Hot August Nights...

8/8/03

t's hard to believe that August has arrived already. The Nostalgia racing scene is at a peak performance-wise. The NHRA Museum backed Beech Bend Mid-West Reunion was a "home run" with over 35,000 fans in attendance. The Goodguys race at Indy and Pomona were likewise outstanding events. The upcoming August schedule does not slow down.

First up is one of my very favorite events of the year, "The Nite-Fire Nationals," at the New family-owned facility located in Emmett, Idaho, August 8, 9, and 10. This event features "transformer" (AA/FA, Nostalgia AA/FA, FED Nitro Top Fuel cars, Jet cars (usually both Funny Cars and dragsters), Wheelstanders, the WCTA wild Pro Mods, and some of the greatest ever bracket action. If you live anywhere near Emmett, Idaho, this race is a MUST SEE. Originally the WCTA was to compete at the Lucas Oil Division 7 point race, but due to rain the CIFCA (California Injected Funny Car Association) will move on to Sacramento Raceway. The NHRA Division 7 race is now scheduled for August 15-17. A full field (eight car show) is included, plus all of the NHRA class cars like Top Alcohol Dragster, Alcohol Funny Cars, and Competition Eliminator, including the likes of the AND's (A Nostalgia Dragsters) of Dean Carter and Wayne Ramay. My personal favorite NHRA class is the Super Stock class with wheelstanding full-bodied cars. It'll be hot at both of these races, but so will the action! AHRA Spokane will also host its annual World Finals August 8-10. The Heartland Nationals are still scheduled for August 15-17 in Great Bend Kansas.

I guess the Pro Nitro series is finished putting on races, and personally I think it a damn shame! Dollar for dollar Jerry & Donna Hutchcroft, along with talented photographer/writer Ron Lahr, put 110% into their shows but just didn't have enough cash flow to make ends meet. The hardcore spectator will now never know what they missed by not attending those shows. The question now is where will all of those wonderful AA/FA's race? Yes, there is the Tucson Fuel Altered Nationals held in July, and there is word that Mac McCord has a backer for a likewise event to be held at Firebird Raceway (Chandler, AZ) in November. IHRA has been experimenting with a couple of AA/FA's at IHRA racetracks. Then there are a couple of tracks like Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah and Bandimere in Denver that run match races. Banning (Drag City) also plans on having AA/FA's at their brand new facility that will debut in 2004.

Having just returned from the deep south, that being Augusta, Georgia and Gadsden, Alabama, I personally want to thank everyone involved with putting on these fantastic IHBA Drag Boat National events, including the Augusta committee Jeff Banks CEO, Robert Brown (Race Director), and Paul Adams (Media Director). IHBA's Charlie Fegan (a former Top Fuel Hydro driver) and the IHBA President, and the entire crew were there. I also want to thank Al & Leslie Murray from the City of Gadsden committee and Terry Harris and his entire family on (the other side of the lake). Alabama and Georgia now are true soft spots in my heart. The big guys in Glendora could take a lesson on how to treat media and how to make them feel a bit more welcome. It was great to spend time with Tracy Waters of Southern Sound & Tracy Waters Motorports Photography. Tracy not only shoots some fantastic photos, but sponsors a couple of the Fuel Hydros Too. Congrats to John Hipwell in the madness TFH on that great 5.02 ET and win at Augusta. John Hass ran a low ET of 5.14/231 mph and "rookie" pilot Kevin Switzer (distant cousin to Coach Barry Switzer) won his "Hot Licks" owned by Dennis Gibson.

I guess a few readers didn't exactly agree with me on the "cost of FED racing" issue. When I talked with Michael Demarest, the figures we had were very basic when he ran the Wilson, Demarest, & Read "Bad Actor" budget FED. It was not Champion Speed Shop or even Jack Harris. These guys spend a lot more than $250 a run, no question about that. To be a winner, you've got to. Marc Meadors, whom I totally respect, brought to my attention that Goodguys were now paying a plus 125 percent more for their Top Fuel shows. I've got to say that is quite an increase, but why are the fields becoming smaller?

I've only got one New Top Fuel car this month, that being Rick Stokey's brand new piece that he and his Dad "Smokey Glen" Stokey will run in the near future. According to Rick, it's a freshened up Sterling car that Smith & Allread ran. He will do the driving, his Dad and crew chief Cor Hopman will tune, along with the assistance in the clutch area of Bob Eakins (East/West Eng). A big Donovan or Chevy will power the car.

Well, Nostalgia buffs, hopefully I'm off to Boise for the Pepsi Nite-Fires. A special thank you to "Diamond Jim" (HOF photographer) and you know why! Prayers go out to Arnie "the Farmer " Beswick who was burned in a racecar incident.

Take care.