This racing season has seen some tremendous numbers put up all across the country, from nitro Funny Cars running deep into the 3.80s, to radial tire cars smashing into the 3.70 zone. But, the 2016 season is far from over, and with the 21st annual Haltech World Cup Finals approaching you know the possibility for more records to fall is there. In the premier class of Outlaw vs Extreme, there has yet to be a five-second quarter-mile pass, but with the level of cars coming to the 2016 event, that could change.
Jason Miller has been putting on the WCF at Maryland International Raceway for over 20 years, so he understands better than anyone how huge the first five-second pass would be. “Nobody has ever made a five-second pass at the WCF. Both the Mech-Tech and Ekanoo teams have been in the five-second zone at the other events, and they’re looking to reset the world record at the WCF this year. There also hasn’t been an Outlaw 10.5 legal car run a five-second pass anywhere, and we could see that this year, too,” Miller says
Former event winner Joe Newsham is ready for the WCF and will do everything he can to be the first to the fives. “It’s a milestone for sure — last year we thought that we had it, but had to click the motor off early and ran a 6.08. I built a whole new engine program this year so I can run it harder in the quarter-mile. My plans are to show up and be the first domestic car in the five-second zone,” Newsham says.
Isaias Rojas has already been in the fives three different times with his Mech-Tech backed Scion, but he has a few surprises for the field this year. “We will be bringing a brand new chassis to this race, along with a bigger 3.2 liter motor. The car has already gone 5.90s in the quarter-mile. We want to be the first to run the five-second pass at the WCF. I think with the weather conditions at the race we’re going to try for 5.80s,” Rojas explains.
Both Newsham and Rojas will have to deal with crafty Outlaw 10.5 veteran Mike Decker, who plans on bringing the heat to the WCF in 2016. “Our goals are to be the first into the fives, reset the record, and put it out of touch for everyone else. We will be the first Cecil legal Outlaw 10.5 legal car in the fives and do what we can to win this event,” Decker says.
There is some added incentive for these racers to push their cars to the limit and light the scoreboard with those coveted five-second runs. “The purse this year is $20,000 to win and we’re putting together bonuses on the first 5-second runs for imports and domestics on each side,” Miller says.
The 21st edition of the annual Haltech World Cup Finals is an event that you must experience in-person, but if you can’t make the trip to Maryland International Raceway we have you covered! Dragzine will be at the race all weekend providing same day coverage.
SpeedVideo will also be at the event broadcasting it LIVE in high definition for fans all over the world thanks to our Live Stream sponsor ProCharger, along with ERL Performance, Fidanza Performance, Summit Racing Equipment, Ferrea Racing Components, ATI Performance Products, JE Pistons, Fuel Injector Clinic, Canton Racing Products, Chassis Engineering, Edelbrock, Driven Racing Oil, Fueltech, Moser, and Late Model Engines.