ADRL News

Barklage Racing Now Two-Car Team

2010-03-08T12:57:33+00:00

ST. LOUIS, MO (Mar. 5, 2010) — After a long absence from the driver’s seat, Zach Barklage will return to Barklage Racing in 2010, campaigning his newly-finished 1957 Chevy alongside younger brother Cody’s 1967 Pontiac Firebird in American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Pro Extreme competition.Both Barklage brothers plan to test their respective rides in a tune-up event Mar. 12, at Dallas Raceway in Crandall, Texas, prior to entering the Mar. 19-20, Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas. Also this week, Barklage Racing launched a redesigned Web site featuring exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content for both brothers. The new site, designed by ZOOMMO Web Solutions, welcomes fans with a variety of interactive features and provides easy click-through access to Barklage Racing’s Facebook and Twitter pages. ZOOMMO Web Solutions also has been added as an associate sponsor on both Barklage Racing cars for the 2010 season, complementing Lucas Oil, Goodson Tool, Goodyear Racing Tires and NGK Spark Plugs. “We are still looking for a more active major partnership for 2010,” Cody Barklage remarked during a recent interview. “Zach and I love working the crowds, making appearances and promoting our team and sponsors. We want to bring someone on board who sees the value in that and will let us represent their brand full time.”Joe Shelton, owner of ZOOMMO Web Solutions, said he feels fortunate to be on board with Barklage Racing this year. “Zach and Cody really get it,” he said. “Plus, I’ve seen them down the track enough over the years to know we’ll be in the winner’s circle!”

Summit Racing Equipment Named Official High Performance Source of ADRL

2010-03-03T16:28:03+00:00

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 3, 2010) – The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) is proud to announce a major, multi-year agreement with Summit Racing Equipment, naming the Ohio-based company as the Official High Performance Source of ADRL and title rights sponsor for its Sep. 24-25, Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.“Summit Racing Equipment is a highly valued marketing partner of the ADRL and the racing industry as a whole and this multi-year agreement ensures they’ll remain an important part of our mutual success and growth for years to come,” ADRL Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian Evans said. “It is an honor for us to continue racing under the Summit Racing banner at Summit Motorsports Park and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to our future together.”Summit Racing Equipment is an industry leader in the distribution of motorsports and high-performance parts and equipment through mail-order and Internet-based sales. Summit Racing also sponsors the ADRL’s trackside Membership Zone and the popular DragRaceCentral.com Web site that provides live, round-by-round reporting from each ADRL national event. Additionally, Bob Chandler’s world-famous Summit Racing Equipment “Bigfoot” Monster Truck will appear at all nine ADRL national events this year, with the Summit Racing Special Events trailer also scheduled to attend several times in 2010. “We’re very excited about our future with the ADRL. The growth of the series has been nothing short of phenomenal, and I look forward to seeing the Summit Racing name helping to build the ADRL even more,” Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf stated. “I’m also looking forward to seeing Pete Berner compete in the ADRL’s Extreme Pro Stock class with his Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac GXP.”The Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags IV will be the eighth of nine scheduled eighth-mile drag racing events this year for the ADRL, which typically averages 70,000-plus fans per weekend. “It’s a thrill for everyone at Summit Racing Equipment to continue bringing the ADRL to drag racing fans in our home state of Ohio and bringing the race back to Summit Motorsports Park is icing on the cake,” Greenleaf said. “We experienced a tremendously positive response from our staff and customers after last year’s race and feel confident our expanded support of the ADRL will be met with similar enthusiasm.”

