STOP THE PRESSES! SCHUMACHER GETS EXIDE BATTERIES BACK

Agent 1320 reported earlier this week that Tony Schumacher was informed by the good folks at Exide Battereis that his reward for winning the NHRA Championship was that they were going to terminate their sponsorship of his car. Well, quit stripping the lightning bolts off the car and trailer; Exide has reconsidered. The Agent hears that Exide or their lawyers read the contract and found out that they were going to have to pay off the contract whether their name was on the car or not. We also hear that there was a wave of bad publicity as a result of Exide’s announcement. Whatever the reason, apparently the deal is back on, plus a little extra. Seems like Exide had to pony up to repaint the trailer and hospitality bus as well as the race car.

SUMMIT STEPS UP,
PUTS $1,000,000 IN IHRA POINTS FUND

In a surprise announcement at the IHRA’s season ending banquet, Summit Racing Equipment announced a million dollar points fund for IHRA Pro Classes. Details are still sketchy, but what is currently known is that the Top Fuelers will have a points fund that pays the Champ $200,000 at the 2000 season end which is the same amount of money as NHRA but the winner will only have to run 10 races instead of the 24 that have to be run on drag racing’s senior circuit. More info as it becomes available.

FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA;
SOON YOU CAN READ US IN THE CAR

Who says computers aren’t the wave of the future? Not Detroit, that’s for sure. At the International Auto Show, Ford Motor Co. showed off its 24-7 concept vehicles which merge automotive and computer technologies and are geared toward putting "the Internet on wheels," according to CEO Jacques Nasser.

The new wagon, coupe and pickup were inspired by Apple Computer’s iMacs and are intended to show how technology could make the time wasted in commuting more useful. The brightly painted exteriors don’t look much like a traditional car, Ford design chief J Mays said, because computers, not cars, have become the symbol of the age.

"We’re operating in a world where you measure power in giga-bytes and pipeline bursts, not horsepower," Mays said.

All of the vehicles feature a wide video projection screen in the dash where the gauges and other controls should be. The dash can be configured just like the desktop of a computer, with different backgrounds and gauges. Voice controls operate everything from the radio to Internet access and videophone. A hatchback on the coupe covers a projection screen for showing movies to a tailgating audience. (Probably not to be used while the vehicle is in motion.)

FORCE NAMED TO AARWBA FIRST TEAM;
PASSES GARLITS

John Force was nominated to the AARWBA (American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcaster’s Assoc) Auto Racing All-America team for the seventh consecutive year and his eighth time overall. In getting nominated for the seventh time he surpassed the record of Don Garlits who made it six straight times.

Force left the test session at Phoenix Saturday, Jan. 15th, to accept the award in Long Beach, CA and then returned to Phoenix to resume testing. In typical Force style he misplaced his bags and had to fly back to Phoenix in his tuxedo and shades. Elvis has entered the plane. Also, in their typical style, NHRA who are headquartered near Los Angeles couldn’t find a way to send a single representative to the event, according to a source close to Force.

SCHUMACHER LOSES EXIDE SPONSORSHIP!!!

NHRA drag racing took another body blow when Exide pulled its sponsorship for the Tony Schumacher Exide Batteries Top Fuel car. Sources tell Agent 1320 that Exide has some major internal problems indicated by the fact that their stock went in the tank a couple of months back which led their cutting back their motorsports sponsorships in a major way in all venues—except their NASCAR involvement.

Despite losing Exide, the Schumacher team remains intact, taking delivery of new equipment and (as this is being written) heading to Tucson for pre-season testing. Team owner Don Schumacher has let it be known that he is negotiating for a sponsor to replace Exide and the team will be competing at the upcoming NHRA Winternationals, but he has also said that he will not fund the race car operation out of his own pocket!

SELL, SELL, SELL — BUY, BUY, BUY

Here’s your opportunity to SELL stuff (race cars, parts, trailers or whatever) or BUY stuff (race cars, parts, trailers or whatever) on the internet. Starting almost immediately (as soon as somebody sends us their money) Drag Racing Online will have a Cars ’n Parts advertising section.

These display ads will be like National Dragster’s Race Car Warehouse (except if you run IHRA you can say so).

Your ad will run for 30 days for only $175 without a photo or $225 with a full color photo. Just send a photo along with TYPED ad copy (60 words with a photo; 100 words without a photo) along with a check to Autographix Motorsports Communication, 114 E. Elm St. #8, O’Fallon, MO 63366-2642.

Or e-mail your ad & photo (jpg) to autografx3@aol.com. Questions? Call 636-272-6301 or e-mail: info@racingnetsource.com

No ads from businesses in this section, please; it’s for individuals only. If you’re a business and want to advertise in Drag Racing Online contact our Director of Advertising, Brett Underwood at brett@racingnetsource.com. Have we got a deal for you!

COMING SOON … IT’S CLASSIFIED

We’re almost ready to start the classified section! This will be words only, commercial or non-commercial. Cost will be based on the number of words. We will have an order form and will soon be able to take credit card orders. Hang with us, we’re working on it. Keep an eye on Agent 1320 and he’ll let you know when to get those snail- and e-mails going.

IN-N-OUT is OUT!

Veteran So-Cal alky racer Jerry Darien had a contract with West Coast burger chain (and Agent 1320’s favorite burger joint on the planet) In-N-Out Burger. The deal was for three years with Melanie Troxel driving. Unfortunately for Darien, a death in the family that owns the company caused the deal to be reviewed by corporate bean counters with the typical bad results. As we go to press Darien plans to go to Phoenix to get his driver-her license and then they will go to the first four NHRA events except for Gainesville. Currently the team has two new McKinney cars, six motors plus spares, and a new truck and trailer. Darien is seeking associate sponsors so that the team can finish out the season.

RICKIE SMITH TO TUNE FOR
JIM YATES IN PRO STOCK

Pro Stock gypsy Rickie Smith, known for both his driving ability and prowess as a crew chief ,has taken his talents to the Jim Yates/Splitfire Pontiac Pro Stock team. Considering the volatile personalities of these two Pro Stock stars this could either be a very successful marriage or a very short one.