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August 31, 2008

First-Timers Find ADRL Appealing

 

 

Canadian Gary Irving (top), New Yorker Mike Stawicki and Michigan's Todd Robertson (bottom), all made their ADRL debuts Aug. 22-23, at Norwalk, OH, and all qualified in a very tough Pro Extreme field that featured 28 entries. After starting 15th, Robertson and his '07 Cobalt fell to eventual finalist Bubba Stanton in the opening round, while number-seven qualifier Irving and 10th-place starter Stawicki met in round one with Stawicki advancing, only to also fall victim to Stanton in round two.

Regardless, all three drivers and their crews enjoyed their first ADRL experience and all vowed to return for more.

"This is a fun deal over here at the ADRL. The amount of track time you get to spend in a two-day period is great," said Stawicki, who debuted a new roots-style M5 blower and updated clutch set-up on his DMPE-backed, G-Force '67 Camaro. "The (ADRL) staff was glad to have us and made us feel welcome and we ran well. All in all, it was a good experience."

Al Hinds, owner and tuner of Irving's Q Power/Jiffy Lube '04 Corvette, also enjoyed the ADRL's welcoming vibe and organization. "We would have liked to race a little more, but we had fun," he said. "I doubt we'll be able to make it to Rockingham, but we'll definitely be back. (The ADRL) made it easy to race and have a good time."

"Coming into this weekend I was a little nervous and had tons of questions," said Rocco Wilson, crew chief on Robertson's Eaton-sponsored machine. "The officials from the ADRL were great. The way the events are run and how everything--I mean everything--is addressed during the drivers meeting just puts you at ease and lets you concentrate on the car and not worry about anything else. It was one of the most pleasant experiences I've had racing and I'm looking forward to returning."

(ADRL/Tocher photos)

August 31, 2008

ADRL.us Updated

Your Agent has been remiss in not mentioning the latest points and stats following the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags have been posted here at www.ADRL.us.

There's also an extensive photo gallery of shots from Norwalk taken by ADRL team members Roger Richards and Ian Tocher, as well as talented freelancer Greg Bunsold, and check out an additional gallery by Gary Rowe's Raceworks here.

August 30, 2008

BTG: The ADRL Experience

Your Agent was pleased to see veteran photojournalist Dave Bishop enjoyed his recent trip to Budds Creek, MD, to take in the inaugural 1-800-GO-GUARD.com U.S. Drags.

"I have not enjoyed a race like this for many years," Bishop wrote in his column for the August 2008 issue of East Coast Drag News, which also featured ADRL Pro Nitrous star Charles Carpenter on the cover and included race reports from the ADRL national events in Radford, VA, and Budds Creek, along with a two-page, color photo collage from the Maryland event.

When contacted, Bishop graciously agreed to let the ADRL reprint his complimentary words in its Web site's Beyond the Guardwall section. Your Agent hopes Bishop will be back for a repeat experience real soon.

August 29, 2008

‘Adrenaline: The Series’ Back Aug. 30

Your Agent knows he wasn't alone in wondering when he'd get his next online shot of Adrenaline: The Series, the exciting video show that covers all ADRL national events. Well, he's happy to report a new show will be available for download at 2 p.m. EST tomorrow (Aug. 30), hosted by our friends over at www.DragRacingOnline.com. (NOTE: The video will be posted in two parts with Part I going live at 2 p.m. and the rest of the show becoming available later in the afternoon.) Apparently, the gap in scheduling came as a result of post-production problems following the ADRL event in June at Martin, MI, that was plagued by severe electrical storms that actually damaged the track's timing and scoring equipment and cut the event short with heavy wind and rain.

