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Attn. NY/NJ Racers: Help Our Sport For FREE
How many of us have been told by friends and neigbors how they've never been to the track and they'd like to come out and cheer us on, but when we let them know when we'll be going next, they're too busy, no money, etc.

P.C. Richard & Son is making it as easy as possible to get people to come out and enjoy a FREE day of drag racing, most of which will be dial-in racing like we do.

The event is the upcoming NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, September 11th - 12th, 2010. The deal is FREE entry for an entire car load. You just cannot beat this.

Go to any P.C. Richard & Son location (find one HERE) and get the ticket pictured above for FREE ENTRY to see Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and the dial-in or index classes where you can give play-by-play descriptions to give your friends and neighbors an idea of what they'll see when they come out to watch you race. You can even place a ticket in your neighbor's mailbox with a complimentary note from you. What a great way to get more people involved in our sport. Who knows, maybe they'll like it so much that they'll bring their own car and try Street ET or Trophy. We need new people in our sport, and this can certainly help.
Mopars Thunder Into Bristol Dragway Willing Takes S&W Summer Shootout Lead
With two wins in August, Bob Willing of Pennsburg, PA currently leads the S&W Summer ET Shootout.

On August 1st Willing took his '99 S&W dragster to Maple Grove’s Victory Lane for the first time this season when he took Kathy Smulligan in the quarters, had a bye in the semis, and beat Don Mattson in the final, who went red by only .001. This past weekend Willing continued his winning ways at Maple Grove with a final-round win over Steve Terkowski by just .0027 seconds at the stripe.

With two weekends remaining, the S&W Summer ET Shootout could go down to the wire if Willing gets knocked out in the early rounds.
Bristol Dragway’s 11th Annual Mopar Thunder takes place September 3rd – 5th in Thunder Valley and will feature five (5) classes of Mopar racing action.  

The event kicks off Friday night with Mopar vs. The World, which pays $1,500 Win, $600 Runner-Up, $200 Semis and $50 Quarters. Entry is $40, and 1st Round buybacks are $25. Other classes throughout the weekend (check Bristol’s website for the exact weekend schedule) include Slant 6 ($300 Win, $200 Runner-Up, $100 Semis; $40 Entry Fee); Sportsman ($300 Win, $100 Runner-Up, $50 Semis; $40 Weekend Entry, 1st Round buyback $15); Super Pro ($2,500 Win, $1,000 Runner-Up, $250 Semis, $150 Quarters; $15 2nd Round Winner; $80 Weekend Entry, 1st Round buyback $30); and Pro ET ($1,500 Win, $600 Runner-Up, $200 Semis, $50 Quarters, $10 2nd Round Winner; $60 Weekend Entry, 1st Round Buyback $20).

Gates open Friday for racer parking at 10:00 am, with open test & tune from noon – 6:00 pm, and 1st Round at 6:00 pm. Gates open Saturday for racers at 9:00 am, with time trials at 10:00 am and eliminations at 3:00 pm. Gates open Sunday at 8:00 am, with time trials at 10:00 am and eliminations at noon. For more information including visit www.bristoldragway.com.
2010 Super 7 Series Wraps Up Labor Day Weekend at Montgomery Motorsports Park

Montgomery Motorsports Park’s popular Super 7 Series will conclude this coming Labor Day Weekend, Friday September 3rd – Monday September 6th, 2010.

Each day features a $10K for Pro (electronics) class that pays $10,000 Win, $1,500 Runner-Up, $500 Semis, $200 Quarters, $150 Eighths, and $50 Sixteenths, all based on 200 entries. Entry for any single day is $150, or enter the weekend (all four races) for $200. 1st or 2nd Round buybacks are $100.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday also include a bonus $5K each day that pays $5,000 Win, $750 Runner-Up, $250 Semis, $125 Quarters, $75 Eighths, and $50 Sixteenths, all based on 100 entries. Entry is $100 per race; 1st or 2nd Round buybacks are $50.

Feetbrakers can also get in on the Super 7 action with two (2) $1,000 Footbrake races (based on 35 entries) on Saturday and two (2) more on Sunday. Entry is $30 per race, or enter all four for $100. 1st or 2nd Round buybacks are $20.

Gates open Thursday at 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm for parking only. Gates open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 8:00 am. For more information visit www.mmpdragracing.com.

Labor Day Weekend Classic at Mason Dixon Dragway
Mason-Dixon Dragway gets classic with their Labor Day Weekend Classic Saturday September 4th – Monday September 6th.

