NMRA Real Street Champion and national record holder Bruce Hemminger grabbed yet another win in the class the recent NMRA event at Milan Dragway in Milan, MI on June 11-12. With rain threatening for the weekend, many were unsure was even going to happen, but it went off without a hitch under cloudy skies.
We found a recent article by Bruce in regards to his accomplishments on the Centerforce website.
On Friday, Hemminger got tech’ed in and decided to make an 1/8 mile test pass to check out the new suspension changes that he’d made following the previous event. The lap netted a 6.07 at 112.12 MPH after a 2.27 60’ and 3.89 330’ short times. In the first round of qualifying, Bruce laid down a 9.56 at 140.18 that placed him at the top of the provisional qualifying sheets. With an extra 500 RPM dialed in at the hit and some additional timing, the second pass didn’t go as planned with a bumper-dragging launch that left him with little choice but lift and scrap the run. The third run netted another 9.56 at 140.18 that held on for the top spot heading into Sunday’s eliminations.
Hemminger received an opening round bye run due to the 9-car ladder, and used the pass to his advantage to try some changes. The adjustments didn’t pay off however, slowing to a tire-spinning 9.59. In round two, with adjustments made following the first round data, Bruce made an outstanding 9.46 at 142.42 lap that broke the record of a 9.48. In the semifinal, facing the No. 2 qualifier, he maintained the performance edge with a 9.47 at 141.97 that was enough to back up the 9.46 for a new class record. But more was to come. In the final, following some adjustments to cope with the nighttime conditions and keep the nose on the ground, and incredible 9.44 at 142.89 was more than enough to take the winners check and rewrite the record books once again.
Bruce utilizes Centerforce’s single-disc, light metal assembly clutch (Part #LM161057) and the 900220 Centerforce flywheel for the record-setting performances from his 1986 Ford Mustang.
Hemminger and wife, Deb, will be back in action July 15-18 at the NMCA/NMRA Superbowl of Drag Racing In Joliet, IL.