DOWNTIME

The DragRacingOnline.com servers have been experiencing some technical difficulties. There have been intermittent periods of downtown in the last 24 hours. We have experts working around the clock trying to fix these issues. While the site is up now, we are still only running at half throttle. [6-11-2004]

NHRA TO ANDERSON: SLOW DOWN

Word comes to the Agent that after the Joliet race NHRA asked Pro Stock steamroller Greg Anderson (shown with wife, Kim) and teammate Jason Line to back off the combination just a bit. Seems like their dominating performance over the rest of the field this year isn't exactly keeping the Pro Stock fans in their seats. Plus the other racers and their sponsors are getting demoralized.

Looks like NHRA may be taking a page from IHRA's Pro Mod "level playing field" handbook. (Jeff Burk photo) [6-8-2004]

THE OTHER SHOE DROPS

The NHRA Technical Department has amended the rules for Pro Stock engines, effective immediately.

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"All large (valve covers, intake manifolds, headers, heads, block, etc.) and all moving engine components are restricted to aluminum, steel, iron, titanium, magnesium, or other conventional alloys; carbon fiber, Kevlar, ceramics, composites, beryllium, or other exotic materials prohibited.

"Minimum weight requirements have been developed for the following engine components: Piston - 460 grams; wrist pin - 135 grams; connecting rod - 480 grams; intake valve - 90 grams; exhaust valve - 80 grams."

Guess this answers DRO Editor, Jeff Burk's wondering in his May 19 Burk's Blast about how long it would take NHRA to slow down Greg Anderson. [6-8-2004]

MORE CHARGES FILED IN THOMPSON MURDER CASE

On June 8 the Los Angeles District Attorneys office filed charges against Michael Frank Goodwin, 59, of Dana Point, CA. He is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy outside their Bradbury, Calif. home in 1988.

Goodwin has been held for more than two years and was scheduled to be released June 22 following an appeals court decision that Orange County lacked jurisdiction in the case. Goodwin will be transferred into Los Angeles County custody and arraigned in Superior Court. L.A. prosecutors said they now can rely on new evidence found while Orange County was preparing their case. [6-8-2004]