WILKERSON'S TURNAROUND
Okay, so he lost in the first round at Pomona, just as he did last year. But, not only did he run harder this year, last year his season went decidedly downhill after the Winternationals, but this year it could be heading in the other direction.
“The (switch) to 90% is going to help us,” Wilkerson said. “The parts look a lot better, and thanks to NHRA for that. That was a needed change for this team, I can tell you that right now.”
Okay, so he lost in the first round at Pomona (after qualifying No. 1), just as he did last
year. But, not only did he run harder this year, last year his season
went decidedly downhill after the Winternationals, but this year it
could be heading in the other direction.
“The (switch) to 90% is going to help us,” Wilkerson said. “The parts
look a lot better, and thanks to NHRA for that. That was a needed
change for this team, I can tell you that right now.”
What is the difference between 85% and 90% for Wilkerson?
“A tremendous financial benefit to a man in my financial position,”
Wilkerson said. “I’m hoping to get more life out of the parts this
year. I have guaranteed Dan Olson [NHRA nitro liaison] that I’m going
to have less oil downs this year. If I don’t I’m jumping off a cliff.”
Wilkerson lost only one motor in three years of racing at 90%. He killed six last year under the 85% rule.
“I have to believe that it’s going to make a difference,” Wilkerson
said. “Of course, maybe we think we’re a bit smarter than we are. Every
time that happens the motor suffers.”
Wilkerson is also enthusiastic about the tuning and sharing of
information arrangement with Prudhomme. “There’s no doubt about how
helpful it’s going to be,” he said. “Donnie Bender and I have been
talking for the last two or three years, because I don’t really have
anyone to talk to, and he’s been good to talk to about the tune-up.
You know, stuff like, Hey, have you ever seen a piston that looks like
this? Stuff like that. It’s just a very good deal.
“You never know where that might lead to. Don might want to run
another Funny Car some day, you never know. I’m not anticipating
anything, but you never know. He’s been really good to me. I’ve got
the run of their shop over there, and they’ve already helped me fix a
couple of problems I had, so it’s a no lose situation for me.”
Wilkerson correctly notes that towards the end of last season his car
was starting to come around, but this year he feels they’re ready to
rock. “I was winning some rounds in the last two or three races,” he
says, “so I’m hoping that will continue on now. We’ll just try to keep
the car consistent and try not to be the guy who beats himself.”
Wilkerson admitted that last year
several upper echelon teams assisted him with machining tools. This
year he’s involved in an alliance with Don ‘the Snake” Prudhomme on
technology and hospitality.
“I’ve been around their shop so much that I think they’re tired of me
now,” Wilkerson said. “We’ve been there a half-dozen times wearing out
their clutch and blower dyno. I’ve really learned a lot from that. I
hope that’s going to improve our chances of running well wherever we
go.”
Wilkerson pointed out that he befriended Prudhomme crew chief Donnie
Bender about three years ago. The friendship has grown stronger with
each season.
“It’s really good to have guys that you can show parts to, like a piston, and get another opinion,” Wilkerson added.
Wilkerson recalled the one time he attempted to show Austin Coil a wounded piston and seek advice.
“If something has ever been torn up, chances are that he’s done it
twice,” Wilkerson said. “We were No. 2 at a race, and he was No. 3 and
I had a piston that looked scuffy and ugly. I asked, ‘What do you think
of this Coil?”
Wilkerson wasn’t prepared for the answer.
“He was really pissed off. He looked at me and said, ‘See my motor with
all the bones out of it and you care about a piston? Get out of my pit
area.”
Don’t think Wilkerson has been back since.