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January 30, 2010

Glidden Returning with M/T Mustang in 2010

STOW, OH (Jan. 29, 2010)—Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Billy Glidden Racing for 2010.

Through this partnership, Glidden will continue to work closely with Mickey Thompson product development staff to provide information regarding the performance of Mickey Thompson products in real-world racing applications.

In return, Mickey Thompson will provide support to the Bill Glidden team as they compete in the ADRL Extreme 10.5 class throughout the year.

“Billy is working overtime getting his new 2010 Mustang ready for racing season,” said Ken Warner, VP Sales & Marketing, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “He has been working on the big horsepower he’ll need to win races, and we’re looking forward to seeing him test this vehicle and our products on the track. Billy is able to give us some of the real-world results we need to consistently improve our products and his input is invaluable.”

“I want to thank Mickey Thompson and the team for renewing our partnership again this year,” said Glidden. “We’ve been working hard with Ford and with Jerry Haas Race Cars to put this 2010 Ford Mustang body together for our race car, and we are looking forward to getting out on the track and shaking it out.”

January 25, 2010

Snyder Joins Scruggs as Pro Extreme Teammate

DEMOTTE, IN (Jan. 25, 2010)—It has been a busy off season for former Top Alcohol Funny Car standout Mick Snyder as he is taking on a new challenge this year in the American Drag Racing League’s hyper-competitive Pro Extreme arena.

The second-generation racer and his father, Larry, have been working hard to get a beautiful ‘63 split-window Corvette ready for the ADRL season-opening Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI, Mar. 19-20, at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

The Demotte, Indiana-based duo are teaming up with current ADRL world record holder and former back-to-back Pro Extreme champion Jason Scruggs and his father, Mitchell, for the 2010 season and will continue to be sponsored by Powersource Transportation.

While the Snyder team and associate sponsorship will remain primarily the same, Snyder Motorsports will be returning to its roots by putting a Coan converter and Lencodrive transmission in the car, a combination they ran successfully on the Funny Car circuits for years.

“Dad and I have thought and talked about racing in Pro Extreme for years,” the 28-year-old driver said. “We discussed it at the beginning of the off season and decided if we could put the right deal together we would make the switch. Shortly after, things started to fall into place. It has already been a lot of work, but we are having fun getting everything ready and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and see what she can do.”

January 22, 2010

Smith Smashes World Speed Record in Qatar

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 22, 2010) – In what easily could be considered the biggest news ever to come out of the Arabian Drag Racing League, Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s Von Smith once more earned a spot in the history books en route to a runner-up finish during Round 5 at the Qatar Race Club with a shot-heard-round-the-world 209.43-mph lap – the fastest standing-start eighth-mile speed ever recorded by a full-bodied drag racing car.

History wasn’t confined to Smith’s right lane only, however, as the final round resulted in the quickest and fastest side-by-side race in the history of doorslammer drag racing, which also represented the first 3.60s pairing in the history of the sport. Smith’s 209.43-mph blast in his Barwa Racing ’68 Camaro came in just 3.684-seconds; just not quite enough to beat His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani’s stunning 3.679-seconds at 207.59-mph effort.

Despite falling to his Al-Anabi Racing teammate in the final, Smith maintained his lead in the Arabian Drag Racing League’s Pro Extreme points standings, a mere two rounds ahead of Al-Thani.

“I can’t think of too many occasions where it felt okay to be runner-up, but this is definitely one of them,” Smith said later. “To be in another final alongside Sheikh Khalid, to be in the quickest and fastest side-by-side drag race in history – you just can’t ask for anything better.”

In regard to the record-setting speed, Smith steered all the credit to his crew members who just completed a marathon three consecutive race weekends and delivered a win last week, plus a pair of runner-up finishes.

“(Crew chief) Howard Moon (above right, with Smith) has this thing making big power – really big power,” he said. “I can’t say enough about him and this entire Barwa Racing team, and I think all the hard work has been showing through these last few weeks. It’s been a pretty intense stretch, but it’s been a non-stop team effort. The support from Barwa Real Estate, Al-Anabi Racing and Sheikh Khalid has been incredible and we’re just honored to be able to represent them in fine fashion at the drag strip.”

With only two races remaining in the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season, there’s no doubt a battle between the two Al-Anabi entries will be waged to the very end.

“We know we’ve got our work cut out for us, but I’ve got all the faith in the world in Howard and the rest of this team. So long as I do my job behind the wheel I think we’ve got a shot at doubling up,” Smith declared, referring to his 2008-09 championship. “You can’t take anything for granted in heads-up drag racing, but we’re going to be working round the clock here in Doha to make sure we bring home a championship for Barwa.”

The Al-Anabi Racing ‘68 Camaros of driver Von Smith with crew chief Howard Moon (left) and team owner Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani with crew chief Frank Manzo are currently one-two, respectively, in Pro Extreme points and appear destined to settle the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League championship between them over the next few weeks in the series’ final two events. 

(ADRL/Grooms file photos)

January 22, 2010

Sheikh Khalid Wins Record PX Final

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 22, 2010)—In the quickest and fastest side-by-side race ever staged by full-bodied door cars, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani (third from left) prevailed with his second career Pro Extreme event win in Round 5 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season.

Leaving with a stellar .005 reaction time, Sheikh Khalid got the jump on final-round rival Von Smith (far left), who cut a still-impressive .029 light in the opposite lane. The Sheikh then tripped the 60-foot timers in .930 and reached half-track (330 feet) in 2.497 seconds before posting a 3.679 winning time at 207.59 mph over the Qatar Race Club eighth mile.

Meanwhile, Smith, winner of the previous race just one week earlier, had a .964 60-foot time leading into 2.508 at half-track and 3.684 and an incredible 209.43 miles per hour at the finish line. Smith, from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, officially reset his own worldwide speed record with the pass.

“We knew going into the final, based on the previous round, that Howard [Moon, Barwa Racing crew chief] had a 3.60 in his tune-up bag, so I knew I was going to have to be on my game at the starting line,” Sheikh Khalid said following the winner’s circle celebration. “Tim [McAmis] and I are always talking about being consistent with my driving; staging the car the same every time, doing the same length burnout, and so on. I staged as shallow as possible in the final and, like I said, we knew they’d be swinging for the fences, so I had to do my job as a driver and leave first. Beyond that, I just let the clutch out and let her eat.”

The win solidified his second-place status in the Arabian Drag Racing League’s points chase, leaving the Sheikh within two rounds of Smith’s lead.

