Rumors, Facts and Tidbits

Jan. 28, 2004

Local Top Alcohol Funny Car team owner Dave Dickison has announced major changes to his team for 2004. Edmonton pilot John Evanchuk will not return in 2004 as driver of British Columbia's quickest Top Alcohol Funny Car. In his place, two drivers will be in the cockpit in 2004. Vancouver Island shoe Leon Aines will be in the seat during the team's IHRA ventures, which include the Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmontoon the July long weekend. At the NHRA divisional level and local NHRA events, a new driver will fill the seat, and that is long time crew member Glenn Monaghan. Glenn is off to Frank Hawley's school in Florida in March to earn his Top Alcohol Funny Car licence, and then will return and get seat time until the first Division event at Mission Raceway May 7-9th. The team will fly new colors in 2004 as well. The new sponsor(s) will be announced soon.

In the local Doorslammer scene, Chilliwack's Jeff Hill will have an all new ride in 2004. Jeff bought Vern Mill's 55 Chevy Pro Mod called "Mountain Madness". He will run the same power he had in 03, which should put him in the low 8 second zone and then will add power either later in the year or in 2005, and run in the 7's. Mike Bedsworth will also have a new ride in 2004. The Cuda owner bought the ex comp car that Adam Bowdish (Cutlass I think) drove. The new car will be alot lighter and will have a bunch of more power. Expect to see Mike in the seven's as well. That puts the list of new cars coming into the class that I know of as follows:

This is the early list of guys with new cars for 04.

Bob Marshall (two Cars)
Un-named Vancouver Island owner (new Car to be announced soon)
Mike Bedsworth (new car)
Jeff Hill (new car)
Stefan Kondolay (new car)
Rob Murphy (new car)
Dave Magee (new car)
Jay Syvertsen Will run Doorslammer and Pro Mod)
Steve Buerger (two cars) Brian Kikel second driver.
Tom Meheden (6 second Doorslammer)

These driver will have a new look or more power in 04

Terry Spargo (more power)
John Collette (more power)
Joe Mellof (more Power)
Dave Warren (new look)
Layne Wooley (more power)
Dave Richardson (more power)
Grant Howell (more power)

What a year 2004 will be for the Lucas Oil Canada West Doorslammer Association.

 

Funny Car pilot, Terry Haddock announced a major sponsorship agreement with Barrett Enterprises, Inc. The agreement, which was signed on Haddock’s 32nd birthday, will enable Haddock to compete at 14 of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
“This was the best birthday present anybody could have given me,” exclaimed Haddock. “This is the only country where you can watch Funny Cars on TV as a kid and realize that when you have a dream, are true to it and work hard at it, you can achieve it. We are so proud to form this union with Barrett Enterprises. With them on my team it means that my dream of racing Funny Car competitively can come true.”

Barrett Enterprises, Inc. of Fox Lake, Ill. was established in 1986 and specializes in the installation of siding on all new construction single and multi-family homes. Barrett Enterprises, Inc. is now the largest employer of union carpenters installing residential siding in the Chicago area. Owner, Bill Barrett is the fifth generation carpenter in his family and was taught by his father, Alex Barrett. Proud of being a union carpenter for 35 years, Barrett knows the advantages of union membership. He works closely with the union to train and recruit members. Barrett Enterprises, Inc. currently has 125 employees and is looking to double in size this year with the help of Haddock and the Barrett Enterprises Funny Car.

Other companies supporting Haddock will be VF Trucking, Speed Logistics, Wheel Vintiques, Fram/AirHog, Lucas Oil, Heavy Metal Creations and Urie & Blanton Welding Supplies.

So as the Barrett Enterprises Funny Car thunders down the race track this season at NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events, dreams will be coming true for several people who believe in the dreams and values that can be realized “Only in America.”

In A/Fuel, rumor has it that Mattel being the new sponsor for Ashley Force's Top Fuel entry. Dollars that I have heard are in excess of 500K, and a few offers of sponsorship deals were turned down by John Force Racing.

