NHRA: Like fine-tuning a racecar, Bazemore works to maintain skills
25 April 2000
Putnam, Connecticut, April 24, 2000 - As they prepare for the upcoming Moto1.net NHRA Nationals, the Etchells Racing Team is hard at work going over every inch of their Kendall Motor Oil/Matco Tools Camaro Z28 Funny Car, searching for a combination that will deliver consistent performance. Meanwhile, the man responsible for piloting this 6,000-horsepower, nitro-burning behemoth, Whit Bazemore, has an assignment of his own, namely to work on his considerable driving skills to ensure they are also in top form. Before heading to Richmond and the Virginia Motorsports Park, Bazemore and crew took time to reflect on some of the steps they could take to accomplish their goal. "In racing a fuel Funny Car, there is an extremely fine line between success and failure," detailed Bazemore. "For example, take two of my recent races against Tony (Pedregon). Last year in Columbus, we posted identical elapsed times, with the victory decided only by the advantage I was able to gain at the starting line. "Then two weeks ago in Houston, we ran within four thousandths of a second of each other, but since he had the better start, he moved on to the semifinals. Even though we split those two, I believe we should always win if our Kendall/Matco Camaro is within a couple hundredths of our opponent. If we don't, I feel personally responsible." But despite Bazemore's assertion, the veteran Etchells crew knows that a successful run is the product of a finely-tuned racecar working in concert with its driver. Just as Bazemore must react almost instinctively to the starting-line Christmas Tree, so must his fuel coupe respond when called upon by its driver. Naturally, in such a complex machine, there are a myriad of items that impact how the racecar launches and runs. From the set-up of the fuel system and clutch which have a dramatic effect, to the lesser, but still significant influence produced by a change in tire pressure, each must be factored in not only during pre-race preparation, but in the analysis after the run. "Should you have a less-than-perfect run, the entire team needs to sit down and analyze what went wrong, so you can correct it and make sure it doesn't happen again," explained Bazemore. "Naturally for the crew this involves a detailed review of everything mechanical. "As a driver, you check your reaction times, and like anything else if they're not where you want them to be, you work at improving. Throughout my career, I've never really used a practice tree, and I've usually been among the top three or four in average reaction times. I prefer to go up to the starting line and watch the starter with other classes. However, using a practice device always remains an option, and I might give one a try. "But I feel a driver's mindset is of greatest importance to his performance, not only on a particular pass, but throughout the entire weekend. You have to maintain a positive outlook on yourself, the team and the car, along with a determination to not accept anything less than being the best. If you let your guard down, you're done." Through it all, Bazemore knows that success comes down to a combination of consistency, confidence and luck. "There are many things that dictate how our Kendall/Matco Camaro will run," stated Bazemore, "Some we can control, others we can't. My focus will always be doing my very best each time out. I know this Etchells Racing crew will put a hot rod underneath me that is capable of winning the race - once they do, it's my job to make sure it does." BAZEMORE BANTER: This will be Whit Bazemore's sixth appearance at Virginia Motorsports Park, where he hopes to duplicate team owner Chuck Etchells' winning performances from 1997 & 1998…. Bazemore's best VMP qualifying performance to date is sixth, which he has done on three occasions, and in eliminations he has advanced to the quarter-finals the last two years…. Bazemore is also looking to move up from his current 10th place position in the Winston Drag Racing Series season's points standings. Fast Facts WHAT 6th annual Moto1.net Nationals presented by Chevrolet, the sixth event on the 23-race 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule. WHEN: April 27 - 30, 2000 WHERE: Virginia Motorsports Park, Dinwiddie, Virginia SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying sessions start with two sessions on Friday, April 28 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., and conclude on Saturday, April 29 with two rounds at 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 30. TV: TNN will air ninety minutes final eliminations coverage from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. (Times given are both Eastern and Pacific. As always, please check your local listings.)