November 9, 2005

Let's rock this joint with a few video highlights from the Street Car Super Nationals CLICK HERE. Please note, yesterday's video has been removed to save some bandwidth, Scott's wheelie is on this new one as well.

FINAL PRE RACE NOTES:
As we prep to leave for a 'holiday' in Las Vegas, HH would like to thank the many, many people who helped us have some fun here the past few weeks. After we could find little but a few forum postings regarding this race we figured what the hell, and decided to go for it and create this page. We got lots of feedback, with one guy telling us there was just too much to read here...oh well, can't win 'em all eh!

Yes, most of our postings here were of the Pro Street variety, but that's the info we had access to. It wasn't that we didn't want to cover the others, we just didn't have any info to post.

You will not see any more pre race updates here as when we're on holiday in our favorite town, the only screen we want to be in front of has coinage spilling out of it...

HH will be on site Thursday to Sunday so please look for the HH cart, say hi, and come back here a few days after the race for coverage like you won't find anywhere else.

Please hold off on any e-mails to us until you see our post race coverage begin.

Here's to a fun, exciting, and above all safe four days at the inaugural Street Car Super Nationals on THE STRIP at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

-Larry Pfister

October 31, 2005

FLASH...Jenkins is ready as we get word that the motor that will be in the street car "curly" is the same piece that went 6.106 Saturday night at Rockingham-
1.006, 2.66, 3.99, 5.12. 6.106 @ 229 mph.
...Ed Marx Cavalier qualifies second in quickest Top Comp field ever at LVMS with a 6.790, 206.23... Pat Musi is a scheduled 'celeb' at the SEMA show Wed. Nov. 2 in the Borla booth. No word on him stickin' round a few more days to race though.

Northwest Pro Street - same story, different names
Pro Street racing in the northwest USA, Western Canada area came into prominence in the late 90s when a pair of Canadians put on a series of match races that forever live on in the minds of many.

When NHRA Division Six Director Chris Blair first saw the 'bad boy' Don Murray and the flamboyant Glen Braid (photo) go head-to-head on one of his first visits to Mission Raceway he knew this was something he could work with. The rest is history after a series of Division Six races that saw the green Corvette and the black Acadian (among others) bash heads all over the Division.

Once Blair moved on to Las Vegas Motor Speedway he even went as far as bringing in Braid and the late Paul Brown from Idaho to put on an exhibition at the NHRA AC Delco Nationals in the fall of 2001. It was here where the Canuck contingent put on 'a show' the likes of which even this town has never seen before or since. Almost banned from NHRA competition, it was a weekend to remember. A weekend they can all now look back and recall fondly...well sorta.

Part of the 'show' Braid and Murray become so well known for was what can only be described as a battle of egos unmatched anywhere else on the left coast. There's no other way to put it, and while today they both laugh about it, back a few years ago, everybody knew that whenever the two lined up it was war, pure and simple, and as entertaining as anything the northwest had witnessed since the days when Pat and Bucky Austin went at it, Jerry Ruth and everybody else before that. It really was that good.

In the years since, the Pro Street scene calmed as Braid moved on (possibly one day to return) and the other guys basically caught up to and passed Murray by. More on that later in the story.

The next major leap in NW Pro Street performance was when Washington driver Brian Lane got the shoebox that changed everything. With most all the competition murmuring 'Pro Mod', the shape of things to come was now written in stone. The days of in-dash DVD players, power windows, and back-halved Pro Streeters gone forever.

Today the Pro Street scene in the northwest is strong and getting stronger, but one thing has not changed and that is the rabid competition to be the baddest on the block.

Dhaliwal

In 2004 that battle was another all-Canuck skirmish between a couple of Ford guys, Dal Sangha and Rash Dhaliwal. Just as Braid and Murray had done years before these two went at it hot and heavy both on the track and off in various on-line forums. The locals ate it up, but unfortunately the two rarely met in side-by-side competition when both cars were healthy. At the 2004 PSCA World Finals in Las Vegas both proved their worth qualifying in the top half of the field.

Sangha

Come 2005 and another guy came forward. The first honest northwest runner from south of the border to challenge, for what up until this year, has been a class dominated by Canadians.

Thanks to the most consistent performances, Jeremy Devies' all black juiced '98 Firebird has become the ride to beat in the great northwest. Though the Canadian Mustangs are right there, Devies' string of 70s that won the ATS boys (photo, Devier center) the Mission Street Car Shootout in June, remains the benchmark performance of the year in the northwest.