Regardless, tomorrow's Adrenaline: The Series will feature the 2nd annual Shelor Motor Mile Independence Drags from July 4-6, at Radford, VA, including the unique Arm-Drop Drags finals from the rained-out Michigan race that your Agent was assured will be shown at a later date. Meantime, the inaugural 1-800-GO-GUARD.com U.S. Drags from Budds Creek, MD--featuring the debut of the Sonny's Extreme Pro Stock Challenge presented by Purvis Ford--will be available for viewing and downloads at noon EST on Friday, Sept. 12, which certainly is welcome news, too.

Your Agent thought the Budds Creek event was one of the ADRL's all-time best, so he's really looking forward to reliving that one.

August 27, 2008

Hancock Plans Return at ‘The Rock’

After missing the previous two events (Radford, VA and Budds Creek, MD), your Agent had been hoping to see reigning Pro Nitrous champ Jamie Hancock return to action at the Gatorz Ohio Drags this past weekend, but it was just not meant to be.

Instead, the Opelika, AL, teen was at home waiting on the final assembly of a brand-new '68 Firebird being built by Precision Racecraft in Douglasville, GA. One of your Agent's operatives snapped a few cellphone shots of the new 'Bird nearing completion and it apparently will be out testing shortly in preparation for its debut Sep. 12-13, at the ADRL's Hushpower Dragstock V at Rockingham (NC) Dragway.

At 417 points back of the eighth-place cutoff, Hancock has been all but eliminated from making it into this year's Pro Nitrous Battle for the Belts to defend his '07 series title, but your Agent is certain he'll be out to prove he's still a major contender in the class.

August 26, 2008

Radford’s New Ride Revealed

Your Agent's friends over at www.ProModZone.com have posted the first pictures of Dennis Radford's new 1970 Duster, built by Andy McCoy Race Cars in High Ridge, MO, with a Buck Racing Engines 854 cubic incher under the hood.

Radford told your Agent at this past weekend's ADRL national event in Norwalk, OH, that he wanted to get the Duster sorted out in time for the ADRL's Hushpower Dragstock V next month at Rockingham (NC) Dragway and especially to make sure it was ready for the season-ending ADRL Battle for the Belts at Dallas, TX, in October.

Your Agent is sorry to see Radford's current Cuda go to a buyer in Puerto Rico, but is equally looking forward to seeing the new Plymouth rock. 

(Photos courtesy of ProModZone.com)

August 25, 2008

Free ADRL Ticket with Every Vote?

Wow! Even your Agent did not see this one coming!

Back room campaigning is going on right now to get your Agent on the ballot as a running mate.

August 25, 2008

Tocher Talks with Gatorz Winners

It took your Agent somewhat by surprise when he found ADRL VP of Communications Ian Tocher doing interviews over at www.1320tv.com with each of the winners of the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags.

Check out the interviews here. Your Agent likes what he sees and thinks with a little polishing Tocher and the ADRL might actually have something here.

 

August 24, 2008

We Have Winners!

Your Agent collectively congratulates (l-r) Frankie "Mad Man" Taylor, Shannon "Iceman" Jenkins, David "David" Janes and Bill "Billy" Vose for their wins in Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5 and Pro Extreme Motorcycle, respectively, at this weekend's 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

The event marked Taylor's career-first PX win, put Jenkins in a tie with Joshua Hernandez as the winningest ADRL drivers ever at five wins apiece, saw Janes successfully defend his '07 race title and made Vose the first repeat winner in the PXM class.

Your Agent also sends well-deserved kudos to Jenkins for establishing a new official PN speed record of 192.91 mph in the final round and to Extreme 10.5's Todd Moyer, who set a new speed record of 181.79 mph in his semi-final, holeshot loss to Janes. Also worthy of note were the multiple 200-plus-mph passes by Jason Scruggs in his Garret-built '07 Stratus before suffering race-ending engine damage in round two of elims.

As always, it was a memorable ADRL event.

(ADRL/Tocher photo)       

August 22, 2008

ADRL in USA Today

Your Agent was happy to see the ADRL mentioned for the first time ever in USA Today, the nation's dominant daily newspaper. The 2nd annual Gatorz Ohio Drags are mentioned in the paper's "Other Races" listings on page 6C of the Aug. 22 Sports section.

