TWO-STEPS TO FAME FOR PRO MODS
The hot tip in Pro Mod these days is actually an old Pro
Stock tip. Supercharged Pro Mods are now leaving on a "two-step"
rev control just like every carbureted car in drag racing
has done for years. Using the two-step eliminates the need
for the driver of a blown car to "swap feet" on
the leave. Now those drivers can do just like their Pro
Stock and nitrous oxide-injected brethren, they can stage
their car, put the pedal on the mat and let the clutch out.
Credit for developing and perfecting this system goes to
the Agent's friend, Stan Ray of Ohio Crankshaft. Look for
blown cars' average reaction time to become a lot better
as a result. (photo courtesy Ohio
Crankshaft) [3-23-2005]
ALAN JOHNSON BUYS TFX
Agent 1320 confirmed at Gainesville that Alan Johnson has
indeed purchased John Rodeck's TFX block manufacturing facility.
Rumor has it that Rodeck was tired of the business and was
talking about closing the TFX program down. A lot of Top
Fuel racers are going to breathe easier knowing the supply
of a critical component for them will continue in operation
for the foreseeable future. [3-23-2005]
ENGINE BUILDERS BLUE OVER BLUEPRINTS
The Agent was told that some of the suppliers of Top Fuel
blocks and cylinder heads are balking at turning over samples
and blueprints of their components to the NHRA tech department
as requested. It seems they are reluctant to give up the
products and blueprints, at least in part, for the fear
of their proprietary technology would in up in their competitors'
hands. [3-23-2005]
SPEC ENGINE REDUX?
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Didn't NHRA try the "spec" engine deal years
ago? Our intrepid "people" writer, Dale Wilson,
seems to recall that a few years ago NHRA floated the idea
of a spec dragster class with a spec engine supplying the
power and the class to be called G/Econo Dragster, only
to forget the idea when some of the top Sportsman-class
engine builders complained that they would lose business
because a lot of Competition Eliminator guys and gals would
gravitate to it. How times have changed. Mr. Wilson thought
the idea was a great one, and began formulating how to get
such a car on the track. Maybe it's now time to resuscitate
the idea. [3-23-2005]
BIKER BOY TURNS DRAG RACER
The Agent hears that a bicycling friend of Whit Bazemore
has evidently been overcome by nitro fumes and will be moving
from a race bike to a race car. Marty Nothstein, an Olympic
gold and silver medalist who has three world championships
and 34 U.S. titles, reportedly will head for Frank Hawley's
Drag Racing School next month to learn how to drive an Alky
Funny Car. He has previously been behind the wheel of a
Super comp car. The new acceleration rate may take some
getting used to, but it certainly should be easier on the
34-year-old Pennsylvanian's legs. [3-23-2005]
A QUICK FIX FOR JEG'S
Those pesky missing numbers. Seems the gremlins were in
the DRO advertising computer recently as we ran a Jeg's
ad with a price of $9.99 for a Mallory fuel pump. WRONG!
It should have been $199.99 (still a bargain). But here's
the great thing about Internet advertising -- it was fixed
in about 5 minutes. Try that with your paper and ink magazines.
Our apologies to Jeg's for the typo. (We had to break one
of the typist's fingers, but it obviously wasn't working
that well to begin with.) [3-23-2005]