One team who's been thrashing with a rather unique combo are the guys from Total Performance Racing of Tacoma.
Running a blown Chevrolet pickup, Garrett Richards (photo) has been knocking on the six second door for over a year. A crowd favorite wherever they run, the team also has the distinction of hosting the most rabid street legal forum anywhere. The title 'Let the shit-talking begin' does not even come close...

Late this year Don Murray sold the car that gave him so much and got a new ride, that while still sorting out in the Doorslammer category, is destined to have PS on the window very soon. Another green Corvette means the local scene is on track to a healthy future.

Regardless of past performances and future dreams, just like it's always been around here, one could argue forever who's the baddest and not really come up with a definitive answer, but that's what Pro Street racing is about in the region dubbed 'Land of the Leaders'.

About the only boasts we can be certain of was that Murray was first in the sevens, Dhaliwal first in the sixes, but beyond that it's all wide open to discussion, much of it of the four-letter-word variety.

What it all means is that the fans are the winners as the race to be top dog in NW Pro Street shows no signs of slowing down. Before we look to next year however, HH has it on good word that the four big guns from the north will be coming south to test their metal yet again at the SCSN. There's also that Pickett Bros. Pro Street rumor.

For sure though, Devies, Dhaliwal, Sangha and Richards are all said to be ready to rock one more time in oh five, so if you notice any two of 'em line up together this coming weekend take note for there is most definitely more on the line than 'just' the SCSN, and with luck any one of them could well be around late Sunday.

Good luck to them all, a rather biased HH would love nothing more than to see any or all of them do well!

• Northwest Pro Street Association
• Canadian Pro Street Association

October 29, 2005

You read it here first a few weeks ago, now there's possible truth to the rumor that one of the baddest door cars in the galaxy is comin' to the SCSN.

We said it could be 'painful' back on October 10, so if the entry on the PSCA message board is for real (the e-mail address appears legit), we could well see Jay Payne's Stratus in 'street' trim bangin' heads with the bad boyz next weekend. Wonder if Jay n Shelly will be out cruisin' Friday night? Damn, would that give the sponsors some ink eh?

And thanks to Jason and the crew over at Speedtech Innovative Nitrous Solutions, we've got some great shots of the wicked Camaro Shannon Jenkins (head shot below) will be bringin' out west.

Click image for full size version

We asked them if there's a possibility they'd be out running the Thursday test and Tune. "No chance on racing Thursday as the rig is in Rockingham, North Carolina this weekend. We change motors Monday morning in Alabama into the ragin bull Camaro and three days driving to Vegas."

Needless to say these guys could well be up for the long distance award, but we know that the fans will be thrilled to see this piece pull in the gate...maybe can't say the same of the competition, but ya know what they say about big dogs eh...

One more thing as the crew at Speedtech sends their regards to all our readers by way of a neat copy of their poster.

October 28, 2005

It's started folks...the pro bashing...talk that the little guys can't compete with 'the pros'...just more fuel to the fire baby!

New stuff includes this e-mail that came in recently. "Just so you have the correct information, Mike Moran did not break a rod his last outing, he broke a wrist pin. Luckily for the rest of the competitors, he chose to make the long trip home to do the repairs instead of attending the Street Car Super Nationals."

And NOBODY reports in that Vinny Ten and the Performance Motorsports team will now miss the SCSN due to an unfortunate incident in Pomona at the sport compact finals which basically destroyed the one and only front end of the worlds quickest and fastest 350Z. The Scranton Brothers are bringing their 6.5 second Toyota Celica to the SCSN and there is a rumor of Steph Papadakkis arriving in his Honda as well.

But perhaps the BIGGEST news of vehicles that will be seen at the SCSN can now be confirmed. Thanks to Kondolay Racing, the big, bad, bright orange and black...Horsepower Heaven golf cart is on the property as we speak! That's correct ladies and gentlemen, the Dave Strell-prepared Yamahauler will be touring the LVMS pits, staging lanes and return road...if we can keep Chris Blair off of it.

October 27, 2005

Hairston ready for breakout performance
There are a number of west coast Pro Street teams who so often are in the shadow of perennial champion Ed Thornton. A couple of guys HH has come to know well over the past few years is the father/sons team of Jim, Jake and Clint Hairston.

Their bright orange SS-type second generation Camaro has provided our camcorder with some truly spectacular footage along with some of the hardest charging launches we've ever recorded. Running a very unique small-block turbo program is proof the Pertronix Performance Products/Patriot Exhaust sponsored team follows no one. Long overdue for a breakout performance, driver Clint Hairston (pictured) is a favorite at every west coast event he enters. Check out their site and make sure you stop by to say hi to some of the nicest guys in the pits.