“I’ve never been one to get real excited, but it was hard not to be fired up after that final round,” he admitted. “Even before we got in the cars I felt like we’d already won. Having both our team cars in the final and then with the way the cars performed, it was all that we could ask for.”

Current American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous champ Khalid Al-Balooshi (right) won a tire-shaking PN final in Qatar over Al-Anabi teammate Burton Auxier that saw their two cars almost come together near half-track. Al-Balooshi gathered his ‘68 Camaro up just a little quicker, though, after coming ever-so-close to crossing the center line from his right-hand lane.

Round 6 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season is set for Feb. 5-6, again at the Qatar Race Club. 

(ADRL file photos)

January 21, 2010

Smith, Balooshi Lead Qatar R5 Qualifying

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 21, 2010)—Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s Von Smith (left) stepped up in the third and final Pro Extreme qualifying session today to earn the provisional number-one position for Round 5 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season.

Smith, who entered the qualifying round in fourth place, covered the Qatar Race Club eighth mile in 3.74 seconds at 207.15 mph in his Howard Moon-tuned ‘68 Camaro to wrest the top spot away from His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani in a similar ride crew chiefed by Frank “Ace” Manzo..

Al-Thani’s 3.75 pass at 205.07 mph from the previous session held him in second, with the ‘06 Mustang driven by Bader Ahli and tuned by reigning American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme World Champion Todd Tutterow in third with a 3.78 at 203.77-mph run.

“I’m happy with our performance,” Sheikh Khalid said. “There’s nothing better than being 1 and 2 with my teammate, Von Smith, and I hope this sets us up for another Al-Anabi and Barwa Racing final round. We’ve got one more shot at it tomorrow and we know there is a little left, so we will see if we can get that number-one spot going into eliminations.”

Alex Hossler of Canton, Illinois, the current American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme points leader, improved for the third-straight time today with a 3.82-seconds pass at 201.43 mph in his Chris Duncan-built and -tuned ‘70 Camaro to sit fourth, while Ali Aryan’s 4.02 at 187.40 mph from the second qualifying round placed him in the fifth and final position on the Pro Extreme list.

American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous World Champion Khalid Al-Balooshi improved his own number-one effort from the earlier qualifying sessions with a nice 3.87-seconds pass at 194.83 mph in Thursday’s last run down the track, followed by a solid 3.89/194.58 combination by Al-Anabi Racing teammate Burton Auxier (right) of Dixie, West Virginia, and Ali Alansari with a 4.53 at 147.05 mph pass, his best of the weekend so far.

One last round of qualifying is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time (9 a.m. Eastern) on Friday, with eliminations getting underway about two hours later.

(ADRL file photos)

January 20, 2010

Sheikh Khalid Seeking Success at Qatar Round 5

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 20, 2010)—Coming into the last leg of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s three-race swing at the Qatar Race Club, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani (left) and his Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme team are amped up for one last hurrah on the outlaw eighth-mile before a solid month-long layoff.

Racking up his career-first professional win during Round 2 and scoring a semi-final finish at Round 4 only a few weeks later, Al Thani plans to build on the team’s success thus far with a strong finish this weekend.

“I’ve said it before, having a team consisting of guys like Frank Manzo and Tim McAmis, it’s easy to be confident,” Sheikh Khalid said following a test-session early in the week. “We’ve tested relentlessly between these races, giving Frank the opportunity to fine tune our program, and I anticipate it translating into a very successful weekend for the Al-Anabi Racing team this weekend.”

The Al-Anabi Racing team owner and driver also earned his rightful place in the drag racing history books during the Round 2 of the Arabian Gulf Region-based racing series with a 3.67-second blast, just the second-ever 3.6 run in sanctioned competition, a performance that has given the entire team a good deal of assurance moving forward.

“We’ve shown that we have what it takes to run the number on more than one occasion this season, now we turn our focus to getting these volatile race cars to repeat those record-setting performances on every lap. We’re out here to win, but we also want to run well, so it’s a bit of a balancing act.”

With three races left for the 2009/2010 Arabian Drag Racing League season, there is plenty of time for the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme team to gain ground on current points leader, Von Smith. 

The Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme team will return to action this week during Round 5 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club. Qualifying for Round 5 will begin at 7 p.m. AST Jan. 21, with a second round scheduled two hours later. A final round of qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. Jan. 22, with eliminations getting underway at 7 p.m. AST.

For more information on the Qatar Race Club and the Arabian Drag Racing League’s season-opener, log on to www.qrczone.com.

January 20, 2010

Maintaining Momentum Key to Smith’s Qatar Strategy

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 20, 2010)—With the conclusion of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s intense three-race stretch looming on the horizon, U.S.-based driver Von Smith and the Barwa Racing Pro Extreme team look to build on the momentum created with their dominating performance at the recently completed Round 4 event.

Smith, who recorded the fastest speed ever by a door car at the previous event with a stunning 208.55mph blast on his way to a final-round win over local racer Ali Aryan, is eager to keep up the pace set by the Barwa Real Estate-backed Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro.

“Truth be known, I really like these back to back races,” said Smith, a native of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. “I feel like it keeps me sharper as a driver and it lets the team get into a rhythm. It’s definitely hard on the guys and, as always, my hat is off to them for all their hard work and dedication. There is no questioning the fact that our performance last week is a result of a team effort.”

Currently leading the points in the Arabian Drag Racing League’s Pro Extreme division, the Howard Moon-led team couldn’t have found a better time to hit their stride as their primary sponsor, Barwa Real Estate, continues development on a number of high-level construction projects including the state-of-the-art Barwa Al Doha that was created with an unbeatable formula: a central location, resident, commercial and entertainment areas, keeping everything within reach.

“The pace at which Qatar is growing and the never-ending development in Doha, the nation’s capital city, is hard to imagine without seeing it first hand,” said Smith. “We’re proud to be representing a company like Barwa that has such incredible vision, and we hope to continue to represent them well in the competitive sport of drag racing, particularly this weekend.”

While the team has spend a considerable amount of time testing, Smith was quick to point out that it all comes down to a team and driver’s ability to get the job done on raceday.

“All of our testing has gone well, but until the race begins, you just never know,” Smith said. “We tested prior to the last couple events as well and it really didn’t come together for us until the day of the race, so we’re not resting on our laurels here. The competition is serious and every car out here is capable of winning. For us, it’s all about execution on race day. We’ve proven that we know how to win.”

