Network
The announcement this week that the ADRL will add a Pro Drag Radial class to it’s existing line up has created quite a buzz and rampant speculation in the outlaw radial ranks prior to the rules package release. Comments have ranged from “this will be the knife that kills outlaw radial racing” to “it’s the best thing since sliced bread.”
Recently, the rift between what is “Outlaw Radial” and isn’t has widened along with the debate heating up once again due to the success of Donald “The Duck” Long’s Radial vs. the World format, and the fact that other tracks and promoters have chosen to adopt the more open rules package, further pushing the purists into a corner.
Now with Pro Drag Radial in the mix, the term step-up or step-out just got real. There’s big interest in the international stage that the ADRL brings to the game; this will focus more teams to do just that, and some to make the commitment to stay solidly in the traditional Outlaw Drag Radial class on a local level. Dragzine spoke with several racers this week about Pro Drag Radial to get their thoughts and comments on the ADRL addition. One thing for sure is the Pro Drag Radial class’ debut at the U.S. Drags VI on June 8th and 9th at Virginia Motorsports Park will be a can’t-miss race.
Said Keith Berry: “Myself and my sponsors that I’ve spoken with think it’s awesome. Until rules are released speculation will be like wild fire. The ADRL is the very definition of badass extreme race cars. I expect the Pro Drag Radial class will be exactly that. We want to race the Tim Lynch’s of the Outlaw racing world. If they follow suit of Donald’s Radial vs. the World rules, we can compete with anybody in the world. We’re very excited to compete in this series here stateside and in Qatar.”
Chassis builder Chris Terry said they were in with “Thrillbilly” Shane Stack’s Monte Carlo.
Fresh off their Heads up Madness win in Bradenton last Saturday, the ADRL’s announcement was met with open arms from the team of Kevin Fiscus and Josh Klugger, who are perennial contenders anywhere they show up with their twin-turbo Ford Mustng. “I think this is awesome for the sport. Thanks to everyone that has helped put this together. We can’t wait.”
Frank Soldridge (left) and Kyle Huettel at the South Georgia Motorsports Park.
The preliminary rules have the big block nitrous and big block twin turbocharged cars at the same weight; a welcome change for Frank Soldridge. Soldridge is one of the top drivers in the class with several runs in the 4.2X zone at multiple tracks. His local track is Cecil County, Maryland where he runs at 3,350 pounds with his twin turbo big block combo. The PSI team is excited about the new class and the opportunity to take out 100 pounds for the ADRL. They have never tested at 3,250 and maintain the philosophy of “bolt on the radials, and put it in the beams.” Kyle Huettell holds the overall record and is sure to be a top player in the ADRL’s Pro Drag Radial.
Mark Micke, who drives the twin-turbo Chevy Malibu campaigned by Jason Carter in the NMCA Super Street 10.5W ranks and recently bolted on a set of radials for the first time with stellar results at the Holly Springs Dragway Shootout at the Springs, also plans to take part in the class, if the car will fit the rules. “We can’t wait to race with the ADRL. I’ve raced with them in the past and its really cool deal they have over there. Plus, the number of fans you get to race in front is unreal, so Jason and I are ready to slug it out with the best racers in radial tire racing,” said Micke. Dragzine had spoken with Mark prior to Wednesday’s rules release, and after a conversation with Jason Carter on Thursday, it appears that the subtly stretched nose on his Malibu could force them to sit out based on the current wording for car bodies. Pending final rules, the team will field two cars with the Malibu and Mark Woodruff’s stunning Corvette.
Jason Carter’s twin-turbo Chevy Malibu that recently wore radials for the first time. Mark Micke pilots the car that, pending the final rules, will compete in the ADRL’s Pro Drag Radial class.
Those currently expressing an interest in the class include Micke, Woodruff, Fiscus/Klugger, Keith Berry, Todd Berry, Soldridge, Stack, Dave Hance, Paul Major, David DeMarco, Kevin Mullins, Eric Kenward, Eddie Harrison, Scotty Guadagno, and Brad Edwards. Other possibilities include Tim Lynch, Jason Enos, Willard Kinzer, Mike Keenan, and others.