Sweet Show Chicago for Berner and Summit

2010-03-02T20:16:25+00:00

CRETE, IL (Mar. 2, 2010)— Pete Berner (second from right) is breaking his new paint scheme in right with the Summit fans. Last weekend his ADRL Extreme Pro Stock Pontiac GXP was on display at the Detroit Autorama, a huge stop on the Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series, and this weekend Berner is taking it to his home town Car Show Series stop, the World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago.More than 100,000 fans toured the Detroit Autorama to see one of the largest displays of race cars, muscle cars, and classic cars available, plus exhibitions, guest speakers, and shows. The Detroit Autorama also hosted a Student Career Day where those well-known in various areas of motorsports and the auto industry speak to the students about the opportunities available in these fields. As one of the guest speakers, Berner spoke to over 3,000 students to enlighten them on the possibilities afforded by drag racing. Berner, who often is a spokesman for the sport, even more so than for his own racing, was excited by the opportunity to speak to the Detroit students.“The fans at the Autorama were phenomenal. It was great to speak with them and have them take in our new paint scheme featuring Summit Racing Equipment,” Berner said. “Everyone was very receptive. We spoke to a lot of drag racing fans and I know we made some new ones this weekend. It will be great to see some of them out at the ADRL races in the area. “The Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series is really spectacular. It was like heaven for auto enthusiasts,” he continued. “I would like to thank Jim Greenleaf, Don Lower and the awesome Summit staff for allowing us to be a part of this and asking us to represent them at this show. They are true professionals to work with.”Berner remains enthusiastic about displaying the car at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment Car Show Series stop in Chicago. “I am especially looking forward to this one because it’s right in my back yard, so we should have a lot of hometown fans. It’s truly an honor to represent Summit at these events and I’m thrilled that we could be a part of them. It’s a great way to start off our year,” he said.The Mar. 5-7, World of Wheels at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago will feature hot rods, motorcycles, classic cars, imports, live music, celebrity guests, exhibitions and more. Berner’s Summit Racing Equipment GXP will be on display in the Summit booth. For more information on the Chicago World of Wheels visit www.autorama.com.

ADRL Bans Use of Titanium Wheel Studs; Issues Other Rules Clarifications and Reminders

2010-03-02T01:57:14+00:00

O’FALLON, MO (Mar. 1, 2010) – The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) announced today that titanium wheel studs are prohibited in all professional classes, effective immediately, and the rule will be checked for compliance beginning Mar. 19-20, at the season-opening Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen.“The ADRL has been monitoring this issue for the past year and last week during our monthly Rules Committee meeting, committee members voted unanimously to ban the use of titanium wheel studs in all professional categories,” Tom Grooms of the ADRL Technical Services division said. “So, all ADRL competitors are advised to make this immediate change.”Additionally, ADRL Technical Services reiterated that all Pro Extreme and Pro Nitrous entries are required to have full-floating rear-end housings this season, as per the 2010 ADRL rules. However, recognizing that certain teams may still need time to comply, Grooms said a one-event extension to the rule’s implementation has been granted.“Our Rules Committee voted to allow ADRL teams a one-race exemption, but we want to make it very clear that everyone must be in full compliance with this rule by Apr. 23-24, at the Hardee’s Georgia Drags VI at Valdosta, Georgia,” Grooms stated. “There will be no exceptions made once we get to Georgia.”Finally, Grooms reminded all Pro Extreme Motorcycle (PXM) teams that their bikes must have an ADRL-accepted engine containment system in place this season, beginning at the Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI presented by Safety-Kleen. Presently, the only manufacturer to have submitted a design and received ADRL-accepted status is Taylor Motorsports Products, which can be reached online at www.TaylorMotorsports.com or by calling (800) 320-2988.All manufacturers of PXM engine containment systems are encouraged to submit a sample for ADRL acceptance by contacting Grooms in the ADRL Technical Services division at the ADRL’s main office at (636) 272-2375 or via e-mail sent to tom@adrl.us. Additionally, any competitor with questions about ADRL rules should contact Grooms for clarifications or direction.“I would encourage all ADRL competitors in all classes to visit www.ADRL.us daily in order to stay current with the rules. All new rules and revisions will be referenced there in both the News section and the Agent 660 column, as well as in the Rules section itself,” Grooms said.“I also encourage our race team members to remember, if it’s not posted on the official ADRL Web site, it’s not official. It is the responsibility of all ADRL competitors to remain up-to-date on the rules, but if there are any questions they should contact me directly.”(ADRL/Richards/Harrison file photos)

