NMRA Digital
01-29-2006, 09:09 AM
Q&A with John Kolivas, NMRA Drag Radial Superstar
This interview has been posted from a complete feature on Kolivas's 1995 GT turbo car which will be printed in the May 2006 issue of Race Pages:
http://www.teninchterror.com/iimages/kolivas_head.JPG
RP: This is your first season running with the NMRA's Drag Radial class. How does it compare to other places you've raced?
John Kolivas: “The only racing I have done prior to the NMRA was just on on a local basis, never in an organized class. Mostly test & tune type stuff and some racing on the street. There is no comparison to running in the NMRA.”
RP: How difficult is it for you, as a business owner, to get all of the time away from work to come and race?
JK: “It is very difficult. Fortunately I have some great people back at work that take care of the place while I'm gone.”
RP: Your family life must suffer too. What does your wife say?
JK: “Being away from home is definately the toughest part. I love my wife and daughter more than anything and all the long hours in the shop and on the road definately takes its toll. I am very fortunate to have a wife that is pretty understanding and allows me to do this. She actually came to a couple races last year and hopefully I can get her to a few more this year.”
RP: This past year the 85mm turbo combination was said to be at a pretty stout disadvantage, but Chris Tuten won the championship with one. Could you have done better?
JK: “That’s a loaded question. I'm sure everyone thinks they could have done better. As for our team, yes I feel we could have won the championship had we had any luck at all. We shot ourselves in the foot several times this past year which cost us several rounds. We also had some parts breakage that cost us. We were still right there with 3 races left but unfortunately things didn't work out. Hopefully in 2006 things will go our way.”
RP: The turbo combination underwent a pretty radical change this offseason by allowing the 88mm turbo.
JK: “I don’t think an 88 will have a distinct advantage at 3,450 lbs. Definitely no more of advantage than what the blower cars have enjoyed the past few years. Fortunately running on the 325 BFG’s its not always about who has the most power. It’s a reaction time and a traction game which gives anyone a chance in most conditions.”
RP: Where do you foresee the Drag Radial class at the end of 2006?
JK: “We already have the biggest fields if you look at the 2005 turnout. We had 20+ cars for the entire 2nd half of ‘05. I look for 2006 to be 25-30 cars at some events. I think you will see records broken for sure. I don’t think anyone will dominate due to the tough competition. The championship will probably come down to the last race and hopefully my team will be fighting for it! It will be the most competitive year ever in the best class the NMRA has to offer!!!”
Check out the complete story in May 2006 Race Pages.
Subscribe to Race Pages Magazine/Become a Member here (http://www.streetlegalextreme.com)
http://www.teninchterror.com/iimages/Kolivas8.jpg
This interview has been posted from a complete feature on Kolivas's 1995 GT turbo car which will be printed in the May 2006 issue of Race Pages:
http://www.teninchterror.com/iimages/kolivas_head.JPG
RP: This is your first season running with the NMRA's Drag Radial class. How does it compare to other places you've raced?
John Kolivas: “The only racing I have done prior to the NMRA was just on on a local basis, never in an organized class. Mostly test & tune type stuff and some racing on the street. There is no comparison to running in the NMRA.”
RP: How difficult is it for you, as a business owner, to get all of the time away from work to come and race?
JK: “It is very difficult. Fortunately I have some great people back at work that take care of the place while I'm gone.”
RP: Your family life must suffer too. What does your wife say?
JK: “Being away from home is definately the toughest part. I love my wife and daughter more than anything and all the long hours in the shop and on the road definately takes its toll. I am very fortunate to have a wife that is pretty understanding and allows me to do this. She actually came to a couple races last year and hopefully I can get her to a few more this year.”
RP: This past year the 85mm turbo combination was said to be at a pretty stout disadvantage, but Chris Tuten won the championship with one. Could you have done better?
JK: “That’s a loaded question. I'm sure everyone thinks they could have done better. As for our team, yes I feel we could have won the championship had we had any luck at all. We shot ourselves in the foot several times this past year which cost us several rounds. We also had some parts breakage that cost us. We were still right there with 3 races left but unfortunately things didn't work out. Hopefully in 2006 things will go our way.”
RP: The turbo combination underwent a pretty radical change this offseason by allowing the 88mm turbo.
JK: “I don’t think an 88 will have a distinct advantage at 3,450 lbs. Definitely no more of advantage than what the blower cars have enjoyed the past few years. Fortunately running on the 325 BFG’s its not always about who has the most power. It’s a reaction time and a traction game which gives anyone a chance in most conditions.”
RP: Where do you foresee the Drag Radial class at the end of 2006?
JK: “We already have the biggest fields if you look at the 2005 turnout. We had 20+ cars for the entire 2nd half of ‘05. I look for 2006 to be 25-30 cars at some events. I think you will see records broken for sure. I don’t think anyone will dominate due to the tough competition. The championship will probably come down to the last race and hopefully my team will be fighting for it! It will be the most competitive year ever in the best class the NMRA has to offer!!!”
Check out the complete story in May 2006 Race Pages.
Subscribe to Race Pages Magazine/Become a Member here (http://www.streetlegalextreme.com)
http://www.teninchterror.com/iimages/Kolivas8.jpg