October 26, 2005

The Iceman cometh...and he planeth to kicketh asseth. You read that right men, HH just tonight has all but confirmed, through an all new source, that Shannon Jenkins WILL BE at the SCSN...with 100 pounds out of the car that won the Worlds. I think those predicting thirtys could be wrong...if this thing ran low fortys at Orlando, what'll the self-atmospheric, juiced-2-da-nutz Camaro do on a surface like LVMS?????

Team Plastastic shakes it off

Chino Hills California driver Ed Thornton is without question the winningest Pro Street shoe in the great southwest, but after a frustrating few days at the World Street Nationals just two weeks ago, some were left wondering if Plasticman was ready for the biggest bash his backyard has ever hosted. Thornton's team reports they have found the missing link in their setup that's been hindering performance this season and caused that disappointing Orlando trip. They vow to lay down some heat in Vegas - based on their soft 6.59 at Fontana over the weekend - this could be interesting...

October 25, 2005

Well, those Iceman rumors just keep getting stronger. With a couple of bucks in his pocket from the big Orlando win, not to mention a rather dominating performance, why wouldn't Shannon Jenkins be here?... Speaking of icy white, those Annette Summer rumors are apparently just that, as it does not look like she will be here...Forums are going a bit zany with talk already that it'll take a thirty something to set low ET in Pro Street...Will Mike Moran really be at the SCSN? After running a slow but fast 6.50/234 in Vegas at the AMS race, Moran ran a great 6.39 at 199 with a rod coming out just past half track. Does he have enough spare parts to make the SCSN?...Justin Humphreys who has an awesome Lexus GS300 Twin Turbo RWD car which normally runs in NHRA Sport Compact's Modified class is switching to 10.5 for the Vegas race. Since he has run as quick as 7.000 in legal trim (which is way below the record) and can run any size turbo he wants in Vegas - he just might be the dark horse!...Ed Marx had an unfortunate incident at the Xplod Sport Compact World Finals last weekend in Pomona, the Titan Toyota Celica contacting the guardwall. Marx contaced HH today to say the plan now is that "Slow Cavalier!"

Coming soon...NOBODY KNOWS da scoop

October 23, 2005

With the final PSCA points race now in the books, yet another Pro Street contenda emerges in the form of the Modular Motored Ford Cougar of NHRA Comp standout John Mihovetz whose final round 6.685/213.91 is a plenty stout number. Whether it'll be good enough at the big one is subject to speculation, but rest assured the Ontario California team will be one to keep your eyes on.

Latest forum rumors include talk of more Sport Compact racers possibly showing including Vinny Ten and the Performance Nissan Racing Team.

It all ads up to a giant boyz n girlz. It's only a short hop from 'the fairgrounds' folks, Scelzi's got it in the bag anyway, no excitement there...

October 18, 2005

Outlaw buzz continues as the world's first six second nitrous car, and number one qualifier at Orlando (6.96/203), the 2000 Camaro SS of Monroe Georgia's Steve Kirk Jr. is rumored to be on his way west in a couple of weeks...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2005 marked the official unleashing of the Lil' Bri' Motorsport built, Team AutoLine Outlaw Street 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS.

With less than ten runs on a new car and combination, the team used the last PSCA race of 2004 to test for the 2005 season. They had unexpected success making it to the finals of the PSCA World Finals in 2004. Team AutoLine has since been the top qualifier of every race they have entered and currently hold the PSCA World Record.

The car is built based off plans from a Tim McAmis Pro-Modified and has been set up for 10.5W racing by Steve Kirk JR of Kirks Speed Shop in Monroe,Ga. The car has a 700 inch nitrous engine originally built at Duttweiller Performance then rebuilt by car owner/driver Rich Zehring, Kip Dupuis of Kips Kustoms 1957 Buick Pro-Mod, and Brian Smith of Lil' Bri' Motorsports. The motor contains parts from Sonny's Automotive and Gene Fulton. It has a Bruno/Lenco Transmission and a McAmis Fab Rear End.

The Team recently acquired two sponsors, ProTrades Connection and Mel Cottons Sporting Goods who will help keep the operation running until the end of the year. In addition, Steve Zehring Sr, former AA Altered Fuel car owner/driver is coming aboard. He is bringing along a new Fulton power plant which should be in place for the November SSCN race in Las Vegas, NV

In a brief interview with owner Rich Zehring, he thanked Brian Smith for building and maintaining the car, his father Steve Zehring Sr, brothers Steve and Brian for the crew duties and Steve Kirk Jr. for all the quality parts, set-up and continued support.

