Head to Maryland International Raceway Friday & Saturday May 11th & 12th for their two-day Top ET $5Ks at the Mountain Motor Nationals. Each day pays $5,000 Win, $2,000 Runner-Up, $750 Semis, and $100 Round starting with 2nd Round winner.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels returns to the NMRA scene as the official 2012 series sponsor including all national NMRA events. The company will also be posting contingency awards in all Pro and Sportsman classes including Pro Outlaw 10.5, Super Street Outlaw, EFI Renegade, Hot Street, Drag Radial, Coyote Stock, Factory Stock, Modular Muscle, Super Stang, Open Comp, and Truck and Lightning as well as special-event classes.

For more than two decades, the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference™ (AETC®) has been the premier venue for engine builders, parts manufacturers, industry leaders and media members to interact and learn valuable information and trade secrets from some of the automotive world’s top engineering minds. This annual conference focuses on turning automotive theory into practical application.

The spotlight of the 23rd annual AETC® will be “The Latest Advancements & Developments in Engine Performance Technology.” Register now to receive a special $50 discount and save your spot for
the 23rd annual AETC® at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, on November 26th-28th, 2012.

The conference will be held in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show, with AETC® attendees receiving a PRI credential. Everyone who signs up for AETC® before June 1, 2012, will receive a special $50 early registration discount, after that the price will be firm at $499.95. Space is limited to 350 attendees, so visit www.aetconline.com to reserve your place.

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One of my all-time favorite bracket cars in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast is the Comet wagon of Gary Simpers. It's clean, it's consistent, and it flies. Literally.

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The Extreme Outlaw Pro Mods makes a stop at Farmington Dragway on Saturday, April 28th. Payout is $3,000 Win, $1,500 Runner-Up, $1,000 Semis, and $500 1st Round lose.

Racing format is heads-up, Pro tree, 1/8 mile. Full rules and more information is available on the Extreme Outlaw Pro Mod website at extremeoutlawpromod.com.

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I received this email from a racer named Brooks Robbins from upstate New York, who wrote to be added to my email list. I thought his story was very inspirational and wanted to share it with you here. He said, “I started racing a long time ago, back when Fonda Speedway was a NASCAR track, both dirt and drag, running Wednesday nights really just getting my feet wet. I was about 17 years old and that was in the early-to-mid 60s. When NASCAR pulled out of drag racing, we shifted our racing to South Glens Falls Dragoway, and ran in the stock class there until bracket racing was started, and ran there until the track closed, with a championship the first year of bracket racing. From there we started bracket racing at Lebanon Valley Dragway, the best track in the area, and we raced there for many years in Heavy Eliminator class, with a championship in 1989 and 1991, with my son (in the blue Super Bee above) taking it in 1990. In 1992 I moved to the Pro Class, finishing 7th that year, 1993 finished 6th, 1994 did not finish in the top 10, and than in 1995 I finished 9th. All of the racing from South Glens Falls to Lebanon Valley was done in the same car, my 1963 Plymouth Sport Fury named "CLASS OF 63".

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels will support NHRA Sportsman class racers again in 2012 at the divisional level as an Associate Contingency Sponsor for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Through this relationship, Mickey Thompson Motorsports will be on site at numerous divisional events with the fully-equipped Mickey Thompson trailer to provide trackside service to the Sportsman class racers throughout the season.

Mickey Thompson products are popular with NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class and in all Sportsman class competitors, including Stock Eliminator, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street classes. Mickey Thompson Motorsports will continue to support the NHRA racers through its Team M/T program, and racers interested in joining Team M/T may contact Tom Kundrik, Motorsports Manager at 800-222-9092 X3114 for more information. For more information about Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, visit www.mickeythompsontires.com.

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ATI-equipped X275 racer Dean Marinis was the winner of the $10,000 Spring Outlaw Civil Wars at Rockingham Dragway in NC. Dean had the low ET on Friday and qualified #1 with a 4.811 @ 153.18 MPH. Fellow ATI racers making the Top 10 were Rich Bruder taking 3rd with a 4.834 @ 138.22 MPH and Al Marlow taking 9th with a 4.938 @ 147.47 MPH.

Prior to the event, Marinis had installed ATI's new lightweight billet aluminum Pro-Brake which resulted in consistent lights all weekend: .056, .052, .054, .051. In the final round, Dean got the holeshot with a .051 RT to Barry Mitchell's .129, and took the win with a 4.817 @ 153.16 MPH. In addition to the new ATI Pro-Brake, Dean runs ATI's Superglide 2 transmission, Outlaw Torque Converter, Super Damper and Super F Synthetic Transmission fluid.

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The Gasser Racing Series is back in 2012 with a 9 race schedule at Empire Dragway, including the 2nd Annual Empire Nostalgia Gold Cup. The 2012 Gasser Racing Series schedule is May 19th, June 16th, July 7th, July 21st, August 11th, August 18th & 19th, September 16th and September 30th. For more information about the Gasser Racing Series visit www.gasserracingseries.com.

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The Northeast Outlaw Pro Mods will start their season at Maryland International Raceway with the East Coast Door Warz event April 21st – 22nd.

When's the last time you were invited to a free Test & Tune where you had the chance to also win some door prizes? S&W Race Cars invites you to join them at Atco Raceway on Saturday April 28th. The Test & Tune is open to all S&W customers past, present & future at no charge. Door prizes include samples of Torco Accelerator donated by TORCO Race Fuels, Moroso Digital Tire Gauges donated by Moroso, DJ Safety Driving Gloves donated by DJ Safety, HANS Embroidered Hats donated by Hans, and S&W swag.

