SHELLY GOES MOD?

The agent has previously reported that Brad Anderson was seriously considering fielding an NHRA Pro Mod for 2003. He was serious enough about the deal to have a 'Vette built, and then finished and tested by Pro Mod veteran Kirk Kuhns. He also ordered and received a '67 Camaro from Australian car builder Murray Anderson. Now he has at least tested the 'Vette with daughter Shelly behind the wheel. If all goes well she'll get the new Camaro and her husband Jay Payne will do double duty in the Pro Mod car and his own Alky Funny.

The "exhibition" AMS Pro Mod series is certainly getting its share of NHRA Pro drivers.
[11-20-2003]

'BLOOD DID IT

Premier drag racing artist and the Agent's favorite dinner guest, Kenny Youngblood, just can't nitro out of his system. The So-Cal superstar has a long history of involvement with Top Fuel cars and A/Fuel dragsters both as an owner and driver. He sent along this photo of his latest effort. The Agent loves the side pods in front of the foot box and the trick injector on the Hemi. 'Blood has partnered up Fred Smith on the car and Tom Poindexter is listed on their website as the shoe. The Agent can't wait 'till this one makes laps.
(Photo courtesy Kenny Youngblood) [11-20-2003]

VICK CRASHES...SAFETY AN ISSUE?

Veteran Pro Mod racer Steve Vick recently had an accident at Huntsville (Ala.) Dragway during a Quick-8/Pro Mod race. According to reports, the car broke an axle right off of the line and published photos show the car vaulting the guard rail. The Agent is glad to report

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that Vick's Tommy Mauney car held up and the driver is uninjured. In fact, sources tell DRO that Vick says the car can be repaired.

The real issue here is that it's reported that Vick's car didn't have a full-floater rear-end which would have prevented the axle from coming out of the housing. The IHRA rulebook used to require a full-floater for Pro Mods but the IHRA Tech department amended the rules about two years ago to make a full floater assembly optional. At that time DRO was told the nitrous racers lobbied for that change because they found that not having a full floated rear-end assembly supposedly was worth about a half-tenth of E.T. due to less spring and rotating weight.

So, IHRA, and consequently NHRA, have allowed 2500-2700 lb Pro Mod cars that run in the low six-second zone at over 230 mph with flanged axles. Can you say liability and lawsuit? [11-20-2003]