How long have you been drag racing?
For about 11 years now
How did you get your start? I bought an 82 GLX Mustang
Coupe with a rear main seal that leaked badly. After having a machine
shop build me 2 motors that made it less than 500 miles each, the shop
owner who had been doing the installs took pity on me and decided to
help me build the 3rd motor. The next spring we were at the track. And
as they say, the rest is history!
What’s been the biggest challenge to your racing program this season? Compared to last season?
I'd have to say that financing and my location have been the biggest
strains and will continue to be. I live 90 miles from the Canadian
border in northern Minnesota and the closest track is 250 miles away.
Because of this, there is virtually nobody in my area to help me out
and every event I go to involves major travel costs. Most of what I
have learned has come from friends that I have made on the net (thanks
guys, you know who you are) and what I have learned on my own at the
track. And there is no doubt in my mind that as my involvement in the
sport increases, so will these challenges.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishments as a racer?
My biggest accomplishment has been building my current car and getting
it to work correctly on about 1/3 of the budget that most of the other
teams have. My sponsorship has come from buying parts off of the
internet at a fraction of their retail cost.
What’s gotten you hooked on the Mustang drag racing scene?
My first hot rod was a 68 Camaro that I spent a lot of money on and it
never ran right. One day I saw an 82 GLX on the side of the road, took
it for a test drive, and was blown away by the performance. There was
no comparison and i have never looked back since.
What are your plans for the future? I plan on increasing
my involvement in 10.5" tire racing, but not until my program is
developed enough to be competitive. When the new body style comes out
for the Mustangs in 2005 I intend on selling my car and having a new
25.1D chassis done. Some day I may even switch power adders to a turbo
or blower if I can't get a good enough handle on this nitrous
combination.
What changes, if any, do you feel the sanctioning bodies need to make
in order for our sport to prosper? In a perfect world FFW,
the NMCA, and the NMRA would all align themselves such that all of the
classes would have direct cross-overs and we racers could attend
whichever show was the closest. Secondly, rule stability has to be
maintained. All you have to do is look at the NMRA for validation of
that statement. The car counts in Pro show what happens with
unrestrained class growth while SS/O shows what happens with proper
class management.
Who are your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track? I
have no enemies at the track, and that's why I love racing. I would
(and have) given anything in my trailer to people in need and have met
many that have done the same in return. In my experience racers are
some of the best people in the world.
Who do you fear having to see at the starting line? Why?
I don't fear anybody.....and you can't! That's not to say that I think
I can or will beat anyone I race. However, if you let others
intimidate you at the line then the odds of you loosing are that much
greater. Intense focus is critical at the starting line, and that's
just not possible if you are scared or thinking about anything other
than cutting a light.
What would you tell someone looking to start out in the heads-up racing
scene? Get a job that allows flexible working hours, save as
much money as you can, and talk to every one of the "pro's" that will
listen and respond.
Very briefly, tell me the dumbest
mistake you've ever made at the race track? I forgot to put
3 out of the 4 hood pins in my car one time. Boy, is it scary when you
are going 100MPH and your hood lifts up in front of you and blocks
your field of vision. It was one of several lessons I've had about
keeping your focus on the task at hand in the pits.
Anyone you’d like to thank, wives you HAVE to thank, other things not
mentioned you feel are important? I've got to give credit to
my 10 year old son Max. Last year when I went to my first NMRA race in
Reynolds he cried when I didn't take him. How many kids do you know
that would throw a fit about not getting to go on a 50 hour round trip
ride? He never misses a local race and is truly my crew chief with the
amount of work he puts in. But some day he'll be handsomely rewarded
and he knows it! I'd also like to than my fiancé Geri for putting up
with this sickness of mine! She has the patience of a saint and has
suffered through this for many years. And hopefully many more.
What music do you listen to? Who’s your favorite? I
listen to a lot of the new alternative stuff and heavy metal. The
album Temple of the Dog has to be one of my favorites, as well as the
old Sound Garden, Metallica, and Pearl Jam.
Any nick names for you? N/A
Do you have any pets? Much to my dismay we have 3 birds,
one of which is a Blue and Gold Macaw parrot.....you know, those HUGE
buggers! Some day I'll find out if they are like 90% of food and taste
like chicken.
Do you have Kids?
My fiancé has two other children. Her daughter has never expressed any
interest in racing. Her son never did either. But now he's 15, looking
at driving soon, and he's suddenly becoming very interested!
What do you like to do as a hobby outside of drag racing?
I help coach my son's youth hockey team in the winter. In the summer I
golf and do as much fishing as my schedule will allow. You just can't
live in northern Minnesota and not love fishing.
What track do you dislike the most? Rock Falls Raceway,
Eau Claire WI. They don't call it the "Slippery Rock" for nothing. I
don't mind paying money to race. But when I have to pay top dollar for
grassy dust filled pits, no electricity, and traction compound that's
applied for 15 feet with a green water can that's meant for home
gardening, I get a little aggravated.
Which is your favorite track to race on? I have a tie for
a favorite. The track i started racing at was Wisconsin International
Raceway (WIR) in Kaukauna WI. It is located just south of Green Bay
and I like to go back there from time to time and see the guys that I
started racing with in the early 90's. I like the fact that it hooks
like crazy and doesn't cost hardly anything to enter. Then again,
that's probably because they don't pay anything either. Brainerd
International Raceway (BIR) in Minnesota has monthly events where you
can camp right at the track. The facility is a first class NHRA track
with showers and all of the equipment to make both the camping and
racing excellent. We've got a group of about 8 racers and their
families (Team Extreme Racing) that come down for every one. Friends,
family, good racing, and the occasional alcohol induced coma.....what
more could a person ask for?
Do you have a lucky charm? What is it? No
If you could meet anybody you wanted living or not who would it be? Why?
I'd like to meet George Klass. And I mean it sincerely with not one
bit of sarcasm.
Additional Comments: All
performance numbers listed for the car were from the 2002 season.
Major engine modifications have been made for 2003 in an effort to
become more competitive. Stay tuned to Hardcore50 for progress
results.
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