The Classic gives racers in six classes three chances to get to the Winner’s Circle. Each day, Super ET pays $2,000 Win, $800 Runner-Up, and $50 Round starting with 4th Round loser. Entry is $75 per day, or enter all three days for $200. Pro ET pays $1,000 Win, $500 Runner-Up, and $30 Round starting with 3rd Round loser. Entry is $50 each day. Street ET pays $300 Win, $150 Runner-Up, and $25 Round starting with 3rd Round loser. Entry is $40 each day. Motorcycle ET pays $500 Win, $200 Runner-Up, and $25 Round starting 3rd Round loser. Entry is $45 each day. Trophy pays 5’ Trophy Win, 3’ Trophy Runner-Up. Entry is $40 each day. Junior Dragster pays 5’ Trophy + $300 Bond Win, 3’ Trophy and $100 Bond Runner-Up. Entry is $30 each day.

Gates open each day at 8:00 am. Visit www.masondixondragway.com for more info.
Empire Dragway’s 1/8th Mile Nationals
Empire Dragway presents their 17th Annual 1/8 Mile Nationals Labor Day Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 4th – 6th.

Each day features Box class (0.00 – 8.99 dial, delay boxes permitted) and No-Box (any dial, delay boxes prohibited). Payouts are the same for Box and No-Box: Friday pays $750 Win, $250 Runner-Up, $75 Semis, and $10 Round starting with 3rd Round Win. Saturday pays $1,125 Win, $375 Runner-Up, $125 Semis, and $10 Round starting with 3rd Round Win. Sunday pays $1,500 Win, $525 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $10 Round starting with 3rd Round Win. Entry per class is $50 for any single day, or enter the weekend for $100.

All purses are guaranteed, with no minimums. Gates open Friday at 2:30 pm with time trials at 3:30 pm. Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 am, with time trials at 10:00 am. For more information visit Empire Dragway’s website at www.empiredragway.com.

A Dragtime News Featured Photo: Top Sportsman at Atco

Here's Dave Sottile squaring off against Mark Parente in Top Sportsman earlier this season at Atco Raceway. (photo: Bob Beucler)

Drag Race Results

Moparts

Class Racer

Yellow Bullet

Dover Drags

Numidia Dragway Will Deliver Big Bucks on Labor Day Weekend Flying In The Valley August 29th
Numidia Dragway continues their 2010 series of guaranteed-payout big bucks bracket races Labor Day Weekend, with a $5,000 Electronics Race and a $5,000 Footbrake Race on Saturday, September 4th. There'll also be a special Street ET Race on Saturday, Sept. 4th.

Each race pays $5,000 Win, $1,200 Runner-Up, $225 6th Round, $165 5th Round, $120 4th Round, and $75 3rd Round. Entry for each race is $150; buybacks are $50. The Street ET Race pays $1,000 Win / $400 Runner-Up; entry is $50. Gates open 12:00; time shots at 2:00 pm.

The ET break for the Electronics Race is 6.00 – 14.99. The ET Break for the Footbrake race is 9.00 – 19.99. Never been to Numidia Dragway? See our photo-coverage from earlier this season HERE. For more information, visit www.numidiadragway.net.

 Lebanon Valley Dragway uncorks the fast cars on Sunday, August 29th with Pro Comp and Top Dragster / Top Sportsman Combo.

Pro Comp will be an eight car qualified field racing heads-up on a 6.40 Index. Open to dragsters, door cars, altereds, and funny cars (no nitro). The payout is $1,500 Win, $750 Runner-Up, and $125 Semis. There is no entry fee for car & driver and 2 crew members.

Top Dragster / Top Sportsman Combo will also be an eight car qualified field open to dragsters, door cars and altereds. Dial-in rules apply. The payout is $800 Win, $400 Runner-Up, and $100 Semis. Entry is $135.

For more information visit Lebanon Valley’s website at www.dragway.com.
Montgomery Motorsports Goes Wild & Wicked Top Dragster Whomping at 200+ MPH

Wild & Wicked invades Montgomery Motorsports Park on Saturday August 28th with three classes of extreme action on the MMP ¼ mile: 5.0 Outlaw, 28/10.5 Outlaw, and 5.95 Heads-Up.

5.0 Outlaw pays $1,200 Win, $500 Runner-Up, $200 Semis, and $75 Quarters. Entry is $75. 28/10.5 Outlaw pays $1,200 Win, $500 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $65 Quarters. Entry is $65. 5.95 Heads-Up pays $700 Win, $250 Runner-Up, and $75 Semis. Entry is $55.

Gates open 1:00 pm. No deep staging. For more information including minimum cars counts and 28/10.5 rules, visit MMP's website at www.mmpdragracing.com.

