PRO MOD RULE CHANGES AND RUMORS

Agent 1320 hears that IHRA has made a change in the rule regarding how Pro Mod drivers can launch their cars this year. Previously many drivers, especially those driving nitrous cars, employed a "two-step" wired to a button on the steering wheel to get the engine rpm up for the launch. They could put the pedal on the mat and leave by releasing the button. New IHRA rules for the 2004 prohibit the use of that system in Pro Modified. Here is the IHRA rule as printed on their website: p. 21 Pro Modified

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"Add a section under Miscellaneous called 'Switches or starting line engine control devices.' If a starting line device (ex. 2-step, pneumatic of electronic limiter) is utilized to control starting line rpm, the release of the component must be a function of clutch pedal release by the drivers left foot."

On the rumor side the Agent hears that next season Pro Mods will get three qualifying laps instead of four as in past years. The schedule supposedly will be one lap on Friday and two on Saturday with eliminations on Sunday. For the Saturday races it would be two on Friday, on Saturday morning and eliminations Saturday night. Sounds good to the Agent. [2-25-2004]

IHRA PRO STOCKS GOING FOR 6.30'S?

At a recently completed test session on a Carolina track IHRA Pro Stock star Elijah Morton ran a string of five passes in the high 6.40's in his 800-inch Ford Mustang. If Morton was of legal weight that is a giant leap in performance for mountain-motored Pro Stocks and narrows the performance gap considerably between IHRA Pro Stock and IHRA Pro Mod. Some IHRA Pro Stock racers, including Illinois-based Pete Berner, are saying they may run 6.30's in testing this year. The only questions the Agent has are: How fast would one of those cars be with nitrous, and when is IHRA going to take the restraints off the Pro Mods and let us see five-second door slammers? (David Anderson photo) [2-25-2004]

PRICE OUT OF NATIONAL COMPETITION

Ray Price, IHRA Nitro Harley racer, has decided not to campaign on a national level for 2004. Price, 66, was severely injured in May 2003 and is still recovering.

"I've regained some feeling in my upper arm and can see some muscle tone, but I've still got a long way to go," Price explained. "My shoulder is now strong enough to support my arm and the pain is decreasing with the improvement in the muscles."

He plans to devote more time to his Harley-Davidson dealership in Raleigh, NC with some local and match races. (Roger Richards photo) [2-25-2004]