IMPORTS ROCK!

By Tim Marshall

Wow ...lots has happens since the last column. Our fearless leader Jeff Burk has changed my title from Import Editor to Sports Compact Editor. Granted it probably makes a lot more sense, since how do you call Stephanie Reaves' 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier (photo below) an Import? It has some imported parts, like the transmission and other parts, but it technically is not an Import car, it's a Sport Compact. Same with Shawn Carlson beautiful Meguiar's Wax backed Ford Focus, Matt Hartford's very quick Ford Focus, or Mike Crawford's' potent Dodge Neon.

Actually, the top selling cars in the USA are the Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, and that is why we have created this column. Hondas, Toyotas, Ford Focuses, Chevy Cavaliers, Hyundai, and Kias are taking over the entire world, not just drag racing! If you drive down the freeway anyplace except for Detroit, you will see mostly sports compact cars, and trucks.

This is why I am going to g out on a limb and say right now, watch NHRA drop the alcohol Funny Cars and dragsters completely from their venue and replace them with Pro Imports. The hand-writing is on the wall, sports fans, as NHRA has already eliminated both classes from many NHRA National events this year. Why? Because they not only can't fill the fields, but I'm sad to say, the basic spectator just doesn't care. NHRA already eliminated the very close and competitive Pro Stock Truck class, not because the races weren't close, but because Joe Spectator said, "I don't care about this category. Let's go to the pits or buy a hot dog." It's the truth, and you know it! It also didn't help that only GM trucks could win.

The NHRA/Summit Import car series, which will begin in Gainesville, Florida, with the grand finale at the Pomona Fairplex is a "high dollar" series created to make money. NHRA hasn't been around for 50 years because they didn't do their homework. They will draw most of the major players of the Import racing, and they will probably draw a good crowd. The racers that run this type of series are usually very young and full of enthusiasm.

I just hope when the racers see "big prize $$" that they know just how much being on the road costs. I would like to be at the Gainesville race, but it's not economically feasible, so I will have a reporter, and a damn good one in south Florida's' Steve Gruenwald, shooting photos and reporting the race , so I can give you some great results. The famed Battle of the Imports will take its show on road too, to Dunwiddie, Virginia, while IDRC are off to Texas after a very successful event in Chandler Arizona.

Congrats go to Adam Sarawatari in his immaculate 2002 Acura for winning the Pro class at Firebird by defeating chassis builder Grant Downing, now driving the Toyota Tacoma for team Venom. The always exciting Outlaw class came down to Ron Lummus and his turbo Beetle defeating Stephanie Reaves in the 2002 Chevy Cavalier, 8.85 to an 8.89, Quick Class winner was again Jojo Callas in his strong running Honda, defeating Bruce Mortenson in the Venom Racing entry. All Motor went to surprise winner Erick Aguilar with his Erick's Racing Engines Honda over Doug Gonzalez' VW, and Ari Yallon made it two straight victories with his RX7 over a very game Ryan Carwin in his Toyota Celica. .

My Import/Sports Compact event for this month is the Auto Salon, this year at the Long Beach Convention Center. The Auto Salon is the Import version of the SEMA show and every manufacturer will be on hand with all the new products, plus it is always a great car show and place to watch the ladies! If you are in the southern California area April 19-21 and into the Import scene, this show is a MUST!

Not only have Gary Scelzi and Alan Johnson gone Toyota FC, but also now there is a licensed Sports Compact Jet Car. Jerry Segal successfully made three passes in Richard Schoeders' "Focus This" Ford Wagon with a jet engine! Segal not only drives this unique vehicle but also designed and built it, too. Schroeder, known for his "one of a kind" vehicles, still owns the Emergency One twin-engine wheelstander, and had thought about bringing it back for "one more tour. (Tim Marshall photo)

Better get this column to our Large Publisher. . .so off to the Las Vegas and a dose of Nitro!

(more stories)

Copyright 1999-2002, Drag Racing Online and Racing Net Source