August 20, 2008

‘Undertaker’ Digs Up New Sponsors

Your Agent was encouraged to learn that fresh off winning in Pro Extreme at the ADRL national event in Budds Creek, MD, last month, "Tombstone Tommy" Gray and his Undertaker Racing team have picked up Mohegan Sun as a major marketing partner and PGT Trucking and JEG's as associate sponsors for at least the rest of this year and hopefully beyond.

"Tommy is going to some races that we were originally planning on going to, but are not able to attend right now as I’m still unable to drive. Plus, I get to help his team out a little; we could all use assistance with the price of things these days! It’s nice to get different people and companies working together," said Mohegan Sun's Paul Athey, a fellow Pro Extreme driver who is currently sidelined with injuries suffered in a June motorcycle accident. "Drag racing is a great sport and the (Pro Extremes) are my favorite class. I’m always trying to do what I can to help people out and grow our sport. We’re also working to see what we can do for 2009.”

Gray and his "Graveyard Gang" hosted the folks from PGT Trucking at the Maryland ADRL event, where he won in the debut of a brand-new, Vanishing Point-built '68 Camaro. "John," a spokesman for PGT, said, “After two days of pure fun and excitement at a drag strip I saw the marketing possibilities with the ADRL and Tommy Gray. Our company has decided to join the Undertaker Team and the ADRL to try putting together a full partnership for next season. I know that our company, PGT Trucking, can promote company drivers and owner operators all over the United States."

"It gets tougher every year to run these cars without major sponsors. We appreciate Paul (Athey) and his partners at Mohegan Sun being able to help us and we can’t wait to get back out on the track and get things working this weekend at Norwalk," Gray said of his plans to compete in the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags at Summit Motorsports Park. He also thanked PGT Trucking and JEG's for stepping up, too, a sentiment your Agent heartily shares.

Welcome to the ADRL, gentlemen.

August 20, 2008

BTG: PXM Tuner Dan Wagner

Check out PXM Girl's latest Beyond the Guardwall Q&A session, this time around with Pro Extreme Motorcycle tuner Dan Wagner (above right with rider Rob Hunnicutt). Your Agent likes seeing this kind of confidence with the home stretch in sight for this year's ADRL Battle for the Belts at Dallas, in October. 

August 18, 2008

4.20 @ 173 mph—Twice!

Beware, Billy Glidden, Team Titan is coming.

At least that's the message your Agent takes from learning the Florida-based Titan Extreme 10.5 team laid down 4.202-seconds test pass at 173.70 mph this past Saturday at U.S. 131 Dragway in Martin, MI. For those not yet paying attention, that's the quickest eighth-mile pass ever on 10.5Ws!

The Titan boys opened Friday with several good passes, including a then-best 4.25/171 combination before wrapping up with a remarkable 4.203 at 173.50 that included a 1.03 60-foot time. Crew chief Brett White then decided that engine had "a little stress" on it so, "We put a fresh bullet in on Saturday to continue testing.” 

Good call. Saturday's testing yielded a 4.24 at 172, then the second 4.20 of the weekend and an unofficial class E.T. record.

Titan owner Nero Deliwala told your Agent that hooking up the 10.5-inch tires can be "tricky," so that's why he wanted to get in one last test session before heading to Norwalk for this weekend's 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags at Summit Motorsports Park.

"We have a quick car, but making passes is what the rest of the field has and why they are consistent in various conditions," Deliwala said. "I want that consistency--we have a quick car.”

(Chris Simmons Photography)

August 18, 2008

Technical Difficulties for Nowling

Imagine your Agent's disappointment when the promised Reece on Racing interview with ADRL head honcho Kenny Nowling never came to fruition tonight.

