Even though the off-season equates to a break in the racing action, a whole different kind of action begins to heat up. Teams tear down their equipment and upgrade their iron, race series' revamp the rules, and feuds over who will be fastest smolder as the next race season grows closer. For the NMRA, changes to the rules and the birth of a new drag radial class, as well as heated off-season Internet banter, added to the excitement from 2010 to 2011.
The Nitto Tires Spring Break Shootout takes over Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, every March, and the 2011 season opener was an incredible start to another race season. For MM&FF enthusiasts, the weekend started Thursday morning in Tampa. Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords headquarters was open to the public for our first-ever open house. NMRA racers, readers, and like-minded Mustang fanatics came out to enjoy the day, and the MM&FF staff gave away nearly $2,500 in gift certificates and prizes from many of our advertisers. There was lots of bench racing, plenty of food and drink, and everyone left happy. We also activated our new video crew, so be sure to look to
musclemustangfastfords.com for video coverage of the open house, and the action from the Hooters party and the track.
When we arrived at Bradenton Motorsports Park, the excitement was palpable. There was great energyùand it was building. Who would take the early points leads? What would the show field look like? What parts could we find on the midway and in the swap meet?
Well, once the action started we found out. The show field was jammed with incredible FoMoCo machinery from 2011 Mustangs to even a Model T. The pits were full of vigor as racers and crews thrashed to get their cars ready. On track, there was great side-by-side action, huge wheelstands, and even a few record-setting runs. Friday action was hot, but the joint was packed on Saturday, as the NMRA officials said it was one of the biggest crowds ever!
Tremec True Street, presented by MM&FF, took to the streets of Central Florida with over 80 cars, ranging from low-8-second machines to unmodified daily drivers. You can read all about True Street and the MM&FF Spring Break Shootout class on page 144. The SBS is one event you don't want to miss, so put it on your schedule for 2012 if you didn't make it this year. Once the smoke cleared and all was said and done, it was an amazing weekend of racing and all-around car fun. Check out www.musclemustangfastfords.com for tons of exclusive coverage, photos, and videos of all the excitement. See y'all in Georgia!
Every year on the Friday night of the Spring Break Shootout, Mustang enthusiasts and racers take over the Hooters in Bradenton, Florida. Wings and things are consumed in mass quantities, the parking lot looks like a car show, and a few unruly attendees destroy their tires for the cheering onlookers. Here are a few photos from the night, but you can check out our video footage at www.musclemustangfastfords.com.
Four-time champion Charlie...
Four-time champion Charlie Booze Jr. came into Bradenton carrying a ton of momentum after sealing up the 2010 Edelbrock Hot Street championship in Bowling Green. This proved to be a benefit for Booze as he took the Hot Street win over Tim Eichhorn.
Afco Xtreme Drag Radial is...
Afco Xtreme Drag Radial is new for the 2011 NMRA season. Jason Lee showed everyone what the class is all about, running solid mid-7-second passes all weekend and taking the win over Sean Lyon, who redlighted in the final.
Chris Tuten (above) set the...
Chris Tuten (above) set the Super Street Outlaw world on fire as he blasted out the first-ever 200-mph pass in NMRA competition.