Scott Weney and other experienced S&W team members will be there to lend technical advice. In addition, S&W will distribute samples of Torco Accelerator (courtesy of Torco Race Fuels) and other items that will make the experience memorable.

If you’re interested you must call 800-523-3353 to register.

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The Mickey Thompson Tires MIROCK Superbike Series is headed to Maryland International Raceway for the first MIROCK event of the year in Maryland on April 28th & 29th, 2012 with the Spring Nationals

Classes include Pro Mod, Pro Street, Real Street, Top Sportsman, Crazy 8s, 5.60 Index, Pro E.T., and Street E.T. The event will also include grudge racing both days, and the "Afterdark Underground" 2-hour grudge program on Saturday night. The event will also host a huge vendor midway on both days full of motorcycle parts, apparel, and accessories. In addition to the racing MIR will host a $1,200 bikini contest on Sunday.

There’s an open test & Tune on Friday night beginning at 6:30 pm. Gates open Saturday at 9:00 am. Gates open Sunday at 8:00 am. For more information visit www.mirdrag.com.

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The Carolina Coalition bracket series makes its return April 21st & 22nd at Farmington Dragway. Each day has a Top ET and Footbrake / Modified big money gambler’s race. Top ET pays $3,000 Win, $1,000 Runner-Up, $200 Semis, and $40 Round starting 3rd Round win. Entry is $75 for either day, or $125 for both. Footbrake / Modified pays $2,000 Win, $500 Runner-Up, $200 Semis, and $20 Round starting 3rd Round win. Entry is $50 for either day, or $90 for both.

Double entries allowed. The track will make every attempt to separate door cars and open body cars for the first three rounds. Friday is open for parking. Gates open Saturday at 8:00 am with time trials at 10:00 am. Gates open Sunday at 8:00 am, with a time run for new entries at 12:15. Visit www.farmingtondragway.com for more information.

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The Carolina Bracket Series makes a stop at Coastal Plains Dragway on Saturday and Sunday, April 21st & 22nd, 2012 with 1/8th mile money races for Top ET and Mod ET on both days.

Top ET pays $3,000 Win, $700 Runner-Up, $300 Semis, and $50 Round starting 3rd Round Win, based on a 100-car minimum. Each single-day entry is $85, or buy a weekend entry for $150. 1st Round buybacks are $50.

Mod ET pays $1,500 Win, $300 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $35 Round starting 3rd Round Win, based on an 85-car minimum. Each single-day entry is $60, or buy a weekend entry for $100. 1st Round buybacks are $35.

Gates open Friday April 20th at 1:00 pm for parking. Gates open Saturday at 8:00 am and Sunday at 10:00 am. Visit www.coastalplainsraceway.com for more information.

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The sequel to 2011’s successful Combo in the Hills Stock/Super Stock race will take place on June 8th & 9th 2012 at Numidia Dragway in Numidia, PA. Brian Clayton (pictured) made the long trip down from Canada and took top honors at the 2011 event, defeating Ray Thurston IV in the final.

There’ll be a few changes for the 2012 version of the Combo in the Hills. On Friday afternoon track owner Bob DiMino will offer a free Test & Tune from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm for all competitors who are entered for the Combo in the Hills event. Once the Test & Tune is complete, for an additional fee of $50.00 promoters Lee Zane & Brian Van Poppel will offer a CIC Event that is open to all Stk/SS classes. The race will use a trigger of .85 under the pre 2011/IHRA indexes as a guide for all racers and the winner at day’s end could have a nice start to their weekend and a cool $1,000 payday based on how many cars are entered for this event.

On Saturday the 2nd annual Combo in the Hills Stock / Super Stock kicks off at 9:00 am. All drivers will get 2 time shots before eliminations are set to start. The entry fee is $150.00, and based on 100 cars entering Van Poppel & Lee will pay out $4,000 to the winner of this event. If there are more than 100 entries the purse will increase.

On Saturday night all racers & crew are welcomed to attend a free racer BBQ that will be put on by the .90 Nationals group that is also running at the track that weekend. On Sunday, the event wraps up with Numidia Dragway’s weekly Summit Racing Equipment Bracket Race. This event is a $65.00 entry fee with a chance to win over $2,500 as long as there are more than 85 cars entered for this event.

Anyone who wishes to park following the NHRA Supernationals on June 2nd & 3rd will be allowed to leave their rigs at the track for the following weekend. On Thursday June 7th the gates will open for parking at 5:00 pm and will remain open until 10:00 pm. Friday and Saturday gates open at 8:00 am. For more information and details, email Lee Zane / Brian Van Poppel at sportsmanpromotions@gmail.com. For more information about Numidia Dragway, visit www.numidiadragway.com.

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The long awaited .90 Nationals will take place on June 8th & 9th 2012 at Numidia Dragway in Numidia, Pa. This event was originally scheduled for August 27th, 2011 but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Irene.

On Friday June 8th track owner Bob DiMino and promoter Rob Keister will offer a free Test & Tune from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for all competitors who are entered for the .90 Nationals. Once the Test & Tune is complete there'll be a “Top 32 Shootout” that is open to all .90 competitors for an additional fee of $75.00. There will be a total of 3 races on Friday night, one for Super Comp, one for Super Gas and one for Super Street. At night’s end the winner of the “Shootout” will pocket a cool $1,000 and the runner-up will claim $500.