A quick call from Nowling revealed the problem came at the radio station's end when they were unable to patch in both ends of his phone call to the broadcast. Nowling apparently offered to speak about the ADRL and this weekend's 2nd annual Gatorz Ohio Drags even without the benefit of hearing interviewer Frank Reece's questions (now there's a surprise!), but unfortunately, even that didn't pan out.

If a new ADRL guest can be arranged for a future Reece on Racing show, you can be sure your Agent will be on the case and let you know.   

August 17, 2008

MIR Mishap for Mullins

Your Agent was very sorry to learn Bruce Mullins damaged his beautiful, blue Pro Extreme Corvette in a top-end testing crash at Maryland International Raceway over the weekend. Just three weeks earlier at MIR, your Agent first caught a glimpse of Mullins when he qualified the car 14th and reached the opening round at the ADRL national event there.

According to a message board report at www.ProModZone.com, Mullins flipped the car over on its roof and slid a good 300 feet before grinding to a halt. Fortunately, it sounds like he was quickly extracted uninjured from the wreck and although the car apparently suffered significant damage, at least it seems repairable in the long run.

"The only thing hurt is my heart and pride. I hate to see this, 'cause this year was the most fun I have been having racing in years," Mullins told the PMZ.com crowd. "The chassis has very minimal damage, one strut mount is bent, and the top cage bars are ground from sliding and thats all for the chassis. As for the body..... its screwed! Needs a front end, roof and a passenger door. Everyone needs to keep up on their safety equiptment. I wear a HANs and all belts and I never moved and feel fine. Unfortunately, this will put me out for the rest of the season. Got to thank the MIR safety crew, they got to me just as the car came to a stop, 'cause when your hanging upside down , trust me, you want out right now."

Your Agent looks forward to seeing one of his new favorite cars ASAP next season.

(Chris Simmons Photography)

August 15, 2008

3.89 @ 191.10!

 Your Agent wishes he could've been at South Georgia Motorsports Park last night when Shannon Jenkins drove his new David Janes-built "Black Ice" Camaro through the eighth-mile traps in 3.894 seconds at 191.10 mph. Your Agent's operative on the scene said Jenkins went .959 to the 60-foot mark and 2.59 to half-track with the air around 2,800-feet ASL and 87 percent humidity.

Jenkins must like that SGMP surface as it's also where he became the first Pro Nitrous pilot in the 3s a couple of years back at the ADRL national event there.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

August 13, 2008

Martin Attends HoF Ceremony

Your Agent received a call this afternoon from an excited Harold Martin just as he was about to don his tux and head out for a memorable black-tie evening of pomp and circumstance. Seems the ADRL Pro Nitrous star received a last-minute invitation to sit at the VIP table for tonight's 20th annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony at the Fillmore Detroit.

Martin will bear witness to John Force, Michael Andretti, Buddy Baker, Richie Ginther (deceased), Paul Goldsmith, Wayne Rainey and Betty Skelton being inducted into a group that already includes the likes of Andretti's father, Mario, stock car legend Richard Petty and drag racing pioneer Don Garlits. Other drag racing inductees expected to attend the event include Don Prudhomme, Bill Jenkins, Danny Ongais, Joe Amato, Chris Karamesines and Shirley Muldowney, among several others.

"I once received an invitation to attend another Hall of Fame induction ceremony down in Talladega (AL), but I wasn't able to go that time, so I'm really looking forward to tonight," Martin said. "This is a great opportunity to gain some exposure for what we're doing in the ADRL and to educate people about our style of racing and how much it has progressed in such a short time."

Your Agent bets the food and drink will be pretty good, too.

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

August 13, 2008

Team VIP Vette on the Block

Your Agent hates to see this, but the '63 Corvette of current Extreme 10.5 points leader Mike Hill is for sale. Team VIP co-owners Damon Forbes and John Prattes said it's regrettable, but business concerns beyond drag racing forced them to make the tough choice to liquidate what's arguably the most successful XTF car in history with several race wins and records to its credit.

