MANHEIM AUCTIONS BACK FUEL ALTEREDS

The Agent got a note from Ron Hope and Dave Hough letting him know that Manheim Auctions have signed on as major sponsors of the Rat Trap and Nanook Fuel Altered for the rest of the 2005 season. The Agent isn’t positive, but he believes this is the first major sponsorship for a Fuel Altered since Hough’s Super Shops sponsorship of Nanook. [7-13-2005]

A nagging pain in his right shoulder and upper back has forced Kenny Koretsky out of the Nitro Fish Wear Dodge Stratus driver's seat for the next three races. Koretsky named veteran Pro Stock driver Mike Thomas to replace him during NHRA's annual Western Swing that begins with the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, Friday through Sunday.

"My shoulder and back have been bothering me for several races and the pain got so bad I had to see a doctor," said Koretsky. "He said my shoulder muscles were knotted and the best cure for it would be to not race for a few weeks."

The decision to miss races in Denver, Seattle (July 24) and Sonoma, Calif. (July 31) was a difficult one, Koretsky noted, "because Larry Morgan, who builds our engines, said his guys found a problem in the engine we've been running and we'll have more power now. I was looking forward to that, but it's important that I take time to give my body time to heal." (Jeff Burk photo) [7-13-2005]

WYATT GETS “SANCTIONED”

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Agent 1320 has been informed the veteran fuel flopper pilot has suffered the same fate that befell driver Paul Romine a few years back when he was informed by NHRA’s Graham Light that due to too many oildowns the team he was driving for would have to make three passes in testing at a minimum ET and Speed before they could return to competition.

Wyatt was informed that he would have to make three passes at an ET of 5.20 and a speed of 250mph or better with no oil down problems before he could return. Wyatt will be testing this week instead of racing at Denver in an effort to get his cars performance up to NHRA minimum standards. The Agent wonders if this might lead to a minimum ET for qualifying at NHRA National Events sometime in the future for both Top Fuel and Funny Car?

Wyatt said “We’re confident that we will fix the problem, and hope to return to competition at Seattle.” [7-13-2005]

GOT TAIL?

DRO staffer Caitlin Moriarity recently launched YouveGotTail.com, a website for her self-published independent comic book You've Got Tail! The Agent would like to congratulate Ms. Moriarity for finding the time to do so, considering how much time, sweat and blood she puts into DRO each month. [7-13-2005]