(ADRL/Grooms photo)

January 20, 2010

Tutterow Counts on Consistency in Qatar

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 20, 2010)—After a disappointing first-round exit at the recently completed Arabian Drag Racing League Round 4 event, Arabian Gulf Region standout driver Bader Alhi is anticipating a slightly more exciting outcome at the upcoming Round 5 with the help of tuning ace Todd Tutterow, the current American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme world champion.

The final race of three back-to-back events at the luxurious Qatar Race Club, Round 5 represents a do-or-die situation for the Alhi/Tutterow team in order to narrow the points gap between themselves and Sheikh Khalid Al Thani and Von Smith.

Always a choice weapon of Tutterow, the game plan for Round 5 will be unbridled consistency.

“At the last race, we were the only team to make it down the track in every qualifying round,” reported Tutterow, a native of Yadkinville, North Carolina. “Probably more than anything else, that’s what we’re going to count on going into this next race. You’ve got to get these things from A to B if you want to win and we’ve been able to do that on a consistent basis. We’re giving up a little to these other guys, but I think we can run pretty close to them.”

As for an unfortunate red-light loss in the opening round of Round 4, Tutterow summed it up as “one of those deals,” when the Qatar Race Club Team Pro Extreme 2006 Ford Mustang Cobra rolled through the beams.

“The line lock didn’t hold the car and it rolled through the beams,” said Tutterow. “There wasn’t anything he [Bader Alhi, driver] could have done. He knew exactly what was wrong, he knew as soon as it happened. It’s taken me a little getting used to not driving the car, being in the seat to know and feel exactly what is happening, but Bader has just done an excellent job. He’s a great driver and if we can give him a car capable of winning this deal, he’s got what it takes to get it done.”

In preparation for the coming event, Tutterow (behind car with arms crossed) and crew have been busy in the QRC team shop putting together a fresh engine for their Pro Extreme Mustang, as well as freshening the engine they’ve utilized thus far in 2009/2010 as a reliable back up coming into the championship rounds of the Arabian Drag Racing League series.

“I think we’ve found a little more power,” said Tutterow. “I think I can get this thing to run pretty quick, and with a little bit of luck – we might just put this Ford Mustang in the winner’s circle on Friday night.”

January 19, 2010

ADRL Confirms Georgia Drags VI Date

O’FALLON, MO (Jan. 19, 2010) — The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is pleased to confirm its ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI will be held Apr. 23-24, at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Georgia. The two week move from the original date creates an ideal balance in the schedule for the 2010 ADRL tour.

“With this date change we now have only one race per month this year and at least three weeks between events, with only one exception in September when Dragstock VII at Rockingham (NC) Dragway is followed two weeks later by our return to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “We greatly appreciate all of our track partners working with us to create the best possible scheduling for ADRL race teams and fans.”

As the ADRL enters its sixth season, its 2010 schedule is comprised of nine national events in eight states.

(ADRL/Tocher/Richards file photos)

January 18, 2010

ADRL Updates 2010 Schedule

O’FALLON, MO (Jan. 18, 2010) — Today, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) released an updated 2010 schedule featuring a return to familiar territory and some date changes for established races.

“Creating a season schedule is one of the most challenging tasks we face every year as there are so many variables and individuals to consider,” ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said. “Ultimately, every scheduling decision is reached based on how it affects our racers and track partners and our ability to put on the best show possible for ADRL fans. I think the scheduling changes we’re announcing today reflect that process well and will result in a stronger 2010 ADRL season all around.”  

In order to allow ADRL race teams additional testing opportunities, this year’s season-opening event, the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park, will be held Mar. 19-20, one week later than originally planned. Also still to be settled is a date in April for the ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP), previously set for Apr. 9-10, but now possibly moving to later in the month.

“The South Georgia fans are among our most knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporters and we apologize for not yet having a final date set for them,” ADRL Executive Vice President Jeff Fortune said. “However, reconsidering the SGMP date is all part of creating a balanced and improved schedule and we thought it only fair to get the rest of the dates established and announced so ADRL race teams and fans can begin making their travel plans.”

Also moving from July to May 21-22, will be the ADRL U.S. Drags III at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Virginia.

“We visited Virginia Motorsports Park for the first time last year and it was one of our most successful events,” Fortune said. “Moving the date forward, though, helps open up the schedule in what was a tight second half of the year. Plus, VMP in the spring should provide some great weather at a track that is capable of producing some incredible runs.”

This year also will mark the return of the ADRL to Summit Motorsports Park, as the ADRL Ohio Drags IV will be contested Sep. 24-25, representing the third time in four years the race will be held at the Norwalk, Ohio, facility, as well as the final opportunity for racers to earn points toward qualifying for the ADRL’s championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts the next month in Ennis, Texas.

“We repeatedly heard from our race teams that they loved racing at Summit Motorsports Park and wanted to return as soon as possible,” Fortune said. “It took some serious negotiations, but we’re very pleased to announce we were able to come to a multi-year agreement with the Bader family and are already looking forward to again sampling some of their famous $1 ice creams.”

The rest of the ADRL’s previously scheduled events remain intact on their original dates, creating a nine-event 2010 schedule for the ADRL’s sixth season.

(ADRL/Richards file photos)

2010 ADRL National Event Schedule

Mar. 19-20 ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI; Houston Raceway Park; Baytown, Texas 

Apr. 23-24 ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI; South Georgia Motorsports Park; Cecil, Georgia 

May 21-22 ADRL U.S. Drags III; Virginia Motorsports Park; Petersburg, Virginia 

June 11-12 ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI; U.S. 131 Motorsports Park; Martin, Michigan 

July 2-3 ADRL Hardee’s Independence Drags IV; Heartland Park Topeka; Topeka, Kansas 

Aug. 6-7 ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III; Gateway International Raceway; Madison, Illinois

Sep. 10-11 ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VII; Rockingham Dragway; Rockingham, North Carolina

Sep. 24-25 ADRL Ohio Drags IV; Summit Motorsports Park; Norwalk, Ohio 

Oct. 22-23 LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI; Texas Motorplex; Ennis, Texas

January 15, 2010

Smith Wins Arabian PX Race in Record Fashion

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 15, 2010)—After a relatively disappointing outing a week prior, the Barwa Racing Pro Extreme team led by crew chief Howard Moon and driver Von Smith (left) reminded everyone on the planet where they rank when it comes to outlaw eighth-mile racing in a dominating performance during Round 4 of the ADRL series at the Qatar Race Club (QRC).