The Inaugural .90 Nationals will kick off Saturday, June 9th at 9:00 am with 2 time shots before eliminations. There are two ways to enter this event. The first is to pre-enter before May 6th, 2012 at the rate of $170.00. After May 6th or at the gate the fee is $190.00. The payouts are based on 85 entries per class (S/C, S/G. S/ST) and the winner will take home $5,000 and the runner-up will take home $2,000 and paybacks will reach all the way back to the 3rd round. It is also available to enter into more then one class at the .90 Nationals but neither double entries nor buybacks will be offered.

Gates open Thursday June 7th at 5:00 pm for parking. Gates open Friday and Saturday at 8:00 am. Tech will be open from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm on Friday and from 8:00 am until the start of the 2nd qualifying session on Saturday. You must make at least 1 time run to be qualified for 1st round of eliminations. Anyone who wishes to drive up and park following the NHRA Supernationals on June 2nd & 3rd will be allowed to leave their rigs at the track for the following weekend to save on gas & travel.

For more information and details, email Rob Keister at ReKeister@aol.com. The .90 Nationals can also be found on the web at www.dot90nationals.com or www.classracer.com.

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Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels returns as official title and Pro Mod class sponsor in support of the MIROCK Superbike Series in 2012. "When it comes to motorcycle drag racing, the MIROCK Series has been the cornerstone and we appreciate the opportunity to support the growth and success of this competitive series,” said Tom Kundrik, Motorsports Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “The addition of the Pro Mod class created a lot of excitement for the fans and additional exposure for the venue, and we’re looking forward to another great year.”

The Mickey Thompson Pro Mod class awards pays $2,500 Win, $1,000 Runner-Up, $250 Semis, $150 Quarters and $75 Eighths. The Pro Mod class will also have a championship point series. The winner will be awarded $1,000, a MIROCK Championship Gold Card, an Iron Tree Trophy and a MIROCK Championship Jacket. Spring Nationals kick off on April 28. For more information, visit www.mirockracing.com.

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Fun Ford Weekend will be offering the grassroots racing enthusiast an award and recognition that can’t be earned anywhere else. MustangGuys.com is sponsoring a special award called the “Fastest 5.0 Award” at all twelve of the 2012 Fun Ford Weekend events.

“The opportunity to support the Fun Ford Weekend is one that we quickly embraced,” said Tom Hoosigian, MustangGuys.com sales manager. “We wanted to align ourselves with a series that ‘bled blue’ and we certainly found it. Just as the ‘Fastest 5.0 Award’ is all about Mustang performance, so are we. It’s a perfect fit.”

With the renewed popularity of the 5.0 Mustang, this award will recognize the fastest 5.0-powered Mustang meeting the following requirements: 1) eligible to any driver of a Ford Mustang entered in the Fast Ford (Electronics) or Quick Ford (No-Electronics) Bracket Classes; 2) the Mustang must have a 5.0L displacement engine; 3) Windsor or Coyote engine; 4) only one power adder is allowed (turbo charger, super charger, or nitrous); 5) the MustangGuys.com decal given to each participant in their event goodie bag must be displayed on the car before first round of eliminations; 7) the award will be given to the car/driver that meets these specifications and posts the fastest MPH during eliminations. If there is a tie between more than one racer for the fastest mile per hour, the tie breaker will be closest to dial-in; 7) winner will pose with their MustangGuys.com Fastest 5.0 Award in a picture for event-results reporting.

Each event winner will then be featured on the MustangGuys.com web site and will be eligible for a special offer after the race and their recognition.

For more information about all of the go-fast parts for your Mustang, visit MustangGuys.com. For more information about Fun Ford Weekend, visit funfordweekend.com.

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Maryland International Raceway’s Midnight Madness series will include the season debut of Outlaw Drag Radial on Friday, April 13th, 2012. Outlaw Drag Radial is a heads-up, Quick 8 class that runs on a .400 Pro tree in the eighth-mile. Courtesy staging and Autostart is in effect. Outlaw Drag Radial pays $1,000 Win, $400 Runner-Up, $200 Semis and $100 Quarters; entry fee is $75. Gates open at 6:30 pm, with qualifying sessions at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm and eliminations at 10:00 pm.

The car must retain its original appearance, profiles, and dimensions. Factory roof and quarter panels must be used. Aftermarket fiberglass replacement panels are limited to hood, front fenders, doors, decklids, and bumpers only. All front ends must be of factory dimensions and cannot be stretched. Aftermarket wings and spoilers are permitted. Complete stock appearing front and rear bumpers are required. Forward facing hood scoops are permitted. There are additional rules which can be found at www.mirdrag.com.

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2011 ECSSSA Champion Steve Calabro (left); 2011 ECSSSA Runner-Up Frank Ferrucci (right)

The Mid Atlantic Super Gas Association (MASGA) has released its 2012 schedule. The series will start out at Atco Raceway on April 28th & 29th. This event falls the weekend before the NHRA PC Richard Open also being held at Atco on May 4th & 5th. Next is May 19th & 20th at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, PA for the “3rd annual Sportsman Circuit Shootout”. This event will be held the weekend before the Lucas Oil Division Race also held at the Grove on Memorial Day weekend. The third stop on the schedule is Numidia Dragway on June 30th - July 1st. Track owner Bob DiMino will step up to the plate once again and guarantee the $1,000.00 winner’s purse on both days. If 30 or more cars show up for either event DiMino will up the payout to $1,500.00. Also since this event falls on the July 4th observed weekend, Numidia will be having fireworks and a few other surprises on Saturday night for all the racers and their families. Next, the newly repaved Cecil County Dragway hosts races 7 & 8 on August 11th & 12th. The Cecil County event will feature the annual “Pig Roast” put on by Super Gas Racer George Donhauser and his family. This event falls the weekend before the Lucas Oil event held at Cecil on Aug 17th - 19th. MASGA goes to Atco Raceway on Sept 29th & 30th to crown their season ending champions. This event will provide a great test & tune opportunity for anyone who is entered for the Uni-Select Nationals the following weekend at Maple Grove Raceway.