Hill told your Agent at the Budds Creek event last month that obviously he wishes things were different, but as a businessman himself, he totally understands the decision.

For those who may be interested, the car features a Mauney-built chassis with all-carbon-fiber body and is being sold turnkey with the 762 c.i. Fulton/Speedtech motor in place. Even the current tune-up and four-link settings will go with the sale, "so you will be competitive the day you buy it," Prattes told your Agent. (He must know something your Agent doesn't, since last time he checked, your Agent's bank account was as empty as a politician's promise.) Anyone who does have the wherewithal to purchase the car, though, can contact your Agent at agent660@adrl.us and he'll put you in touch with the current owners.

Regardless, your Agent understands current plans call for Hill et al to be in Norwalk, OH, for the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags next weekend, so it may be one of your last opportunities to see the "Hit Man" behind the wheel of the potent green meanie.

(ADRL/Richards file photo)     

August 13, 2008

Stawicki Plans PX Debut at Norwalk

Your Agent learned today that veteran driver Mike Stawicki out of the Buffalo, NY, region will be heading over to Norwalk, OH, next weekend to make his Pro Extreme debut at the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags.

Stawicki said he'll be racing his G-Force Race Cars '68 Camaro in "legal" trim, so he expects a challenge in entering the anything-goes PX arena. Regardless, G-Force owner and Stawicki crew chief Jim Salemi appears eager to mix it up in what one recent Pro Extreme convert dubbed the ADRL "shark tank."

"This is how Pro Mod racing started; it will be fun to go back to that run-what-ya'-brung style of racing," Salemi said. "We also look forward to racing at Summit Motorsports Park. Both Mike and I have won major events at the facility, so we are hoping we can make it happen again." 

Stawicki and team will work on the tune-up for their inaugural ADRL appearance in a match race this weekend. They'll be aided by the latest and greatest supercharger design from DMPE. "If we are on our game we can run some mid- to low-3.90s, which should get us in the show (at Norwalk)," Stawicki said. "The rest will be up to me!"

Your Agent is getting excited. It seems every ADRL national event draws out more and more high-quality race teams looking to go rounds against the very best in the business. For an avowed doorslammer fan like your Agent, it just doesn't get any better than this.

(Mike Goodwin photo)

August 13, 2008

First Look: New Garret PN Entry

If you know your Agent, you know he keeps odd hours. Well, this morning, just before the sun came up, a shadowy figure slid this pic under your Agent's door and disappeared into the pre-dawn haze before your Agent could even offer a cup of joe.

Anyway, the scribbled note attached says this is the latest '68 Camaro to roll out of Garret Race Cars in Marble Hill, MO, complete with a 738 Sunset Race Craft engine boosted by three stages of juice and a Lenco trans beneath its Cynergy carbon-fiber body. The car is apparently destined for use at the hands of Undercover Chassis owner Kurt Damron, who could make his ADRL Pro Nitrous debut with it as soon as Hushpower Dragstock V, at Rockingham (NC) Dragway in September.

Your Agent looks forward to seeing this awesome-looking machine driven in anger as soon as possible.

August 12, 2008

ADRL Cancels Tulsa Event

Your Agent just received word that the ADRL national event rescheduled for Oct. 3-4, at Tulsa Raceway Park has been canceled.

Apparently, competing events in the Tulsa area created a scheduling conflict and with the ADRL World Finals at Dallas, TX, later in the month, a suitable date couldn't be arranged.

ADRL President Kenny Nowling personally expressed his disappointment in making the tough decision to your Agent, but said a Tulsa date for 2009 will be forthcoming.

See additional details here. 

August 11, 2008

Sneak Peek: Awesome ‘57 Chevy

Here's an early look at the new '57 Chevy put together in the Al-Anabi Awesome Motorsports shop for veteran driver Von Smith to campaign in Pro Extreme competition, hopefully as soon as Aug. 22-23, at the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz  Ohio Drags in Norwalk, OH. With Howard Moon turning the tune-up tools, this car could be a contender from the opening round of qualifying.

