2/7/03

THE POT'S A-BOILING FOR 2003

ny off-season has its share of late breaking developments, any one of which could turn out to be THE STORY of the season. Only time will tell which, if any, will actually prove to be important (or factual, for that matter). That's what makes the off-season so entertaining. The opinionated among us have months to go before we have to eat any crow. We can sling a bit-o-mud, offer up our cures, all the while readying our I-told-you-so's. Anyway, I'm not getting paid by the word here, so let me name a few subjects, and I'll vent accordingly.

ANGELLE SAVOIE

Let's see here, multiple world championships, no sponsor continuity. Could there be a problem in choice of weapons, perhaps? Maybe it's a square inch issue. As in, how many square inches of sponsor space is there on a Pro Stock Bike? Not enough, says I. Or maybe it's a "Fast and Furious" thing. Ya know, Ruff Riderz meet the Biker Boyz. Not entertaining to me, but maybe in another venue - NOT NHRA national events! All that aside, if I was a person who had Angelle's ear -- in the platonic sense- I would suggest she get herself something with four wheels. In many ways, she is the most marketable racer NHRA has. And they have been known to get behind someone who can help their cause. If she views herself as inextricably wed to the bikes, it's probably Game Over for her drag racing career. I for one think she would be just the thing to perk up the Pro Stock CAR scene. I figure it's all but a mortal lock there is at least one Pro Stock team who could be enticed to give Angelle a test session -- at the very least.

BRANDON BERNSTEIN

Poor kid. All he has to do is follow a legend. And one who can still drive, at that. If the old man can let the kid mature in-car, the Bud legacy should continue unabated. If KK jumps back in the pipes, it will not work. Maybe what they should have done is go with two cars until BK establishes himself as the number one guy. Less potential sponsor pressure, less BK-KK pressure, and lots of good dad vs son story lines for us lazy press guys. In reality, it's probably a "no worries" kind of deal. BK has looked solid in preseason testing, and looks to be a natural. All in the Bud camp hope so anyway.

TOP SPORTSMAN

Piracy? Perhaps. History repeating itself? Most definitely! As you probably know by now, Top Sportsman eliminator will be contested in new places in 2003. NHRA divisions 2, 3 and 4 will offer T/S at divisional races, and I think it's a good thing. There are a lot of 7.90 or quicker cars out there, and enough off-the-pace Pro Mod cars to make T/S an interesting eliminator. Too many 7.90 cars, for my taste, but I'm not buying parts either. If a guy wants to run 7.90 and win races, well, I can't argue with that approach. For the fast guys, there will be a Shoot-out shoot-out, based on qualifying results. So, there will be a reason to go fast in Top Sportsman for those so inclined. All kidding aside, a racer could put a nice schedule together, combining IHRA and NHRA divisional races, IHRA national events, and even a Pro Mod show or two. There are plenty of places to run a Top Sportsman car, all over the country, and that is a key thing to consider when deciding what kind of car an aspiring racer should get involved with.

PRO STOCK ENNUI

The most amazing thing I read in the winter issues of National Dragster, NHRA's house organ, was the poll results that showed a high level of interest in more Pro Stock coverage. Every casual fan I have taken to a national event, having never been to one before, has had this to say about Pro Stock: "They all do pretty much the same thing, don't they?" Wild enthusiasm, it ain't! I didn't know who National Dragster asked, but it isn't anyone I know. They must know something I don't. In my opinion, Pro Stock is the one eliminator most in need of a shakeup. It might be something as simple as Angelle in a Cavalier. Or maybe it could be a never before seen body style. Say, a Mercedes-Benz, for example. Impossible, you say? Not to my way of thinking.

If a DRCE engine can be used in General Motors products, why can't a Hemi be lodged inside a Benz? DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-Benz are joined at the hip (I'm not sure who owns who), so it amounts to the same thing as General Motors' extended family tree, in my estimation. With Ford not involved in Pro Stock, the Mercedes gambit would give the GM and regulation Dodge fans someone else to cheer against. And that's not all bad, is it?

WANG DANG DOODLE AT DARLINGTON

Now that I know a little more about the rules for this would-be barrier buster burndown, I can give it a little editorial slack. And having spoken to a few of the racers involved, I'm convinced most of them have the right perspective where the five-second club is concerned. If the conditions are right, they will shoot their shot. If it breaks, it breaks -- barrier, car, whatever. Bill Kuhlmann, the Godfather of BB runs, feels it will be a boon to whoever does it, in the event "it" gets done. And he should know, having done "it" himself. (He broke the 200-mph barrier back in 1986 at Darlington.) At any rate, good luck to all at Darlington. And if one of you should do "it," get primed to cash in on the deed. There will be a crowd of folks right on your heels ready to cash in on it too!

I'm sure I have missed a few subjects that will have immense impact on the coming racing season. Feel free to e-mail me with what you think counts for the season to come. We still print letters to the editor -- shoot your shot!

Later!

racer4339@aol.com

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