Wilkerson 11th, keeps points lead
July 22, 2008 by Robert
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KENT, Wash. — Springfield driver Tim Wilkerson finished in 11th place Sunday in the Funny Car division at the National Hot Rod Association Schuck’s Auto Supply Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
Points leader Wilkerson was eliminated in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations by Robert Hight, who’s No. 2 in the point standings. Hight’s time was 4.135, and Wilkerson posted a 4.204 at 298.14 mph. Hight’s was the...
Read the full article in The State Journal-Register
Tim Wilkerson wins again!
July 13, 2008 by Robert
Filed under IHRA, NHRA, Racing News
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Points leader Tim Wilkerson wins again at the 29th running of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado. Wilkerson defeated defeated Jack Beckman in the final by running a 4.398 second E.T. at 262.23 MPH, besting Beckman's 4.661 E.T. at 205.41 MPH. Wilkerson significantly extended his points lead with his fourth win this season.
Along with a mandated change to a new rear tire, this was the first race at the interim race length of 1,000 foot. The shorter race length was mandated to increase the shut down area of the track for the cars to decelerate, while simultaneously slowing the cars down to reduce the safety risk for drivers. The temporary race length rule is temporary while NHRA's newly formed safety task force studies how to improve the safety of the cars and tracks in the wake of Scott Kalitta's death at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey three weeks ago. All of the drivers interviewed seemed pleased that the 1,000 foot rule has been implemented while the safety issues are studied, that the rule is indeed intended to be temporary, and the competition was still exciting.
IHRA has also experienced safety concerns recently. IHRA Nitro Funny Car and past NHRA Fuel Funny Car driver, Dale Creasy, Jr. was seriously injured last week at the IHRA CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals. Creasy is currently in Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta as he recuperates from multiple surgeries that were required to reconstruct his left leg. Hopefully, NHRA and IHRA will work together to improve the safety of all drivers.
Another interesting aspect of the Bandimere Speedway race was the track's addition of a cooling system for the tracks launch area out to the 120 foot mark. Bandimere's all concrete dragstrip was known for its high temperatures in the Summer sun, significantly reducing the traction for the cars that are already hampered by the lower oxygen density of the high altitude. The track's cooling system has embeded water pipes in the concrete launch area, circulating water to an external chilling system. The cooling system was a resounding success as the track surface temperatures significantly decreased and improved the traction for all participants.
Tags: Jack Beckman, Tim WilkersonTim Wilkerson continues winning season at Englishtown and racing community mourns the loss of a driver
Tim Wilkerson continued his hold on the number one position in Fuel Funny Car championship points with his latest win at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. Wilkerson defeated Mike Neff by 0.010 seconds in the final round.
The win was bittersweet for Wilkerson, who in the winner’s circle, expressed the need to make the cars safer to protect the drivers and lamented the loss of Scott Kalitta on Saturday.
During the coverage of Sunday’s race, ESPN2 devoted a great deal of time to eulogizing Scott Kalttita, who lost his life in a crash during the final round of qualifying on Saturday. The outpouring of support for the Kalitta family was tremendous, as drivers paid their condolences and messages of concern. Each car featured a Scott Kalitta remembrance decal. NHRA has creeated a tribute to Scott Kalitta at NHRA.com and notes that fans may send their condolences to the Kallita family using the email address champion@kalittaracing.com. The loss of Scott was also remembered at the beginning of the NASCAR race at Sonoma.
Robert Hight’s first round pairing would have matched him up against Scott Kalitta. The members of the Kalitta racing teams stood together at the starting line of the lane that Scott Kalitta would have made his run against Hight and covered there ears in anticipation of the thunderous roar of Hight’s car taking the green light. When the green light illuminated, Hight idled his car down the entire length of track in tribute Scott. It was a very touching tribute that brought tears to the eyes of many. A fitting reminder of the mourning and sense of family felt throughout the drag racing community.
Tags: Englishtown, Mike Neff, Robert Hight, Scott Kalitta, Tim WilkersonDaniel Wilkerson takes the world by storm in his Funny Car debut
Milan, Mich., May 26, 2008: All across America young men are borrowing their father’s car for the weekend, some to impress a special young lady, others to haul their possessions home from school. 20 year-old college student, Daniel Wilkerson borrowed his dad’s car this weekend. Only he didn’t get a big SUV or a luxury car, instead he got a 7,000 horsepower nitro burning Funny Car. By the way, his father happens to be the current NHRA POWERade points leader, Tim Wilkerson. And Daniel took the Lev, Ray & Shoup Chevrolet Impala SS to the IHRA Motor City Nationals in Milan, Mich. to make his nitro Funny Car debut...
Read the full article about Dan Dilkerson at IHRA
Dan Wilkerson #1 Nitro Funny Car Qualifier at IHRA Motor City Nationals
MILAN, Mich. (March 24, 2008) – Dan Wilkerson (Springfield, Ill.) has made quite a splash in his Nitro Funny Car debut. The son of current NHRA Nitro Funny Car points leader Tim Wilkerson set a provisional IHRA world record during Friday’s qualifying session with a 4.831 pass at 316.01 mph. Despite failing to back up the record, Wilkerson held on to the #1 qualifying spot heading into Sunday’s elimination rounds...
Tags: Dan Wilkerson, IHRA, Tim WilkersonSame Car, Different Wilkerson
Current NHRA Nitro Funny Car points leader Tim Wilkerson will tune for his son, Daniel, at the IHRA Motor City Nationals
Daniel Wilkerson knows the path he wants to take. The 20-year-old college student from Springfield, Ill. will embark on that path May 23-25 when he makes his Nitro Funny Car debut at the IHRA Motor City Nationals at Milan Dragway.
“If you would have asked me, even when I was four years old, what I wanted to do when I got older I would have told you I wanted to be like my dad...
Read the full article at IHRA
Notes: Staying atop NHRA points standings not Wilkerson’s focus
Tim Wilkerson's breakthrough didn't hit him until he returned to his motor coach, and the first-time NHRA Funny Car points leader will use the Powerade Drag Racing Series' week off determining how to build on his performance.
"I'm not going to get caught up in being in or out of first place," says Wilkerson, 47, one of a handful of...
Read the full article by Gary Graves at USA Today
Wilkerson Wins O’Reilly Midwest Nationals
Top qualifier, Tim Wilkerson, won at the O'Reilly Midwest Nationals in Madison, IL. Wilkerson considers Gateway International Raceway in Madison to be his hometown track. This is the Levi, Ray & Shoup Chevy Impala's fourth fast qualifier this season and second Wally win this year. Wilkerson's win also bumps Ashley Force out as points leader too.
During a close final round, Wilkerson was able to edge out Mike Neff by 0.012 seconds during Neff's first final round appearance.
Tags: Mike Neff, Tim Wilkerson