The slick Shoebox is slated to hit the South Georgia Motorsports Park strip for a test session this coming week, so your Agent will be on the lookout for action pics soon .

August 7, 2008

McCrary Making Move to XTF

Well, it looks like another Outlaw 10.5 superstar is ready to take the leap up to Extreme 10.5 competition. Word comes out of the Lone Star State that Grant McCrary out of Haltom City likely will make his XTF debut at the ADRL's Hushpower Dragstock V at Rockingham Dragway in September.

McCrary recently steered his twin-turboed, big-block-Ford-powered '06 Mustang to a 4.36 lap at more than 174 mph with the car weighing in at 3,100 pounds. That same ProLine-prepped motor is apparently destined for the engine bay of a brand-new Larry Jeffers-built '68 Mustang created especially for the ADRL's XTF series. McCrary will be racing out of the Lenmar Motorsports/House of Hot Rods stable.

Knowing the quality and drive of the people involved in all corners of this deal, your Agent expects them to come out swingin!

(ADRL/Tocher file photo)

August 7, 2008

Sign of the Times

Drivers heading along U.S. 1 just north of Rockingham, NC, should have no trouble figuring out the ADRL is coming to Rockingham Dragway with its already legendary Hushpower Dragstock V event. Track owner Steve Earwood sent your Agent this image of the sign he planted out front to catch the locals' attention.

Your Agent has just one question, though. What are Pro Mods? No doubt the ADRL will be bringing 100 or more of the quickest and fastest doorslammers on the planet--bar none--but according to ADRL-speak not a one will carry the P/M designator. Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Extreme 10.5, Extreme Pro Stock--that's what gets your Agent going these days! And don't forget those two-wheeled terrors, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, no Pro Mods there, either!

August 7, 2008

Gorman Goes Big with Buck

Apparently Steve Gorman is stepping up his Extreme 10.5 program with the purchase of a Buck Racing Engines 748 cubic incher from Pro Nitrous racer Thomas Myers.

Your Agent knows the defending XTF champ isn't happy unless he's going deep in eliminations every time out, so that DNQ at Budds Creek last month had to be the last straw, though to be fair, Gorman says that was more transmission than engine-related. Prediction: look for Gorman to return to contender status at the Gatorz Ohio Drags Aug. 22-23, in Norwalk, OH.

(ADRL/Richards photo) 

August 6, 2008

XPS Feedback from Budds Creek

File this one in the Better-Late-Than-Never folder. Your Agent was doing some e-mail housecleaning tonight (note to Agent: rubber gloves!!!) when he came across some press releases issued after the Extreme Pro Stock class debuted with the ADRL last month at Budds Creek, MD.

Number-three qualifier and quarter-finalist Pete Berner (shown) said: "I was impressed by the event. The ADRL staff really welcomed the Pro Stock class. They definitely know how to pack the house and put on a great show. I've got to thank Sonny's Racing Engines and Purvis Ford for helping to put this deal on. It was a great event with tough competition, a great crowd, and a top-notch show. I look forward to racing with the ADRL again soon."

Meanwhile, race winner Robert Patrick said: "This win is something I can cherish for a lifetime. I just can't say enough about the opportunity that Kenny Nowling and the ADRL provided us this weekend. I can't wait until the next opportunity that we have to race with the ADRL's Extreme Pro Stock class. You know, since I was a kid I wanted to be part of something big in Pro Stock and this weekend I felt like I was a part of that."

High praise indeed, especially coming from a pair of veteran racers with many, many events under their collective belts. Your Agent joins them in commending ADRL staffers, but also extends credit to all the XPS teams that took part in Maryland. He expects the second half of the inaugural Sonny's Extreme Pro Stock Challenge presented by Purvis Ford will be even more memorable when it's showcased at Rockingham Dragway in September.

