TOG BREAKS 10

Eurodragster.com, Europe's leading drag racing web site, has a single-digit News Editor after UK Super Gas racer Nev Mottershead fulfilled a promise to tune Tog into the nines at England's Santa Pod Raceway at the weekend.

"I wasn't just there for fun, I had to be an active team member," said Tog. "Nev wanted feedback from each run which helped decide the set-up for the next pass and he gave me feedback on my performance. I knew the third run was a good one when I let go the transbrake and the landscape jumped up and rushed at me, but I had no idea how I had done until I got back to the pits and Nev said 'I'm sorry I didn't get you the 9.9 I promised you...it was a 9.89!'

"This only happened (a few) days ago," Tog said, "but I have already had an offer to drive a six-second blown alcohol dragster...watch this space." [8-30-2005]

SOROKIN, BLANCHARD PART

The Agent got a call from nitro pilot Adam Sorokin who said he and Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster owner John Blanchard have decided to part ways effective immediately. Sorokin said, "We're parting as friends and will both be moving on to new things, but we are still good friends.” Blanchard's car qualified 14th at the recent Goodguys Pomona Nitro Nationals.

Sorokin will continue the testing he began in July in Dave Smith’s late model nitro funny car tuned by Chris Kelly. The team hopes to run a limited West Coast NHRA schedule next season. (Darr Hawthorne photo) [8-30-2005]

GETTING TECHNICAL BEFORE PRI

The 16th annual Advanced Engineering Technical Conference will be held Nov. 27-30 prior to the PRI Show in Orlando, Florida. The conference brings together the top engineering minds in the country to share ideas and trade technology.

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Jon Kaase, winner of the Engine Masters Challenge two years in a row said, "Sometimes you need a little reality check, to find out the things you don't know. My reality check was the 15th AETC conference. It was full of surprises. Sometimes the speaker presentation you care the least about turns out to be the one you learn the most from. This is a terrific place."

This year the speakers will be Tom Cress (Lingenfelter Performance Engineering); Billy Glidden (Glidden Racing); Ron Johnson (Moroso); Dr. Dean Hill (University of New Mexico); Larry Clark (Custom Race Engines); Tim Collins (MP1); and Dave Henninger (FAST - Fuel Air Spark Technology). Space is limited. For more information go to www.aetconline.com. [8-30-2005]