Pilcher’s raceday “office” is fitted with a Mauney seat, Grant steering wheel, Racepak data recorder and gauges, and an Auto Rod Controls (ARC) control panel.

Pilcher’s unique new engine is based on an aluminum Donovan block with five-inch bore spacing, a 4.670 bore and 5.375 stroke. The rotating assembly consists of a Bryant billet crank pumping forged aluminum BME pistons and rods, while a Jesel drive belt and lifters transfer the motion to TD rockers, PSI valve springs, and Stealth valves. Sonny’s own intake and twin Holley carbs top it all off with nitrous plumbing from Edelbrock.

An MSD 7531 controls the spark coursing through MSD wires to Autolite plugs and a Moroso dry sump oiling system keeps everything running smooth. The engine’s approximately 2,000 horsepower hooks up through a Boninfante three-disc clutch to a four-speed, air shifted Lenco set up for the quarter mile, though Pilcher currently runs only on the eighth.

The Tommy Mauney chassis carries a Hairy Glass carbon-fiber body and rides on a Lamb suspension up front with 26-inch tall Goodyears mounted on Weld wheels. Out back, a full-floater Mark Williams rearend in a Sonny’s housing is supported by Cragar rims shod with Goodyear 3199s.

Pilcher began his Pro Mod career in 1993 with a Mauney-built Trans Am. “It did real well, probably winning 75 percent of the races it competed in,” he says. “We had it up until '97 or '98, and in between that time we bought a '63 Corvette that Tommy also built.”

His current car is a second split-window Corvette delivered from Mauney in 2000, but which actually sat untouched for a couple of years.

“We were so busy racing the white car we just didn’t have the time to put this one together,” Pilcher says. “We finally started racing it late in 2002 and it turned out to be a real good car right off the get go. The second time down the track it went a 4.10, so we knew it was a good one.” So far, he’s run a best time of 4.08 in the car.