:::::: News ::::::

MINOT, N.D. RESIDENT WINS TRIP TO NHRA FINALS

Recently flexing his
competitive muscles behind the wheel of a Funny Car racing simulator at the 25th
annual Lucas Oil Nationals, Minot’s Jim Tarasenko, 53, beat out hundreds of
participants to become the local POWERade Fan Nationals Event Champion. Now,
Tarasenko will travel to Auto Club Raceway at Pomona at the end of the season to
compete for the national championship.


Tarasenko, a technician for the North Central Research Center,
will ultimately be one of 23 Event Champions from drag strips across the country
to compete to become the Series Champion. He and one guest will travel to the
42nd Annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif.
the weekend of Nov. 9-12, 2006. There, Tarasenko will compete in a series of
qualifying rounds for the chance to claim the title of POWERade Fan Nationals
Series Champion.

“This is one of the best experiences of my life,” Tarasenko said.
“I never thought I’d win the Fan Nationals. I can’t believe it. This is the
fourth time I’ve competed in the Fan Nationals; I’m thrilled to win.”

ENCORE - THE EARLY DAYS OF 500-INCH PRO STOCK

11-11_500ps.jpgThe cover blurb on the October 22, 1981 issue of National DRAGSTER said it all.

1982 Rules: Pro Stock Revamped.

The NHRA decided they’d had their fill of the pounds-per-cubic-inch format which had defined the Pro Stock division since its inception in 1970.

The continual factoring of the leading Chevrolet and Ford combinations had proven aggravating at best, and controversial to say the least.

The Pro Stock division would now be based on a universal 500 cubic inch limit with a weight of 2,350 pounds.

Pages