Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

Back row (left to right): Director of the USAFA Applied Mechanics Lab Lt. Col. Richard Buckley, SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting, LandSpeed Productions founder Louise Ann Noeth, Applied Mechanics Lab Deputy Captain Robert Bailey, World Land Speed Record Holder Patrick Rummerfield. Front row: United States Air Force Academy cadets from the junior and senior class chosen to attend the 2010 SEMA Show based on their scholastic excellence in mechanical and aerodynamic engineering.

Most SEMA members know the Air Force has a sprawling campus in the mountains of Colorado Springs just south of Denver, but very few are aware how the Academy’s top technology learning labs can help research, develop, test and evaluate product ideas while helping the cadet student body move towards graduation and beyond. The USAFA has an interest in developing relationships with performance parts manufacturers and land speed racing teams that can yield real-world, practical experience for cadet educational projects where once only theoretical, or computer modeling data, was possible.

In the past, cadets and faculty have collaborated with outside organizations on a wide range of products—from characterizing the performance of new internal combustion engine technologies for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to developing rehabilitation tools for individuals with severe head trauma and hand injuries.

What They Do
The Mission of the US Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Because the Air Force is a highly technical service, there is an emphasis in the core curriculum on science, engineering and technology. The Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering programs at USAFA are consistently ranked in the top five of undergraduate programs nationally. All engineering cadets are required to complete Capstone design and instrumentation projects to show their proficiency in their field of study.

Capstone projects run the gamut from Micro-air vehicles for reconnaissance to battlefield transportation challenges, to the familiar Formula SAE and Mini-Baja competition teams. In the Applied Mechanics Lab, automotive-related projects abound because they are excellent for learning design, analysis and control of complex systems. Cadets in their junior and senior year take classes in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The department has a dedicated “research garage” space equipped with a SuperFlow chassis dyno and water brake engine dyno.

Lt. Col. Richard Buckley and Capt. Robert Bailey (left), who direct the Applied Mechanics Engineering lab at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, together with author and photojournalist “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth, enjoy high-speed tales of setting the world record for motorcycles by the fastest man on two wheels, Rocky Robinson (in sunglasses) as they lean on his 376 mph speed machine during the 2010 SEMA Show.

Current projects include engine management systems for Honda and Suzuki motorcycle engines and an EFI retrofit and research instrumentation of a small-block Chevy engine. Future planned projects include instrumented research engines and a 1,000hp engine for demonstrations and cadet independent research. The Aeronautical Engineering lab is equipped with several wind tunnels, ranging from low-speed sub-sonic, transonic and supersonic up to Mach 4; jet engine test stands capable of measuring up to 7,000 lbs. of thrust; and several engine dynos capable of up to 1,000 lb.-ft. and 1,000 hp. All of these facilities are dedicated to cadet and faculty research projects and cadets are encouraged to pursue independent studies related to real-world challenges and outside normal classroom instruction.

How SEMA Members Can Help
Because USAFA is a federal agency, cadet design and research teams are not allowed to solicit sponsors from commercial businesses. This puts our future service members at a significant disadvantage compared to other universities. It also makes it more difficult for cadets to be involved with state-of-the-art product development and research. There is not a prohibition from working with the industry, just a prohibition from soliciting. A number of collaborations and cooperative research and development initiatives have been established with businesses that have pursued a relationship with USAFA. SEMA members who are interested in collaborating with the USAFA research labs can contact the Applied Mechanics Lab Director Lt. Col. Richard Buckley at 719/333-6633 or at Richard.buckley@usafa.edu.

—"LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth 

 

NEWS NUGGETS

SILLY SEASON CONTINUES! JOHNNY GRAY MOVES OVER TO FUNNY CAR AND DSR: With only six weeks remaining until the first engines start up at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, the off-season shuffle appropriately named, “the silly season,” continues as former Pro Stock driver and team owner Johnny Gray announced that he, along with sponsor TBC Retail Group, would be joining Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and fielding the Service Central Racing Dodge Charger Funny Car for the 2011 season. The addition of Johnny Gray gives DSR a total of four Funny Car teams competing this season in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Gray, who last year drove a Pro Stock car for Service Central, returns to the Funny Car wars in which he competed from 1999 to 2004 and again in 2006. Famed crew chief Lee Beard will take over tuning duties on the Service Central Dodge Charger.

“It’s been great driving Pro Stock, but it was time to move up into Funny Car for added exposure, and we decided Don Schumacher Racing was the way to go,” said Gray. “I had driven a Funny Car for Don several years ago (six races in 2004) and knew his was the right organization for our program. Lee Beard and I get along real well and always have. This looks like it was meant to be.”

Gray is the second driver to be added to the DSR lineup this off-season. This past November, DSR announced that Top Fuel driver and 2009 Auto Club Road to the Future Rookie-of-the-Year winner Spencer Massey would climb into the Prestone/Fram dragster for the 2011 season. For more information, visit NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS KRAGEN O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, February 24–27: The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and 60th anniversary season of NHRA kicks off at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona at the 51st running of this event. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/844-NHRA or online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Public Relations Michael Padian at mpadian@nhra.com.

TIRE KINGDOM NHRA GATORNATIONALS, GAINESVILLE RACEWAY, March 10–13: The second stop in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and first race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, this showdown in the swamplands of Florida will bring added excitement as the NHRA celebrates its 60th anniversary. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle. For tickets, call 800/844-NHRA or online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

*Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins (near) defeated Ronnie Sox at the 1970 NHRA Winternationals, the first official race for the Pro Stock category.

