The images still flicker across the mind’s DVD.  A
Funny Car is nose first against the right guardrail, bouncing off the concrete
as the car makes its way down Englishtown Raceway Park’s 1320-foot racing
surface – and every inch of remaining asphalt before finally bouncing into the
trees.

Johnny West would have had the best view of anyone in the
large crowd if he hadn’t been knocked out when his Banzai Chevy Beretta Funny
Car turned into a battering ram and whacked the wall not far from the starting
line in the final round.

The following are the pre-entries received for the 8th annual CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco's CompetitionPlus.com hosted by South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga. 

The years of hard work and
waiting seemed to have finally paid off for Angie McBride. Following a successful
career in the regional MIROCK motorcycle drag racing series and a few quick
appearances on the NHRA tour, McBride was about to embark on her first full
season riding an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle. And it was not just any motorcycle:
McBride was to be the teammate of newly crowned NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Matt
Smith on the second Torco Race Fuels Buell. Life was good.

Then came the disheartening
news that Torco would be pulling all their race team sponsorships for 2008 due
to health concerns of Torco owner Evan Knoll.

“I was on an emotional roller-coaster,” said McBride. “On Monday we were
finalizing the contract. We had agreed on all the terms, the money, the
timeline, our responsibilities, the salary, everything. They were drawing up
the final contract. On Tuesday we started hearing rumors that there might be a
problem. On Wednesday we got the phone call. It was devastating.”

The following are the pre-entries received for the 8th annual CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco's CompetitionPlus.com hosted by South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga. 

Eaton Corporation's electrical business (Canadian Operations) has
announced it will provide the primary sponsorship of drag racing
veteran Carl Spiering for the seventh consecutive year.
 
“Eaton has been instrumental to our successful high-profile
professional racing program,” said Carl Spiering.  “A winning marketing
strategy has been established by Eaton that when combined with drag
racing, provides a high level of entertainment for its customers, staff
and distributor partners,” he went on to say.  “When you partner our
racing with extensive marketing and public relations activities
designed to promote the Cutler-Hammer and Powerware brands, it results
in a powerful branding effort by Eaton.”
 
The 2008 strategy for the Eaton Cutler-Hammer Team is for early-season
testing at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga., during the
weekend of March 6 – 8. The team’s goals this season are to break the
elusive six-second barrier, to win events, and to keep the Eaton
Cutler-Hammer Racing Team at the forefront for its sponsors, its fans,
and the media.

There was a time when the names Angelle and George Bryce were
synonymous in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks. Sponsorship developments sent
them in opposite directions. When Angelle Sampey signed on with Karl and Kim
Klement’s RUSH Racing Products, the door was opened for a reunion.

"Angelle and I raced together for seven years," said
Bryce. "We missed four championships in a row by only eight points in
1999, then we won the next three straight. I know it is different out there now
than it was when we won so much. So much has changed in our lives and in our
sport. But I know we respect each other's abilities, strength, and passion for
winning now more than ever."
 
"I'm very excited about the reunion tour with George and Jackie
Bryce," said Sampey. "They always have been like family to me since
the day they gave me my first opportunity to race in the NHRA with the Star
Racing team. We've had our share of bumps and bruises along the way, but just
like family, we've always worked through it and remained there for each other
throughout the years, even when we were in competition against each other. I
think I am better at anything I try when I have a coach, and GB3 (Bryce) is the
best racing coach there is."

By trade Mike Janis, two-time IHRA Pro Mod Champ, is a high performance engine
builder. Working out of the Janis family owned Jan-Cen Motorsports in Elma, NY,
Janis, is responsible for building some of the highest horsepower engines in
door slammer history. When connecting rod life became and issue a few seasons
ago Janis turned to R&R Racing Products of Grant Park, IL.
 
"I met
Mike at a trade show a few years before we worked together and I was impressed
at his knowledge of metallurgy," explained Janis. "Mike and his wife, Julie,
maintain a small shop and are forced to wear many hats. Designer, Engineer and
Quality coordinator are all part of what Mike does daily. Coming from a small
family business myself I appreciate Mike's dedication to his product and I'm
proud to add R&R to our family of sponsors, lead by Eaton and Aeroquip,"
said Janis.

If you’ve been keeping up with the assortment of new car images within
Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com’s “What’s New for 2008” section, chances
are you noticed an incredibly impressive A/Super Modified 1968 Plymouth
Barracuda with Pro Stock Bike icon George Bryce’s name on it. This car
is no paper tiger confirmed Bryce on Monday, January 18^th . Bryce, in
a phone conversation, said this Mopar dream is the real deal.

Bryce will produce a number of these classic Mopars as part of a new
business venture he’s created named B2 Hemi Cars. The classic Mopar
program will be in collaboration with Mopar Hemi stalwart Ray Barton.

Bryce's
Competition eliminator car will feature a paint scheme honoring the
fallen Pro Stock Bike champion John Myers, who lost his life in a
non-racing accident. 

 “The race car is going to be my flagship for the B2 Hemi car,” Bryce
said. “This will be a nine-second street car with 800 horsepower, all
aluminum Hemis. They’re gonna do wheelstands – that’s a necessity.
They're fully NHRA certified for 9 second competition. They'll have air
conditioning, power windows, power steering and leather interior. They
will have a 9-inch rear, RAM dual disc clutch, show car quality paint
and they're going to be serial numbered and very exclusive.”

Chris Rivas will ride the Drag Specialties S&S Cycle Proven Performance-powered Buell for G Squared (G2) Motorsports in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle drag-racing series.

Rivas will represent Drag Specialties, the motorcycle parts
distribution powerhouse, which returns for a third season as the
primary sponsor of the G2 motorcycle.

According to George Smith, G2 president and crew chief, the Fresno, Calif., resident was a natural choice to fill the empty seat on the team's motorcycle.

“There were a number of good riders available for the coming
campaign, but Chris was the most logical candidate for the Drag
Specialties/S&S/G2 bike,” said Smith. “He was one of the best at
getting off the starting line last season, and now on our bike, which
we believe is one of the strongest in the class, he becomes a real
threat for the championship this season.”