When asked about the "race" to break the 7 sec 200MPH barrier on the West Coast he replied, " I kind of look at like trying to hit a grand slam, if you try to hard your most likely going back to the bench with nothing accomplished. When the time comes it will happen, but for now we will enjoy what we have. I have great help and really enjoy the Outlaw Street class and what Mel at PSCA and Chris Blair at LVMS have put together."

This bad ride can be seen at the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov 4-6 2005, where the quickest East Coast car, Steve Kirk Jr. and the fastest West Coast car, Rich Zehring, join together to form one heck of a team.

Click photos for full size images. More pics here & here.

October 17, 2005
Lots of new Orlando coverage is showing up with stuff here, here and here...along with some more of that wild wheelie contest at Byron here.

Thanks to Allen Machem for news from Washington state:

Add Trevor Willms in his '70 Nova running Heavy Street on 10.5's to cut 100 lbs off his weight requirement. He ran 7.91 and 7.96 in Seattle last weekend on mild tune up and car hooked hard and straight.

Also in attendance at Vegas will be Yvonne Castagno in her Chevy II who was also at Seattle testing on 10.5's. She runs in the 7.9's.

It's still questionable if Fastlane's Brian Lane will get his Pro Street '55 ready in time to make the haul, but if not, he and this crew guy will be there to support all the N.W. guys 'n gals in their attempts to mix it up at the biggest street legal race on the left coast.

And this juicy nugget from the Lane camp.
Look for a familiar red Montana-based Camaro to be parked under the tents at the Fastlane pits next year as the shoebox moves over to Willms pit if all goes as planned. The price of 6.40's at 220+ just went up.

Canuck pair confirms entries to SCSN

Ron Crookshanks will bring his newly huffed Goat to compete in Heavy, while the Moznik Broz are off to Vegas with their seven second El Camino to compete in Outlaw 10.5

October 11, 2005

Ed Marx to debut 800 inch Sonny-motivated Cavalier at PSCA Fontana Oct. 21. Mores pics here and here.

October 10, 2005

HH went diggin' on some forums, made a few phone calls and even had some surprise e-mails come in regarding the latest Street Car Super Nats Pro Street rumors:

Although a thread on the PSCA forum states that west coast kingpin Ed Thornton will be running a Ford at another local race, he is expected to be here with the familiar shoebox in a third attempt at LVMS to get by the guy who currently has to be the favorite, Chuck Samuels, who is said to be on his way with two cars, his formidable Mustang as well as the team's nitrous Escort, with the-one-the-only Billy Glidden pullin' the levers...and what big surprise does the former 'Big Bertha' dude from Nor-Cal have up his sleeve...Troy Cafaro is thrashin' to have the Vette that was basically destroyed in an accident last year ready for the Supers...will the many, many Pat-Musi-is-comin'-west rumors might finally be coming to an end...of the Pro Mod troops said to be out buying weight bars, could it be true that the painful rumor HH heard back in the spring that 'Mr almost five seconds' is among them...Todd Tutterow is rumored to be a possible runner in the wild Mustang that set the world afire in 2004...Northwest trendsetters the Pickett Bros. are said to be thrashing on a new Pro Street Cheby, and you can bet the T-P-R boyz will be on hand ready to get that truck into the sixes after a string of seven ohs this season, and we're all but certain Devier's black bird (pictured) will be on hand looking for more mid-six second passes...
West coast Canadian entries apparently now do NOT include Jay Syversten's pickup, and despite what you hear elsewhere, nothing yet confirmed on the two Mustangs...with all the talk of these awesome racers all coming together here, there's at least one dark horse that HH can now confirm, Bakersfield's Ed Marx at the wheel of the Titan Motorsports Toyota Celica. The former alky flopper pilot's entry here is yet more proof this race will be special. After just two events on the NHRA Xplod series he's already entered the winners' circle with the machine that, according to their website, boasts a best of 6.44/218. Add to this the fact Marx loves LVMS, and Pro Street may well be entering into an entirely new era...

We'll keep the rumor doors open wide for the next couple of weeks folks, and will add info as we get it. If YOU have some dirt to share on who's doin' what, please pass it along with all the gory details by e-mailing HH NOW!

In the meantime check out both both the SCSN and the PSCA message boards for the very latest gossip.