PRICE HONORED IN MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM

Ray Price, Raleigh, NC has been included in the Heroes of Harley-Davidson presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance exhibition at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.

The Heroes of Harley-Davidson exhibition, curated by Ed Youngblood, honors 100 years of Harley-Davidson people, personalities and products. Price is being recognized as the Father of Funnybike. His original funnybike had a specially built chassis and a highly modified 106 c.i. Harley-Davidson Sportster engine. Price specially designed a two speed racing transmission and used the first fully centrifugal motorcycle clutch. This bike was campaigned throughout the U.S. from 1973 to 1984. It also has the distinction of being the pattern used by the sanctioning body for establishing the first set of rules for the Funny Bike class. [3-7-2003]

PEDREGON IS AN X-MAN

Tony Pedregon's Ford Mustang Funny Car will be carrying a special paint scheme at the June NHRA Nationals in Columbus. Marvel Comic's X-Men will appear on the car, to help promote the May release of the second X-Men movie from 20th Century Fox. Action Performance also will release a die-cast collectible of the car.

Excellent cross-marketing! The Agent's old advertising/marketing professors would be proud. Oh, and as a service to the collectible fans among our DRO readers, check out www.goracing.com. [3-7-2003]

EUROPEAN BIKE CHAMP TO RACE IN U.S.

Reigning European Champion in Super Twin Top Fuel Bike, Anders "Charley" Karling, will be participating in four U.S. events during 2003. Unfortunately, to ship the bike in time for the first American event, they will miss most of the European season. In the U.S. the Karling bike will first appear at an industrial exhibition show with their main sponsor Uddeholm, September 15-18. The team will then be at the following races: AHDRA Indy Nats, Indianapolis,Sept 19-21; NHRA Route 66 Nats, Joliet, Sept. 25-28; NHRA O¥Reilly Nats, Dallas, Oct 9-12; AHDRA JIMS Las Vegas Nats, Oct. 17-19. (Hans Karlsson photo) [3-7-2003]

NHRA INVITES 22 PRO MODS TO GAINESVILLE

Cody McManama's '57 Chevy EFI-equipped Pro Mod. (Photo courtesy Cody Mac)

The Agent received a copy of the list of invitees for NHRA's first Pro Mod exhibition race of the season at the Gatornationals. Rumors had it that more than 30 cars were invited, but evidently just 22 teams RSVP'd to NHRA's VP of Racing Operations, Graham Light, to confirm they would attend. The names on the list that Agent 1320 got included the following: Fred Hahn, Thomas Patterson, Danny Rowe, Rickie Smith, Mike Castallana, Al Billes, Cody McManama, Roy Hill, Bill Kuhlmann, Tim McAmis, Mike Ashley, Scott Ray, Mike Stawicki, Johnny Rocca, Mitch Stott, Quain Stott, Ed Hoover, Bill Hill, Frankie Taylor, Marty McGinnis, Zach Barklage, and Chip King.

While reading this list a couple of omissions jumped off of the page for the Agent. Defending series champ Shannon Jenkins and series sponsor AMS Staff Leasing team driver Troy Critchley's names didn't appear. And there are only four nitrous cars on the list. The Agent figures the former will get fixed pronto, but the lack of nitrous could be the signal that those cars may be going the way of the Dodo bird at NHRA and IHRA competition soon. [3-4-2003]

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