The Mid Atlantic Super Comp Association (MASCA) kicks off its 3rd full season on April 28th & 29th, 2012 at Atco Raceway. This event will also be a great test & tune session for anyone running the NHRA PC Richard & Son National Open the following weekend at the same facility. The next two events on the schedule will see the series visiting Maple Grove Raceway for the “3rd Annual Sportsman Circuit Shootout” on May 19th & 20th. The series then returns back to Atco Raceway for the final two weekends of the 2012 season. The first is July 7th & 8th for the 1st annual MASCA Big Bash BBQ held on Saturday night. The second is September 29th & 30th when MASCA closes out the season and crowns their champions This is also the weekend before the NHRA Uni-Select Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

MASCA runs two races on each weekend of competition and offers a year-end points fund that is paid out to the Top 5 racers at the end of the series. The fee to enter each MASCA event is $70.00 in addition to the gate fee that is to be paid to the track when entering. Based on a 32 car field the payout to the winners will be $1,000.

MASCA’s annual membership fee is $70.00 and includes a free T-shirt, two stickers, and two free entries into their annual banquet held in 2013. There’s also an added bonus to become a member as in 2012 as the “MASCA Membership Fund” has been established. Thanks to sponsorship from Aqua-Terra Environmental Services all MASCA members will receive an added “Bonus” for a win or a runner-up at an event in 2012. Also for the 2012 season MASCA welcomes Bushwacker Truck Accessories, Auto Meter Competition Products and K&N Filters as series sponsors.

For any questions on MASCA please e-mail Rob Keister at Rekeister@aol.com.

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Calling all Top ET and Mod ET doorslammers to Richmond Dragway on April 14th & 15th for Door Warz.

Each day includes a big bucks race for Top and Mod. Each Top ET race pays $3,500 Win, $750 Runner-Up, $325 Semis, $150 Quarters, $100 Eighths and $70 sixteenths. Entry is $85 per day or $150 for the weekend. 1st or 2nd Round buybacks are $50.

Each Mod ET race pays $2,000 Win, $500 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, $100 Quarters, $70 Eighths and $35 Sixteenths. Entry is $60 per day or $100 for the weekend. 1st or 2nd Round buybacks are $35.

Gates open Friday April 13th from 5:00 – 10:00 pm for parking. Gates open Saturday April 14th at 9:00 am, with time trials at 10:00 am. Gates open Sunday April 15th at 9:00 am with time trials at 11:00 am. Visit www.richmonddragway.com for more information.

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Piedmont Dragway’s $50,000 Top ET Classic is coming fast on April 13th – 15th, 2012, with three chances to win big bucks with your electronics-equipped dragster or door car.

Friday’s race pays $5,000 Win, $1,000 Runner-Up, $250 Semis and $50 Round starting after 3rd Round win. Entry for Friday’s race is $75; buybacks are $50. Saturday’s race pays $20,000 Win, $5,000 Runner-Up, $1,200 Semis and $150 Round starting after 3rd Round Win. Saturday’s entry is $225; buybacks are $150. Sunday’s race pays $10,000 Win, $3,000 Runner-Up, $800 Semis and $100 Round starting after 3rd Round win. Sunday’s entry is $150; buybacks are $100. A three-day entry is $400. 1/8 mile, 0.00 – 8.50 dials. Double-entries allowed; no throttle stops; Autostart and CrossTalk will be in effect.

Gates open Friday at 8:00 am with time shots at 11:00 am. Gates open Saturday at 8:00 am with time shots at 10:00 am. Gates open Sunday at 9:00 am. For more info visit www.PiedmontDragway.com.

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I’ve recently discovered a product that I’d like to share with you. It's an exhaust gasket by a company named Remflex. I first learned about Remflex at the 2011 PRI Show in Orlando; if you saw my coverage (see it HERE) you may recall reading about them.

I’d been using reusable copper header gaskets on my engines, and although they worked OK, I was always annoyed by the constant “tsk-tsk-tsk” of a slight leak somewhere at the headers. I was never sure if it was a faulty gasket or if there was an imperfection in the header or head; all I knew is that I was getting tired of hearing it. When I saw the Remflex gaskets at the show, the first thing that caught my eye was how thick they are. That’s by design, because they’re meant to crush significantly, thereby absorbing imperfections that would normally cause a leak. I told Remflex that I had to pull one of my heads during the winter and that I’d like to try a set. The set is now on my engine, and they performed just as intended. No more “tsk-tsk-tsk.” Learn more at www.remflex.com.

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Montgomery MotorSports Park’s second race of their Super 7 series is coming up March 30th – April 1st.

The payout is $7,000 Win, $2,000 Runner-Up, $1,000 Semis, $500 Quarters, $50 Round starting 3rd round winner. Enter all three races for $300, or enter a single day for $150. Buyback $100 1st or 2nd round. Friday’s schedule: parking at 12:00 pm, with a Test & Tune at 1:00 pm. Saturday’s schedule: gates open 8:00 am, time trials at 10:00 am, Run for Money at 12:00 noon, eliminations at 1:00 pm; Sunday’s schedule: Gates open at 9:00 am, church at 9:30 am, Run For Money at 10:30 am, eliminations at 11:30 am.

For more information, visit Montgomery MotorSports Park at www.mmpdragracing.com.

