The True Street champ was...
The True Street champ was Chad Slattery in his '88 coupe. The notchback relies on a Fast Times 427, with Edelbrock Victor Jr. heads and an Induction Solutions fogger system. It runs on pump gas and has been as quick as 8.77 at 155 in testing.
Team NMRA was comprised of winners in the sanctioning body's 12 eliminators. Numerous records fell due to favorable weather conditions and a stellar track surface. We witnessed four record-breaking performances by Dan Millen (Pro Outlaw 10.5), John Kolivas (Super Street Outlaw), Dan Rawls (EFI Renegade), and Dave Guy (Drag Radial).
Quick times weren't the only highlight-the racing was tight as well. Dan Millen might have walked away with the record in Turbonetics Pro Outlaw 10.5, but he wasn't the only fast car in attendance. Doug Sikora made the long haul from Barstow, California, to compete in the NMRA's quickest category. Sikora made waves by qualifying number one with a 6.69-under the national e.t. record held by Mike Murillo at 6.72. By the end of the weekend, Millen secured the record with a 6.69 (thanks to the required back-up). Millen faced Sikora in the finals and walked away with his first '09 NMRA win with a 6.72 to Sikora's impressive 6.76.
Ryan Vitiritto brought out...
Ryan Vitiritto brought out his gorgeous Terminator Cobra-clone for a little fun in True Street. It boasts a Four-Valve engine with a Hellion twin-turbo system onboard. He had the second quickest Ford average with an impressive 9.75.
A new player in ProCharger Super Street Outlaw made the most noise in Joliet, despite a quiet turbocharged combination. Two-time NMRA Drag Radial champion John Kolivas stepped up with a new Bennett Racing 427ci engine and a Precision 94mm turbo. He ran on rather small Mickey Thompson 275/60 drag radials, despite the rest of the class relying on 28x10.5-inch slicks. Kolivas ran the tables by qualifying number one (7.36), turning a new class record (7.32) and beating four-time SSO champ John Urist in the process.
Consistent 7s was the theme in BFGood-rich Drag Radial, and Dave Guy of SGS Automotive topped the list. After hitting the wall a month earlier at the NMRA-Milan event, the team was back on track, setting the record with a 7.97 and going as quick as 7.91. Guy had good company in the 7s, with Sean Lyons running a 7.95 and qualifying number one. Both exited competition early.
Consistency wins, and Enzo Pecchini won over Jason Lee, who went red in the final. Pecchini streaked to the winner's circle with a career best 8.02 at 176 mph.
Jeff Schmell had Paul's High...
Jeff Schmell had Paul's High Performance tune up his Shelby GT500 with a built engine (billet rods, steel crank, forged pistons, and ported heads) and a Whipple 3.4L blower. His Shelby cranked out 875 rwhp on race gas. It was backed down for pump gas use and still blisters 780 rwhp. That kind of power led to drivetrain problems. He only averaged low 12s in True Street, but he vows to be at the next NMRA event in Charlotte, North Carolina, with low 10-second timeslips in hand.
Jim Pickel has dedicated his...
Jim Pickel has dedicated his Real Street entry to our nation's troops. He promotes Eternal Valor Foundation, a non-profit organization that honors fallen soldiers. Unfortunately he was unable to make the lane call in the final round.
Pete Vitiritto brought his...
Pete Vitiritto brought his yellow SN-95 ride out alongside his brother's Cobra clone. Pete left soft with his 17-inch drag radials and clipped off low-12/high-11-second runs for an average of 12.11 in True Street.
This is the maiden voyage...
This is the maiden voyage for Chris Lund's ride, which he built for his wife. The New Edge car is in need of some suspension tuning, but it still ran high 10s with its turbocharged 331ci pushrod engine.
Dan Millen and Doug Sikora...
Dan Millen and Doug Sikora had the two quickest cars in Pro Outlaw 10.5 competition. Both racers ran in the 6.60-range, with Millen taking the record and victory back home to Livernois Motorsports. Sikora can keep his head high-the team made the haul from Barstow, California, and showed everyone that West Coast racers can compete with the East. He set the record for the quickest ProCharger-powered Outlaw 10.5 ride with a 6.69, and qualified in the top spot.
Mike Murillo had a tough weekend...
Mike Murillo had a tough weekend as the team struggled with broken rear gears and chassis adjustments. But he was still smiling as he and his wife, Lisa, hung out with all five of their kids. They were dubbed the Murillo 5 and kept the Pro Outlaw 10.5 point's leader happy despite the tough luck on track.