Jan 21, 2004 Cory Mac who will not be in the Gwynn car in 2004, due to lack of funding will be in the Carrier Boyz TF car in 04. His associate sponsorships were enough to put him in the last open set in the class. Paul Romine and KC Spurlock were said to be wanting that ride as well. Romine had it at the end of 03 but could not secure his "Carquest" sponsorship. Part time FC racer John Lawson, has two Dodge Stratus bodies for the 2004 season. With the deals corporations make with teams, that announcement is quite surprising, but I am guessing that having a part time driver with the swoopy body is alot better for Don Schumacher than some team that could beat him on a regular basis. The rumored 6.65/210 lap by V.Gaines was just another untrue rumor. The best lap in preseason testing has been by Warren Johnson I believe in the low 6.70's. Sad news on the passing of long time Drag Racing legendary scribe "Mean" John Raffa, who succumbed to cancer. RIP John

 

Jan 18, 2004

Seattle starts the revamping

.......Thanks to Nitromater regular (alexyellowjellow) Rhonda Mabbott we have the first photos of phase one of the 1/4 mile tear up. Dick Kalivoda and Bucky Austin were on hand as specialty earth moving experts to assist owner Jason Fiorito and track manager Russell Stevenson in the tear up of the first 700 feet of the bumpy 1320, which will be replaced with 660 feet of concrete and then a nice smooth 660 feet of ashpalt will finish off the rest of the 1320. The new surface could give the North West facility THE best opportunity to set records in 2004.

I can't wait to see the numbers the new surface produces. Thanks Rhonda for the pictures.

 

Jan.16, 2004

...........Ashley Force and father John are supposed to reveal the sponsor for Ashley's A/Fuel ride. Owner Jerry Darien apparently does not even know where the sponsorship is coming from. The deal with Force racing is slated to be two years for sure, and possibly longer. After all, John does have more than one daughter.

A local owner will be picking up one of KJ's Pro Stock cars in the next month. Whether it is set to rock n roll this year is yet to be seen. The owner will be apparently showing up at the track with a pretty impressive tow rig as well. The driver will be getting seat time in their other door car for the better part of 2004. Another local is said to be getting ready to pick up his new Pro Stock (brand new) doorslammer in the next month or so. He will be be transporting it back into the lower mainland with an all new transporter as well. More word on these two stories when they happen. Local Div 6 Super Gas Champ Stefan Kondolay will drive Johnny Gross's Super Gas Roadster for the 2004 season. The team will actively chase the world title as well as defending the Division 6 Super Gas title. He and Dad Bill are 3/4 finished building their new Pro Stock style Grand Am which will be driven by both Bill and Stefan in testing mode throughout the 2004 season. Staying with the local scene, A prominent doorslammer competitor (past series champ) is said to be working on an all new ride for 2004. This one is supposed to be wild. The local season is shaping up to be one of the best ever for new cars. Who said the economy was lousy. More local news as it happens.

 

Jan.14, 2004

Gary Densham and John Force Racing confirms the re-signing of Densham in 2004. Triple "A" is back with Force also for the next three years. The release goes on to say that Densham does want to race on his own again though and is seeking financial partnerships for 2005 and beyond. Scotty Cannon has challenged Mitch Stott to show his butt at Darlington for the Spring Warm-up. Stott is the first and only Doorslammer to ever run in the 5's and Cannon wants to be the next and also to beat Stott at the world's only 5 second doorslammer facility.

 

Jan.13, 2004

Brady Kalivoda will take the newly departed seat in the Bill Miller Top Fuel Car. The NHRA is doing a major facelift to Gainesville Raceway, Including the Return road and the first 660 feet. The Greek will be back for 2004. His ride will have all new graphics and paint for 2004. Doug Foley will be in Top Fuel for 2004, The Drag School operator and TAD pilot has purchased A car from Bruce Litton. and will run IHRA in 2004.

Seeing "Dad" Skuza's post at Deepstage.net does not look good as no major funding has been found yet and they will not race on their own buck in 2004. They spend 1.6 mil last year of their own money.

Larry Meyer will consult with the Henkelman/Baca Top Fuel team.

