ROCKET CITY NATIONALS UPDATES
Here are some miscellaneous notes on the July 1-3 Rocket
City Nationals presented by Drag Racing Online Magazine
at Huntsville (AL) Dragway.
1. Top Fuel drivers must have current NHRA license to compete!
Because the event is sanctioned by NHRA and the additional
insurance being purchased by the track for the Top Fuel
race is being purchased from NHRA's insurance carrier, that
company has required that all drivers have an NHRA license.
2. A real Nitro Pro Mod coming to the Rocket City Nationals.
| ADVERTISEMENT |
 |
|
The
quickest and fastest currently active nitro-burning Pro
Mod belongs to southern Missouri racer Randy Merrick. Merrick,
who was a long time campaigner on the Super Chevy Show circuit,
was one of the competitors originally invited to the race.
Merrick recently tested at Gateway International Raceway
in preparation for the race at Huntsville. Merrick has run
4.0-something laps on the eighth mile in the past. (Jeff
Burk photo)
3. Kenny Perry coming to Huntsville? A representative of
professional golfer Kenny Perry has contacted the race organizers
about Perry racing his Pontiac Firebird, five-speed equipped
Ten-Wide at the Rocket City Nationals. When we get an official
entry from Mr. Perry we'll let you know.
[6-21-2005]
REASON RULES AT IHRA
Recently the IHRA tech guys have been taking some heat
concerning the Pro Mod class (what a surprise) and the Dodge
Stratus teams specifically. After Jim Oddy and driver Al
Billes destroyed the IHRA speed record at Virginia Motorsports
Park you can bet the phones starting ringing at IHRA headquarters
wanting to penalize the Stratus. When Mike Janis was DQ'd
at Grand Bend for a fuel infraction the rule book specifies
that he lose all of the points for that event.
In both instances Mike Baker and Skooter Peaco made decisions
or didn't make decisions that benefited the class. They
didn't make any rule changes concerning the Strati of Jim
Oddy and Mike Janis, opting to take a wait and see stance
on the Pro Stock-style cars.
And in the Janis fuel case, Peaco cited the fact that,
even though the rule book says that a rules infraction will
cost the racer all of his or here points from that race,
IHRA had never penalized a racer who was disqualified for
minor infractions (such as crossing the centerline, brushing
the wall, or failing a fuel check) all of their points for
the race.
It's good to see the IHRA tech department show some patience
and especially some flexibility for their racers. [6-21-2005]