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ATI Super Dampers were well represented at this years "Engine Masters Challenge" presented by Popular Hot Rodding magazine. All 3 of the top 3 teams in the Xtreme class and all 5 of the top 5 finishers in the Street Class were equipped with ATI Super Dampers and over 20 of the engines in the competition were fitted with ATI Dampers.

Top honors in the Xtreme class went to BES Racing Engines with a top score of 3124.5 with their 912 HP 441 Ford Windsor, and the School of Automotive Machinists took first place in the Street Division with a score of 2471.

The competition showcases the talents of top engine builders from all across North America competing in Street and Xtreme Street classes. Their challenge is to build an engine that produces the highest average horsepower and torque over a given RPM range.

For more information about ATI Super Dampers, visit the Super Damper page on ATI's website HERE.

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Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has renewed their long-time partnership with Bill Glidden Racing again this year. Part of the Big Tire Development Program, Bill Glidden Racing will continue to work closely with Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels to provide product development staff with evaluation results of tire and wheel products in real-world racing. Mickey Thompson will provide support to the Bill Glidden Racing team as they compete in the Extreme 10.5 class of the 2012 ADRL drag racing series.

In case you missed it, S&W Race Cars was a sponsor of BangShift.com's live March Meet coverage last weekend. S&W’s roots go back to the early days of drag racing in both front-engine dragsters and fuel funny cars. S&W’s founder Walt Weney (pictured) is a drag racing pioneer who began setting NHRA records in 1962. Scott Weney, S&W’s President and 2000 IHRA Funny Car World Champion, cut his teeth in the fuel funny cars of the late 70s, including the famed ‘Frantic Ford.’ Today, S&W Nostalgia Front Engine Dragsters and Nostalgia Funny Cars are still setting records and can be found at many nostalgia races around the world.

Nostalgia drag racing is a growing sport,” said S&W’s Jill Canuso. “The March Meet is a special nostalgia race at an equally famous venue, and it’s one that shouldn’t be missed so we teamed with BangShift.com to bring fans and racers four days of live racing action."

With the popularity of nostalgia racing, perhaps you've been considering getting a nostalgia car of your own. If so, make it a new one so that it's all up to spec. If you’d like to speak with S&W Race Cars about having your own car built, call 800-523-3353 ext.111; Scott Weney will be happy to answer your questions.

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Coastal Plains Dragway welcomes the IHRA Pro-Am Tour on Friday April 6th –Saturday April 7th, including Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod, Hot Rod, Junior Masters, Junior Advanced and Junior Beginner.

Top Sportsman and Top Dragster each pay $1,500 Win, $600 Runner-Up, $250 Semis, and $50 Round beginning 3rd Round win. Super Stock pays $1,100 Win, $500 Runner-Up, and $40 Round beginning 3rd Round win. Stock pays $1,000 Win, $400 Runner-Up, and $40 Round beginning 3rd Round win. Quick Rod and Super Rod each pay $1,100 Win, $500 Runner-Up, and $40 Round beginning 3rd Round win. Hot Rod pays $1,000 Win, $400 Runner-Up, and $40 Round beginning 3rd Round win. Junior Masters and Junior Advanced each pay $300 Win, $100 Runner-Up, and $50 Semis. Junior Beginners pays Ironman Win, and Plaque Runner-Up.

Entry fees are $135 for big cars (IHRA membership and license are mandatory), $75 for Junior Advanced and Masters, and $50 for Junior Beginners. Gates open Friday at 12:00 noon, with a test & tune at 3:00 pm. Gates open Saturday at 8:00 am, with time trials at 9:00 am and eliminations immediately following. For more information visit www.coastalplainsraceway.com.

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Atco’s Summer Series Shootout is back for another season of big-money gambler’s races. The 2012 series kicks off Easter Weekend with $5,000 gambler’s races on Friday April 6th and Sunday, April 8th, and a $10,000 on Saturday, April 7th. ET Breaks are 6.50 – 12.99, electronics permitted.

The $5Ks each pay $5,000 Win, $2,000 Runner-Up, $800 Semis, and $400 Quarters. Below the quarters, $75 Round starts with 3rd Round loser. Entry is $150, buybacks are $90. The $10K pays $10,000 Win, $3,000 Runner-Up, $1,000 Semis, and $500 Quarters. Below the quarters, $100 Round starts with 3rd Round loser. Entry is $190, buybacks are $120.

Gates open Friday at 11:00 am with time trials until 3:30 pm and eliminations following. Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 am, with time trials until 12:00 noon and eliminations following. For a complete list of rules, visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

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Leave your dial-in at home and come to the Spring Heads-Up Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on Saturday March 24th, 2012.

Classes include 4.90 Index, 5.90 Index, 10.00 Index, 11:00 Index, 12:00 Index, and X275. 4.90 pays $1,200 Win, $600 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $75 Quarters. Entry is $75. 5.90 pays $1,000 Win, $500 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $50 Quarters. Entry is $60. 10.00 Index pays $500 Win, $150 Runner-Up, $75 Semis, and $50 Quarters. Entry is $40. X275 pays $850 Win, $350 Runner-Up, $150 Semis, and $50 Quarters. Entry is $50. 11.00 and 12.00 Index each pay 60% Win, 40% Runner-Up. Entry is 30 each.

Gates open at 10:00 am, with racing at 12:00 noon. Visit Virginia Motorsports Park at www.vmpdrag.com for more information.

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Farmington Dragway’s Spring Foot Brake Showdown is Saturday March 30th and Sunday April 1st, 2012.