This video first appeared in my coverage of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event from Atco Raceway earlier this season (see it here) but it's so cool I had to move it to the home page. This is Cliff Bozzelli in his blown & injected RaceTech dialing a 6.62, then whomping the throttle at over 200 mph to go .01 over for the round win. Unreal!
Mid-Week 500 Gambler's Races Continue At Englishtown
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has announced that their Wednesday Night Mid Week $500-To-Win Eliminator will continue.

The next date is August 25th (rained out) and there are dates scheduled in September, including the following week on September 1st. $50 green tech card, payout as follows: $500 to win, $200 to Runner-Up, $100 to each Semi-Finalist. Payouts based on 32 car minimum. One official time trial session at 6:45 p.m. sharp. First round is approximately at 7:45 p.m. Round-robin after 2nd round. The curfew for all un-muffled cars is mandatory 10 p.m. For more information, call 732-446-7800 during business hours, or visit www.racewaypark.com.
Jville Bike Bash at Coastal Plains Dragway

Saturday August 28th brings the Jville Bike Bash 2010 to Coastal Plains Dragway. The Bike Bash features non-stop motorcycle events all day, including stunt shows, amateur competitions, drag racing, custom bike show, an activity area for the kids, food and merchandise vendors, live music and a DJ. Proceeds will go to the International Missions Outreach “Run For The Son” as well as the local chapter of the USO. Visit Coastal Plains’ website at coastalplainsraceway.com for more information.

Results: Luciano Rubs Out MASGA at Cecil County

Cecil County Dragway, August 14th & 15th - Pete "Lucky" Luciano pulled the trigger and gunned down The Mid-Atlantic Super Gas Association when he took the win over John Martin at Cecil County Dragway on Saturday, August 14th. Lucky started his march towards the final with round-wins over Rob Keister, Mike Lauria and Derek Clarke in the semis. Clarke was appearing in his 3rd semi-final of the year and was hungry to get to that first final round but Luciano had other plans. In a close battle Luciano's slight advantage at the tree (.016 to .027) was the key to victory as both drivers ran 9.914s. On the other side of the ladder, John Martin was out with his Corvette for the first time this year and took round-wins over Dave Burket, Larry Edwards and Don Knoblick to meet up with Tom Goldman and his ‘58 Corvette in the semis. As the 2 drivers left it was Martin who got the slight advantage (.026 to .035) which forced Goldman to run under the 9.90 index with a 9.894 to Martin's winning 9.928. In the final Martin took a .010 to .017 advantage at the tree over Luciano but Martin’s break-out 9.893 was whacked by Lucky's winning 9.910. MASGA’s race on Sunday August 15th was a rain-out.

The next race on MASGA's schedule is at Maryland International Raceway September 25th & 26th for the 1st annual "IHRA vs NHRA 9.90 Shootout". This should be a great race for anyone who runs Super Gas or Super Rod in Division 1 or 2.
Dust ‘Em Off and Fire ‘Em Up: Nostalgia Racing Abounds This Weekend
If you own an old-school drag car or simply love to watch them race, then there’s plenty for you around the area this coming weekend.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28TH:

Lebanon Valley Dragway features The North East Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (NENDRA). NENDRA welcomes any American-made vehicle from 1961 to 1974, which allows all cars from the “muscle car” era to participate. NENDRA competes with an ET break of 8.50 – 12.50, bracket style dial your own with a breakout rule in effect. Visit their website at www.nendra.com.

Empire Dragway hosts the Gasser Gang of Western New York. The Gasser Gang is open to Willys, Henry J, Austin and Anglia

owners who enjoy nostalgia drag racing, car shows and cruise nights. If you would like more information on the club visit www.gassergang.com.

Elk Creek Dragway presents Charlie Overfelt's Nostalgia Race featuring the Southern Slingshots. Gates open at 11:00 am with time shots at 1:00 pm. Visit Elk Creek's website at www.elkcreekdragway.com for more info.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29TH:

Numidia Dragway plays host to The Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Drag Racers Association. MANDRA is for body styles built prior to 1973, except purpose-built late model front engine dragsters or altered replicating cars in competition prior to 1973. Visit MANDRA at		 www.mandraracing.com. See coverage of MANDRA at Numidia Dragway in May HERE.

Gassers are on tap at Atco Raceway, when the East Coast Gassers make a stop in New Jersey. East Coast Gassers is dedicated to the preservation and racing of cars (both restored and newly constructed) that campaigned during the glory days of the "Gasser Wars". The East Coast Gassers currently have over 250 members. Learn more at www.eastcoastgassers.com.

