Filler for eNews

With all the buzz about an upcoming body-on-frame pickup from Volkswagen, the timing seems perfect for these early pictures from the spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. of a developmental test mule.
 
Hiding underneath this well-modified Toyota Hi-Lux shell is the all-new pickup from VW. Brenda Priddy & Co. reports that markets are expected to include Europe and South America—as well as North America.
 
Look for VW’s pickup to arrive for the 2010 model year.
 

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

SEMA manufacturing members are invited to preview and gather measurements of Ford's 2009 E-Series and F Super Duty trucks. The Measuring Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The limit is two persons per company.

A version of SEMA-model legislation (H.B. 365) to create a state motor-vehicle definition for replica vehicles and allow these vehicles to meet only the equipment and emissions standards in effect for the model year and vehicle being replicated was approved by the Idaho State Legislature and signed into law by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. The new law defines a replica vehicle as a “vehicle made to replicate any passenger car or truck previously manufactured, using metal, fiberglass or other composite materials. Replica vehicles must look like the original vehicle being replicated but may use a more modern drive train.” For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

While taking a routine morning walk around his home on Detroit's west side, veteran automotive journalist Frank Washington Jr., 60, was mugged, stabbed and so savagely beaten that every bone in his face was crushed, requiring extensive facial reconstruction surgery. He is now recuperating at home, but industry friends, including spy photographer Brenda Priddy, have rallied to aid with Washington's mounting medical bills.

Priddy specifically has organized an eBay auction of automobile memorabilia, including original Corvette sketches and Bob Bondurant driving school certificates, hoping to add items daily. Click here to visit the auction. All proceeds go directly to the Frank Washington Fund at the Charter One Bank in Michigan. If you have an item you'd like to donate, contact Priddy at: brendapriddy@gmail.com.

Donations can also be sent to:

Charter One Bank
c/o Angela Todd
633 Notre Dame
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

For more information, call 313-882-7697 ext. 221.

The Surf City Allstars, featuring current and former touring musicians from the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and Brian Wilson bands, will provide entertainment for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. The group's authentic sound is sure to please fans of the Beach Boys and will compliment the evening of celebration.

"Car events have become a niche for us, playing Carroll Shelby's 80th birthday party among other car shows and museum events," said David Logeman, Surf City Allstars founder and drummer. 

The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser is set for Friday, July 25, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California. For more information on the event, including fundraising activities and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

SPONSOR AT HAND: DirecTV is set to join the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series as a presenting sponsor in an entitlement role. The IRL has also landed Coca-Cola as a supporting sponsor for the series.

DATES SET: The IndyCar Series has officially set the dates for events at Edmonton and Surfers Paradise, Australia that have been picked up from the Champ Car World Series. The Edmonton race will be held July 26, with the Surfers Paradise event on October 26.

NEW OLD NAME: Firestone has picked up title sponsorship of the Indy Pro Series, and as a result, the series name has been changed to the Firestone Indy Lights. The same name was used for a similar support series from 1991–2001.

A BACK SEAT: After failing to qualify at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway last week and ranking well out of the top 35 in NASCAR Sprint Cup owner’s points, Kyle Petty will step out of the No. 45 Dodge this week in favor of up-and-coming racer Chad McCumbee.

ANOTHER DAY: A fourth night will be utilized during the 2009 Chili Bowl Nationals for the third-straight year, however, this time the Tuesday night program for the January 13–17 event will be a full qualifying night, as opposed to a program for event rookies as it has been in recent years.

WINNING RETURN: Shane Hmiel, suspended from NASCAR for drug use two years ago, returned to racing in California’s BCRA Midget Series and promptly triumphed in his first start Saturday at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, California.

