Road Rumblings

Ron Hope Makes His Last 1/4 Mile Pass In The Rat Trap AA/FA

After 25 years behind the butterflies, Ron made his last pass in the beautiful and stout...RAT TRAP AA/FA! What an emotional moment this was for all to see at the 30th California Hot Rod Reunion. Ron has been “THE GUY” behind making many many Fuel Altered events happen around the world!! His love for this class of Drag Racing is surpassed by no one. Never fear though, this is not the end of the RAT TRAP AA/FA racing. Ron will be taking on a different role in the future so stay tuned for more NITRO FUELED FUN from Ron & The Rat Trap AA/FA team.

Save The Racecars! Edelbrock’s Effor ts To Help The RPM Act Pass

You may not be aware, but racecars are in danger of being outlawed. This goes for cars, trucks, and motorcycles that participate in all forms of motorsports. The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act) (H.R. 3281/S.2736) would reverse the EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act and save the racecars and the motorsports industry. Parts manufacturers such as Edelbrock are doing their part to help get the RPM Act through Congress and into law. But it’s going to take any and all of us that love building racecars and competing in motorsports to show support for the RPM Act in order to save this hobby, profession, and industry we love. For a bit of background, in 2015, the EPA took the stance that any vehicle designed for street use converted to a dedicated racecar violates the Clean Air Act if it no longer meets emissions requirements. Although the EPA’s efforts to make its policy a formal regulation have not come to fruition, the agency remains steadfast in its position that modifying a vehicle’s emission system to convert the car for racing is illegal. That’s where the RPM Act comes in. The RPM Act is a common-sense, bi-partisan piece of legislation that protects our rights to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars. In addition, the legislation protects the aftermarket parts industry’s ability to manufacture, sell, and install products that enable racers to build racecars and compete. The RPM Act does not interfere with the EPA’s emissions requirements for street-driven vehicles or its authority to enforce regulation infractions against those that illegally install race parts on street-driven cars. We all need to contact our representatives and let them know we support the legislation to save our racecars and the motorsports industry we love. To help make it as easy as possible for people to do this, Edelbrock has placed a large banner front and center on its website. Clicking the banner will present you with several links that you can use to contact your representatives. First, there is a prewritten letter; you enter your name and address, and it populates an email for each of your representatives containing the prewritten letter asking for their support of the RPM Act. One click later, the emails are sent. The second option is for those that would like to call their representatives on the phone. The website provides key talking points and notes you can have in front of you while speaking to your representatives. The website even takes care of making the calls for you. As a whole, we all need to make an effort to ensure that our representatives and lawmakers know that motorsports are a national tradition that must be saved. Do your part by visiting Edelbrock’s website and getting involved.

Tony Stewar t Set To Debut In NHRA Competition At Nevada Nationals

Tony Stewart has strapped into numerous race cars on a variety of surfaces during his legendary career in motorsports. After two multi-day sessions at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and a handful of tests over the last two years in both a Top Alcohol dragster and a Top Fuel dragster, Tony Stewart is ready for the real thing. The versatile racer who owns driving championships across NASCAR, INDYCAR and USAC, along with hundreds of victories on oval tracks, dirt tracks

and road courses, will throttle up behind the wheel of a Top Alcohol dragster during the NHRA Nevada Nationals Oct. 28-30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” Stewart said. “It’s definitely going to be a big learning curve, and to do it at a national event right out of the gate adds to the challenge. But it’s something I’ve really been wanting to do and I’ve been working toward this moment. I’m not taking it lightly. It’s a serious business and I’m going to be as prepared as possible when I get to Las Vegas.” Stewart will make his debut driving for McPhillips Racing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. “The team I’m driving for, McPhillips Racing, has been awesome to work with,” Stewart said. “They felt like I was ready to compete. With their confidence, that’s given me the confidence and courage to try something new and take the leap.”

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Named MotorTrend 2023 SUV of the Year

MOTOR TREND has named the Hyundai IONIQ 5 as the winner of its “Golden Calipers” for SUV of the Year, the publication announced. IONIQ 5 topped the field of 45 all-new or significantly redesigned SUVs, 25 of which were electrified. “IONIQ 5 winning MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year speaks to Hyundai’s impressive ability to execute in design, engineering, manufacturing and product development,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “This is one of the most prestigious awards in the automotive industry and we are honored that IONIQ 5 is recognized for its leading range, power, charging speed, design, interior space and advanced technology.” “For the first time in MotorTrend‘s 74-year history, the majority of contenders vying for MotorTrend SUV of the Year were electrified, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full battery-electric power,” said Ed Loh, head of editorial, MotorTrend Group. “The sheer volume and capability of all contenders made it one of the most competitive SUV of the Year programs ever, which is great news for consumers looking for efficient, future-forward SUVs and crossovers.” “After a grueling competition in record-setting heat, the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 came out on top, scoring high marks in our award’s six key criteria. In the IONIQ 5, Hyundai delivers an affordable, capable, tech-forward crossover with great range and quick charging capability, standing out in an increasingly crowded field. The IONIQ 5 doesn’t look or drive like any other EV on the road; it leads with interesting and futuristic styling and seals the deal with intuitive, humancentered technology, all in a smartly packaged crossover that fits a wide range of garages, budgets, and lifestyles,” continued Loh. The IONIQ 5 won SUV of the Year by excelling against the MotorTrend SUV of the Year award’s six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function, the publication said. “The IONIQ 5 is super fun to drive, combining sharp handling and expert chassis tuning with luxurylevel comfort and ride quality in an affordable mainstream EV,” said Erik Johnson, digital director, MotorTrend. “It’s also fun to look at, with a design evocative of the totally rad ’80s and ’90s but still thoroughly modern and distinctive among a sea of bland crossovers and SUVs. From the overall shape to clever details, you’ll continue to discover long after you drive the IONIQ 5 for the first time that Hyundai’s design team knocked this one out of the park. I couldn’t help but look back over my shoulder after every stint behind the wheel. Add it up, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a deeply deserving winner of the coveted Golden Calipers.”

MotorTrend’s IONIQ 5 Highlights Progressive design, Ultra-fast 800-volt multi-charging (10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes), Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function can power small appliances and devices, and even charge other EVs. Driving range of more than 300 miles. E-GMP platform improves performance, enhances driving dynamics and optimizes interior volume (spaciousness of a large car in a compact CUV) Eco-friendly materials and nature-inspired colors at many touchpoints. IONIQ 5 customers will receive unlimited 30-minute charging sessions for two years on Electrify America’s network of chargers. IONIQ 5 is the first model in Hyundai’s new family of IONIQ electric vehicles