After qualifying third with a 3.76-second effort at 207.62 mph, Smith and his Barwa-backed ’68 Camaro would have to face the Todd Tutterow-tuned entry of Bader Alhi in the opening stanza. When the green light flashed, Smith’s Pro Extreme Camaro marched down the track to the tune of a 3.74 at a mind-numbing 208.55mph – the fastest eighth-mile speed ever recorded by a doorslammer.

“Howard [Moon, crew chief] has just been working hard on the tune up for this Barwa Racing ’68 Camaro,” Smith said after the record-setting run. “When he walked out of his lounge in the trailer where he reviews the run data between rounds he had a big smile on his face and I knew we must be onto something. He’s been working to get this thing faster in the first part of the racetrack, down low, and obviously it’s working. This thing is trucking down through there. Howard told me he thought it’d run a high 207, but we go out there and lay down a 208.55 speed – it’s just incredible.”

In the semi-final round of action, it was Smith and Al-Anabi Racing team owner and driver Sheikh Khalid Al Thani going head to head for a final-round berth. Both drivers left together, posting almost identical reaction times (Al-Thani’s .022 to Smith’s .026), but it was all over at half-track as Al Thani went into tire shake and was forced to lift, while Smith charged to the win with a 3.76 at 207.98 mph.

Despite the loss, Al Thani remained positive and enthusiastic after climbing from his car.

“We’ve got a proven race car here, one of the fastest in the world, and I know that when you’re running these cars on the ragged edge, we’re bound to lose a round here and there; it’s going to happen,” the Sheikh said. “We want to run fast, set records and win races, no question, but you’re going to shake the tires every now and then – that’s racing.”

Going into their third final round of the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League season, the formidable Pro Extreme tag team of Moon and Smith were determined to seal the deal on a second win at the Qatar Race Club, but would have to get around the Ali Aryan in the Rick Hickman-tuned Cebarco ’67 Chevy Camaro. Smith earned a small starting-line advantage and managed to maintain his distance on Aryan all the way down the eighth-mile, taking the win despite the car laying over before the finish line and coasting to a 3.94 at just under 200 mph.

“It feels good to be back in the winner’s circle here at the QRC,” Smith said . “Honestly, this all goes back to this incredible team; these guys have been working their tails off for weeks to give me the absolute best hot rod possible every time I go up to the starting line. We’ve been running the wheels of this thing, we’ve tested every day, and everyone’s hard work is really paying off as evident by this Barwa Racing team’s performance here today.

“Again, my hat is off to all the people at Barwa for their never-ending support (and) of course, Sheikh Khalid and Al-Anabi Racing and the Qatar Race Club for providing us with an amazing racetrack. We couldn’t ask for better and I couldn’t be more proud of this team’s performance this weekend. We’re seeing a great team effort, everyone working together towards a common goal, and that’s what we’ve been working towards all year.”

In Pro Nitrous, Jim Kane continued his weekend-long domination with a 3.96-seconds win at 189.44 mph over Khalid Al-Balooshi’s struggling 4.47 at 167.49 mph.

(ADRL photos)

January 15, 2010

Qualifying Complete in Qatar Round 4

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 15, 2010)—The fourth and final round of qualifying is in the books for Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani (left) has again finished atop the Pro Extreme (PX) list, carding a 3.71-seconds pass at 207.59 mph in the previous session on Thursday night.

Following the Sheikh heading into eliminations at the Qatar Race Club are current American Drag Racing League PX points leader and winner of Round 3 in the Arabian league, Alex Hossler at 3.75 and 203.71, and fellow U.S. driver Von Smith at 3.76 and 207.62 mph. Local driver Bader Ahli, with tuning from new American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme World Champion Todd Tutterow, is fourth with a 3.78-seconds pass at 202.52 mph and Ali Aryan completes the PX field with a 3.97 at 186.97-mph effort.

New Yorker Jim Kane led Pro Nitrous qualifying throughout and placed first with a 3.94-seconds pass at 191.32 mph in the last session, while reigning American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous World Champ Khalid Al-Balooshi swapped cars to the ‘69 Firebird he won last year’s Arabian series title with, but mustered only a best of 4.33 at 186.98 mph in Thursday’s final qualifying round.

(ADRL photos)

January 14, 2010

Arabian Round 4 Foto Xtra

Clockwise from upper left: Von Smith, PX; Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani, PX; Alex Hossler, PX; Dan Millen, OL10.5. Qualifying coverage below.

(ADRL photos)

January 14, 2010

Sheikh Rises to the Top in Qatar Qualifying

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 14, 2010) – When the clutch dust had finally settled at the Qatar Race Club after three sessions of qualifying for Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani found himself at the top of the Pro Extreme list, right where the rookie driver wants to be going into tomorrow’s elimination rounds.

Led by 12-time NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Frank “Ace” Manzo and chassis specialist Tim McAmis, Al Thani drove his way to the number-one spot with a 3.71-seconds pass at 207.59 mph in Thursday’s final session.

“We’re happy with that,” Al-Thani (below) said. “We’ve got a race car that will go consistently in the low 3.70s and high 3.60s, and that is going to make us pretty hard to beat on race day. Tomorrow we’ll get one more shot at the track and then it’ll be time to get after it.”

Taking the number-two position in the qualifying order is Canton, Illinois’ Alex Hossler, winner of Round 3 at the QRC, who posted a strong 3.75 at 203.71 mph, followed by Tennessee’s Von Smith at 3.76 and 207.62 mph, backing up his earlier 207.66 mph speed, the fastest ever recorded by a doorslammer. The Todd Tutterow-tuned entry of Bader Alhi took the fourth-place spot at 3.78-seconds with Ali Aryan rounding out the field with an off-the-pace 4.78 seconds pass.

Hossler summed up the intense competition in saying, “There are no chumps over here. They say in poker, if you sit down at the table and don’t know who the sucker is in 20 minutes – it’s probably you. It’s kind of corny, but that’s kind of how we feel. Every round is like the final round and every car over here is capable of running well enough to win the race, and probably set a record in the process.”

Final qualifying for Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club begins at 5 p.m. AST Jan 15, with eliminations getting underway at 7 p.m. local time.

(ADRL/Grooms photo)

January 14, 2010

Smith, Kane Lead Qualifying in Qatar

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 14, 2010)—With two rounds of qualifying completed at the Qatar Race Club for Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season, U.S.-based drivers Von Smith (left and below) and Jim Kane hold the leads in Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous, respectively.