Ashley Force will claim Division 4 in 2004. It's schedule is best suited for a full National event assault. According to Will Hanna at Inside Top Alcohol, Morgan Lucas will also run the South Central division and posibly Steve Gasparelli. How did they get so lucky.

Ron Capps crashes real hard at the Sprint Car "Chili Bowl" last week, but was not hurt.

An Australian fuel team reportedly purchased a great deal of fuel parts from a part time NHRA fuel coupe driver from the east coast and got ripped off royally. The 'fishy' driver apparently sent him abunch of old junk instead of what was agreed on. legal action is pending.

The three car Ashley/Cannon/Rowe Pro Mod team is just about ready for the most extensive pre season testing in class history. With the near completion of the Shelby Mustang "Eleanor", the team is ready to take the Pro Mod class by the short hairs. Cannon has already run huge numbers with his 6 year old Studebaker low 6 teens, No word yet what driver is going to drive which car, between the two Ashley cars, the Willy's or the 'Stang. They also added a Pro Stock Bike to their stable Lloyd Strauss will fly the Ashley banner for the new season.

IHRA schedule change. In order to avoid placing the 4th Annual ACDelco Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP) the weekend after the NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway, the event will be rescheduled for May 28 – 30, 2004, one week later than originally scheduled.

"This change will place the race at VMP a few weeks away from the NASCAR race," said IHRA Director of Race Operations Skooter Peaco. "We’ve now given the fans a chance to experience both events with a break in between. Memorial Day weekend fit nicely in the overall IHRA schedule."

Virginia logger, Talmadge Wood is set to debut his Pro Stock Mustang, for IHRA competition in 2004.

 

 

Dave Grubnic will drive a third Kalitta car for 2004. Sposorship will be out of the bosses pocket and associate sposorship from the Kalitta backers on the other two cars. From running one car for most of 2003 two having three fulltime cars in 2004. The Kalitta clan is serious.

Sitko's switch bodies for 2004. Bucky Austin is rumored to be considering a two car funny car team. Two Top Alcohol drivers have passed away this month. Larry Bakke, a long time TAFC pilot died last week from heart surgery complications, and Steve "The Beast" Lamplough a Division 1 TAD driver died December 9th. Our condolences go out to both familys.

Darrell Russell re-signs with Joe Amato racing through 2006. The team had its best (4th place) finish in 2003. Warren Johnson ran run great numbers so far in testing the new mandatory beadlocks for 2004. Has run as quick as 6.70. David Grubnic is said to be teaming up with the Kalitta's for a three car TF team.

The 12th annual Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl, a preseason tradition for NHRA pros, will return to Houston Raceway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004. This event will likely include Pro Mods as well.

A bunch of IHRA updates are here

In the fuel ranks, It looks loke Jerry Toliver and Jim Head will team up with Alan Johnson in a two car Funer car team with backing from Toyoya. Ed the ace Mccollugh will consult with Bob Gilbertson in 2004 but with become the new crew chief for Doug Herbert's Top Fuel Dragster.

Funny car driver Don Sosenka and wife Lana have teamed with Flying Dutchman Motorsports to start a new race team: TEAM CARIBBEAN SOUL. Our goal is to be ready for Pomona. However, if that is not possible, COME JOIN THE FUN at Gainesville or at any of the rest of the tour for this season.
We are very excited to be back at the track and have the chance to run with these guys and our other sponsors include; Auto Trader, Valvoline, Petron Plus, Autolite, Fram, Tayler Cable, Mr. Gasket, Mac Tools, Permatex, and Kendrick Performance Automotive. Our new "TEAM CARIBBEAN SOUL" funny car will have exciting spectacular new graphics and want all our fans to share in our charged-up anticipation. Who knows? We may even pull off some UPSETS! So come
party with us and share in all the positive NITRO energy our new face will generate.
And remember, we also race to raise awareness about DYSTONIA which is a Neurological Movement Disorder: http:www.dystonia-foundation.org/. We would like to say thanks to everyone who helped make this life-long dream possible.
SEE YOU AT THE RACES! www.Flyingdutchmanmotorsports.com

Top Fuel

Tony Pedregon's new car was supposed to be unveiled today or tomorrow but Nitrosim.com got these advance photos. Car looks good but Istill am having a hard time with this. By the end of the 2004 season my bet is a placing around 7-9th in the standings for the Dickie Venables tuning car.

