HARTMAN GETS THE 'NOSTALGIA' BUG?

Agent 1320 hears that Virgil Hartman is headed to the match-racing world next season if all the pieces come together. Apparently he's sold one of his Top Fuel operations and wants to sell or find solid sponsorship for the other dragster.

Hartman wants to run his vintage Mustang and Firebird "Outlaw" Nitro Funny Cars, and hopes to put together a tour with other owners of both alcohol and nitro funnies so they can stage affordable local flopper shows and have some fun. Just send the Agent a schedule and he'll BE THERE! (Ian Tocher photo) [10-07-2005]

DART TO DEBUT HYBRID ENGINE

When Rickie Smith takes to the track at Dallas, there will be something new under the hood of his Skull Gear Dart Pro Stock Cobalt:

ADVERTISEMENT

a hybrid engine. No, it's not a gas-electric hybrid, it's something else. Richard Maskin, team owner and engine builder, had his Dart engine shop combine their proven DRCE2 block with a pair of experimental DRCE3 cylinder heads. "We call it a DRCE2.5," quipped Maskin.

The team has been concentrating on the radical new powerplant, which may explain Smith's DNQ at Chicago.

"There were a lot of fast cars in Chicago, and you can't afford to make a mistake in a class as competitive as Pro Stock," said Maskin. "Our focus was on getting the new DRCE2.5 engine ready, and the old motor might have been a little tired after four races without a rebuild. But it's fresh now and we'll be ready for Dallas." [10-07-2005]

DRAW AUCTION TO TAKE PLACE AT DALLAS

The annual DRAW auction will be held this weekend at the Texas Motorplex. Originally it was thought that the auction would be cancelled because of scheduling problems but it will be held as planned. Racers, sponsors and fans are all invited to attend the event which will be held in the Champions Club at the track on Saturday night. Almost fifty items, including collectibles, pictures, jackets, race car parts, and other items will be up for auction. [10-07-2005]

BECKMAN TAKES 'COPTER ON A FAST RIDE

Bell Helicopter will grace the sides of the Menards /Mail Terminal Services Top Fuel Dragster as an associate sponsor for the NHRA O’Reilly Fall Nationals held in Dallas this weekend. Bell Helicopter, already an associate sponsor of NASCAR great Rusty Wallace, is expanding their involvement to include the familiar yellow and blue Menards car driven by Jack Beckman.

"The people at Bell Helicopter already know the value of motorsports marketing. Our goal is to hook them on nitromethane and NHRA Powerade drag racing," Beckman said. [10-07-2005]