NHRA & IHRA DOWNSIZE PUBLICATIONS

Both NHRA's National Dragster and IHRA's Drag Review will be changing to a more compact 10 by 12-inch page size beginning with their first issues of 2004. Although the new page will be only 87 percent the size of the old page, the ads will cost the same amount. Wow, hope they don't make the type size smaller, too -- the Agent's eyes aren't as good as they used to be. [1-9-2004]

LOOKING FOR WORK?

If you're looking for car, truck, motorcycle, airplane or boat-related work of any kind, you may want to visit www.MotorsportsEmployment.com, a new site for U.S. and international job listings. Job categories range from design and engineering positions to sales, painting, manufacturing, marketing, transportation, finance, clerical and more. There are even categories for part-time or seasonal work and internships. Job seekers may post their resume for free. Employers are charged a fee to post job openings. [1-9-2004]

KALITTA ADDS GRUBNIC DRAGSTER

Kalitta Motorsports has added a third dragster to the team with Australian driver David Grubnic at the wheel. Team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta will assume crew chief duties for the new entry, with assistance from 13-year Kalitta Motorsports clutch specialist Jon Oberhofer. Mike Peek has been added to the team as well.

"This will provide us with a great opportunity to try different things in race conditions that can be shared with our Mac Tools and Jesse James/Mac Tools teams," said Oberhofer. "All three dragsters will be capable of winning NHRA national events. Obviously, that gives Kalitta Motorsports better odds at every race."

Grubnic has been driving for nine years, most recently for Bill Miller, and the elder Kalitta has kept watch of his career. "I have watched David for quite some time and knew he was the driver I wanted for this deal," Connie said. "I'm happy he decided to do it. He will be a great fit on our new team."

Doug Kalitta is driver of the Mac Tools dragster and his cousin Scott Kalitta is at the helm of the Jesse James ride. Major funding for the third car will come from Connie, with Mac Tools, Red Line Oil, Technicoat Companies, Champion and Fischer Honda as associate sponsors. [1-6-2004]

HAMILTON JOINS JOHN MITCHELL RACING

Steve Hamilton (photo) will join John Mitchell Racing's Montana Express Top Fuel team for the 2004 IHRA racing season. Hamilton, from Lake Villa, IL, has been racing for over 17 years and earned his Top Fuel license in 2000.

"I'm pleased to be driving for John Mitchell in 2004," Hamilton said. "What few racing fans know is Mitchell also started the careers of Top Fuel World Champion Larry Dixon and his current teammate Ron Capps, Funny Car World Champion Tony Pedregon, and Frank Pedregon."

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"I have developed new drivers before and their careers speak for themselves," said Mitchell. "I have worked with Steve for the past few months and see that he has the drive and the determination to make this program work. I believe he will become one of our sport's best assets and will help take our team to a championship and the sport to the next level."

Some new IHRA competition for Clay Millican is certainly a good thing for the sport.
[1-6-2004]