Ulsch and everyone involved with the Mobley Motorsports effort. We’re seeing historic happenings here, folks.

(ADRL/Richards photo)

August 25, 2009

Engling/Robbins Scaling Back PX Effort?

One of the most popular cars on the grounds any time it shows up for a National Guard ADRL event is the ‘72 Hurst Olds Cutlass Pro Extreme entry driven by Brian Robbins.

Your Agent spoke with Robbins, along with car owner and builder Keith Engling of Skinny Kid Race Cars at the recent ADRL Summit Ohio Drags III, and they revealed a new car is in the planning stages for the St. Joseph, MI-based driver to wheel in the 2010 PX season.

“This car is just too big and heavy,” Engling said shortly before qualifying 22nd of 26 entries at National Trail Raceway. “It actually still has parts of the original Cutlass I used when I first built it; not many, but there are still a few original car parts here.”

Don’t worry, though, fans of the Great White Hope. Engling said the replacement will be a three-quarter scale replica of the current car.

“I’ve already got all the body molds worked out,” he told your Agent. “I just can’t see building another ‘68 Camaro or Corvette. We’ll stick with what we have.”

Your Agent wholeheartedly approves.

(ADRL/Tocher photo)

August 24, 2009

Post-Race Reports on ADRL Summit Ohio Drags III

Just as he had throughout this past weekend’s National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III, Newark Advocate reporter Josh Hachat filed a couple of new stories wrapping up all the exciting on-track action from National Trail Raceway.

Check out his excellent conclusion on the Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme Motorcycle races here, then take a look at Hachat’s take on the Extreme 10.5 and Extreme Pro Stock eliminations here.

Your Agent also was very pleased to see Bobby Bennett of www.CompetitionPlus.com in the Mickey Thompson Press Room at the track and encourages everyone to read his fine prose here.

August 24, 2009

Happy Belated Birthday, Bret!

Your Agent feels embarrassed and regretful for not realizing National Guard ADRL TV commentator and resident historian Bret Kepner celebrated a birthday this past weekend.

Though rumors of becoming a septuagenarian abounded (and no, that’s not a dinosaur, though some might argue that, too), Mr. Kepner assured your Agent, “People have been wishing me ‘Happy Birthday’ 51 times now.”

Regardless, your Agent is confident he can speak for the entire National Guard ADRL family in saying we hope this one was a happy one, Bret.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)

August 22, 2009

Friday Stories on Summit Ohio Drags III

Your Agent was pleased to meet Newark Advocate scribe Josh Hachat yesterday and even more so to read his take this morning on the opening day of the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III.

Check out his story about first-day qualifying here; then click over to see Hachat’s take on track conditions at National Trail Raceway as described by National Guard ADRL racers.

Your Agent looks forward to more from this young man today.

August 21, 2009

‘Big Don’ is Missing

Man, for the second race in a row, “Big Don” Ellison ran into trouble that has delayed his arrival in Hebron, OH, for the National Guard ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III.

Apparently, he had to turn around well into his trip to Ohio after violent, rainy storms damaged his Texas home. Faithful ADRL.us readers will recall Ellison was sidetracked by a busted windshield on his way to the previous event at St. Louis two weeks earlier. 

Unfortunately, Ellison’s absence has put a crimp in the ADRL’s planned live audio broadcast of the public address system, but your Agent is told he’s on his way while others have been recruited to get it happening in the meantime.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)

August 20, 2009

More D’Aprile PX Pics

Your Agent insisted on National Guard ADRL Veep of Publications Ian Tocher snapping a few pics of Tommy D’Aprile’s new Danny Page-built ‘70.5 Camaro Z/28 on the National Trail Raceway starting line.

This car’s a stunner, folks; your Agent really loves that airbrushed drip rail above the doors. Nice!

For more on D’Aprile, check out the ADRL Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags III Event Notebook.

(ADRL/Tocher photos)