1970, THE ADDITION OF PRO STOCK: In January 1970, NHRA announced a new addition to its official pro category lineup—the Pro Stock category. Since then, such famed NHRA drivers and legends like Bob Glidden, Warren Johnson, Jeg Coughlin, Greg Anderson and many, many more have raced in the famed category, and the highly competitive class has become a staple of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for more than 40 years.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

187: That’s the current qualifying streak (dating back to Las Vegas 2002) held by Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson, heading into the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season and the Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, February 24–27. In his 12-year career, Anderson has failed to qualify for the season-opening race only once (1998).*

*Anderson did not attend the season-opening race in Pomona in 2001.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that a crew from the popular Science Channel TV program "How It’s Made" visited Morgan Lucas Racing last year to film a special show entitled "Dragsters?" The show will air for the first time this Friday, January 21, at 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or visit the NHRA Media Center online.

NEWS NUGGETS

SILLY SEASON CONTINUES! JOHNNY GRAY MOVES OVER TO FUNNY CAR AND DSR: With only six weeks remaining until the first engines start up at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California, the off-season shuffle appropriately named, “the silly season,” continues as former Pro Stock driver and team owner Johnny Gray announced that he, along with sponsor TBC Retail Group, would be joining Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and fielding the Service Central Racing Dodge Charger Funny Car for the 2011 season. The addition of Johnny Gray gives DSR a total of four Funny Car teams competing this season in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Gray, who last year drove a Pro Stock car for Service Central, returns to the Funny Car wars in which he competed from 1999 to 2004 and again in 2006. Famed crew chief Lee Beard will take over tuning duties on the Service Central Dodge Charger.

“It’s been great driving Pro Stock, but it was time to move up into Funny Car for added exposure, and we decided Don Schumacher Racing was the way to go,” said Gray. “I had driven a Funny Car for Don several years ago (six races in 2004) and knew his was the right organization for our program. Lee Beard and I get along real well and always have. This looks like it was meant to be.”

Gray is the second driver to be added to the DSR lineup this off-season. This past November, DSR announced that Top Fuel driver and 2009 Auto Club Road to the Future Rookie-of-the-Year winner Spencer Massey would climb into the Prestone/Fram dragster for the 2011 season. For more information, visit NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS KRAGEN O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, February 24–27: The 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and 60th anniversary season of NHRA kicks off at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona at the 51st running of this event. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/844-NHRA or online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Public Relations Michael Padian at mpadian@nhra.com.

TIRE KINGDOM NHRA GATORNATIONALS, GAINESVILLE RACEWAY, March 10–13: The second stop in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and first race for the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, this showdown in the swamplands of Florida will bring added excitement as the NHRA celebrates its 60th anniversary. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle. For tickets, call 800/844-NHRA or online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

*Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins (near) defeated Ronnie Sox at the 1970 NHRA Winternationals, the first official race for the Pro Stock category.

1970, THE ADDITION OF PRO STOCK: In January 1970, NHRA announced a new addition to its official pro category lineup—the Pro Stock category. Since then, such famed NHRA drivers and legends like Bob Glidden, Warren Johnson, Jeg Coughlin, Greg Anderson and many, many more have raced in the famed category, and the highly competitive class has become a staple of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for more than 40 years.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

187: That’s the current qualifying streak (dating back to Las Vegas 2002) held by Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson, heading into the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season and the Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, February 24–27. In his 12-year career, Anderson has failed to qualify for the season-opening race only once (1998).*

*Anderson did not attend the season-opening race in Pomona in 2001.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that a crew from the popular Science Channel TV program "How It’s Made" visited Morgan Lucas Racing last year to film a special show entitled "Dragsters?" The show will air for the first time this Friday, January 21, at 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or visit the NHRA Media Center online.

As was speculated last year, the Genesis will undergo a freshening for the ’12 model year and will offer a new eight-speed transmission. Last time the spy network at Brenda Priddy & Co. set their crosshairs on the ’12 Genesis, engineers kept the shifter covered up. Today, the camouflage is off the shifter and exterior of the car.

Exterior updates will include a new lower front fascia as well as new trim pieces on the front and rear ends, according to Priddy. While this test car has plain-looking exhaust pipes, Priddy's team expects the final version to have a slightly tweaked lower fascia and some bright exhaust tips.

The big news is the all-new 5.0L V8 motor under the hood. Hyundai's powerful engine option won't be supercharged but naturally aspirated, as confirmed by Hyundai, and pump out 429 hp. The Korean automaker is anticipating a 2% increase in fuel economy as well as better acceleration and overall handling from the new V8.



Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

As was speculated last year, the Genesis will undergo a freshening for the ’12 model year and will offer a new eight-speed transmission. Last time the spy network at Brenda Priddy & Co. set their crosshairs on the ’12 Genesis, engineers kept the shifter covered up. Today, the camouflage is off the shifter and exterior of the car.

Exterior updates will include a new lower front fascia as well as new trim pieces on the front and rear ends, according to Priddy. While this test car has plain-looking exhaust pipes, Priddy's team expects the final version to have a slightly tweaked lower fascia and some bright exhaust tips.

The big news is the all-new 5.0L V8 motor under the hood. Hyundai's powerful engine option won't be supercharged but naturally aspirated, as confirmed by Hyundai, and pump out 429 hp. The Korean automaker is anticipating a 2% increase in fuel economy as well as better acceleration and overall handling from the new V8.



Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company