BRAYS GET THE 'EDGE'
Australian drag racer Ben Bray will be driving this new
Holden Monaro CV8Z sponsored by Castrol Edge oil in trying
to regain the ANDRA Australian Top Doorslammer Series
title. Built by Murray Anderson in his Melbourne shop,
the Monaro features an enhanced carbon-fiber body, a new
and innovative cantilever rear end, and dynamic control
front suspension. The car is powered by a 511 c.i. BAE
aluminum engine topped with a PSI screw supercharger.
It produces about 3,000 horsepower.
Also gaining Castrol Edge livery is Ben's father, Victor
Bray's '57 Chevy. Both cars will compete at the Summernationals
on Feb. 9-11 at Western Sydney International Dragway.
Look for coverage of this event by DRO's Australian correspondent,
Jon Van Daal. (photos courtesy
of Mike Goodwin/MG Digital Media) [1-16-2006]
NEBRASKA MOTORPLEX TO CLOSE
It looks like the Nebraska Motorplex will no longer be
open for drag racing, according to a story by Don Bowen
in the Fremont (Neb.) Tribune. Owner Greg Sanford had
reached an agreement with the Dodge County Board of Supervisors
to sp
lit
the cost of paving a gravel road that goes into the Motorplex
from U.S. Highway 275. However, after Sanford got a list
of improvements to the track that were mandated by the
NHRA, including concrete guard rails and enhanced sound
and lighting systems, that amounted to about $500,000,
he asked the Board of Supervisors for additional help.
The tourism board had agreed to give him $75,000 over
five years, but Sanford asked for an additional $120,000
($15,000 for each of eight years).
"I can't (make the improvements) and pay for the
road, too," Sanford is quoted in the story as having
said during a county board meeting in early November.
On Jan. 11, 2006, the board stuck with its original offer
and Sanford announced that he would not re-open the track.
He said he isn't sure whether he will sell the property
or not. "I doubt it'll ever be open as a drag strip
again, but who knows," Sanford said. [1-16-2006]
