Excitement is the name of the game as we gear up for another amazing season of NMRA action.
It's that time of year to break out the car polish, air up the slicks, and dial in your horsepower, as the 2011 event season begins in just weeks with the popular NMRA Spring Break Shootout in Bradenton, Florida. We all know the Ford Mustang is hot, whether it's a wicked Fox, a sick power-pumped Two-Valve, or a new 5.0, and there's no better place to enjoy such madness than at the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals event series.
The NMRA offers the largest all-Ford motorsport show in the U.S., and features awesome heads-up and bracket-style drag racing, with classes that feature a wide variety of fast Fords, including the ever-popular MM&FF/Tremec True Street Challenge. In fact, there are many exciting changes coming in 2011, including new sponsors and new rule packages in Drag Radial and other classes.
This past season produced some of the most amazing True Street fields ever, and both
MM&FF and the NMRA are dedicated to making it better in 2011-in fact, we're anticipating the first-ever 7-second average! Whether it's your daily driver; full-tilt 2,500-plus-horsepower, 6-second missile; or something in between, the NMRA has what you are looking for. At each event you'll find amazing race and show machines, and you can get up close to the action.
But the NMRA isn't just about hardcore racing, as there is plenty to do off track. UPR Products will be sponsoring the huge all-Ford Auto Show and Shine at each event, where you can enter your car into competition and win some cool prizes and awards. With a large number of show classes, there's sure to be one that fits your ride. Keep in mind, this area is where the editors of MM&FF roam in search of those hot feature cars!
Between the racing and the car show, you can breeze through a huge manufacturers midway or find that smoking deal on a used part in the swap meet area. We've seen some great deals on new and used parts, hard-to-find, must-have items such as '93 Cobra intakes, and other assorted goodies.
And if that's not enough to get your blood pumping, there's always the 300-mph jet car that torches the strip and everything behind it.
Turbosmart
Pro Outlaw 10.5
Turbosmart Pro Outlaw 10.5 is the NMRA's all-out 6-second, 200-mph class, that showcases the ultimate level of Ford speed and power. With 2,500-plus horsepower from a combination of available power adders and run on a 10.5W tire, these land rockets always put on an exciting show.
2010 Turbosmart Pro Outlaw...
2010 Turbosmart Pro Outlaw 10.5 Champion Conrad Scarry
ProCharger
Super Street Outlaw
The 10.5-inch tire "freak show" that is ProCharger Super Street Outlaw is one of the most popular classes in the NMRA. Teams use '64-newer Mustang or Fox chassis-based vehicles with the most technologically advanced power adders available to make upwards of 2,000 hp. Forced induction and nitrous cars go head to head on true 10.5-inch slicks with quarter-mile times in the mid-7-second zone and with speeds over 190 mph. These production-based Fords make big horsepower and on small tires, they always make for an exciting show.
2010 ProCharger Super Street...
2010 ProCharger Super Street Outlaw Champion John Urist
Blow-By Racing
EFI Renegade
Electronic fuel injection combined with either nitrous oxide injection or a supercharger and 28.6x10.75 tires is a recipe for great racing. These mid-8-second Mustangs make up Blow-By Racing EFI Renegade. With a cubic inch limit of 410ci, mandatory automatic transmission, and a single power adder, racers are given weight breaks based on their combination to keep the playing field even. Renegade has proven to be the every-man power adder class that never dissapoints. Mustangs run hard and are often on the bumper, making for great photo ops!
2010 Blow-By Racing EFI Renegade...
2010 Blow-By Racing EFI Renegade Champion Chris Van Gilder
Edelbrock
Hot Street
The sound of naturally aspirated small-block Ford engines spinning to over 10,000 rpm will certainly grab your attention-and that is the norm in Edelbrock Hot Street. Restricted to 302-, 351-, and 4.6/5.4L-based engines limited to 480ci, in '55-newer Ford vehicles, Edelbrock Hot Street showcases the talent of some of the best engine builders and drivers in the country. These Fords run deep into the 8s at close to 160 mph, and the action is oh-so close week in and week out.
2010 Edelbrock Hot Street...
2010 Edelbrock Hot Street Champion Charlie Booze Jr.
AFCO
Xtreme Drag Radial
Huge power, DOT-legal radials, and no wheelie bars make for exciting, unpredictable racing no matter where you go, but nowhere is it as wild as in Afco Xtreme Drag Radial. For 2011, the rules have changed, and drivers will lay it down on hardcore race-designed 275 drag radials! These '79-newer Mustang and Fox-chassis Fords can now run DOT-legal radial tires from Mickey Thompson, Hoosier, and Goodyear, as well as other previously legal brands (Nitto and BFGoodrich), with a wide selection of power adders to choose from in the name of big power. If you're looking for wheels-up, 7-second street-tire action, Xtreme Drag Radial is for you.