Smith, from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, opened with an impressive 3.76-seconds pass at 207.66 mph in his Howard Moon-tuned ‘68 Camaro, representing the fastest speed ever attained by a door car in a standing-start, eighth-mile pass, In round two of qualifying he followed up with an early shut-off 3.92 at 165.40 mph, but his first shot held up at the top of the qualifying list.

Local racer Bader Ahli, employing a tune-up by reigning American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme champ Todd Tutterow in his ‘06 Mustang, covered the Qatar eighth mile in 3.78 seconds at 202.52 mph to place second currently, followed by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, who went 3.82 at 202.64 in the opening session with his Frank Manzo-tuned ‘68 Camaro.

Canton, Illinois’ Alex Hossler, winner of the previous Arabian Drag Racing League event just a week earlier in his Chris Duncan-built and -tuned 1970 Camaro, is currently fourth with a 3.94 effort at 157.54, while Ali Aryan completes the top five with a 4.08 at 186.00 mph after being forced to shutdown with tire shake late in his second qualifying attempt.

In his first Arabian Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous outing, New York’s Kane opened with a 4.10 pass at just 150.80 mph after having to shut off late in the run, but the off-the-pace time still held up as his second attempt ended in severe tire shake, as did both of 2009 American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous champion Khalid Al-Balooshi’s attempts.

One round of qualifying remains today with a final session to take place at 5 p.m. AST on Friday and eliminations getting underway at 7 p.m. AST.

(ADRL/Grooms photos)

January 13, 2010

Janis Heading South for the Summer

ELMA, NY (Jan. 13, 2009) – The resume for ADRL Pro Extreme pilot Mike Janis, a two-time event winner in 2009, could arguably place him near the top of anyone’s all-time drivers list, but its his prowess as an engine builder that gained him notoriety around the world. 

In recent years Janis’ family business, Jan-Cen Motorsports, based near Buffalo, New York, has become proficient at shipping Janis-prepped racing engines around the globe. The Jan-Cen team has customers in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, England, and New Zealand, but nowhere has the impact of a Jan-Cen powerplant been more noticeable than in Australia.

For several seasons, Sean Mifsud has been one of Janis’ premier Australian customers, proudly displaying a Jan-Cen engine protruding through the hood of his “Wild Willy” Top Doorslammer entry. After a recent trip to the States, Mifsud convinced Janis to come across the pond and meet some of his homeland customers face to face and take a ride in the seat of Mifsud’s 1941 Willys coupe.

“Sean’s been after me for a while to come over there and experience Top Doorslammer racing,” Janis said. “To this point I’ve had no reason to go since Camp (Stanley) has been our unofficial ambassador outside of the States. I’m not much for sightseeing or vacations, so traveling outside of going to a race has never been big with me, but when Sean offered the ride and a chance to possibly compete against some of Australia’s best it really got me thinking. 

“So, after a few conversations with everyone at the shop and Mike Rasnick from Eaton, it looks like I’m going to be stuck on a plane for quite a while,” he laughed.

Mifsud said Janis he will receive a warm, enthusiastic welcome.

“Mike’s trip couldn’t have come at a better time especially with Croaker (Adam Croker) trying to stake claim to our record,” Mifsud said. “Adam put out a release staking claim to the record of quickest and fastest roots-powered car in the country, but that’s only partially correct. See, we’ve done pretty well over here using Mike’s fuel system and engine program. We’re actually the quickest roots-blown car in the country and if not for a faulty magneto we’d be the fastest too”.

Janis will arrive in Australia a week prior to the 2010 Summernationals (summer down under when it’s winter up here) to make some test hits behind the wheel of Mifsud’s Willys. If things go well and Janis feels confident behind the wheel, he’ll enter the Top Doorslammer class for the 2010 Summernationals. If the unfamiliar confines of the Willys are not to Janis’ liking, he will assist Mifsud at attempting to lower his own Australian roots-supercharged record of 6.022 seconds.

The ANDRA Pro Series Drag Racing Sumernationals will be held Feb. 12-13, at Western Sydney International Dragway, near Sydney.

January 12, 2010

Compressed Schedule Offers Opportunity to Sheikh

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 12, 2009)—With three back-to-back races on the Arabian Drag Racing League schedule at the Qatar Race Club, Al-Anabi Racing team owner and driver Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani (left) is looking on the bright side of the situation.

Rather than dreading the thought of the investment of time required to compete in such tightly scheduled events, Al Thani is seizing the opportunity to spend an extended amount of time with not only his own race team, but his entire stable of Al-Anabi Racing cars, drivers and crew.

“Generally, as soon as we complete an event here at the Qatar Race Club, most everyone is headed back to their homes in the United States the following day,” Sheikh Khalid explains. “With these races so close together, everyone is staying here in Qatar between events, handling the necessary maintenance on the cars, testing, and continuing to jell as a team.”

Al Thani, who has already amassed one victory, one runner-up finish and two number-one qualifying efforts in his brief career as a Pro Extreme driver, is also personally making the most of the time between Rounds 3 and 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League season, spending the weekdays testing his Al-Anabi Racing ’68 Chevy Camaro with crew chief Frank “Ace” Manzo and chassis-builder Tim McAmis.

“With every pass down the track, Sheikh Khalid is growing as a driver, and we’re gaining data,” said Manzo (behind car), speaking from the stunning Qatar Race Club, which is quickly gaining a reputation for having one of the best racing surfaces in the world. “Having the chance to test on a race-day surface and tweak on our combination between these few races is going to be invaluable to this team, and has already played a pivotal role in the success we’ve seen so far this season. At this point, we’re simply looking to make small adjustments, tweak and perfect our tune-up.”

Considering the performances displayed by the team’s potent Pro Extreme ride, any further tweaking will likely result in world record runs, which has surely been a goal of the team since the first race of the season. With the season approaching the halfway mark, both racers and fans alike are in anticipation of continually intensifying action in the Pro Extreme class as there is still plenty of time for any of the front runners to make a run at the championship.

Qualifying for Round 4 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club begins at 7 p.m. AST on Thursday, Jan. 14, with a second session scheduled for 9 p.m. A final round of qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. AST on Friday, with eliminations getting underway at 7 p.m. AST.

(Photos courtesy Al-Anabi Racing)

January 12, 2010

Moon and Smith Refocus on Defending Championship

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 12, 2009)—Coming into the halfway point of the 2009/2010 Arabian Drag Racing League season, the Barwa Racing Pro Extreme Team, led by veteran crew chief Howard Moon and driver Von Smith, know that its time to make a move, and keep their hopes at a second consecutive Arabian Drag Racing League Pro Extreme world championship alive.

