Pro Nitrous racer John Hall went for a wild ride in the opening round of eliminations at the season-opening PDRA East Coast Nationals at GALOT Motorsports Park on Saturday. Hall was making his return to the category in a brand new Jerry Bickel Race Cars-built ’20 Camaro, following a three-year absence from competition. The Pompano Beach, Florida resident anchored the field in the 16th spot with just a 5.55-second best during qualifying, setting him up on a date with top qualifier and reigning series champion Jim Halsey in round one.
Video: Kyle Christ/Straight Line Media
Hall got the edge on Halsey out of the gate, but shook the tires at the 60-foot mark and darted toward the centerline. Hall’s Camaro got into the marbles between the lanes and the veteran driver lost control, sailing over the guardrail into the grass that divides the strip from the spectator and pit area, tumbling to a stop. Fortunately, despite the incident, a brief fire, and an impact with the support posts for the top-end scoreboard, Hall emerged with little more hurt than his pride.
Said the PDRA in a report: “we are happy to report that he still has a smile on his face and says he feels OK other than some pain in his jaw. We’re sure he’ll be hurting tomorrow, but the fact that he’s here to see tomorrow is a big sigh of relief from all of us here at the PDRA.”