NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES-

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE NHRA FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAG RACING SERIES-
SEARS POINT RACEWAY

RACER MIKE MACBRIAR GIVES REPORTERS A SEAT IN HIS DRAGSTER

        On Thursday, June 28, eight San Francisco Bay Area reporters were
given a thrilling look of what it's like to get behind the wheel of a Super
Comp dragster. The media event, which was organized by Mike MacBrair, Napa,
Calif.,  and the folks at Sears Point Raceway, put each one of the
reporters in the Team Chevrolet backed, low 8-second dragster fielded by
MacBriar in Division 7 Super Comp competition.
        After they were first given instructions on how to operate the
dragster by Mac Brair and his son JR,  the 8 reporters, Henry Coleman
(Sonoma Index Tribune), Dorothy Talan (KVMR-FM), Letty Cavagnolo (Martinez
Gazette), Malou Nubla (San Francisco Evening Magazine, CBS), Bob Padecky
(Press Democrat), Chuck Squatriglia (San Francisco Chronicle), Kevin Lilly
(Napa Valley Register), and Mark Neumann (107.7 FM "The Bone"), were
outfitted in full firesuits, gloves, a neckbrace and full face helmet,
provided by the Russell Racing School, to give them the feel of being a
"real" drag racer.. 
"I made sure that each reporter knew how to start, stop and pull the chute
if they needed. Even though they were only instructed to go to the 100ft
mark, I wanted them to know exactly what to do if they had any kind of
problem," said MacBrair.     
        Problem or no problem, what still would possess someone to let 8
reporters jump into his $40,000 race car? According to Mac Briar, who first
began racing in the late 60's in a street car at the now extinct Orange
County International Raceway, he's just trying to do his part to help
promote the sport he loves. 
"I wanted the reporters to get the thrill of what it's like to be behind
the wheel. I think many of them didn't realize that drag racing was more
than just stabbing the gas when the light turns green. It's a difficult
sport that requires skill and concentration, not to mention it's just plain
fun," said MacBrair
" I'm also hoping that some of the reporters write about how much fun they
had on the track to help get people who street race off the street. I'm an
advocate of organized drag racing and I want people to know that no matter
how glamorous the movies might make street racing look the only place you
should race is on the track," added MacBrair.

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE TREATED TO CAR SHOW

Thursday June 28, Travis Air Force Base was given special, up close and
hands on look when 10 area racers, representing Federal-Mogul Dragster,
Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Competition Eliminator, Super Stock and Super Comp
showcased their cars at the Fairfield, Calif., Air Force base.
        The 10 drivers answered questions about their cars and signed
autographs, while adults and kids alike marveled at the awesome machines.
Federal-Mogul Dragster driver Dave Baca, Brentwood, Calif., even allowed
CMS Paul Shott (pictured) to climb into the cockpit, while friends MSA Greg
Warren and Curtiss Knowles looked on.
        The same went for Kyle Rizzolli, San Leandro, Calif., who showcase
his Super Comp dragster as well as his Junior Dragster, which was a big hit
with the kids. Four-year-old Jack Freese (pictured), who's father
Competition Eliminator driver Alan Freese of Monterey, Calif., brought his
'96 Pontiac Grand Prix to the base for the show, was just one of the many
kids who climbed into Rizzolli's car for a view.
        Fellow Super Comp competitors and team mates Chris Forsyth
Huntington Beach, Calif., and Robert Nabor Ontario, Calif., also brought
their pair of Super Comp dragsters. Bernie Harrington, Apple Valley,
Calif., showed his unique '00 Acura Intergra which he fields in
Federal-Mogul Funny Car. 
        Also at the show were Steve Federlin who made the trip all the way
from Oregon, City, Ore. with his Federal-Mogul Dragster, as well as Jerry
and Dixie Maddern with their Peen-Rite sponsored Federal-Mogul Dragster
driven by Darren Nicholson of Mission Viejo, Calif, Larry Rush, Vacaville,
Calif., with his Super Stock Camaro and John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., with
his "Dream Weaver" Federal-Mogul Funny Car.
        For their kindness and genorosity the Air Force "re-payed" the 10
drivers with a personalized tour of the C-5, one of the largest planes in
the Air Force Fleet.

RENOVATIONS ON THE HORIZON AT SEARS POINT RACEWAY
 
Immediately following the Fram Autolite Nationals, held August 3-5, Sears
Point Raceway plans to begin renovations at their famed facility. According
to Raceway officials, barring any major unforeseen set backs Sears Point
plans to begin tearing up the quarter-mile the Monday after the Fram
Autolite Nationals with work set to begin on August 6. In addition to being
completely resurfaced, the drag strip surface will also be made more
narrow, as to not interfere the with road course at Sears Point used
currently in the NASCAR and AMA series. 
At it's current configuration, NHRA and NASCAR share portions of the
quarter-mile at their respected races. After the renovations each
sanctioning body will have their own racing surface.      
        In addition to the improvements to the racing surface, Sears Point
also plans to put up permanent grandstands and replace overhead bridges
with underground tunnels, making the grounds more accessible for race fans.

BONUS AWARDS 

The $1000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier award was awarded to Brandon Bernstein
of Lake Forest, Calif., in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Pat Austin of Tacoma,
Wash., in Federal-Funny Car.  $200 Sealed Power Low Qualifyier checks were
earned by Bill Wayne, Bullhead City, Calif., in Competition Eliminator,
Harry Holton, Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock. Defending NHRA Pacific
Division Federal-Mogul champion Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., in Stock
collected $100. 
        Joe Roubicek, Westlake Villiage, Calif., won the Taylor Motorsports
Fasteners Best Appearing Car award with his funky, flamed, '63 Super Gas
Corvette. The Hugues Performance, Mountain West Engineering, Best
Engineered was given to Super Comp competitor William Boxold, Oranglevale,
Calif.  John Chamberlin, Napa, Calif., and crew won the Taylor Motorsports,
Specialty Fasteners Best Appearing Crew Award.
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