Ricky Riccardi and Dennis Varga got the team’s 1981 Mercury Capri back on track after nearly a year of upgrades. The Riccardi/Varga Hot Street team decided to take some time off to revamp the Capri, which has gone as quick as 8.46 at 157 mph during the popular MIR Import vs. Domestic World Cup shootout. Recently, a new B&B Performance Machine/Dave Jack Cylinder Head constructed engine has been fit between the framerails. Their latest 399ci produces power in the 9,000 rpm range—a necessity in the Hot Street ranks where power adders are strictly forbidden. Other highlights include Edelbrock Victor cylinder heads, massive camshaft, Jesel valvetrain, and a trick CFM carburetor.
The engine came off the dyno and went directly into the Capri, which was just picked up from Hell Bent Race Cars. The extra power has 8.30 potential in the proper weather conditions so Riccardi and Varga had Hell Bent upgrade the chassis to 25.5 specs. The noted chassis shop also added a larger set of mini-tubs to accept the 29-inch tall tires that are legal for Hot Street. Riccardi and Varga hit Atco the other night just to sort things out. It was also an outing to get Jenni Vanheest, the newest crew member, acclimated with the race day routine. The new strut and shock setups need to be properly adjusted and Riccardi needed to knock the cobwebs off behind the wheel. The team ran the Hot Streeter easy and clicked it off at the 1/8-mile, coasting to just an 8.80 at 120 mph. Riccardi and Varga are happy with the results and will hit Atco once more before strapped the car down and heading southwest to Bowling Green, KY for the NMRA World Finals at Beech Bend Raceway October 4-7. As usual Riccardi wanted to mention several people who helped him get back on track; B&B Performance, Dave Jack Cylinder Heads, Hell Bent Race Cars, Edelbrock, Mickey Thompson Tires, Micro Strategies Corp, Jesel, CFM Carburetors, Ford Racing, Downs Ford, and MustangJunkies.Net
