The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association is proud to announce a historical AA/Fuel Altered match race series for the 2009
racing season. Rich Guasco’s “Pure Hell” bantam roadster will come out
of retirement to race Dave Hough’s “Nanook” ’23 Ford roadster at all
three Midwestern Goodguys vintage drag racing events throughout the
Midwest. Nostalgia Top Fuel racer Jason Richey will drive Pure Hell
while Nanook will be piloted by longtime Hough family member and
chassis builder Vince Generalao – the car’s regular driver.

zMAX Dragway will open its doors once again on Thursday, Dec. 11, for
the VAULT Assault Street Racing Challenge. The public is invited to
bring their personal vehicles for an evening of heads-up drag racing at
the Bellagio of drag strips.
    
All vehicles entered must be street legal and certified by the
Department of Transportation. Participants must have a current driver's
license and matching registration. No race tires (slicks), nitrous
bottles, or convertibles will be allowed. Also, there will be no
passengers permitted on track.

The eighth SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference (MSEC) presented awards recognizing strides in the sport's safety

John Force (right) accepts the MSEC Motorsports Achievement
Award from Dr. John Melvin. (SAE International).

aspects.
Awards were presented at the Dec. 3 banquet at the Embassy Suites
Charlotte-Concord Golf Resort and Spa, where motorsports broadcast
journalist Bob Varsha was the guest speaker.

Legendary NHRA drag racer John Force received the MSEC Motorsports
Achievement Award for his work in helping to establish The Eric Medlen
Project. Named for the late racer; the goal of the project is to design
a safer race car and to create a safer competitive environment. This
award is presented to an individual who has shown outstanding
leadership or contribution to motorsports over an extended period of
time.

Drivers in both the Pro Modified and Pro Stock classes will have added
incentive to compete at all 2009 IHRA Nitro Jam national events.
Participants in both classes will receive complimentary car and driver
entries as well as three free crew entries for the entire 2009 slate.

Pro Modified on the NHRA tour appears uncertain for 2009 or at least in
its announced capacity, this according to Jegs ProMod Series
administrator Rob Geiger. A letter informing series competitors was
issued today providing options to keep the exhibition category alive.

According to the letter, a failed sponsorship commitment amounting to
$500,000 fell through leaving an increased financial burden on Jegs.

Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal has released the results of
its annual SBJ/SBD Reader Survey, and the results of one question in
particular tell the story of IHRA’s future prospects.

In the category “Motorsports property best positioned for growth,” the
International Hot Rod Association finished fourth in the balloting.
This question took into consideration all motor sports sanctioning
bodies in all forms of racing across the globe. IHRA finished ahead of
NASCAR, World of Outlaws, SCCA, Grand Am Series and Formula 1 to name a
few.

“SportsBusiness Journal is the Bible when it comes to sports marketing,
sponsorship, research and media,” IHRA director of communications
Michael Perry said. “Their poll reinforces what we at the IHRA World
Headquarters have known for some time…that we are in a very unique,
very beneficial position to really build something special. While it’s
nice to be recognized for our potential, we’re looking forward to being
recognized for our results as well. That day is coming very soon.”

Two Redesigned Mustangs in 2009 with Erica Enders Driving One …

Christmas will be coming in July for Pro Stock racer Jim Cunningham.

The long suffering Ford runner confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com that
he will take delivery of his first batch of new Ford engines complete
with technology that he developed in a joint venture with Ford Racing
at that time.

Incorporated into the engines are the latest bells and whistles developed in conjunction with NASCAR.

Every
Friday, CompetitionPlus.com brings you our Feedback letters.
Read what our readers have to say about our feature articles and you
can even offer your opinions.

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - DECEMBER 05, 2008

Ride or no ride, Tommy Johnson, Jr. insists he'll be in Pomona come February of 2009 driving, even if its the motorcoach he
shares with wife Melanie Troxel and their dogs.
 
“I'll definitely have my helmet and fire suit with me just in case,”
Johnson insisted just after admitting, even if all he is doing is
driving the motorcoach, he will be in Pomona. “I've even considered a
Super Comp car purchase to keep my skills sharp, if that is what I need
to do.”
 
As of this moment in time, Johnson feels he has two prospects. One
prospect is good enough for him to confirm he slipped over to the
Hadman shop to get fitted for a seat in a Top Fuel dragster.

Second annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories Showdown Returns This Month …

At first, the concept was simple. Gather a group of former and current racers, sprinkle in a few industry notables and media

types and allow them to tell their greatest “war” stories from back in the day.

Then it became the incessant desire to compete which inspired the
bearers of these outlandish tales to ratchet up the competition to a
rather intense level.

Thus the annual War Stories Showdown was born.

Sixteen competitors will square off in a month-long competition
beginning on Monday, December 15 and ending on January 15th when a
champion will be crowned.