MARY BALTZELL MOVES TO DRIVER'S SEAT

The news out of the Lee and Mary Baltzell racing camp is that Mary will be behind the wheel of their '97 Haas Firebird this year, with Lee handling the engine program. They will compete at all six events of the PRO-EDELBROCK Fastest Street Car Series in addition to selected NMCA races.

"She's been racing for 20 years," said Lee of his wife. "She has raced the car at many outlaw events in the Midwest. She actually has more seat time than I do."

The team will be working with Pat Musi on his prototype fuel injection-nitrous system and with Mike's Transmission on a new fluid control system for their Monster Glide.
(Jeff Burk photo) [2-4-2003]

SMITHS RETURN TO IHRA AT SAN ANTONIO

Rhonda Hartman-Smith (above) and her husband John "Bodie" Smith will return to the IHRA circuit after a five-year absence. A recent rule change by IHRA now allows regular NHRA Top Fuel competitors to run in IHRA without changing their cars.

"Although we are unsure how many IHRA races we will be able to attend," Rhonda said, "competing on the IHRA circuit in tandem with the NHRA circuit gives us a chance to keep both our tuning and driving skills sharp and test various pieces of equipment we have acquired over the years."

The team is owned by Rhonda's father, Virgil Hartman, who tunes both dragsters.
(Jeff Burk photo) [2-4-2003]

NHRA MODIFIES PRO REACTION TIMES

The numerical value of a driver's reaction time will be modified at each of the 23 national events, beginning with the 2003 season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals, Feb. 6-9, at Pomona Raceway, it was announced by NHRA officials. Here's the explanation:

"The modification simplifies the process of understanding a driver's reaction time to activation of the green lights on the Christmas Tree. Previously, a perfect reaction time for professional, and some sportsman drivers, was a .400. For the remaining sportsman competitors a .500-light was considered a perfect reaction time. Under the new changes, the timing system will be modified to display a perfect reaction time as .000 for all categories. This change only applies to the 23 national events that make up the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

"On a pro Christmas Tree, a .399 light, or anything lower, would be considered an early start, activating the red light, which would result in a disqualification. Under the new system, a .399 will now be displayed as a -.001, a.398 will be a -.002, and so on. Anything from a perfect reaction time of .000 and above will be a legal start. The new timing system in no way affects any driver, vehicle set-up, or any other significant aspect of the competition on the drag strip." [2-4-2003]

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