Harker Scores First Win of Season

Ennis, TX - Reining Division Four Champion, Steve Harker and team left a trail of devastation after this weekends LODRS Division Four Event, April 11-13 as once again the Aussie champ claimed victory at the Texas Motorplex.

What started out as a strong weekend for Harker only got better for the veteran racer, as Harker’s ‘08 Monte Carlo took the number one qualifying spot after Friday’s first session with a stout 5.62et at 256mph pass. With the conditions improving going into Saturday’s two sessions so did Harker, who continued to perform with another consistent 5.64et at 258mph run and only heated things up for the last session running a 5.56et at 260mph pass and never letting go of the number one spot.

Sunday’s eliminations proved challenging for the Alcohol Funny Car’s as only eight cars fronted for the Texas event and only seven would make it for their first round. As luck would have it, Harker the number one qualifier, would be given a bye run straight up as number eight opponent Ron Morrison broke during qualifying and was unable to return for Sunday’s show. Harker however was not to disappoint and made the full solo pass that again displayed the team’s consistency with a 5.58et at 259mph run.

Semi-final match-up of Harker and Burl Brown was a crowd favorite as local Texan, Brown soon proved he was here to give Harker a run for the Wally. No slouch, Brown took a huge hole shot over Harker off the line and kept his ‘2000 Avenger out in front for the best part of the race however Harker charged through right at the last 1000ft and took the win by 0.0324 margin of victory. Harker’s 5.60et at 252mph defeated Brown’s 5.69et at 252mph, a personal best time for Brown and team.

Set to be a re-match from the LODRS Division Four event held at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. only months earlier, Harker looked set to take on the Royce Homes ‘07 Mustang of Lee Callaway in the finals. Although this was not to be as Callaway faced major engine problems in their semi finals match up against Jimmy Jones and the team were unable to repair the car in time for the finals giving Harker his second bye run for the weekend. Not wanting to disappoint the crowd, Harker took full advantage of the solo run making a solid 5.63et at 257mph pass to claim the Wally and put the team in a tie with Lee Callaway for first place in the Division Four Championship.

“It’s great to win but it would have been more fun having to fight Lee for the Wally. We’ve got some of the best teams here in Division Four, so I know we will have to work extra hard if we want to double up on the Division Championship this season. It’s really going to be an exciting challenge but one I couldn’t do as well without the support of our sponsors Southern Safety Supply, OMS Graphics, the Hollywood’s Dream Foundation and Lucas Oil.” Said Harker

The Harker Motorsport team now looks to move on to the Summit Racing Nationals taking place at their home track, Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA April 24-27.