Saturday’s warm-up race pays $2,000 Win, $400 Runner-Up, $200 Semis, $100 Quarters. Entry is $60, buybacks are $50. Payouts based on minimum 75 cars. Sunday’s race pays $5,000 Win, $1,000 Runner-Up, $250 Semis, $30 Per Round Won after 3rd Round. Sunday’s 1st Round Best Winning Package wins 5-gallons of race fuel. 1st Round Best Losing Package wins a free buyback. Best Reaction Time in eliminations wins a $100 Gift Card; tiebreaker goes to closest to dial. Entry is $125, buybacks are $80, payouts based on minimum 75 cars. Enter the weekend for $150.

Double-entries permitted, deep staging allowed, no dragsters, no delay boxes, no transbrakes or buttons, air/electric shifters allowed, clutch cars are permitted to run 2-steps.

Gates open 8:00 am on Saturday, 9:00 am on Sunday. Visit Farmington Dragway online at www.farmingtondragway.net for more information.

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Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has promoted Tom Kundrik to the position of Motorsports Manager. Kundrik has been an employee since 2006.

The National Hot Rod Diesel Association 2012 Gator Diesel Drags are coming to Auto-Plus Raceway in Gainesville, FL on Saturday March 24th, and includes diesel drag racing, a burnout contest and a show & shine.

Classes include Top Diesel, Pro-Stock, Pro-Street, Super-Street (all are heads-up classes with a .400 Pro tree, pro ladder by ET, Auto Start on, various weight breaks and rules by class), Super Diesel - 11.90 Index (heads-up class with an 11.90 index, .400 Pro tree, pro ladder by ET, Auto Start on); and Sportsman ET (bracket racing class with a Sportsman tree, sportsman ladder by reaction time, Auto Start is off).

Gates open at 12:00 noon. For more information about the NHRDA, visit www.nhrda.com. For more information about Auto-Plus Raceway, visit www.autoplusraceway.com.

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Maple Grove Raceway racers Jackie Grater (Super ET), Brock Moshier (Pro ET), Jake Knarr (Street ET), Joe Stuebner (Top Bike) and Joe Dedrick (Jr. Dragster) were recognized for their season championships in their respective classes at the track’s awards banquet.

Grater, of Perkiomenville, Pa., took the Super championship on the final day of the season in his Thunderbird, reaching the quarterfinals and jumping from third to first. Moshier, from Lititz, Pa., was the most dominant driver in 2011. His ’71 Vega amassed 533 points, which provided a 57-point margin over runner-up Denny Renninger. Knarr, who was in Junior Dragsters just a few seasons ago, took Street by accumulating round wins. Stuebner was the Top Bike winner for the fourth consecutive season. The rider from Hamburg, Pa., needed to get past his son, Cory, on the final day of the season. On his ’90 Kawasaki, Stuebner had two wins and one runner-up. Another repeat winner was Dedrick, who won once and was runner-up twice in ‘11. He beat Jimmy Fizz by 38 points, clinching the title with three consecutive quarterfinal finishes.

In the photo: Maple Grove's 2011 Sunoco Race Fuels Money Trail season champions. Kneeling: Joe Stuebner (Top Bike); standing, from left: Jake Knarr (Street), Brock Moshier (Pro), Jack Grater (Super), Joe Dedrick (Junior Dragster). Photo: Don Carrick.

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Montgomery MotorSports Park’s popular Super 7 series is back for another year of big-money bracket racing in Montgomery, AL. The five-weekend series kicks off February 24th – 26th, 2012. The other four weekends are March 30th – April 1st, April 27th – 29th, June 15th – 17th, and August 30th - September 1st with four points races at the season finale.

I received an email from Bruce Boyle, signing up for my email list. I thought the photos he sent were very good and I liked his car so much that I wanted to share them here with you. Bruce writes, “I am 58 years old, racing No Box at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet Il. I also travel with the NMCA in the Open Comp class. I race a 1980 Monza Alston square tube car weighing 2,375 lbs. w/driver. The car has run a best of 8.90 with a Dart SBC 406 ci built by THP and a ‘glide by Begler Performance. Have to thank a couple of supporters: Interstate Emergency Vehicles and Genesis Rescue Systems, both in the Joliet area.”

Thanks for writing, Bruce, and good luck this season!

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Instead of making the trip to Bakersfield in March, Cen-Pen Speed Shop in Grantville, PA (17028) is having an open house/garage party on Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. They’ll open their doors for a look behind the scenes of their front-engine dragster shop which produces over 30 nostalgia dragster chassis per year. Snack food and sodas will be provided. Send an email to worm@slingshotdragsters.com if you plan to attend so they can get a tentative count.

Memphis International Raceway hosts The Dixie House Café Iron Man $50K on March 9-11, 2012. A weekend purse totaling over $100,000 will beckon big money bracket racing hopefuls to the centrally-located facility from all corners of the map.

Friday and Sunday races each feature a $10,000-to-win main event. $100 round money starting third round winner leads up to a $1,000 semifinal round, and a $2,000 runner-up prize. Saturday’s main event is overflowing with cash, with not only $50,000 to be awarded to the winner, but also $10,000 to the runner-up, $2,500 to the semis, and $300 round money beginning with third round winners.

Drivers can save money with a three-day weekend entry of just $699. Door cars will run against door cars and dragsters against dragsters as long as possible in each round, up to the 16-Car Ladder. Each race will have just one round of buybacks, run re-entry style, where buybacks race each other one round for the right to advance to the second round of eliminations. The Re-entry format virtually guarantees that a driver will only have to light no more than nine win lamps to claim even the massive $50,000 carrot.

“We designed an event where racers could win a few rounds here and there and win their money back,” said promoter Danny Sons. “It should be a big one! It’s a great way to welcome back Paul Cartwright, who will be our Racemaster. Paul will be back for good, and that’s a great thing for the racers. Make plans now for the biggest and best kick-off bracket event in years!”

