2003 Pro-50.com Spring Break Shootout - Speed Demons of Spring Break

Slicks and rain don't make a great combination for optimum dragstrip performance, but when the track was dry, the 2003 Spring Break Shootout participants put some rubber down and some ultra-fast elapsed times.

For 2003, Pro50.com, otherwise known as Pro-50.com shifters, gears, knobs, etc., sponsored the class by putting up $2,500 for prize money. In addition, Crane Cams tossed in over $2,400 worth of components, Cervini's Auto Designs donated a fiberglass hood, K&N Filters threw in some filters and GT Effect supplied one of its fiberglass cowl panels as a prize.

In order to win, one needed mega power as number-one qualifier Brian Goss posted a scorching 8.253 pass at 172 mph, and runner-up Jason Rhoden was hot on his tail with an 8.26 run. Three other guys would help Goss and Rhoden set the pace by running in the mid to high 8s. Eight 9-second cars and 14 others running 12s or better filled up the 28-car field, making this one of the quickest Spring Break Shootouts ever.

Although there was no limit on power adders, these fantastic times were achieved with a maximum 10.5-inches of tire, and a 3,000-pound minimum weight for each vehicle. Every car had to be registered and insured for the street too, so you couldn't exactly get a hacked up car to qualify. Turbochargers seem to be coming on strong with the Mustang crowd and this class was no exception as the top two cars both sported hair dryers. Jason Ardon and Ronnie Wilson, however, were both in the hunt though with their nitrous-guzzling quarter horses.

With all of this hot action on the track, it was a shame that everyone had to dodge frequent rain showers. As it tuned out, only one round of eliminations was run before the event was postponed due to the inclement weather.

Round one saw 13 of the top 14 cars advance to round two, but rain showers put an early end to the Fun Ford season opener. Be sure to check back as the heads-up classes, including the Spring Break Shootout, will be completed at the next Fun Ford event in Commerce, Georgia, and we'll have all the insane results right here in MM&FF.