(ADRL/Richards photo)

August 6, 2008

Radford’s Ride Sold Overseas

Dennis Radford revealed to your Agent a couple of months back that his ADRL Pro Nitrous race-winning '70 AAR Cuda had been sold to an out-of-country race team, but it took until today for your Agent to determine the likely destination. It looks like the Nasenero Racing Team out of Puerto Rico (is there a trend developing here?) is the buyer, with nitrous racing veteran Raymond Matos its future driver. In fact, your Agent was told Matos may even make it up to the ADRL national event in Norwalk, OH, later this month for a few test hits in the Cuda.

Oh, and Radford? He'll be debuting a new Plymouth Duster-bodied ride real soon, so you Mopar fans can relax.

(Andy Jonelis photo)

August 6, 2008

ADRL Article at CompPlus.com

Your Agent was doing a little Web surfing, as is his evening wont, when he came across this story about the ADRL and how its complimentary ticket program came into being.

As usual, coming from his old friend Bobby Bennett over at www.CompetitionPlus.com, it's a good read, but your Agent has to wonder why Bobby didn't give him a personal heads-up to its existence. Hey Bobby, what gives?

August 6, 2008

BTG: Tommy Franklin’s Rollover

Like everyone there that day, your Agent was shocked and amazed by Pro Nitrous driver Tommy Franklin's vicious crash at Budds Creek, MD, last month, so he read with interest the feature story on Franklin's folly in the site's new Beyond the Guardwall segment.

Thankfully, Franklin escaped injury, but his just-completed '68 Camaro was almost a total write-off. His comments give some interesting insight to the aftermath of such a devastating experience.

(ADRL/Richards photo)

August 5, 2008

ADRL Long-Haul Award Contenders

Your Agent's Spanish reading skills are sadly lacking, but from what he can gather online, there are four cars from the powerful Mech Tech Racing Team making the trip from Puerto Rico to compete Aug. 22-23, in the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags at Norwalk, OH. Word has it that most, if not all, will also compete at Hushpower Dragstock V at Rockingham, NC, in September.

It looks like the Nissan 350Z of Jorge Lazcano (top left) will enter the Extreme 10.5 class, while Anthony Prestamo (top right) will take on Pro Extreme in "Don" Tato Raymundi's blown Nova(?!). Then your Agent believes it will be William "The Professor" Rojas in a twin-turbo Trans Am (bottom left) and his son, Isaias, in his nitrous-fed Cobalt, both joining the Pro Nitrous ranks.

Your Agent hears the extensive Mech Tech crew also will be accompanied by a WAPA America TV crew that will cover their exploits at the ADRL event for national broadcast in Puerto Rico.

C'mon in guys, the water's fine. Just ask Camp Stanley.

(Photos courtesy of GRS-Motorsports.com)

August 5, 2008

Team Titan Turns Top Time in Testing

Your Agent hears Team Titan had their Extreme 10.5 Scion tC out for a little test session at U.S. 131 Dragway in Martin, MI, and laid down a best pass of 4.24 seconds at just over 173 mph. Team owner Nero Deliwala said "many changes" made to the four-link setup with the help of RJ Race Cars and Eric Luzinski resulted in a 1.04-second 60-foot time, and Brett White threw a few tuning tricks at the turbocharged 183 c.i. engine to gain a few more miles per hour.

Those are some pretty stout numbers and as far as your Agent can recall, represent career-best performances for the fan-favorite Scion. They certainly put the Florida-based Titan crew solidly in contention for the 2nd annual ADRL Gatorz Ohio Drags Aug. 22-23, at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

(ADRL/Chris Simmons Photography)

August 3, 2008

Happy Birthday!

Your Agent would be remiss in not mentioning ADRL President Kenny Nowling came into being 36 years ago today.

He told your Agent this morning that a day of playing with his three kids and watching football on TV was on the schedule today, but he'll start his 37th year back at work in the morning.

Happy Birthday, Kenny!