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels presents a free entry $1,000 Run for the Money in the final time trial of each day, paying back three places. On Saturday, the festivities stretch into the evening with the TNT Supercars 64-Car Shootout, with a $30,000 dragster and cash up for grabs. (to pre-enter the limited field, call 972-290-7032 and ask for Frank.) Dale Simon from Dixie House Café sweetens the deal Saturday night with a free Racer Appreciation BBQ.

For more detailed event information and daily schedules, visit www.RaceDataShop.com.

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Alston Racing will be hosting a race car chassis seminar by renowned chassis tuner Dave Morgan, March 3rd & 4th, in Lake Zurich, IL.

Island Dragway in Great Meadows, NJ has announced that their Super Pro class will race 1,000 feet during the track's Saturday night ET Bracket Racing points program in the 2012 season. According to Island Dragway manager Steve Opetosky, "The 1000 ft. Super Pro length was based on the reality that cars have gotten faster and faster. The fact is that racers have always and will always look to make their vehicles faster but since the shutdown at Island can't be lengthened, a safety and business decision was made to try to bring back some of the quicker Super Pro racers that would still like to race at Island but were concerned about doing so. This is only for Super Pro and only during Saturday Summit racing series ET bracket racing. The Super Pro racer will receive E.T. and MPH for the 1000 ft. along with all the other standard info like reaction time, 60', etc.. They will not receive any 1/4 mile info. However, If a Super Pro racer is running test & tune on Saturday or any other day, they will receive all regular 1/4 mile data. The E.T. breaks for 1000 ft. are going to be 5.80 - 9.99, with 6.23 and quicker requiring the advanced E.T. rules safety equipment. These numbers equate to the 1/4 mile numbers. This takes effect for the 2012 season. Once our website is completley up and running, all will be posted."

Island Dragway has heard the concerns of racers with fast Super Pro cars who have stopped racing at the track, and it seems like a reasonable attempt at getting these racers back. Although a good portion of the feedback posted on the Web is supportive, judging by some of the posts you'd have thought they banned delay boxes, outlawed dragsters and changed the Earth's rotation all in one fell swoop.

It would have been easier for the track to dispense with the 1,000 foot altogether and go straight to 1/8 mile Super Pro, but instead they chose to give their racers as much dragstrip as they could while still improving safety. Whether you race Island or not, give them a break and wish them well. They wouldn't have implemented this unless they felt it was absolutely necessary, and we cannot afford to lose any more dragstrips.

For more information about Island Dragway, visit www.islanddragway.com.

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Racers won big at the recent Pro Tree Racers Association 2011 season banquet held at the Hilton at University Place in Charlotte, NC on January 7, 2012.

In addition to eleven class champions being crowned, drawings were held in each category for the top ten points earners for prizes. Calico Coatings and Performance Plus Connection offered gift certificates to all categories. The highlight of the drawing landed in the open body division, Pro Tree Dragster. Several companies partnered to give away a $3500 powerglide transmission.

Dragster driver Brad McBride walked away with the ‘glide featuring a Reid Racing case, Sonnax Performance 1.80 straight cut planetary, Transmission Specialties Pro Mod input shaft, Alto PowerBand and clutches, other parts from Performance Torque Converters (PTC), and assembled by Tony Meltvedt at Meltvedts Racing.

2011 PTRA Champions: Super Street - Scott Owenby; True Street - Scott Gilman; Performance Street - Eddie Young; 4.80 Index - Nick Cline; 5.30 Index - Michael Martin; 6.00 Index - Kenny Floyd; 7.00 Index - Kurt Flanagan; Pro Tree Dragster - Joel Mills; Pro Tree Eliminator - Larry Dowless; Pro Tree Junior Dragster - Jesse Warren; Street Eliminator - Trevor Lemon.

For more information about the PTRA and their 2012 season, go to www.protreeracersassociation.com or visit Mooresville Dragway at www.mooresvilledragway.com.

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This is an advertisement that a veteran Northeast bracket and NHRA sportsman racer ran recently in The Raceway News, the newspaper of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ:

Donald Kanka of Ewing, NJ will be expanding his events in 2012 with his 2010 S&W Race Cars 225” front-engined nostalgia dragster. So far Donald has only logged five partial-run passes on the car, but has gone a best of 6.991 in the 1,000’ at Atco.

Donald’s dragster includes Specialized 408 BB Chevy, head work by RHS, complete Hilborn Fuel Injection, MSD Mag, Hedman Hedders, Steph’s Pan w/Moroso Billet Pump, ATI Trans, shorty case and bellhousing, converter and balancer, Strange 12 bolt drop in pumpkin rear, 35 spline axles and Strange dual braking system, Champion and Hayden wheels, Goodyear Tires, and Deist chute. Jeff Kundratic of JKR Racing in Baltimore did all the powder coating, DJ Restoration of Ewing, NJ did the paint and AGIN Signs did all the gold leaf lettering and graphics.

Donald belongs to two nostalgia associations and races at Maple Grove, Englishtown, Atco, Cecil County Dragway, and Island Dragway.

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The five second barrier has stood all season long in the NMCA Pro Street class until the NMCA World Street Finals in Indianapolis, where ATI’s Chris Rini put down a 5.988 ET at 236.4 MPH to become the 1st person in any NMCA class to break into the fives. That run turned out to be the fastest pass of the day and put Rini #1 in qualifying.

Chris runs an ATI Superglide 4 and an ATI Outlaw Converter, making his '69 Bickel Pro Mod Camaro the fastest nitrous true automatic in the world. See the run on ATI’s video page HERE.

