IHRA MAKES "FULL FLOATER" REAR-END MANDATORY FOR PRO MOD

After at least three nitrous-powered Pro Mods with flanged axles had failures in the last five months, IHRA Tech director Mike Baker made the decision to require "full floater" rear ends be used in Pro Modified cars. IHRA regulars Steve Vick and Todd Tutterow have broken axles. Tutterow had his incident at the recent Rockingham Dragway test session over the February 26-28 weekend.

The IHRA posted the following message on their web site March 2: "Attn: Pro Modified Competitors / Accepted Rear End Assemblies Effective May 25, 2004, all entries in IHRA Pro Modified competition must utilize an aftermarket full floating or live axle rear end assembly. The delay in the effective date was selected to provide a fair and reasonable amount of time to perform the necessary upgrade that will be mandatory at the ACDelco Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park May 28-30, 2004."

While some racers will dispute the necessity of this rule change, the major manufacturers of rear-end components will not. Strange Engineering has lobbied IHRA ever since the rules were changed to allow flanged axle rear-end assemblies. Strange Engineering's Jeff Stange called the use of flanged axles "dangerous." When asked about the use of flanged axles Mark Williams stated that "they are definitely unsafe for use in a blown Pro Mod car."

Kudos to the manufacturers and IHRA for recognizing a safety problem and fixing it before a racer or fan got hurt. (Photo by David Anderson) [3-2-2004]

BUD BACK ON BOARD AND ON THE BOARD AT POMONA

DRO received this release from the fine folks at Anheuser-Busch late last week prior to the re-running of the NHRA Winternationals. The signage on the tower at Pomona

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and the boards on the guard walls were back up for that event. So please no more calls and emails about Budweiser leaving NHRA.

"We are pleased to announce the renewal of our sponsorship agreement with Pomona Raceway, and we will begin receiving the benefits of our sponsorship including signage at the track during this weekend's event. Anheuser-Busch announced in November a multi-year contract extension of Budweiser's 'Official Beer' sponsorship of the NHRA as well as support for the all-star Budweiser Shootout event for leading Top Fuel drivers. Budweiser has been a longtime supporter of the NHRA, including its sponsorship of Kenny Bernstein's racing teams for more than 25 years, and we look forward to continuing these relationships in the future."

(Also did we mention that Michelob Light is the unofficial beer of Drag Racing Online? Signage above the door at the corporate offices is available.) [3-2-2004]