2010 Drag Radial Champion...
2010 Drag Radial Champion Jason Lee
Steeda
Real Street
Few classes under any sanctioning body match the high-flying, gear jamming action of Steeda Real Street. Competitors rely on Ford-powered '79-newer Mustang and Ford-powered cars limited to 302-based, or Two- or Three-Valve 4.6L modular engines with a single power adder and a stick-shift transmission. Strict engine rules make this class ultra competitive and exciting to watch.
2010 Steeda Real Street Champion...
2010 Steeda Real Street Champion Tim Matherly
Eibach Springs
Pure Street
Heads-up action isn't limited to the heavy hitters. Eibach Springs Pure Street combines low-10-second quarter-mile times with all of the heads-up excitement of the rest of the NMRA lineup. Naturally aspirated 302- and 4.6L-based powerplants with a max cubic-inch limit of 313ci propel these dragstrip brawlers, and skilled driving gives fans an action-packed show.
2010 Eibach Springs Pure Street...
2010 Eibach Springs Pure Street Champion Shawn Johnson
BFGoodrich Tires
Factory Stock
Designed as an entry-level class for heads-up racers, BFGoodrich Tires Factory Stock is an affordable way to be part of the action. Drivers can run '79-newer Mustangs and Fords with a 302- and 4.6L based bullet no larger than 313ci. The naturally aspirated class runs heads-up with a 0.400 Pro Tree on an NHRA Sportsman ladder. With some of the strictest rules and the most limitations on performance, this is a thinking-racers class. Cars turn low 11-second performances and that makes Factory Stock a great way to get into heads-up racing.
2010 BFGoodrich Tires Factory...
2010 BFGoodrich Tires Factory Stock Champion Tommy Godfrey
Tremec True Street
Tremec True Street is the ultimate street-car class-it is steeped in tradition and a sure way to get our attention. Any '64-newer Ford vehicle in full street trim with any Ford engine and any combination of power adders is eligible for competition. Vehicles must be registered, licensed, and insured, and capable of completing a 30-mile cruise before running three back-to-back passes. Final positions are determined based on a three-run average and winners are named in each bracket-overall, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-second groups.
Exedy Racing Clutch
Modular Muscle
Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle is a bracket-style class for Ford racers running a 4.6/5.4L or V-10 modular engine. Qualifying is based on reaction time and the field is run on an NHRA Sportsman ladder. This all-run field is automatically dialed in 0.1 quicker than the competitor's fastest qualifying run and races must dial between 8.80 and 15.70.
2010 Exedy Racing Clutch Modular...
2010 Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle Champion Gary Parker
Trick Flow Specialties
Open Comp
Trick Flow Specialties Open Comp is open to any year make or model Ford-powered vehicle. Qualifying is based on reaction time and dial-ins are set 0.1 quicker than your best qualifying time. If you've bracket raced in the past and are looking to compete at an NMRA event, Open Comp may be the perfect fit.
2010 Trick Flow Specialties...
2010 Trick Flow Specialties Open Comp Champion Brent Blacker
Detroit Locker
Truck and Lightning
Because not everyone races a car, Detroit Locker Truck and Lightning is a class quickly growing in popularity. The class is open to any Ford truck or SUV running a Ford powerplant. Qualifying is based on reaction time and dial-ins are set 0.1 quicker than your best qualifying run.
2010 Detroit Truck and Lightning...
2010 Detroit Truck and Lightning Champion Gary Windsor
JDM Engineering
Super Stang
If you have an '05-newer Mustang, JDM Engineering Super Stang is for you. This entry-level bracket-style eliminator is only for S197 Mustangs powered by 4.6/5.4L and V-6 engines. JDM maintains a light atmosphere among the competitors and the class sponsor is at every race to lend driving and performance tips and tricks. If you have street Stang and want to get involved, this is a great class to jump into. Qualifying is based on reaction time and dial-ins are set 0.1 quicker than your best qualifying run. With a variety of combination and modifications allowed, Super Stang offers a wide range of performance levels.
2010 JDM Engineering Super...
2010 JDM Engineering Super Stang Champion Chris Parisi
Race Pages
Bracket Showdown
Race Pages Bracket Showdown is open to all Ford-powered or Ford-bodied vehicles. Bracket Showdown is broken up into BI, BII, and BIII, which give racers three levels of competition ranging for all-out racecars to streetcars, and compete Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at all NMRA events.