Sheikh Beats All for Arabian Drag Racing Championship

2010-02-26T18:26:33+00:00

DOHA, QATAR (Feb. 26, 2010) – In one of the most remarkable rookie seasons ever for a professional race car driver, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar has won the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-’10 Pro Extreme championship. Driving a 3,000-horsepower, supercharged 1968 Camaro tuned by legendary American drag racer Frank “Ace” Manzo, Al-Thani, 23, qualified first four times and won three of seven events on his way to securing the series title.Alex Hossler (near lane) left .195 too early to turn on the red bulb in the left lane, negating a solid 3.74-seconds pass at 203.71 mph, while Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani had a sharp .024 reaction time, but soon encountered traction problems and won the race and the Arabian Pro Extreme championship with an off-the-pace 5.18 at 94.95 mph over the QRC eighth mile in his Tim McAmis-built ‘68 Camaro.Still, entering Round 7 this weekend at the Qatar Racing Club, Al-Thani was joined by defending series champion Von Smith and fellow American Alex Hossler as drivers with a mathematical shot at winning the championship.When Hossler ousted Smith from the semi-finals, it left Al-Thani facing Bader Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in perhaps the pivotal match-up of his young driving career. The Sheikh didn’t disappoint, running low time and top speed of the event with a 3.71-seconds blast at 207.27 miles per hour over the eighth-mile distance to advance and secure the 2009-’10 Arabian Pro Extreme Championship.“We were well aware of the different possible outcomes of the points race,” Al-Thani said later. “But we knew the best approach to situations such as these is to rely only on our capabilities and not the actions of others. Winning the race would mean winning the championship, so that was our goal from the start of the event.”Al-Thani capped the accomplishment with the race win over Hossler, who was disqualified for leaving too soon in the final round.In victory lane Sheikh Khalid (with trophy) celebrated with his Al-Anabi teammates and received the Arabian Drag Racing League’s Driver of the Year award, with his crew chief, Frank “Ace” Manzo (third from left), being named Crew Chief of the Year after tuning Al-Thani to world-record elapsed times and speeds while picking up three event wins on their way to the Pro Extreme championship.In victory lane, Al-Thani also received the Arabian Drag Racing League Driver of the Year award and Manzo, a 12-time Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion and 101 national event winner, was named Crew Chief of the Year. “I couldn’t be happier for him,” Al-Thani said of Manzo. “It was great to see his big smile after we got back to the pits and see the excitement on everyone’s face. It was a big moment, and I believe it is only the beginning for this Al-Anabi Racing team.”Joining Al-Thani as an Arabian Drag Racing League champion was his Al-Anabi Racing teammate, Khalid Al-Balooshi, who backed up his 2009 American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous championship after taking the win in the Qatar Pro Nitrous final over New Yorker Mike Castellana.Also featured in the Arabian Drag Racing League is the Extreme 10.5 class, named for the relatively narrow rear slicks mandated for the cars, in which Dan Millen (right, near lane) of Dearborn, Michigan, qualified number one and advanced to face championship rival Mahana Al-Naimi in the final round.With the race win and the championship still in play, Millen left nothing on the table, leaving with a stellar .005 reaction time, then steering his turbocharged 2004 Mustang past the finish line in 4.27 seconds at 177.72 mph.“This has been a tremendous season for the Arabian Drag Racing League, one that stands out for its record-setting performances and growth as a series,” Kenny Nowling, president and CEO for both the American and Arabian Drag Racing Leagues, said. “I congratulate all the race winners and champions and thank them for providing us with memories to last a lifetime.”Al-Anabi Racing teammates Khalid Al-Balooshi (near lane) and Mike Castellana squared off in the Pro Nitrous final for Round 7 of the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League season, with Al-Balooshi overcoming a holeshot to win the race and the championship, giving him simultaneous Pro Nitrous titles in the American and Arabian Drag Racing Leagues.Among those packing the Qatar Racing Club grandstands to capacity this weekend were several dignitaries, including more than 400 U.S. service men and women, U.S. Embassy First Secretary of Press, Education and Cultural Affairs Joey Hood; Mahvash Siddiqui, Cultural Attache, Public Affairs Section for the Embassy of the United States of America, several members of the Kuwaiti royal family and Dominic Reilly, head of marketing for the Williams Formula 1 racing team.(ADRL/Richards photos)