Ram Clutches, Custom Trailers, Glen May Farms, Breckenridge Excavating, Rolling Mix Concrete Dynamic Concrete Pumping, Enderle, Radford Trucking and Akerly/Childs Extreme have all signed on as Associate Sponsors for the West Coast Pro Mod Series in 2004. This series is becoming one of THE premier Independant Racing series in North America.

The Bud Shootout for Top Fuel has been moved to Las Vegas starting in 2004. The shootout will be held during the AC Delco Nationals October 30, 2004.

Bob Gilbertson will introduce a Drag Racing Intern Program for 2004. At each and every event in 2004, Bob Gilbertson Nitro Funny Car will have a new crew member. "We're also going to do something a little different during the 2004 season," Gilbertson said. "This past summer we got hooked up on the internet with a guy who was real enthusiastic about racing. He wanted to be a part of our team at Pomona for the World Finals and we decided to give him a chance. George 'Road-Hog' Wallace, (we've got a nick-name for everyone), helped us and was a valuable asset to our team. His enthusiasm was contagious and my guys taught him a lot about what it takes to run a nitro car. He told me he had the time of his life and I figured that we should do this at every race next year to give some die-hard drag racing fans a taste of what it takes to run a professional team at the top level of NHRA POWERade drag racing. Gilbertson added "So here's the deal. We're looking for someone who lives in the local area of 21 of the 23 NHRA races we're going to next year to help us out and do what George did at Pomona. We want someone who has raced, has, or had a racecar, or worked on a drag race team. They must be familiar with the sport, they've got to be strong, and willing to work from dawn to as late as it takes for four days. No girlfriends, wives or buddies. Basic duties will include cleaning parts and the body, helping the crew loading and unloading the rig, doing anything asked and a lot of other grunt work. Must have an out-going personality, get along well with others and be willing to do anything asked of you."

In exchange you'll get a 4-day pass, a crew uniform, meals and drinks at the track. No pay, no hotel room, but a unique experience and a good time for sure. Applicants who think they're qualified and can handle the job, and want to be considered for any of the 2004 NHRA POWERade events in a city near you (except the two Pomona races, that's George's deal) send an email to aa-fc@earthlink.net or a letter to: Racing Intern, c/o Trick Tank, 2250 Toomey Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203. Tell us a little about yourself, not looking for resumes but if you have one send it along. We're going to pick someone who we think will be a good fit and will consider every application. Male or female, doesn't matter, we're an equal opportunity team, if you don't believe it take a look at out current crew at: http://www.bobgilbertson.com

Good luck to all...

Jim Dunn announced Lucas Oil as a major associate sponsor on his K & N Nitro Funny Car. He will announce Tony Bartone as his driver for the 2004 season and beyond in the coming weeks. INTERESTING!!! More strong rumors of Jim Head getting back in the Funny Car wars. He is to be in the process of aquiring Don Schumachers third car setup.

Scotty Cannon makes his first laps in a Pro Mod in a number of years and turns in 4.1's in a couple 1/8 mile laps.

Greg Anderson tried out the new Bead Lock Tire combination mandatory in Pro Stock for the 2004 season. He had to run a Cavalier in the first hits becuase the Grand Am would not house the tire in the wheel wells. On the first pass in Jacksonville, NC, Anderson reportedly turned the driveshaft into confetti according to witnesses. After a return to the pits, Anderson returned to lay down a 4.38 eighth-mile which would have been a low 6.80 pass.

Top Stock will compete in 2004 and that's it according the IHRA. The class while having a great following from pureists has suffered greatly from in class bickering on rules and combinations. The boy have one season to race under the current unchanged rules from 2003. Along the IHRA theme, they have announced that Skooter Peaco has been named Director of Race Operations. Peaco joins IHRA from Summit Racing Equipment where he was Motorsports Marketing Manager.