MM&FF Presents Tremec Transmissions
True Street
In the heart of the Fox-body era, MM&FF created True Street to represent what would happen if two hot machines had an encounter at a light. There would be no tuning or dialing in your car (or truck), you'd theoretically go on the green and that would be that. The NMRA has worked diligently to ensure this spirit lives on in a much safer environment. Though not a points-based or championship-eligible class, True Street carries with it a high level of excitement for fans, family members and participants.
Craig Svader heats the tires...
Craig Svader heats the tires on his '04 Mach 1 at Bradenton Motorsports Park during the Spring Break Shootout.
Also, though, tech has become increasingly demanding and stringent as True Street cars just seem to get faster every race. In fact, lately it's common to see some competitors in the 8s, but it's just as much fun if you are running 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s, 14s or 15s, and there are multiple winners in virtually every e.t. bracket. Last year, in the Lone Star Shootout, one competitor even dipped into the 7s.
True Street is geared toward attracting local drivers and is open to non-members of NMRA. The class is open to '64-to-present Ford vehicles powered by Ford-based engines, and each vehicle must be road-legal, able to pass the technical inspection and able to drive over 30 miles on the street. All vehicles must be registered, licensed, and insured-but any number or type of power adders are permitted. Tires must be DOT-approved and windows must be functional.
Here, Jason Duggar and his...
Here, Jason Duggar and his Coupri competing in Tremec True Street at NMRA Atlanta in 2010.
After all the cars are checked for eligibility and pass tech inspection, the class gathers for a brief meeting to discuss rules. Once all the cars are lined up and the hoods are closed, they are led on a 30-mile cruise on highway and city streets. After the cruise begins, competitors are prohibited from opening their hoods until after the competition. The cruise ends back at the track, where the cars are lined up in the staging lanes for a cool-down period. No refueling or tire changing is allowed, but competitors may replenish ice or water for intercoolers, install nitrous bottles, or adjust tire pressures during the cool-down.
Once racing begins, each competitor makes three back-to-back timed runs. Tire pressure may be lowered, but drivers cannot add air once they have made their first pass. Though both lanes are usually used, drivers are only scored based on the average of the three runs. The quickest average is the winner, second quickest is the runner-up. There are also awards presented to the quickest 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-second averages.
Team Hurley has quickly become...
Team Hurley has quickly become a household name in True Street. Word on the street is new equipment and a Funny Car cage for his coupe, seen here.
The 2010 season brought big attendance (it's not uncommon to see over 100 participants) and low e.t.'s, but the 2011 season is expected to be the best ever. True Street heroes Randy Seward, Allen Hurley, and Chris Escobar have been busy in the off-season improving their rides, and there are rumors swirling of 7-second competitors showing up at Bradenton.
So come out and compete this season in the True Street competition when NMRA comes to your town. And as always, check out MM&FF for full True Street coverage from each NMRA race.
March 3-6, 2011
17th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout presented by Steeda
Bradenton Motorsports Park - Bradenton, Florida
April 14-17, 2011
3rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals
Atlanta Dragway - Commerce, Georgia
May 13-15, 2011
11th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals presented by Downs Ford Motorsport
Atco Raceway - Atco, New Jersey
June 23-26, 2011
6th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing
Route 66 Raceway - Joliet, Illinois
July 8-10, 2011
*Inaugural NMRA/NMCA West Coast Shootout
Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, California
July 22-23, 2011
8th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals
Milan Dragway - Milan, Michigan
September 2-4, 2011
33rd Annual NMRA Ford Expo
National Trail Raceway - Columbus, Ohio
September 30 - October 2, 2011
13th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals
Beech Bend Raceway - Bowling Green, Kentucky
November 11-13, 2011
*3rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Lone Star Shootout
Houston Raceway Park - Houston, Texas
* Non-Points, Limited Classes
2011 Schedule Changes to Note
The Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals combined event, which was formerly held at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina, will move to Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, the weekend of April 14-17, 2011. The NMRA Ford Nationals two-day event at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan, will be moving off the June NASCAR race to the weekend of July 22-23, 2011. This Friday and Saturday evening event brings all the cars and all the stars of NMRA drag racing to the Motor City. Because of a move by NHRA with its national event schedule, the Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, will be a few weeks earlier on the weekend of June 23-26, 2011. Cooler June weather will translate into awesome runs as the NMRA takes on the NMCA for the Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing title! California fans get ready! The NMRA and NMCA will host a special West Coast Shootout at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, the weekend of July 8-10, 2011. Like the NMRA/NMCA Texas event in November, the West Coast Shootout will be the largest gathering of muscle cars in the Golden State. This non-points, limited classes event will showcase what the NMRA and NMCA have to offer to Pacific-area drag racers. For more information on the NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals, log on to www.nmradigital.com or call 714/444-2426.