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Press Release Zone Canadian NHRA TSN TV schedule is here. The ESPN TV Schedule is here
April 26, 2004 4/26/2004 NHRA clarifies alcohol engine moratorium Three years ago, in an effort to control escalating long-term costs in the alcohol categories, NHRA released a moratorium on cylinder blocks and head designs that allows only engine combinations used prior to April 1, 2001. After careful review, the NHRA technical department is clarifying the modifications that will be accepted and the dimensions and specifications that must remain unchanged (see below). AMENDMENT TO 2004 NHRA RULEBOOK - April 26, 2004 Only those engine combinations that utilize cylinder blocks and head designs that were in NHRA competition prior to April 1, 2001, will be accepted for NHRA competition. Any modifications or alterations to cylinder blocks and head designs used prior to April 1, 2001, other than those listed below, will be deemed to be a change in design and therefore prohibited. Engine combinations that do not meet the following criteria but were used in NHRA competition in 2003 will be accepted through the 2004 season only. For a complete list of cylinder blocks and head designs that are allowed in NHRA competition, contact the NHRA technical department: phone, (626) 250-2485; fax, (626) 914-7551. All engine combinations must adhere to the following criteria: April 15, 2004 TEAM GOTHAM CITY LOOKING TO “FINISH”
SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Aeroquip Group joins Mike Janis’ EATON Automotive Pro Mod Team for 2004
Aeroquip Corporation was founded in 1940 in Jackson, Michigan, by Peter F. Hurst, a young German aeronautical engineer who held the patent rights to manufacture two new products designed for the aviation industry--detachable, reusable hose fittings and self-sealing couplings. During World War II, Aeroquip products became military standards on all U.S. aircraft, establishing the company's reputation as a quality supplier and leading the way to penetration of the emerging fluid power industry. Aeroquip products include all pressure ranges of hose; fittings, adapters, couplings and other fluid connectors, as well as precision plastic molded and extruded products for the automotive and industrial markets. The company became the Aeroquip Group of Eaton in 1999 and currently operates 36 facilities in 11 countries and employs nearly 8,000 people. For more than 60 years, Aeroquip Performance Motorsport Products have been the number one choice of racing enthusiasts around the world. Aeroquip is a long time supporter of all forms of motorsports, and for 2004 Aeroquip Performance Motorsport Products has contingency programs with both the NHRA and IHRA. “Being involved with the people from EATON Automotive has been a breath of new life into our team, now to be able to add Aeroquip Performance Motorsport Products to our growing list of supporters is just fantastic,” said Janis. Janis and his team will hit the IHRA trail again on the weekend of April, 23rd-25th. The team will be competing at the upcoming 34th Annual IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC. Don’t forget to look for the EATON Automotive team on TV this weekend. Saturday April 17th at 4 pm turn to Speed for coverage of the IHRA season opener from San Antonio, TX. On Sunday morning at 11 am turn the dial to ESPN2 for coverage of the NHRA/AMS Gator Nationals Crew Chief: Mike Janis Jr. Crew: Sean Janis - Data Acquisition, Jeff Brown - Lead Mechanic, Joe Janis - Cylinder Head Specialist/Parachutes, Steve Hermann - Engine/Clutch Assistant, Kevin Peters – Aerodynamics/Chassis and Short Block Prep, Michele Janis – Travel Coordinator, Mike Rasnick – Marketing, and Rob Kozak - Team Manager. Sponsors:
April 14, 2004 The West
Coast Pro Mod Association is proud to announce "Unique Performance"
has come on board as an associate sponsor for the 2004 season. "Unique",
builders of Shelby Mustangs and other "high end" classic cars
for exclusive buyers is the sponsor of Mike Ashley's Pro Mod team in
2004, and the West Coast's Danny Rowe, past champion of the West Coast
series. Ashley drives "Eleanor" the spectacular Shelby Unique Performance, under the tutelage of racing and design legend Carroll Shelby, debuted Mike Ashley's Pro Mod Mustang at the Gatornationals in March and to say it was a hit is the understatement of the young race season. In its first lap in competition, "Eleanor" qualified #1 with a great 6.19/229 mph. Mike ended up #3 on the ladder and ran low et of elimination's as well, before bowing out in the semi finals. For all the news from Unique Performance, go to their web site www.uniqueperformance.com. Mike Ashley's Gotham City race team can be accessed at www.gothamcity.com and the West Coast Pro Mod series internet site is www.westcoastpromods.com The West Coast Pro Mods are also pleased to announce that CC-Racing
from Richmond, B.C. has come on board as an associate sponsor for the
2004 series. CC Racing is a full service chassis and engine shop sevicing
the Pacific North West. Whether it is a blown or nitrous engine combination,
CNC machining, and a new race car, Glen May and the staff at CC-Racing
can take care of all your high performance needs. April, 7, 2004 Bob Vandergriff, Jr. planning to run 10-race schedule
in 2004 starting in Atlanta; Hires Rob Flynn as crewchief April 2, 2004 Hudson Racing wants to one-up his 2003 result here in 2004. Don Hudson came oh so close at the 2003 version of the Summit Nationals, here at the Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He went to the final round against the most buoyed BAD in 2003, David Wells (driving the ex-Rick Santos car and tuned by Norm Grimes), and was side by side against David until late in the run, and ended up losing by half car length. That result set up the Stockton California owner/driver take a more aggressive run in his program. Don ended the year with two runner-ups and a #6 placing in the tough Division 7 point standings and a top 30 placing in the National standings. The team went into the 2004 season with more optimism, and a confidence to improve both placing's. The team had a great start at the season opening Winternational's, as Don qualified #1 with a career best 5.379/251. He backed up that run, in round one, with a win over Randy Johnson with anther 5.30 (a 5.39). In round two, he wheel stood the car big time, and unfortunately had to lift. At the next event, the divisional at Phoenix, Don proved the #1 spot was no fluke, as he took the pole again. He went to the final round, but lost to Chris Demke. His two late round finishes put him in the top ten nationally in this, the early part of the season. Heading into Vegas, he wants to continue the roll. With a very tough field expected at Vegas he knows 5.30's or low 5.40's will be necessary and expected from his "Chase Chevrolet" backed BAD. Beside Chase Chevrolet, Don has some added support for this weekend's event at Las Vegas. It comes from Busted Knuckles garage.com, "The Gift Company with an Automotive Flair", and Tiki Farm.com, "a unique gift mug company". As well, Don wants to thank the team's associate sponsors, Red Line Oil, Clay Smith Cams, Vorn Hagen Body Shop, E-Pels of Palm Spring California, PJ Vaz, Lenco Transmissions and Hudson Classics. While the team is under no illusions that they can ride on the coat
tails of their success of the last two events, especially in a sport
that lasts only 5 seconds, and you can go from "Hero to Zero"
quicker than John Force can say, "I saw Elvis at 1000 feet".