Wind Halts Arabian Championship Event

2010-02-26T09:52:01+00:00

DOHA, QATAR (Feb. 26, 2010)—Severe wind and sand storms interrupted proceedings today for the championship-deciding Round 7 of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season, prompting race officials to cancel a scheduled fourth and final round of qualifying at the Qatar Race Club. Dust in the air was reportedly creating an almost whiteout condition with blown sand settling on the track.Three rounds of qualifying were completed yesterday, however, leaving Al-Anabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani on top of the Pro Extreme list with a 3.73-seconds pass at 204.05-mph over the eighth-mile course and his teammate and current American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous World Champion Khalid Al-Balooshi in first place for Pro Nitrous after a 3.91 at 194.55-mph effort.Elimination rounds for all classes remain scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (10 a.m. Eastern), weather permitting.(ADRL/Richards photos)

Three Seats Left in M/T 3-Second Club

2010-02-26T02:55:00+00:00

STOW, OH (Feb. 26, 2010)—The Mickey Thompson (M/T) Three-Second Club was introduced in February 2009 to reward and recognize American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Extreme 10.5 racers who are able to achieve elapsed times in the three-second range. Chuck Ulsch (near lane) posted a record-breaking 3.98-second elapsed time last August along with new Flowmaster Extreme 10.5 World Champion Spiro Pappas (far lane) who posted a 3.99-second elapsed time, both on the new Mickey Thompson Pro-5 double bead lock wheels and ET Drag #3169W tires. Both racers are consistently found in the winner’s circle in the Extreme 10.5 Class, and were officially inducted into the Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club during the ADRL World Finals “Battle for the Belts” in a special ceremony. “These racers have consistently achieved elapsed times in the three-second range on our tire and wheel products, and it means a lot to us to share in their success,” said Carl Robinson, Motorsports Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “We have three seats left in the Three-Second Club, and we are eager to see who will be the next to earn their place in this prestigious group of fierce competitors.” Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club racers earn a number of very special prizes including a custom Mickey Thompson Three-Second Club leather jacket, a signature Three-Second Club gold and diamond ring, and a bonus check for $3,000. In addition, M/T Three-Second Club racers will be featured in a special section of the official ADRL web site at www.ADRL.us.(ADRL/Richards file photo)

Sheikh Khalid Takes PX Qualifying Lead into Final Day

2010-02-25T12:41:26+00:00

DOHA, QATAR (Feb. 25, 2010)—After three rounds of qualifying on Day One of the two-day, championship-deciding Round 7 of the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League season, Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani leads the Pro Extreme field and Khalid Al-Balooshi is on top of the Pro Nitrous list at the Qatar Race Club. Both will have one more opportunity to improve their times on Friday before elimination rounds begin.Sheikh Khalid stepped up in his third qualifying effort of the day with a 3.73-seconds pass at 204.05-mph in his Frank Manzo-tuned, Al-Anabi Racing ’68 Camaro. The Sheikh has qualified number one at three of the six previous events.In second place is Alex Hossler of Canton, Ilinois, who also made his best pass of 3.75 at 203.58 in the third attempt with his Chris Duncan-tuned and –built ’70 Camaro, followed by defending series champ Von Smith from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with a 3.79-seconds run at 203.95 mph in his Barwa Racing ’68 Camaro that also came in the third session.Local racers Bader Ahli and Ali Aryan round out the Pro Extreme field with Ahli improving to 3.85 at 202.48 in the same ’06 Mustang that his crew chief, Todd Tutterow, drove to the ’09 American Drag Racing League Pro Extreme championship. Aryan was the only Pro Extreme driver not to go quicker in the final qualifying session with his 3.98/191.54 lap of record coming in the second go round.Al-Balooshi (left), the 2009 American Drag Racing League Pro Nitrous world champion, ran 3.91 at 194.55 mph in his second attempt on Thursday to take the qualifying lead, followed by Al-Anabi teammate Mike Castellana, who improved to 3.95 at 188.60 in his third qualifying pass and Khalil Al-Ansari, who also improved in his last shot of the day, although to a still-underperforming 4.33 at 167.59 mph.In Extreme 10.5, Dearborn, Michigan’s Dan Millen (right) leads qualifying with a 4.24-seconds pass over the QRC eighth mile at 177.89 mph in his turbocharged ‘04 Mustang. Qatar’s Mahaini Al-Naimi is second, followed by Washington, Georgia’s Mike Hill, Saud Alzabin of Kuwait and a third U.S. driver, Chad Morgan.One more qualifying session at 3 p.m. local time (7 a.m. Eastern), will open Friday’s action at the Qatar Race Club, with eliminations to follow.(ADRL/Richards photos)

