UNLIMITED PRO MODS FOR IHRA?

In his column in a recent issue of Drag Review, IHRA prez Bill Bader floated the trial ballon that for the 2004 season the Pro Mod class might become an unlimited doorslammer class -- and we mean unlimited, as in blowers, turbo-charging, EFI, five-speeds, no weight limit, and NITRO just to mention a few of the options mentioned. The Agent wonders just two things: (1) Has Bill Bader been consulting with Bill Kuhlmann about the proposed XRL and (2) If this were to come to pass would NHRA adopt those rules?

If this comes to pass, can you say bye-bye nitrous cars? [8-28-2003]

FRONT MOTORED FUEL CAR CLASS IN
IHRA FOR 2004?

Astute observers may have noticed that this year IHRA has had both a four-car Fuel Altered exhibition and four-car front motored Top Fuel exhibition at some of their national events. The latest was the four-car Top Fuel deal at Norwalk. The Agent hears that IHRA execs are going to Dave Smith's Sacramento Raceway in September to watch a race and make a decision about bringing in the Fuelers as an IHRA class next season. Let's see. . .race for Dave Smith or Bill Bader. Give the Agent a minute to think about it.
(Jeff Leonard photo) [8-28-2003]

WORLD'S FASTEST ON TWO WHEELS?

Congratulations to France's Eric Teboul who now claims to be the quickest two-wheeled drag racer on the planet after running a pair of 5.6-second passes on his Rocket Bike at last weekend's Nitrolympics at Hockenheim, Germany. Eric ran the first five-second bike pass outside the USA at the Speedfreaks Ball at Santa Pod in May, and went to Hockenheim with the intent of breaking Larry McBride's 5.8-second world best, which was set on a Top Fuel Bike.

"Whilst on holiday with my family in the South of France a week before the Nitrolympics, I met with Eric and at his request gave him a secret combination for his ex-Sammy Miller rocket as it was his wish to make the bike go quicker and faster than before", says Antony Billinton of G-Max Racing Fuels. "As the rocket motor on the bike is one with which I had previous experience I made many calculations and came up with a formula which Eric ran."

The outcome was these two stunning passes: Saturday: 1.07 (60-ft); 3.69/217.43 (1/8 mi); 5.649/217.49 (1/4 mi) and Sunday: 1.07 (60-ft); 3.72/217.50 (1/8 mi); 5.654/235.50 (1/4 mi)

"I calculate that the speed of the bike peaked at just over 250 mph at three-quarter track as this is where the fuel load was designed to expire", says Antony. "I think that this is now the quickest bike in the world. Last weekend's runs are really only a touch of what this motor can do, and I have no doubt that this bike is capable of four-second passes. All in good time though!"

Eric will be back on his Top Fuel Bike for the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway next week and at Santa Pod's Flame and Thunder Show at the start of November. (photo courtesy www.teboulracing.com) [8-28-2003]