THE END OF AN ERA

The Agent is very sad to report that NHRA has mandated a moratorium on innovation among nitro teams. Of course this latest attempt at "parity" in nitro racing is being touted as an effort to "improve communication and promote cooperation between NHRA and the race teams" something that to the Agent's knowledge has not been a problem.

NHRA somehow thinks this mandate will benefit "lower-financed teams" and an "NHRA 'Spec' race engine in Top Fuel and Funny Car will strengthen the flow of used parts from better-financed teams down to other competitors". The "spec" moratorium will include but not be limited to "engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, fuel injectors, and superchargers. This includes any redesign, reconfiguration, and/or significant modifications to existing components."

The agent asks how far are we off from a totally sealed, "spec" engine mandated by NHRA? Will spectators now have to wait for a post-race teardown to declare a final winner in top fuel? [2-24-2005]

SALEMI JOINS AMS TEAM

Jon Salemi, former lead guitar player for the band Snapcase and brother of famous Tonawanda, NY racecar builder Jim Salemi (owner of G-Force Race Cars), has joined Dave Wood's AMS Pro Mod team. The Agent hears that the multi-talented formerly attractive rock star will also be helping supercharged guru Darren Mayer at DMPE.

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Seriously though, folks, Jon is one of the Agent's friends and was a fixture for many years at G-Force Race Cars as the shop's GM. He also crewed for that shop's in-house Pro Mod car and will be a valuable addition to the AMS team. [2-24-2005]

KALIVODA OUT, LAGANA IN

Bill Miller and driver Brady Kalivoda have parted company. The Agent hears that Bobby Lagana Jr. will be at the wheel of Miller's Don Long car after it is repaired.

If anyone took a photo of the car prior to its Pomona crash that shows the right side of the car and especially from the driver back, even if the photo was taken in that staging lanes, please get in contact with Miller at Bill Miller Engineering. [2-24-2005]

SUMMIT'S HEINBUCH MOVES UP

Summit Racing Equipment has promoted Kirk Heinbuch to Manager of Motorsports and Events. Heinbuch has been with Summit since 1984 and was most recently Motorsports Coordinator. As Manager of Motorsports and Events, Heinbuch will be responsible for managing and marketing all motorsports-related programs, including Summit Racing Equipment's three NHRA national events, the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Series and IHRA Super Series sportsman racing circuits, contingency programs in NHRA, IHRA, NMRA and SCCA. And the Summit Racing Equipment big Foot Monster Truck sponsorship. He'll also manage the company's drag racing teams. [2-24-2005]