With an ever-positive outlook and unquestionable ability, Moon, Howard and the Barwa-backed team are anxious to get back onto the eighth-mile proving grounds at the Qatar Race Club and do what they do best – win.

During the recently completed Round 3 of competition in the ADRL, the first of a three-race stretch of races on back to back weekends, Smith found himself on the wrong side of a holeshot against fellow American driver Alex Hossler and in the second-place spot on the podium; most definitely an unusual position for the 2008/2009 champion.

“It’s taken me a little bit, honestly, to get over the sting of losing on a holeshot,” Smith admitted from the Barwa/Al-Anabi race shop in Qatar. “I know it’s going to happen, but I don’t have to like it. It’s one of those things, though, and we know that we’ve just got to move forward, keep our heads in the game, and do what we all know we are capable of out here.”

The former Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot continued, “We know we can run the number, and I know that I can do the job inside the car. At this point, it’s all about execution on race day. I’m looking forward to strapping back in there and getting after it. We made some ground testing today, we learned a few things, made a really good 3.70 run, and I think we’re all confident we’ve got something for them this time around.

“We’re in this deal to win the championship, and after winning last year, there is no one on this team who wants to do anything less this season. This team, honestly, you couldn’t ask for better. And when you pair a crew this serious about performance with the incredible support of Barwa, Sheikh Khalid and Al-Anabi Racing, you’re bound to see results. Howard [Moon, crew chief] has this Barwa Racing ’68 Camaro on a string and if I can I have some reaction times more respectable than a .060 [laughs], I’m sure we can find our way back to the winner’s circle.”

(Photo courtesy Al-Anabi Racing)

January 8, 2010

Hossler Wins PX Title in Qatar Round 3

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 8, 2010)—Canton, IL’s Alex Hossler (left) made his long trip to Qatar pay off with the Pro Extreme win in Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season, posting a holeshot win over Tennessee’s Von Smith in the PX final round at the Qatar Race Club.

In Pro Nitrous, newly crowned American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous World Champion Khalid Al-Balooshi made it two-in-a-row with a his win over Al-Anabi Racing teammate Burton Auxier, who turned on the dreaded red light in the final round.

Hossler, the current American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme points leader, left with a .047 reaction time in his Chris Duncan-built ‘70 Camaro to Smith’s .068, allowing his 3.77-seconds pass at 202.52 mph to defeat the quicker and faster 3.76 at 206.01 put together by Smith in his Barwa-backed ‘68 Camaro.

“Honestly, I don’t think we could have asked for anything better than this,” Hossler said. “We’ve really had our work cut out for us over here, trying to get our tune-up happy in these incredible conditions, but we were able to put it together when we needed to, and do exactly what we came here to do.

“This whole experience has been incredible and I can’t say enough about Sheikh Khalid and the hospitality he has displayed the entire time we’ve been here,” he continued. “The Qatar Race Club is easily one of the best tracks in the world, and we’re looking forward to the next two events with similar expectations. I have to say thanks to my crew chief and chassis builder, Chris Duncan, for calling the shots on this Art Hossler Auto Plaza hot rod and providing the platform for us to see success such as this.”

With crew chief and chassis builder Chris Duncan (behind car w/headset) looking on, U.S.-based star Alex Hossler powered to the Pro Extreme win Jan. 8, in Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 series at Qatar Race Club.  

After qualifying number one, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani fell to Smith in the semi-finals. He will get his chance to reverse the decision next weekend, however, as Rounds 4 and 5 are coming up over the next two weeks.

“It’s going to be a long three weeks, but we’re staying positive and will continue to test prior to the next event,” the Sheikh said. “We found a few things today that should help our program, but Frank [Manzo] and Tim [McAmis] are all over the tune-up and will continue trying to build on what we have already accomplished.”

Auxier, from Dixie, West Virginia, left five-thousandths of a second too soon, negating his 3.95 at 191.35 that easily would have beaten Al-Balooshi’s off-the-pace 5.20 effort at just 96.37 mph.

(ADRL/Khalid Saif photos/Courtesy Al-Anabi Racing)

January 8, 2010

Three-Race Marathon for Smith and Moon in Qatar

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 7, 2010) – With the third round of Arabian Drag Racing League action getting underway this week at the Qatar Race Club, Barwa Racing’s Howard Moon and Von Smith will return to the outlaw eighth-mile in search of a second consecutive world championship.

After winning the season opener, Smith had to settle for runner-up honors in the Barwa Racing Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro during Round 2 when His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani of Al-Anabi Racing bested him in their final round pairing.

With three races slated for the next three weeks, Rounds 3 through 5 of the Arabian Drag Racing League season represent a grueling schedule. Though all three events will be contested at the same facility, the American-based racers are still required to spend several weeks away from their families and homes, working round the clock to maintain their three-second, 200-mph doorslammers between races.

“While we definitely enjoyed some time with our families over the holiday season, we couldn’t be more excited to get back at it this week at the QRC,” said Smith, checking in from the team’s villa near the track in Doha. “We’ve done a little testing since the last event and we’re confident moving forward that we can run the numbers it takes to win this deal.”

The veteran driver continued, “We’ve got a few new faces over here for these races, and we’re obviously very excited to see more competitors turning up for the top classes here in Qatar. The sportsman classes enjoy a great following, but we’re at the forefront of the Pro Modified movement here in the Arabian Gulf Region and it’s going to take some time for this area to see 16-car fields and such.”

The Qatar Race Club, quickly gaining worldwide notoriety for its ultra-fast racing surface and ideal atmospheric conditions, is anticipating another record-setting weekend as some of the best tuners and drivers in the business converge on Doha for Round 3.

“We’re satisfied with the way we have been running,” said Moon, crew chief for Smith. “It’s clear, though, that it’s going to take more than consistent 3.70s if we want to win a championship for Barwa this season. We’ve proven we can run the number, and that’s the plan for Round 3 – go out there and get after it. We’re not leaving anything on the table.”

Qualifying for Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club begins at 7 p.m. AST on Thursday, January 7th, with a second round scheduled for 9 p.m. A final round of qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. AST on Friday the 8th, with eliminations getting underway at 7 p.m. AST.