‘Fun’ for Smith to Defend Arabian PX Championship

2010-02-24T10:47:10+00:00

DOHA, QATAR (Feb. 24, 2010)—Rolling into the seventh and final round of the 2009-10 Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club, Von Smith and his Barwa Racing Pro Extreme ’68 Chevy Camaro have earned the number-one spot in the Pro Extreme championship points standings by way of two wins and five-straight final round appearances. Their margin over Al-Anabi Racing teammate Sheikh Khalid Al Thani in second place, though, amounts to less than one competition round win.In the two-year history of the Qatar Race Club, this will be the second straight Pro Extreme championship that may come down to the final round of the final race, and while the pressure mounts, veteran driver Smith (far left) and legendary crew chief Howard Moon know this stressful situation all too well.“We’ve been here before,” says Smith, the defending series champion, representing the Barwa Real Estate Company in the State of Qatar. “The key, at least in my eyes, is to treat Round 7 just like we would any other. We can’t let the championship chase change the way we would act going into any race, and our goal needs to be simply qualifying well and winning every race we’re in. Winning the race is how we’re going to win this championship, so we’ve got to take it one step at a time.“I think that is a very attainable goal for this team,” he continues. “It’s hard to even describe how hard this team has been working since the last race. It’s been a round-the-clock effort from the guys, making sure I’ve got a car that is consistent and fast.”After a successful day of testing earlier this week, Smith and his Barwa teammates are all smiles going into today’s qualifying rounds.“I think we’re back,” he says. “Like I said, we’ve got to go out here and do what we know we can do, qualify at the top of the sheets and take it round by round, but having a car that will run the number—that makes a lot of difference in our confidence. So, I’m excited. We’ve got an incredible opportunity here to win a first championship for Barwa Real Estate and a second for Al-Anabi Racing.“I can’t deny that it’d be nice to go into the last race of the season with the championship already locked up,” he adds with a laugh, “but what fun would that be?”(ADRL/Al Anabi/Grooms file photos)

Arabian PX Championship Within Sheikh’s Reach

2010-02-24T10:11:29+00:00

DOHA, QATAR (Feb. 24, 2010)— In the running for his first world-title, Sheikh Khalid Al-Thani (KH) is ready for his shot at drag racing glory this week at the Qatar Race Club during the seventh and final round of the Arabian Drag Racing League’s 2009-10 season. KH, who is in the midst of a season-long Pro Extreme (PX) points battle with teammate Von Smith, goes into the final event of the season less than one round win out of the lead.“Frank [Manzo, crew chief] and the Al-Anabi Racing team have been working hard to make sure we have the best car possible going into this most important final round,” the PX rookie says. “With drag racing, though, there are no guarantees. It’s going to come down to who makes the best decisions on race day and me doing my job as a driver.”Currently holding both ends of the Arabian Drag Racing League world records in the ultra-competitive Pro Extreme category, KH has dipped into the 3.6-second zone on a number of occasions and continues to encroach on the 210-mph mark. While the conditions during the winter months in the Arabian Gulf Region differ dramatically from those in the Western world—with temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees on race day—Manzo will have the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme ’68 Camaro tuned up this week, as another record-setting performance may be what it takes to earn the world championship.“We go into this last race focused on one thing—winning the championship,” KH declares. “We want to win the race and the championship for all the Al-Anabi Racing fans here in Qatar, but we are also excited that our teammate, Von Smith in the Barwa Camaro, is one of the teams in title contention.”The Al-Anabi Racing Pro Extreme team will kick off the opening rounds of qualifying for Round 7 of the Arabian Drag Racing League series at the Qatar Race Club this week, with the first round slated for 7 p.m. local time (AST) on Thursday, Feb. 25, with a second round scheduled for 9 p.m. A third and final round of qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. AST on Feb. 26, with eliminations getting underway two hours later.(Photos courtesy Al-Anabi Racing)