Don Hudson Motorsports is very excited about the team's new web site,
which can be accessed by logging onto www.donhudsonracing.com. It will
be debuting during the event this weekend, so make sure you check it
out weekly, to how our team progresses throughout the 2004 season. Cofini looking for Win #1 in 2004. Mike Cofini is hoping the first three events of the year and last year's successes have given him the information and confidence to take the next step in national event competition. The "Dave Smith Motors/Mopar Performance" Top Alcohol Dragster driver feels he is a win waiting to happen. With the changes over the winter including a new front half and a new clutch program, the first three events were sort of his test n tune session, in hopes of a top ten finish nationally, and a top three finish in the toughest TAD division in NHRA drag racing, "Division 6". His car has made more power this season then it ever has, and the numbers at various points down track have proven that, but he still has yet to turn it into a check mark in the win column. With the expected great track prep at Las Vegas this weekend, he knows he can put all the power to the track and is hoping for 5.30 or very low 5.40 performance. That is the performance that will be necessary if he is going to have a chance to win, at what will be one of the toughest event of the season. 25 cars are expected to do battle and the bump spot could better the current NHRA record, a 5.47. Mike would like to thank his crew and his sponsors, Dave Smith Motors, Mopar Performace, and Lucas Oil. Oh ya, the fishing has been great the last three weeks.
Bucky Austin Ready to get back on Track. Bucky Austin has never been more ready to get back on track then he is this weekend for the Summit Racing Nationals at the "Strip" @ Las Vegas MotorSpeedway. 2004 looked to be a promising year for the Fife Washington and 6 time TAFC Division championship driver. At the season opening Winternational's, he qualified in the top 3 and had 2nd low et in round one of elimination's. In round two, disaster struck. On that run, the car was very loose right off the hit, and he had to pedal it all the way down track. He lost the round, but that wasn't the bad part of the run. His chute(s) failed to open and when Bucky started to get hard on the "Carbon Fiber" brakes, the car just skidded from the oil and grease sweep left on the track after the previous car's oil down. The brakes just would not grab, and he went hard into the sand trap, where the car almost flipped over; It did sustain pretty heavy damage. Bucky was not hurt in the incident, but the damage caused him to miss the next event for the team (Phoenix), so the damage could be repaired. Luckily it was early in the year, and his 2004 schedule is easily adjusted to compensate for the missed race. With repairs completed, the action is ready to heat up and he wants
to put race one in the back of his mind. The "Centennial Battery"
backed 2003 Trans Am is as good or even better then it was to start
the year, and 5.50 performance is a good possibility this weekend with
expected temperature to be unusually cool for the desert facility. This
weekend's race and the one in Houston in two weeks will be a good gauge
to how strong the competition is, and how ready Bucky Austin is, to
challenge for the 2004 TAFC World Championship.
April 2, 2004 Immediate Notice! Trailer Stolen. Wayne Hofer's stacker (trailer only) Stolen Thursay in Alberta. Here is the contact
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Eden
Prairie, MN --- Eaton’s Aeroquip Performance Products is happy
to announce the partnership with Pro Modified Racer, Mike Janis, for
the 2004 NHRA and IHRA seasons. “Teaming up with the “WidowMaker”
for this season is yet another example of the relationships we have
forged with top teams. The Aeroquip Performance Products line has a
long tradition of being the choice of great teams at this level of racing”
said Mike Manos, Sales Manager for Aeroquip Performance Products, “and
we look forward to a great season with Mike Janis and his team this
year”.
Mustang
competing in the NHRA's AMS series. Doug Hasty, President of Unique
Performance is very excited about his company's association with the
West Coast Pro Mod Association. "The quality of competitors and
cars in the West Coast Pro Mod series lends itself perfectly to our
company. The West Coast series is the largest independent pro mod series
in North America and has a number of champions that race in both the
NHRA AMS and the IHRA Pro Mod class. Unique Performance aligns itself
with quality race teams and quality racing series', and this was a no
brainer for Unique Performance". 