January 7, 2010

ADRL Announces 2010 Pro Jr. Dragster Pre-Registration

O’FALLON, MO (Jan. 7, 2010) — The American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) Pro Jr. Dragster (PJD) series is about to enter its third full season and on Jan. 15, at 9 a.m. (Central), the O’Fallon, Missouri-based series will begin accepting pre-registered entries for every race on its 2010 schedule.

No changes are planned for PJD rules; however, the car rules will be included in the ADRL’s online rule book to be posted Jan. 15, on the official ADRL Web site (www.ADRL.us).

“The Pro Jr. Dragster class really came into its own last year with some truly great performances and record participation,” ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said. “In fact, we had waiting lists for entries at several events, so I encourage all Pro Jr. Dragster teams interested in competing with the ADRL this year to waste no time in signing up for what I know will be another great season.”

Beginning at 9 a.m. CST, Jan. 15, Pro Jr. Dragster teams should call ADRL headquarters (636-272-2375) to pre-register for entry to each race. The non-refundable entry fee is $200 per driver, per event and must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Pre-registration will not be confirmed until payment is received and cleared.

Each ADRL event’s PJD field is limited to 16 entries and all race purses will be based on the number of entries confirmed for the particular event. Pre-registration will remain open until one week prior to each event (space permitting) and no PJD entries, without exception, will be accepted the weekend of an event.

“We have to do it this way to keep everything organized and fair,” Nowling explained. “We want our Pro Jr. Dragster teams to enter as many races this year as they like, but pre-registering like this will hopefully encourage them to enter only the events they feel certain to attend.”

Pro Jr. Dragsters are scaled-down, rear-engine race cars piloted by drivers eight- to 17-years old and represent the only non-heads-up class in the ADRL. Instead, they compete based on a starting system that allows the slower entrant a head start based on their predicted time to cover the ADRL’s standard eighth-mile race distance. Theoretically, if both drivers exactly predict their elapsed times, they will cross the finish line simultaneously, so each racer’s reaction time and ability to “run the number” without “breaking out” (going quicker than predicted) determines each PJD round winner.

“The Pro Jr. Dragster class is very important to the ADRL,” Nowling stated. “These kids and their families represent the future of our sport and I can’t wait to see the first Pro Jr. Dragster driver that makes the step up to competing in one of our professional classes. I think that’s what we’re all looking forward to around here.”

The ADRL’s 2010 season opens Mar. 12-13, with the Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, and will visit tracks in eight states before returning to Texas in October for the year-ending LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI.

(ADRL/Tocher/Richards file photos)

January 6, 2010

Sheikh Khalid Ready to Make On-Track Statement in Qatar Round 3

DOHA, QATAR (Jan. 6, 2010) – Never having been a man of many words, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani will return this week to the luxurious Qatar Race Club in his native city of Doha for the third round of the Arabian Dag Racing League series and intends to let his on-track performance speak for him.

“Of course, we’re content with the success we’ve enjoyed at the first two races of the seasons and it has given us a lot of confidence moving forward,” reported Sheikh Khalid from his office in downtown Doha. “We have proven that we have a very fast and consistent race car, but I think I’ll just wait to do my talking on the race track this week.”

Considering his performance during Round 2 at the QRC, where Sheikh Khalid posted the quickest and fastest runs in the history of the Arabian Drag Racing League with a 3.677-second, 207.02-mph effort, it’s safe to assume the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro will be speaking loud and clear.

Frank Manzo, crew chief for Sheikh Khalid’s unlimited doorslammer, is equally excited about the upcoming event and those to follow in the coming weeks.

“After spending the holidays at home and enjoying a little rest and relaxation, we are all very excited to get back to the drag strip,” said Manzo as he traversed JFK International Airport en route to Doha, Qatar. “With three races scheduled back to back, we see a great opportunity to get in a rhythm, make a lot of runs, gain some data and let this newly formed Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme team continue to jell.”

Adding to the excitement at the Qatar Race Club this week will be the presence of a few new drivers in both the top-tier categories, Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous; namely Alex Hossler and his supercharged 1970.5 Chevy Camaro.

“We understand that this is a time of year that a lot of teams are spending their time preparing for the coming season, rebuilding or updating, and I’m very appreciative of Alex Hossler for making the commitment to compete, here in Qatar, in the Arabian Drag Racing League,” Sheikh Khalid said.

“I have to send a heartfelt thank-you to Connie Kalitta and Kalitta Air for their support in the logistics of racing internationally. It requires a great deal of work and organization to put on these races in the Arabian Gulf Region, and we are very appreciative of the support we have received,” he continued.

“Obviously, we know we have a long way to go and that it will be a long-term process to build the sport of drag racing in the Arabian Gulf Region, but we’re surely committed and expect a continual increase in the number of competitors in our top classes at the QRC over the course of this season and those to follow.”

Qualifying for Round 3 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club begins at 7:00 PM AST on Thursday, January 7th, with a second round scheduled for 9:00 PM. A final round of qualifying will take place at 5:00 PM AST on Thursday the 8th, with eliminations getting underway at 7:00 PM AST.

For more information on the Qatar Race Club and the Arabian Drag Racing League’s season-opener and to see the schedule for the rest of the season, log onto www.qrczone.com

January 5, 2010

‘Fairy Tale’ Ride for PXM’s Morrell

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (Jan. 5, 2010) — Kim Morrell (left) feels like she’s in the midst of a real-life fairy tale, except her rescuer arrived in the form of a major sponsor and her magic chariot is a 180-mph, nitrous-breathing drag bike.

The lone woman competing regularly in the American Drag Racing League’s (ADRL’s) hyper-competitive Pro Extreme Motorcycle class, Morrell will debut a new team this season with major backing from Patent Search International, the oldest inventor service company in North America, a brand-new bike built by Timblin Chassis, new engines from DTM Performance and three-time motorcycle racing champion John Sachs calling the shots as crew chief.

“It feels almost like a Cinderella story,” the Ft. Lauderdale-based mother of three admits. “Even after it started coming together I was still in shock, still in doubt it was really happening.”

As a rookie last year with backing from Tony Wheatley (“If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have been out there, period.”), Morrell entered six of 10 ADRL races, failing to qualify each time, but gaining valuable experience all the same.

“A lot of people doubted I could do this,” she says. “They told me I was too small, too light to handle the bike, but by the end of the year we were doing much better and I really feel like I proved myself.”

Still, she admits to at least one fleeting moment of doubt that was loudly dispelled by Kathie Wagner, wife of Dan Wagner, the man behind DTM and who put Morrell on the bike she rode last year.

