DUPUY UPDATE
DRO has been told that Wayne Dupuy has been moved out
of the hospital and into a convalescent center. We’re
told that he can stand on his own but there are still
issues with his memory. The fact that he is out of the
hospital has to be really good news for all of us who
know him. We’ve no information as to how long Wayne
will be in rehab. [12-05-2005]
TOP FUEL TIRES FROM TOYO?
While talking to a couple of Top Fuel racers at the PRI
Show, the subject of someone else besides Goodyear building
a Top Fuel tire came up. Seems like both of these racers
were hoping that Toyo Tire might be interested in building
tires for IHRA Top Fuel and Funny Cars. Since that sanctioning
body doesn’t have an exclusive tire deal, Toyo sponsored
a Fuel Funny Car last year in NHRA, and Toyo reps told
the Agent at the SEMA show that they were looking at building
larger size slicks, the Agent thinks the idea has merit.
How about a spec tire for IHRA fuel cars from the folks
at Toyo? [12-05-2005]
2008 PRO STOCK?
While
at the recent PRI Show in Orlando Agent 1320 heard rumors
that the current Dodge Challenger concept car making the
rounds of the Auto Show circuits may become the standard
bearer for in MOPAR Pro Stock in 2008 if the car goes
to production at DaimlerChrysler.
The concept is built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge
Magnum wagon platform and reportedly holds a 6.1 liter
425 horsepower Hemi with a 6-speed manual transmission
and is reminiscent of an early 1970s Challenger. The Agent
wants to know if it comes in Plum Crazy with a shaker
hood scoop. [12-05-2005]
GRAEME COWIN RETIRES
Australian legend Graeme Cowin has announced that Cowin
Family Racing has ceased racing and sold their Top Fuel
dragster and equipment.
"Wendy (his wife) and I have been racing competitively
since 1967 and we are very proud of that we've achieved
as a family, both in Australia and in the States,"
Cowin said.
"In the latter years our twin sons John and Andrew
have given us plenty of reasons to smile. Andrew has signed
a multi-year contract with an American race team and he
has our blessing, but now it's time for us to sit back
and take life a bit easier." [12-05-2005]
BURKART BACK TO BOW-TIE BRIGADE
Phil Burkart will be back in a Monte Carlo for 2006,
after trying a Toyota body on his Checker
, Shuck's, Kragen Funny Car
for most of the '05 season. "The move we made with
the blue team throughout most of 2005 was a calculated
one, and it had certain advantages, but in the end it
was pretty obvious that the two body styles were just
too different," teammate Del Worsham said. "As
a team, our best results have clearly come in the Monte
Carlo, so it was an easy decision to go that way with
the blue team for 2006."
Having the same body style on both cars means that the
team can share tuning information, which should help both
cars perform better. [12-05-2005]
