HOWARD ANNOUNCES $50,000-TO-WIN TEN-WIDE EVENT

George Howard let the Agent know that he has settled on the date of April 6-8, 2006 for his $50,000-to-win Outlaw Ten-wide race. He is also going to have Pro Mod race that pays $20,000 to win, but wait, there’s more. He’s also to have a legal ten-wide race and big money races for his 5.00 and 6.00 heads up classes. And the Agent is sure George will slide in a bracket race. Stay tuned to DRO for more info on the race. [11-15-2005]

FEBRUARY WARM-UP SCHEDULED FOR SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio, Texas, will be where many Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car teams kick off their 2006 schedule at the InsideTopAlcohol.com Top Alcohol Warm Up, Feb. 17-19. The event will feature 280-mph Top Alcohol and Injected Nitro Dragsters and 260-mph Top Alcohol Funny Cars, along with a big money bracket race.

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"I feel like this is an excellent opportunity for Top Alcohol competitors to test on a Grade A track surface and facility," said Will Hanna, event co-promoter. "With excellent weather conditions in that area during that time of year, a national event quality surface, and plenty of cars going down the track to keep it seasoned, should provide premium conditions for the alcohol cars."

The event will give the alcohol cars three test sessions on Friday and five scheduled sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Racers have an opportunity to run each session, but are not required to run all sessions. To be eligible for the free testing, alcohol racers must pre enter with Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com. [11-15-2005]

ODDY RE-SIGNS BAREMAN

Jim Oddy has announced that Steve Bareman has been re-signed to drive for his Summit Racing Equipment-backed Pro Mod team for the 2006 season.

“I’m happy to say that Steve Bareman has agreed to return as my driver for at least the 2006 season. Steve’s performance in the final five races of the 2005 season proved that he is one of the top drivers in the Pro Mod ranks and I feel fortunate to have him driving for my team and sponsors,” said Oddy.

In just five races Bareman drove the Summit Racing Equipment-sponsored ’53 ‘Vette to two final rounds and set both ends of the IHRA performance record for the class at 6.050 and 236.46 mph!

“I’m really looking forward to the 2006 season,” said Oddy. “With Steve I got much more than just a great driver; we also got his brother Mike as an additional crewman as well as the company and help of their families."

Oddy's Stratus has been repaired by Jerry Bickel's shop and will also be ready for the '06 season. The Oddy team will begin next season with the IHRA race in San Antonio, Texas. (Jeff Burk photo) [11-15-2005]

MORE POSSIBLE FUNNY CAR TEAMS FOR IHRA TOUR

The Agent has been told that it is now official that the Paton family is going to switch back to a nitro flopper for the 2006 IHRA season. The Agent also hears that IHRA Alcohol Funny Car racer Jim Sickles and his tuner Tom Anderson will leave the alky funny ranks and, with the help of Meyer’s RV, will field a Fuel Coupe. With Tommy turning the screws this could be a very, very competitive team. Don’t forget that Anderson won a lot of titles in NHRA fuel racing. Agent 1320 has also been told that NHRA regular Bob Gilbertson plans to attend at least Five IHRA events with his funny car, if not more.
[11-15-2005]

PERSONETT GARNERS HONORS

It has been a good couple of years for Brad Personett. The driver of the Titan Motorsports Toyota Celica has competed in two full seasons of Pro RWD competition on the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series, a total of 21 races. In that time he has amassed six victories in eight final round appearances, finished No. 4 and No. 1 in the final Xplod season point standings, is the current national record-holder for speed (217.70) and the former national record-holder for E.T. (6.60), he won the 2004 Rookie of the Year Award, the 2005 NHRA Xplod world championship, and he was just selected as the 2005 Modified Magazine Driver of the Year. [11-15-2005]