POWER RANKINGS: Veteran late-model racer Billy Moyer used his eighth victory (in a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Pike County Speedway in Mississippi) of the season to leap to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings, which are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN GETS FIRST WIN IN TOP FUEL; WORSHAM, ANDERSON AND SMITH ALSO VICTORIOUS AT O’REILLY NHRA SPRING NATIONALS: Becoming only the second black driver to win in Top Fuel, Pro Stock Motorcycle rider-turned Top Fuel driver Antron Brown picked up his first Top Fuel win and 17th of his career at the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston. Brown, who qualified 12th for the event, drove his Matco Tools dragster past runner-up Larry Dixon in his first Top Fuel final-round appearance. “The dream is unreal,” Brown said. “I dreamed about this as a kid growing up going to the Summer Nationals in New Jersey, watching all the greats like Kenny Bernstein, Don Garlits, John Force and Don Prudhomme. I still ask myself, am I really here?” In Funny Car, Del Worsham broke an almost three-year winless drought which dated back to Labor Day weekend of 2005. Worsham wheeled his way past NHRA legend John Force in the semi’s, then Ashley Force in the finals, to pick up his 22nd career win. Greg Anderson picked up his second win of 2008 in only four races, moving ahead of legendary Top Fuel pilot Joe Amato on the all-time wins list with 53, as well as taking over the top spot in the Pro Stock point standings. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, defending POWERade Series world champion Matt Smith collected his first win of the season over Matt Guidera, who appeared in his second final round in as many races. For more results from the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, visit www.nhra.com.

KALITTA MOTORSPORTS ADDS FAMED CREW CHIEF HOGAN TO MAC TOOLS TEAM: Longtime NHRA crew chief and Top Fuel tuner Richard Hogan has been hired to co-crew chief the Mac Tools dragster for Kalitta Motorsports. Hogan will share tuning responsibilities for the Doug Kalitta driven dragster with co-crew chief Jon Oberhofer for the remainder of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series. “It’s an honor to be given this opportunity at Kalitta Motorsports,” said Hogan. Hogan has spent four decades in drag racing, working as a crewmember and tuner for such names as Don Garlits, Kenny Bernstein and Don Prudhomme, and most recently as a crew chief for Morgan Lucas and Melanie Troxel.

GATEWAY INTERNATION RACEWAY COMPLETES RESURFACING PROJECT: With the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals just a month away, Gateway International Raceway completed a recent renovation of 2,400 sq. ft. of the dragstrip. The sections of concrete near the starting line in both lanes were removed and replaced with new concrete in anticipation of the May race. To view some of the photos of the project and learn more about the construction, visit www.nhra.com.

FUNNY CAR RACER, CHASSIS BUILDER FOSTER DIES: Funny Car racer, fabricator and restorer Pat Foster died March 27 after a short illness. Foster, a former national event winner and record holder, was known in the NHRA community for his skills on the track and in the shop, working as a famed chassis builder for such names as Woody Gilmore, John Buttera and Mickey Thompson. Foster is survived by his sons Cole, Dan and Justin; sisters Linda and Kay; brother Burch; and grandchildren Savannah and Ellah.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SUMMITRACING.COM NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, APRIL 10–13: The NHRA POWERade series travels to Nevada for the fifth event of the 2008 season. Defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock).

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, APRIL 24–27: The NHRA POWERade series heads back down south as drivers in four categories will compete at the sixth event of the season. Defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle).  

O’REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, MAY 2–4: Traveling back to the Midwest area of Madison, Illinois, just outside of St. Louis, drivers from the NHRA POWERade Series will look to gain some advantage in the Countdown to the Championship just before the start of the summer months. Defending event champions include Melanie Troxel (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Dave Connolly (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

A WIN THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING: Labor Day weekend 2005 in Indianapolis. That was the last time and place that Funny Car driver Del Worsham won an event before last weekend’s victory at the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston. Worsham had struggled since his previous win, finding the final round only twice in that time, but none of that seemed to matter Sunday as Worsham found himself once again in winner’s circle hoisting the Wally trophy. “It finally happened,” said Worsham. “Everything came together. I won’t say it wasn’t without a problem, but my dad (crew chief Chuck Worsham) made some great calls on the starting line. Great day.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: The number of rounds Funny Car driver John Force has left to win to reach the 1,000 mark. If Force wins the next event on the POWERade Series schedule, the Summitracing.com NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he will become the first driver in NHRA history to reach 1,000.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

WHAT TEAM DO YOU PLAY FOR?: Former NBA basketball player-turned Pro Stock driver Tom Hammonds has no problem getting noticed. At a height of 6’9”, Hammonds stands out in any crowd around the country. In his weekly blog on NHRA.com, Hammonds talks about some of the reactions he gets when entering a restaurant, which includes the obvious question, ‘Do you play basketball?’ “I always tell them no, I am an oversized horse jockey, but last night, when the hostess asked the question, I told her the truth and said yes, I did play basketball,” said Hammonds. “She didn’t believe me!” 

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.