“She literally got in my face and yelled at me to keep going,” Morrell says. “I can’t thank her enough for having the faith in me that I really needed at that time.”

Morrell also cites the support of Slater Racing’s Steve Bottomley from Under Pressure, a nitrous system provider in Ft. Lauderdale. “He’s been in my corner from day one,” she says. “I also want to say thanks to my kids, Ricky, Tommy and Shelby, for not letting me give up.”

After narrowly missing the cut at several events, Morrell arrived last October for the year-ending LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V at the Texas Motorplex, near Dallas, looking to end her rookie campaign with a solid qualifying effort. Instead, her bike was plagued by mechanical gremlins and she never even managed to make a pass in three qualifying sessions, ending her season on a decidedly down note.

But that’s when John Crane, a close associate of Patent Search International’s founder and president, Ron Brown, decided to look her up in the pits. What he found was not a rider flinging her helmet in disgust or crying in the trailer, but a poised and determined competitor already focusing on how to improve her next time out.

“John said he’d seen me race several times and he really liked my heart and drive,” Morrell recalls. “Then he said he thought he might know someone who could help me out and that’s how I eventually met Ron Brown and everything started coming together. I still can’t believe it’s really happened.”

In addition to primary support from Patent Search International, Morrell has secured equipment sponsorship from Simpson Performance Products and Bates Leathers. She expects testing of the new combination to begin by late January to early February at Palm Beach International Raceway, her 2009 team sponsor.

With everything in place, Morrell says she’s setting her sights on a top-eight points finish in 2010 to secure a coveted spot in the ADRL’s unique, championship-deciding Speedtech Battle for the Belts.

“That’s what I’m going after, the Battle for the Belts,” she states. “I want to have a chance at the championship and with the team we’ve got now with John Crane and his son, Chase, John Sachs, Dan Wagner and Walt Timblin I really believe that’s a possibility.”

And it would be a fitting fairy-tale ending.

Walt Timblin of Timblin Chassis delivered a brand-new roller to the Patent Search International-backed team of rider Kim Morrell and crew chief John Sachs last month. The bike is currently at DTM (Dan the Man) Performance receiving a new Suzuki-based powerplant and testing is expected to begin late this month or early February at Palm Beach International Raceway near Morrell’s home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

(ADRL/Bunsold/Tocher file photos)        

January 4, 2010

Houston Raceway Park Hosting Spring Warm Up Test Session

BAYTOWN, TX (Jan. 4, 2009)—For the second year in a row, Houston Raceway Park will host the DragRaceHose.com Spring Warm Up presented by Goodridge Hoses and Fittings, March 5-7, offering American Drag Racing League (ADRL) teams a great chance to test their tune-ups just one week before the ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI, Mar. 12-13 at the Baytown, Texas, strip. 

The ADRL has designated the weekend-long Spring Warm-up as its official test session to kick off the 2010 racing season.

“It’s a perfect weekend for all ADRL race teams to come to Houston Raceway Park and test under what should be optimal conditions,” Houston Raceway Park General Manager Seth Angel said. “The track will be prepped to ADRL national-event standards, giving competitors valuable on-track data just one week before Dragpalooza VI.” 

For many ADRL race teams, the Warm Up will be their first time back on the track since the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals at Ennis, Texas, last October.

ADRL Executive Vice President of Competition Bert “Bubba” Corzine (right) also will be on hand, along with other ADRL officials, to answer any questions competitors may have.

“I always love a day at the track, so I’m looking forward to getting back to work and getting our 2010 season started with the ADRL Spring Warm Up at Houston Raceway Park,” Corzine stated, “It’ll be great to see our racers again, but I hope to see a lot of new teams and new faces out there, too. I think this offers a great opportunity for everyone to really get dialed in for the ADRL race just one week later.”  

Houston Raceway Park officials confirmed that 24-hour security will be onsite throughout the week following the test session for race teams wishing to leave their rigs at the track before parking begins at noon on Thursday, Mar. 10, for the Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI. In addition, the ADRL will host a Media Day Mar. 6, in the newly constructed Tower Club beside the Houston Raceway Park control tower.

(ADRL/McHugh/Tocher/Lorenzini file photos)

DragRaceHose.com Spring Warm Up presented by Goodridge Hoses and Fittings

Directions: Houston Raceway Park is located off Interstate 10 in Baytown, Texas. Race teams and fans should take State Highway 99 (exit 799) and proceed south. Exit at FM 565, and turn right. Houston Raceway Park is located a quarter-mile mile down on your right. 

Classes: Pro Extreme, Pro Nitrous, Flowmaster Extreme 10.5, Extreme Pro Stock and Pro Extreme Motorcycle.

Cost: $150 for teams registering before Feb. 22 or $200 at the gate. This fee includes car and driver plus two crewmen and is valid for entire weekend. For information please contact Seth Angel at 281-383-7223 or e-mail: seth@houstonraceway.com.

Spectators: The event will be open to spectators for $15 per day or a weekend pass for $25.

Schedule (suject to change):

Thursday, Mar. 4: Credential sales and pit parking from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.



Friday, Mar. 5 thru Sunday, Mar. 7: Credential sales and tech inspection begins at 8 a.m.; Professional testing 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

For additional information visit: www.houstonraceway.com.

January 2, 2010

Tutterow Joins Al-Anabi Racing

YADKINVILLE, NC (Jan. 2, 2010)—During a New Year’s Day party for team members, sponsors, family and approximately 250 friends, new  American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Extreme World Champion Todd Tutterow announced he has accepted an offer from His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Thani to become a member of the Al-Anabi Racing Team for the next three years.

Sheikh Khalid already fields Al-Anabi Pro Nitrous entries for 2009 National Guard ADRL Pro Nitrous World Champion Khalid Al-Balooshi, Shannon Jenkins, Mike Castellana and Burton Auxier.

Prior to the announcement, which received a standing ovation, Tutterow (fourth from left) and his wife, Denise, presented awards to many of the sponsors and friends who helped him to win the National Guard ADRL title. Tutterow then called his 2009 team members forward and presented each of them with a duplicate of his Speedtech Battle for the Belts championship belt.

Tutterow also announced he will defend his championship in the same Tim McAmis-built ‘68 Camaro that Balooshi drove early last year on his way to the Pro Nitrous championship in October at the Texas Motorplex.

Currently undergoing renovations to accept a supercharged powerplant, Tutterow’s new ride will retain its existing Al-Anabi paint scheme and should be ready for test runs shortly before the season-opening ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza Mar. 12-13, at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.