Ashley’s tribute car fetches $130,000 at Barrett-Jackson
January 22, 2008 by Robert
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The emotional journey that began in Indianapolis when Mike Ashley won the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in a charity tribute car ended Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction when Phoenix-area construction mogul and car collector Ron Pratte paid $130,000 for the car, with all proceeds going to the Eric Blake Faulkner Foundation charity to support the Perinatal Loss Program at the St. Vincent Health System Hospital in Little Rock, Ark.
Donnie and Hollie Faulkner created the Foundation in memory of their stillborn son, Eric Blake, with the single goal of helping other parents who suffer similar loss. The Faulkners were present at the sale of the car along with officials from the St. Vincent's Hospital as well as Gotham City Racing representatives. Mike Ashley was unable to attend the event because of crucial business and team meetings, but followed the event closely on the Internet, television and with constant calls and text messages.
Read more and see the car at NHRA
Tags: auction, car, Charity, Mac Tools, Mike Ashley, NHRA, racingBan of leaded fuels killer blow to drag racing in Canada
January 19, 2008 by Robert
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The Government of Canada is going to kill drag racing in this country, industry experts predict.
The pending decision to implement a total and permanent ban on the use of leaded fuels for competition purposes, effective Jan. 1, 2009, will force tracks such as Grand Bend Motorplex and St. Thomas Dragway to close, say their owners.
Read full story in the London Free Press
Tags: car, drag racing, dragway, Force, IHRA, motorsports, racingAnother driver affected by Torco’s pullout; Searching for sponsor
January 13, 2008 by Robert
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Jessie Harris, 25 of Rome, NY had been preparing for what she thought would be the time of her life this season driving the second car on Clay Millican’s, Evan Knoll owned Top Fuel team. Last week, Torco announced that they were pulling out for the year due to Founder and Owner, Evan Knoll’s health. [...]
Tags: car, Jessie Harris, Top Fuel, TorcoJohn Force says he will be ready
John Force is getting his health back after his horrific crash. His physical therapist says Force's goal of participating in the Phoenix pre-season testing January 27-30 is achievable.
The National Speed Sport News has this article:
YORBA LINDA, Calif. — Just over three months after suffering severe injuries to his feet, hands and legs in a 300 mile-per-hour crash, John Force climbed into and out of the cockpit of his Castrol Ford Mustang Funny Car last week in a special rehabilitation session at the John Force Racing complex supervised by physical therapy director Robert Ortmayer.
“It wasn’t easy,” Force said, “but I could do it. I said I’d be ready (for the NHRA’s 2008 season) and I will.” ...
Sponsor Hiatus Teams and Drivers Scrambling
January 13, 2008 by Robert
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The surprising withdrawal of Torco Racing Fuels from race team sponsorship for the 2008 season has many high profile teams and drivers scrambling for new sponsors so they can compete this season.
As quoted in the Peoria Journal Star:
Don Prudhomme lost sponsorship for Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr., who moved to Kenny Bernstein's team, so Prudhomme is only running a Top Fuel car for Larry Dixon this season.
Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith is looking for work and Pro Stock driver Dave Connolly may start this season on the sidelines, as may Funny Car driver Mike Ashley. (Editor's note, Ashley has since signed a deal with ProCare Rx for 2008.)
Read full story at the Peoria Journal Star
Dale Creasy Jr., Bobby Lagana Jr., Scotty Cannon, Ricky Smith, Matt Hagan and others from the IHRA series are also impacted by the Torco Racing Fuels pullout.
NHRA to kick off ‘Countdown’ at new drag strip
January 11, 2008 by Robert
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The inaugural event at a new drag strip at Lowes Motor Speedway will also be the first in the National Hot Rod Association PowerAde Series revised Countdown to the Championship. Details on the Sept. 11-14 event at the facility being built near Charlotte - still listed as "to be announced" on the NHRA schedule - are expected to be formally announced Jan. 24 during the annual preseason ...
Read full story at The Charlotte Observer
Tags: car, NHRA, PoweradeAshley joins with ProCare Rx founder Burgess; will fund Troxel's car – NHRA.com
Less than 48 hours after learning of his longtime sponsor's sudden and unexpected hiatus from drag racing, Mike Ashley has acquired primary funding for his NHRA Funny Car team for 2008 and beyond.
Ashley announced a racing partnership with ProCare Rx Chairman and Co-Founder Roger Burgess with the goal of fielding the ultimate championship drag racing team. Ashley and Burgess will initially field one Funny Car with racing standout Melanie Troxel behind the wheel, and will aggressively seek additional long-term sponsorship to field a second Funny Car in the NHRA....
Tags: car, drag racing, Funny Car, Melanie Troxel, Mike Ashley, NHRA, racing, TroxelPrudhomme and Wilkerson to align for the 2008 NHRA POWERade season – NHRA.com
January 11, 2008 by Robert
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Team owner Don Prudhomme and owner/driver Tim Wilkerson announced an alliance for the upcoming 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season. While Snake Racing will field a car in the Top Fuel category and Tim Wilkerson will campaign a Funny Car, the new coalition will create the ability for the two teams to share resources and discuss tuning decisions, while generating new opportunities for their sponsors.
"Tim has always been a really good guy and a solid competitor," Prudhomme said. "I know he has a good relationship with (Snake Racing crew chiefs) Donnie Bender and Todd Smith and both teams have always been quick to lend each other a helping hand. For 2008, I wanted to strengthen the relationship between our teams and create opportunities for our dragster and Tim's Funny Car program."
Tags: car, drag racing, dragster, Funny Car, NHRA, Powerade, racing, Tim Wilkerson, Top Fuel, Wilkerson