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No, it's not an installment of Dragtime News On Location; this time I was at Maple Grove only to race. The Dodge did well, too; I was still in it at the split.

If you were there and are looking for photos, Don Carrick has you covered. He was on the scene taking not only starting-line shots, but lots of action down track and scenes from the pits. It's great stuff.

Visit Don's site HERE and look under Featured Galleries on his home page.

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Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has announced The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals, a new event for customers and enthusiasts in 2012.

The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals will feature drag racing, autocross, car show, speed stop challenge, countryside cruise and a manufacturer's midway. The dates are September 21st-23rd, 2012 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals will offer drag racing, an invitation-only bracket race and a Battle of the Brands event that pits Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles against one another. Trophies, plaques and cash prizes will be awarded to car show and race winners. The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals will also be an official qualifying event for the OPTIMA Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational. Lingenfelter will announce additional event details throughout the year. Stay tuned to www.lingenfelterperformancenationals.com for regular updates or e-mail Mike Copeland at mcopeland@lingenfelter.com for questions about participating in the Lingenfelter Performance Nationals.

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The Doug Foley Drag Racing School and Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School will both be back at Maple Grove Raceway in 2012.

The Doug Foley Drag Racing School will be offering classes on May 7th - 8th and on September 23rd. It will also offer a drivers’ clinic to help experienced racers sharpen their skills on May 28th. Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School will be at Maple Grove on August 21st – 22nd.

To enroll, visit The Doug Foley Drag Racing School at www.dougfoley.com or Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at www.frankhawley.com.

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In a landmark move for the highly-competitive Extreme Pro Stock (XPS) class, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced that it will allow electronic fuel injection (EFI) on all XPS cars starting in the 2012 season. With the ruling, the ADRL becomes the first major drag racing sanctioning body to allow EFI to be used in any Pro Stock car. Manufacturers wishing to have their EFI Controllers in the world’s premier eighth-mile drag racing league will have to first submit them to the ADRL for approval prior to them being allowed to be used at any ADRL event.

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Aeromotive has announced the addition of racer and engine builder Chuck Samuel as crew chief on Aeromotive’s Pro Mod Mustang. Samuel brings with him a racing history going back to the early 80s. In the late 90s he found his way into the record books with the first 10” tire car to break into the 6s. Chuck will make his debut with the car at the start of the 2012 season. Look for the RoushYates powered turbo Mustang at multiple events next season, including NHRA Pro Mod, NMCA, ADRL and PSCA events.

I received this announcment from Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. Although it's not drag racing related, any tire company that can make a tire that stands up to 420 mph can more than handle any of our cars' needs!

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels has announced their support of Danny Thompson’s plans to exceed the existing internal combustion wheel-driven land speed record of 417.020 mph with a goal of more than 420 mph by the summer of 2012 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thompson will complete the restoration of his father’s custom- built Challenger 2.5, building the fastest piston-powered car in the world, to achieve this incredible goal.

Through this important relationship, announced at a press conference at the 2011 SEMA Show, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels will donate $300,000 and a variety of other services in support this historic project.

“It is incredibly exciting for our company to play an integral role in assisting Danny in his efforts to continue his father’s legacy and achieve motorsports history,” stated Ken Warner, VP Sales & Marketing, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “This will be the realization of a dream come true for both Danny Thompson and the late Mickey Thompson, and we want to do all we can to support this effort.”

Through this sponsorship relationship, Thompson will act as the official spokesperson on behalf of the project representing the Mickey Thompson brand name, and will make a number of appearances throughout the year, providing regular monthly updates regarding progress. Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels will support Thompson financially, and will build a special project website for Danny Thompson Motorsports, develop a promotional video to market the land speed record initiative, create video content covering the progress of the restoration of the Challenger and the advancement of the project, and support the development team with a variety of other marketing and communications efforts. For more information, visit www.mickeythompsontires.com.

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UNC-Charlotte Engineering student and sportsman drag racing standout Kyle Cultrera has capped his solid 2011 NHRA campaign with dual top-ten finishes in the NHRA Northeast Division points standings. Cultrera enjoyed his share of success on the race track in 2011, securing five event wins along with two runner-up finishes. One of those wins came on the national stage at his North Carolina home track, zMAX Dragway, during the Visitmyrtlebeach.com 4-Wide Nationals in April. "The win at zMAX was easily the highlight of my season," said Kyle. "I really had to earn that one, having to get past so many worthy opponents."

Kyle also earned four other event wins on the season, the most exciting of which in the Competition Eliminator category behind the wheel of Dave Ring’s and Al Ackerman's H/EA Bantam. Cultrera maneuvered his way through five rounds of eliminations and again found himself hoisting the Wally trophy at Atco Raceway for his first Comp victory.

"It felt great to come through for Dave [Ring], Al [Ackerman] and my dad who helps tune the car; they worked hard all year and that win made it all worth it!" exclaimed Cultrera.

Those individual performances paid dividends in terms of divisional points in both classes as Cultrera finished 3rd in Comp and 9th in Super Comp in NHRA's Division 1.

Kyle knows his 2011 success would not be possible without the help he receives from Dave Ring and Al Ackerman, Abruzzi Converters, Aeromotive, Independent Boat Haulers, Jegs, Kaye Powerglides, K&N Filters, Lamb Components, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Moldstar.com, MSD Ignition, NW Radio, Penske Racing Shocks, Racepak Data Systems, Speedco, Ted Black Motorsports & Consulting, The Racer's Mind, Undercover Motorsports, and Eastern VP Racing Fuels Distributors. Visit www.KyleCultreraRacing.com for more team news and information.

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