Drag Racing Online - Import Scene Vol. IV No. 7 July 2002

Recently I wrote an article stating that during the SEMA Import Auto Salon that in a four-way showdown between NHRA/Summit, IDRC, NOPI, and Battle of the Imports that NHRA came out fourth. Yes I did say that, but it was because of the way the NHRA personnel presented their concepts. NHRAs' guys flat did not answer the racers, manufacturers and press as well at that particular event. NHRA has always been a first class operation, and they will put on some great shows.

A reader took me to task for the statement, but, Beckie, they rated #4 at the Auto Salon, period! Beckie and her husband are Import racers themselves, so their opinion means a lot to me. Miss Beckie, I will say that I'm impressed that NHRA was the first to put the v-8 in their own category

NHRA has been putting on successful drag racing events for the past five decades, so yes they do rate higher than fourth as far as putting on successful events. The big house in Glendora, where I personally worked for 19 years and enjoyed to the fullest, does know how to put on a show.

Sometimes I'm not really sure that they have the best interest of their racers in mind. I have the utmost respect for Wally Parks, who was the founder of NHRA, and they still have some great people working their shows. Drag racing, which started out as an enthusiast sport, has become a total business, and they are entertainment. One of the reasons I have enjoyed the transformation of the Import/Sports Compact racing is that it is like going back in time, say the early 1960's, when everyone was still having a good time, still learning how to get a little more horsepower and a few mph more out these cars. I just hope that NHRA understands that this type of racing is totally different from the National events they now have.

Going back to the V-8 concept, congratulations are in order to the Turbonetics team and Matt Scranton for his 200-plus mph runs with his twin turbocharger V-8 Toyota, but let's make sure everyone knows that this was done with a V-8 turbo charged, not a V-6, four cylinder, or Rotary PowerPoint. This car is basically a Pro Stocker/Pro Mod Toyota so in all reality it should go that fast. NHRA did take notice of this and have made the V-8's a class of their own, which Itotally agree with. When a V-8 has nitrous or a turbocharger there is absolutely NO WAY that four cylinder, six cylinder, and Rotary powered machines can compete.

It is a proven fact that the Honda and Toyota V-8's fly; look at Indy cars for example. They are proven winners. So I truly suggest to IDRC, NOPI, and "Battle of the Imports" to separate the V-8's, even if the entries are a little short to begin with. Make the class and they will come!

Congrats to Irwindale drag strip for trying a Friday Import Drags event, for which they had about 80 cars and 1,000 spectators. No word as to if they will try this again, but the numbers look promising. On an average Thursday night "Test n Tune' Irwindale draws over 200 cars and crowds up to 1,500 plus (that is Imports and domestic cars). Irwindale on a Thursday night has become THE place to be. Congrats to Bob Defazio, (VP operations) and new track manager, former division 6/7 Director Gene Bergstrom.

John Partridge, son of the legendary Bernie Partridge keeps the crowd going behind the microphone. Not only did Irwindale provide some great drag racing, including a 127-mph pass by Eric in his big block Camaro. The brand new Redline Clothing Co., run by beautiful Etta, put on a fantastic bikini contest, too! Plus the fans were treated to a special destruction derby entertainment to promote the track's circle program.

It was good to see former NHRA VP, Carl Olson at the eighth-mile; he had some really positive things to say about this street car-only track. Manager Gene Bergstrom did allow a S/Comp roadster to make a couple of "check out" runs as the car did comply with noise regulation.

Lots of action going on with the highlight here in Southern California being the Hot Import Nites, this time at the LA Convention Center. There will be about 20,000-plus in attendance and this event goes from 5:00pm to midnight. We at DragRacingOnline.com will bring you a complete story and photo opts from the 5th annual LA show. Be there!

Last weekend IDRC held two major events at the same time, one in Englishtown, NJ and the other in Denver. With a full time staff of seven, this is a good trick. More on this later straight from the horse's mouth, as I have scheduled an interview with Michael Ferrara, who by the way won his bracket at the NOPI, races in Palmdale. Ferrara's IDRC organization slogan is "Races by the Racer" but actually could be changed to "Races by Winning Racers." Nice job, Michael.

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