Offers Statement on Behalf of S&S …

Later this afternoon, CompetitionPlus.com will publish an article
describing the facts and opinions surrounding the new NHRA rule
permitting the use of a four-valve Harley-Davidson V-rod engine similar
to that being implemented in 2009 by Suzuki.

This unpublicized rule has created an inordinate amount of dissension
amongst the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks largely due to the way it was
handed down.

The Suzuki teams consider the move by the NHRA’s tech department to
provide Harley-Davidson with an unfair advantage and the Buell teams
facing two OEM combinations with four-valve engines as a move they feel
will eventually legislate the S&S-powered bikes out of existence.

E-town Has Made Some Adjustments but the hold-up is the NHRA's Official Specs …

Jim Oberhofer hopes that no one ever has to experience the same
gruesome sights he witnessed as a result of Scott Kalitta’s crash;
which is why the veteran tuner is adamant that if the necessary
adjustments to the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park’s (OBTRP) shutdown
area are not in place Kalitta Motorsports won’t even set up shop,
they’ll pack up the haulers and return to their headquarters in
Ypsilanti, Mi.

David Napp stands on the other side of the fence in the issue as one of
the operators of the iconic drag strip located in the small township of
Englishtown, NJ.

OBTRP was the site of a tragic accident which claimed the life of past
world champion Scott Kalitta last June when his car exploded an engine
just shy of the quarter-mile finish line, careened out of control into
the shutdown area striking a pole holding the catch net and then
ultimately a camera boom placed at the end of the sand-trap.

The 2nd annual winter Rod and speed Show returns to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center in Albany,
Oregon. Over 50 show cars, classic cars and trucks, roadsters, muscle
cars and race vehicles will be on display on Saturday, January 31 from
9am-9pm.
 
The proceeds from the show will benefit the 9-year old Cricket Beebe, a Corvallis girl fighting a cancerous
brain tumor. Her single mother can only work one day a week as she cares for her child. They live in a converted garage.
 

The nation is experiencing a recession that normally does not effect
the sports industry.  Unfortunately, the recession is doing
just
that; from the NBA cutting 9% of its work force to the Arena Football
League cancelling its 2009 season, it proves to be no different for
NHRA Pro Stock Team owner/driver Tom Hammonds, who is having difficulty
securing sponsorship for his Race for Achievement Chevy Cobalt for the
2009 NHRA season.

"Everybody is out there looking for potential partners, and we are no
different," passionately states Tom Hammonds. "We need a partner like
all other race teams in order for us to be competitive and to keep
moving forward with our  Race for Achievement program."

"Realistically, to have a chance for the Chase for the Championship, we
need to have a sponsor before the first race in Pomona, Calf.  If not,
then, we may not be moving forward."

The spirit of the War Stories competition is one of competitors telling tales of being on the road and sometimes outlandish
antics. The story Don Garlits submitted in the quarter-finals, The Indestructible Connie Kalitta,
featured a tale about what he said he witnessed during a match race
with Shirley Muldowney in the 1970s. Ms. Muldowney alleged the details
in the story are inaccurate and offered to tell her side of the story.

Since this story would have involved other parties, we just felt it was
best for the spirit of the competition to declare an early victory for
Garlits who held a 50% percent voting lead after 12 hours.
Traditionally no one has ever overcome a 15% lead much less a 50%.

In a perfect world such decisions are black and white. There is a
winner and there is a loser. In this case Garlits was declared the
victor and the unfortunate loser being Nowling, who was through no
fault of his own, denied the opportunity to even bridge the gap.

Due to unfortunate economic conditions, David Powers Motorsports and
Caterpillar Inc. have reached a mutual agreement to end Caterpillar’s
sponsorship of David Powers Motorsports and the Caterpillar Top Fuel
team, effective immediately.

“I would first like to thank Rod Fuller and all the team members that
helped make David Powers Motorsports a great part of the NHRA POWERade
Drag Racing Series the last four years,” Powers said. “Also,
Caterpillar and Matco Tools and all of our great sponsors who supported
us along the way. And, we have to thank Tom Compton and the great staff
at NHRA. The sport of NHRA drag racing is in good hands and will
continue to prosper."

David Powers Motorsports is selling its Top Fuel and show car program
assets. The racing assets include two complete Brad Hadman race cars,
12 sets of cylinder heads, seven short blocks, a 2008
Caterpillar-powered Kenthworth tractor, and Competition Trailers
transporter. It is the ideal package for a race-winning Top Fuel
program. The show car comes with two one-piece carbon fiber bodies and
fifth-wheel Goldrush trailer. All inquired can be directed to Powers at
(713) 539-3894 or dpowers@davidpowershomes.com.

For the first time since 1982, Pomona Might Be Minus WJ …

Warren Johnson believes the concept is simple. If he doesn’t have a
sponsor for 2009, he’s not racing and the same holds true for his son
Kurt.

“Right now we have no sponsorship support,” confirmed Johnson.

2008 FIA European Top Fuel Dragster Champion, the UK's Andy Carter will
be contesting the Winternationals at Pomona on 5th-8th February. Andy
will be driving Terry Haddock's Top Fuel Dragster with backing from
primary sponsor Lucas Oil, who recently extended Andy's two-year deal
to three years.

“Elite Eight Pro Stock Shootout” in Budds Creek a part of class sponsorship package

Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman recently underlined his
dedication to IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock racing by announcing he was
forming a three-car team to pursue the 2009 IHRA Pro Stock championship.

Today he added the exclamation point.

Elite Motorsports has entered into an agreement with IHRA to become the
class sponsor for Pro Stock at all 2009 Nitro Jam national events. The
class, which will be named “Elite Motorsports Pro Stock,” will feature
an 8-car shootout at the President’s Cup Nationals in Budds Creek Sept.
25-27, the “Elite Motorsports Elite Eight Pro Stock Shootout.”

Named Official Traction Compound of ADRL As Well As Official Racing Fuel

The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced VP Racing has signed a
three-year extension to continue as ADRL’s Official Racing Fuel and
also entered a three-year agreement to become the series’ Official
Traction Compound supplier. 

“We are very happy to continue in our role as Official Fuel of the ADRL
and very excited about ADRL’s selection of VP’s Lane Choice 6 as its
Official Traction Compound,” said VP’s Director of Marketing, Steve
Scheidker. “It’s a perfect match, with ADRL racers known to push the
edge of the technology envelope while VP’s fuels and traction compound
are the most technologically advanced on the planet.  Based on recent
experience at the World Street Nationals in Orlando where the
LC6-prepped track yielded world records in every class, ADRL racers are
sure to thrive when they experience the superior traction afforded by
VP’s industry-leading compound.”