Longtime Gotham City Racing crew chief Chuck Ford told Torco's CompetitionPlus.com that he was looking to cultivate talent within the team as well as bring in a few talented outsiders as part of the new Roger Burgess and Mike Ashley Pro Modified alliance. Today, the GCR team scored a coup.

Mike Ashley confirmed that veteran tuner Howard Moon has left the AMS Staff Leasing team to join their operation.

Longtime Gotham City Racing crew chief Chuck Ford told Torco's CompetitionPlus.com that he was looking to cultivate talent within the team as well as bring in a few talented outsiders as part of the new Roger Burgess and Mike Ashley Pro Modified alliance. Today, the GCR team scored a coup.

Mike Ashley confirmed that veteran tuner Howard Moon has left the AMS Staff Leasing team to join their operation.

"It's true, Howard is joining our team," Ashley said. "Understandably, we've been so inundated with everything that has been going on -- we're running behind schedule getting the press release out."

Ford told Torco's CompetitionPlus.com last week that his eventual role on the team will be in a research and development capacity. Adding Moon to the roster moves Ford closer to that goal and creates yet another weapon for the Burgess/Ashley alliance.

UPDATED OFFICIAL TEAM STATEMENT -  On the heels of the announcement of Mike Ashley and Roger Burgess joining forces to field a championship nitro Funny Car, the duo formally announced their intentions to team up behind the wheel as well, racing Pro Modified in the NRHA Pro Mod Challenge. The team also announced the addition of Howard Moon as a second tuner and engine strategist.
 
"We're committed to building a competitive Pro Mod program and both Roger and I believe in the NHRA Pro Mod organization. I’m very excited to return to Pro Mod, I don't plan on running Funny Car at all this year but will compete side-by-side with Roger at all of the NHRA Pro Mod events," Ashley said.
 
Ashley, the Pro Mod Challenge World Champion in 2004-2005, took a two-year hiatus from Pro Mod competition to develop his nitro Funny Car team. Throughout his time away from the door slammers, Ashley maintained his Gotham City Racing Team and the services of his championship tuner Chuck Ford.
 
"We've proven we have a championship team, and I worked hard to maintain that even though I was racing Funny Car. I'm very protective of the Gotham City Racing culture, and Roger and ProCare Rx are perfect fit within this positive environment. He's a family man, he's an excellent businessman, and he has incredible character."
 
Burgess said, "You can't be a fan of Pro Mod, or even Funny Car, without knowing of the reputation and style of Mike and the racing organization he has built. My personal goal is to succeed in everything I do, and Mike shares the same drive and motivation. It actually works really well for me, because I really enjoy the racing and behind-the-scenes stuff, and Mike is a master of the marketing and 'front-end' operations, so, it's a great partnership.
 
"On the track, I had a great race in Las Vegas last year, and I will have had opportunity to go testing with the new team before we get to Gainesville for the start of the season so we can work any bugs out of our system. The key is to get our rhythm down, and with the talent we've got in place, I know we'll be very competitive," Burgess said.
 
When Howard Moon, 2007 AMS Pro Mod Crew Chief of the Year, decided not to return to the Championship team piloted by Josh Hernandez, Ashley  inquired about his interest in joining the Gotham City team.
 
Ashley said, "We want to have the best talent, and had been looking to hire additional team members. When Howard became available we brought him in, and we think it will be excellent to have him as part of our championship team. He's obviously one of the very best tuners out there, and working alongside Chuck, it'll be an unstoppable powerhouse, for sure."
 
Moon replied, "I'm really optimistic about working with Mike and Roger and I think we've got the makings of something that's really, really good. It's always hard when there's change, but these guys are really rolling out the welcome mats and I'm excited to see what we'll be able to do this year."
 
With more than one car on the team, the question of specific tuning duties has been raised, and Ashley assured the team would operate as one unit.
 
"It's important to understand that we're not running our team like a two-car team, but one team with several cars," Ashley said. "That's how we'll make the racing decisions. Bringing Howard on will allow Chuck to work more on the R&D, which is really his passion, and it will also let Howard shine where he's strongest, too."
 
Burgess added, "We're excited, and plan on running the all of the NRHA Pro Mod races, and will take a look at some ADRL Races, possibly, as well. We'll just have to see how everything shakes out with the Funny Car team and the additions to the Pro Mod stable.
 
"With all of the changes in the past week, we need to see things after the dust settles, and then make the decisions that will be the best for the team.
 
"Over all," Burgess said, "We've put together something that has unlimited potential, and I'm very pleased to be working alongside Mike and the whole Gotham City team. I think 2008 is going to be a banner year in Pro Mod and in Funny Car, and I think you'll see our drivers in contention for the top spot every weekend.  I couldn't be more excited."