Also at Atco is the nostalgia club North East Timing Organization. NETO is for pre-1974 cars, front engine dragsters, funny cars, altereds, gassers, super stocks and stockers. Visit www.neto-nostalgia.com.
Running Tuff at Maple Grove
Beginning Friday August 20th at Maple Grove Raceway there will be a new twist in their Auto Locator Grudge Racing Series: a group of 16 grudge competitors will be chosen to run a new feature titled Run Tuff. All grudge participants will be eligible for the special 16-car Run Tuff feature that will be contested after the third session of grudge runs. The winner will receive a 4-foot trophy and the runner up will receive a 3-foot trophy. No additional entry fees are required to be eligible for Run Tuff.

Maple Grove Raceway staff will select the field of cars based on the closeness of the group’s elapsed times during sessions 1, 2 and 3. The times can vary week-to-week depending on closest group times. Cars in the group that are eliminated from Run Tuff may continue to make grudge runs.

All entrants must be state inspected and state licensed to be in the Run Tuff program. The cars will be randomly paired and Run Tuff will be contested on a heads up basis on a full countdown five-tenth tree. For more information, visit www.maplegroveraceway.com.
Techtorial: Crankshaft Vibration Dampers 101

By JC Beattie, Jr. of ATI Performance Products

I have been around dampers for a long time and traveled to different engine shops around the country to 		test actual crankshaft twist for the past 16 years. Throughout these years I have collected a lot of information that allows me to make informed decisions on “how much” damper certain engines need. When given the crank weight, peak normal operating RPM, horsepower, rotating system materials, rules about the damper specifications (if racing), and the application of the engine (road racing, oval or drag), I can make a very good prediction of how much inertia weight and what   sort of dampening device your vehicle will need.

Let’s stop for a second and think about the way a crankshaft is designed. On one end, you have your flywheel, torque converter, or a clutch. On the other, you have your timing chain / belt / gear drive, and then a small “snout” sticking out on which to bolt your damper and any needed accessories. In between all of that, you have a main caps and bearings that hold your crankshaft in the motor.

Article continues HERE.
Get Screened America Wants YOU To Help Get America Screened

Winning drag racers routinely screen their race cars; after each race, they’ll check the tires and brakes and inspect the fuel and oil filters for any hidden issues. These screenings can uncover potential problems. In the same way, a health screening will help identify problems that can keep your body from running perfectly. GET SCREENED AMERICA will be offering FREE Health Screening on the Nitro Alley Midway at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana September 1st – 6th and zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, NC September 16th -19th.

Health screening can identify health conditions and diseases that don’t show any symptoms; getting screened can ultimately save your life. Go to the GET SCREENED AMERICA pavilion on the midway and get checked for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. It’s never too late to get screened; it’s all about you saving your life one day at a time, and the time to start is now. I got screened at Englishtown; it was quick and easy.

In addition, GET SCREENED AMERICA is looking for volunteers to assist them with simple testing. If you are interested, please contact Demetrius Murphy at 678-248-3171 or dmurphy@getscreenedamerica.com. This will be your way of giving back for FREE admission to the race and just a few hours of your time.
Dragtime News On Location: Numidia Dragway
Dragtime News On Location: 2010 NHRA Supernationals, Englishtown, NJ
7/20/2010: Five pages of photos & videos added today; CLICK HERE to start at the new pages, or CLICK HERE to start at the beginning.

We visited and raced at Numidia Dragway on Saturday May 29th when the track had their Memorial Day Weekend big-money races and Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Drag Racers' Association race. Join the Dragtime News email list and be notified when the site is updated. Send an email to info@dragtimenews.com and tell me to add you to the list.

Numidia Dragway's next big-money day is Saturday, September 4th. Payouts are $5,000 Electronics and $5,000 Footbrake; see their ad for more information.

We spent four days on location photo-covering the event; all classes from Stock to Top Fuel.

Click for photo coverage from THURSDAY, JUNE 10th, 2010.

UPDATE JUNE 12th: seven more pages added from FRIDAY, JUNE 11th, 2010.

Tons more photo coverage coming, including top-end action of Stock, Super Stock, Super Gas, and Super Comp, behind-the-scenes shots, and the best starting line shots you'll find anywhere.

UPDATE JUNE 16th: Four more pages of photos added from SATURDAY, JUNE 12th, 2010.

UPDATE JUNE 22nd: Six pages of photos added; Click for SUNDAY, JUNE 13th, 2010.
Dragtime News On Location: 35th Annual Night Of Thrills, Englishtown, NJ Dragtime News On Location: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park's Inaugural Mid-Week 500

Click HERE for photo coverage of The 35th Annual Snap-On Tools Night Of Thrills held on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.

Coverage of the Wednesday Night Gambler's Race at Englishtown. Now called The Mid-Week 500, it drew a good crowd of heavy hitters like James Young Jr. More photos are HERE.
2010 Archives Page Has Been Updated
July 11th, 2010 - The Home page was jammed with articles from this season so I moved the oldest ones to the Archives here...
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