NMRAPaul
08-11-2006, 03:02 PM
The weather couldn’t be any better here in Atco, New Jersey for Test & Tune day at the Sixth Annual NMRA Ford Nationals presented by Downs Ford Motorsports. Temperatures in the low eighties, low humidity, and a gentle breeze made for excellent conditions today, and with tomorrow’s qualifying sessions starting in the late afternoon, we expect even better air and possibly record-breaking performances. That is, if the track comes around – today, many of the big guns had trouble getting down the strip, with traction problems evident in everything from Pro 5.0 to Modular Muscle.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friurist.jpgAmong those looking to make things work today was MSD SSO racer John Urist, and even the Fireball couldn’t get away scott free. Out of the groove, Urist stayed in it through half-track, though how useful the data will be once the surface comes around is debatable.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/frikohlmann.jpgThough he swore up and down that he’d be sitting this one out as a spectator, once again Captain Kohlmann is behind the wheel this weekend. The Jersey resident posted some helpful hints on the message board to assist first-time visitors to the Garden State. My personal favorite? #7 – “If you receive the finger while on the road, please return the favor. We are just saying hello!”
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friguy.jpgProCharger EFI Renegade racer Dave Guy had a small mishap during today’s T&T when his Mustang came down hard off a big wheelstand, jamming his header tubes into the U-joint on the steering shaft. This added some uncommanded control inputs that took him out of the left lane and all the way across the track with the brakes locked up. Fortunately, Guy was on a single so the opposite lane was empty, and he’d scrubbed off almost all his forward momentum before contacting the wall. Guy walked away unharmed, and the car suffered only minor cosmetic damage.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/fridevine.jpgThe return of “Wild” Bill Devine to the NMRA will take place this weekend, at his old stomping grounds, Atco Raceway. Jason Steen of Steen Racing in Virginia is sponsoring Devine’s trip this week, and Devine is debuting his new twin 76mm turbocharged combination on his DiabloSport Pro 5.0 car. The Acting Grand Vizier of the “Buddy Club”, NMRA senior Tech Adviser Thom Bates, took the time to welcome Devine back into the fold. Note the gloves, an important safety precaution during the Club’s initiation ritual.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friprovenza.jpgWhile cruising through the pits, we happened to look over at the back window of this car, and notice the DR 8 on the back window. You may remember us telling you about Chip Provenza’s new car from the Maple Grove news and rumors section, and here it is. The car has already been 8.60’s in testing on a shutdown pass, and Provenza feels there is a lot more in it. Stay tuned for a Race Pages feature story in the next few months on this beast!
That’s it for today’s Bits from the Pits. Remember that tomorrow’s qualifying sessions start in the afternoon, so we’ll be bringing you the next installment a little later than usual.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friurist.jpgAmong those looking to make things work today was MSD SSO racer John Urist, and even the Fireball couldn’t get away scott free. Out of the groove, Urist stayed in it through half-track, though how useful the data will be once the surface comes around is debatable.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/frikohlmann.jpgThough he swore up and down that he’d be sitting this one out as a spectator, once again Captain Kohlmann is behind the wheel this weekend. The Jersey resident posted some helpful hints on the message board to assist first-time visitors to the Garden State. My personal favorite? #7 – “If you receive the finger while on the road, please return the favor. We are just saying hello!”
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friguy.jpgProCharger EFI Renegade racer Dave Guy had a small mishap during today’s T&T when his Mustang came down hard off a big wheelstand, jamming his header tubes into the U-joint on the steering shaft. This added some uncommanded control inputs that took him out of the left lane and all the way across the track with the brakes locked up. Fortunately, Guy was on a single so the opposite lane was empty, and he’d scrubbed off almost all his forward momentum before contacting the wall. Guy walked away unharmed, and the car suffered only minor cosmetic damage.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/fridevine.jpgThe return of “Wild” Bill Devine to the NMRA will take place this weekend, at his old stomping grounds, Atco Raceway. Jason Steen of Steen Racing in Virginia is sponsoring Devine’s trip this week, and Devine is debuting his new twin 76mm turbocharged combination on his DiabloSport Pro 5.0 car. The Acting Grand Vizier of the “Buddy Club”, NMRA senior Tech Adviser Thom Bates, took the time to welcome Devine back into the fold. Note the gloves, an important safety precaution during the Club’s initiation ritual.
http://promediapub.com/filehost/files/3/atco/friprovenza.jpgWhile cruising through the pits, we happened to look over at the back window of this car, and notice the DR 8 on the back window. You may remember us telling you about Chip Provenza’s new car from the Maple Grove news and rumors section, and here it is. The car has already been 8.60’s in testing on a shutdown pass, and Provenza feels there is a lot more in it. Stay tuned for a Race Pages feature story in the next few months on this beast!
That’s it for today’s Bits from the Pits. Remember that tomorrow’s qualifying sessions start in the afternoon, so we’ll be bringing you the next installment a little later than usual.