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TOP FUEL
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Josh Starcher and his crew get ready for a run.
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KLOEBER TUNES MILLICAN TO SEVENTH WIN AND DOES IT ON
A BUDGET!
Peter Lehman's Werner Enterprises-backed Top Fuel operation
is one of the better-funded teams in IHRA, but compared to their NHRA
counterparts they are not what you would call flush. Crew chief Mike
Kloeber told DRO "I've only five cast blocks [most front line Nitro
teams are using billet blocks], seven cylinder heads and three blowers."
That sounds like a lot, but for a front line Top Fuel team that is pretty
bare bones. It also makes the fact that the team is a threat to win
at both NHRA and IHRA events pretty amazing.
IHRA TOP FUEL TEAMS ON CUTTING EDGE
While NHRA is apparently trying to limit the introduction
of new technology into their Top Fuel and other supercharged classes,
IHRA is at least leaving the door open. Several supercharged alcohol
and nitro teams have been testing some new MSD Ignition digital electronic
controls for their magneto ignitions. IHRA tech officials made it clear
that the ignition controls aren't legal for competition but they have
no problem with the teams testing and they haven't yet decided to ban
the use totally, as NHRA already has done.
REED ROCKS AT MARTIN
Veteran Don Reed made what many observers thought was
his best-ever pass when he ran a 4.853/302.96 in the first round of
eliminations. That pass made him the third Top Fuel car at the race
to run under 4.90 which made this one of the quickest Top Fuel fields
of the IHRA season. In fact four Top Fuel cars ran under five seconds
and the bump was an IHRA respectable 5.65. There were 12 Top Fuel cars
at the race 11 made laps.
THE OTHER SMITH BROTHER COMES TO IHRA
Veteran Top Fuel driver, tuner, and son of Paul Smith,
Steve Smith showed up at U.S. 131 with a brand new Top Fuel team. He
was tuning for first-time fuel driver Tim Cullinan from Des Plaines,
Ill. who had helped get his license the week before. Cullinen ran a
4.994/290 his first time out, but lost to Don Reed's career-best pass
in the first round.
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| Circle track engine builder Mark Malcuit tried
out Top Sportsman racing in this 2000 Camaro. |
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