HC50:  Personal Info: Name, location, age, make, model, year of car, etc.

Spence Hart, Wilmington, Delaware, 34, Ford Mustang LX 1990

HC50:  How long have you been drag racing? How did you get your start?

Off and on since I was 16, Nothing serious until around 1991, then Vicki bought the 90 LX.....then it was all over from there, Gears, shift kit.....NOS and it was running 12.40s. She paid it off and handed me the
keys (this was after I smoked the old motor...hehe), Although I had to buy her a 96 GT as her replacement.

HC50:  What's been the biggest challenge to your racing program? 

Getting any kind of financial support, or companies to recognize you're serious enough for them to back you. And for me learning everything on my own basically (except the motor and trans building). I assembled the car, Tune the engine and chassis myself, and not having a crew of people to go racing with me, usually its me and Vicki or me and somebody I pick up at the track to help (when their car is down, Thanks Greg...hehe)

 

HC50:  What would you consider you biggest accomplishment as a racer?

First was winning NSCA EFI at VMP in 1998, then it would have to be runner up at Bradenton and Columbus 2002. I think I have shown that I have the heart to be competitive, even know I have the smallest of everything...hehe,  I just keep hammering it and trying new things to go fast.

HC50:  What's gotten you hooked on the Mustang drag racing scene?
 

The amount of knowledge that is out there, and those people will lend you a hand no matter how big of a name racer they are, its like a family out there in the pits.

HC50:  What are your plans for the future?

Well that all depends on what the rule changes if any will be for 2003, if the NMRA doesn't change something in DR, I feel it would be best suited for me to sit out a year and maybe build a whole new combo for the following year.
 

HC50:  What changes, if any, do you feel the sanctioning bodies need to make in
order for our sport to prosper? 

Well, since there is only one sanctioning body that has Drag Radial, I would say I have a lot but it seems I am already dubbed a trouble maker by the big man there, so I will just keep quiet on that for now.

HC50:  Do you feel like the rules regarding the nitrous, Turbo and blower cars are
fair? If not, what would you like to see changed?

 Another sore subject with me.  Hell no they aren't fair. How can you put a 410ci NOS car with 2 stages (any amount of NOS on those stages) up against a 360ci or less YS trim Vortech car (biggest Vortech allowed per NMRA rules)? when the lead NOS car is belting out 8.90 at 160mph and the closest car is a turbo car with an 8.90 at 155 and the closest blower car is 9.20/150, how do they consider that fair? The NOS cars don't have to kill it outta the hole like a blower or turbo car to make a hard run. that car still has a lot more in it, but why risk getting rules changed against you when you can just lay low and use just enough ET to win.....pretty damn smart if you ask me.

HC50:  Who are your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track?

I consider everyone in Drag Radial friends or any class for that matter, the racers are like family to me, and I enjoy seeing them at the track.
 

HC50:  Who do you fear having to see at the starting line?

There is no fear of anyone, I just wish the races were a tad closer between the NOS and the forced induction cars, most of those races are blowouts.

Thanks go out to: 

First one is definitely my wife Vicki, she has supported my racing from the beginning and enjoys it as much as I do. Larry and Ron Rhodes from Rhodes Custom Auto Works (www.rhodescustomauto.com) Both my employer and friends, they have supported me since I started and I greatly appreciate what they have done for me.  Ricky Best from Vortech Superchargers, He has stood behind me and fought with the NMRA for a blower revision from the get go this year even know they keep saying no, he hounds them more...hehe, and also for believing in me enough to sponsor me this year.  Greg Barnett for his great friendship and help at the first 3 races, thanks for being there.  Carlo Catalanotto for the constant info you pass my way when I ask..... Kevin Slaby for all the chassis info and help you have given me over the last 4 months........