// APRIL 2016 \\
04 US CHROME WORLD’S PERFORMANCE
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WRITTEN By: Jenna Osterlund
U.S. CHROME
THE WORLD’S PERFORMANCE CYLINDER PLATING LEADER
America’s golden age of manufacturing in the 1940’s was flourishing in the hands and minds of people like Roger Reath and Lou Raymond, founders of US Chrome. While working at Connecticut’s General Electric during WWII, the engineers noticed the United States’ imminent need for durable, dependable, military hardware. Reath and Raymond had the vision and skills to deliver. Recognizing that chrome plated machinery components needed to have more than just a mirror shine, they developed plating that was thicker and harder. This new plating gave rifle barrels and machine tools vastly improved durability, wear, and corrosion resistance. PAGE 4
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A firestorm of revolutionary advances was sparked by US Chrome, beginning with rifle barrels and chainsaw cylinder bores and progressing to Bridgeport Mill saddles and ways, Mercury Marine cylinder bores, and aircooled Kohler Engine blocks. US Chrome became a world renowned plating company. In 1996, Wisconsin’s US Chrome facility switched from using hard chrome plating on cylinder bore applications to using Nickel Silicon Carbide composites, what they named: NiCom. This discovery yielded much improved oil retention along with frictional properties, far superior to what chrome bores offered. US Chrome’s new switch to NiCom eventually enabled over one million motorsport enthusiasts to quickly and cost effectively recondition factory plated cylinders for the most efficient, powerful rides ever. Seventy-five years later, this family business is partly headed by Roger Reath’s grandson, Scott Reath. Scott runs the cylinder plating division that’s headquartered in Fon do Lac, Wisconsin. He has been involved in power sports and boating his entire life, but took another course early in his career. After receiving his law degree from Quinnipiac University and passing the Connecticut Bar Exam in 1994, Scott made the decision that would shape his family’s future. He took the opportunity to create something and build a product, a satisfaction that he was not finding in the legal arena. Scott carried on the family business and has been keeping its loyalty, trust, and history strong. He went from practicing environmental law to being an integral part of the company that’s at the heart of every engine - the cylinder bore and piston skirt. US Chrome makes sure they’re running at nothing short of peak performance capabilities.
APR 2016
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WOT // WHAT ABOUT US CHROME DO YOU TAKE MOST PRIDE IN? SCOTT \\ I am proud that we invented and refined this much. We have an amazing business model thriving from our turnkey aluminum cylinder repair and core exchanges and OEM NiCom plating and diamond honing. We did so by demonstrating technical excellence, quality, integrity, and responsive customer service. Everything was invented and developed in the USA. US Chrome has provided good, quality jobs and benefits for our very loyal and dedicated employees. They are passionate about power sports and understand what motorsport enthusiasts and mechanics need and expect. We have nineteen employees running two shifts at our Wisconsin location, and our corporate plating laboratory has two full time PhD chemists. What probably makes me most proud is that all of us are like family. We have been through a lot together! The typical US Chrome team member has been with us for over twenty years, and each brings an enormous amount to the table. We are nothing without our talented work force. So, I’m probably most proud of our team and our work force.
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WOT // WHAT IS US CHROME’S CLAIM TO FAME? SCOTT \\ We started out electroplating hard chromium onto ferrous metals in 1940, but by the ‘60’s, we were the first company in the world to discover a way to make chrome plating adhere to aluminum. US Chrome revolutionized power sport motors. We began with the German company, Mahle, with whom we plated millions of aluminum chainsaw bores in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. It took the weight out, made them run cooler, and made it possible for the piston and cylinder to be the same material, allowing them to expand and contract at the same rate. As most engine builders recognize, this was a revolutionary advancement over cast and ductileiron bores and sleeves. It set the record to this day more than fifty years later. I guess a lot of people also know us for our lead sponsorship of two Daytona 500 cars and many Sprint Cup racers over the past eight years.
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WOT // WHAT SERVICES IS PROVIDED BY US CHROME TODAY? SCOTT \\ US Chrome is the pioneer of precision NiCom (AKA, Nikasil) composite plating and diamond plateau honing. We remanufacture and repair the most heavily damaged cylinder bores! Catastrophic damage is usually no problem for us. We do a variety of various Big Bore kits, and do custom two-stroke Race and Trail porting. US Chrome also provides abradable, self clearancing coatings for piston skirts and domes, cylinder plating, cylinder bore restoration, Big Bore kits, and cylinder exchange core purchases. We also offer very low prices on many piston brands such as Wiseco, Wossner, Pro-X, MCB, and SPI! Our average turnaround time is two weeks or less, but we always offer emergency rush service and can get it done in three to four days. All of our work is backed by a one year warranty. US Chrome still performs hard chrome plating and has also developed a new generation of composite chrome alternatives like TriCom. You can learn more about TriCom on our corporate website www. uschrome. com
APR 2016
WOT // CAN PEOPLE BRING US CHROME THEIR CYLINDERS TO EXCHANGE? SCOTT \\ Yep. We have a big exchange program with around 2,500 cylinders in inventory ready for immediate one-day turnaround. US Chrome pays top dollar for used and worn plated cylinders that people may have laying around and don’t need anymore. Always call us before scrapping, throwing, or selling a used or worn cylinder. We can weld and repair heavily damaged ones without sleeving. They’re very valuable to us, gets you cash, and saves the waste and recycling. All of US Chrome’s plating waste is recycled and turned into stainless steel. We are not a hazardous waste generator. WOT // WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR PATENTED NICOM THAT BRINGS IN SUCH ENORMOUS BUSINESS ACROSS THE GLOBE? SCOTT \\ NiCom provides increased bore wear resistance, durability, heat transfer for increased horsepower, increased lubricity, oil retention, and reduces frictional piston ring drag. There’s excellent sliding wear resistance - two to ten times better than conventional hard chrome plating! NiCom has superior adhesion to all metals including aluminum, cast iron, and titanium. It offers excellent corrosion resistance that’s far improved from electro-less nickel and chrome, and has great frictional properties. NiCom provides excellent hardness that is at 650 on the Vickers scale, not too far from that of diamonds. WOT // HOW DOES NICOM WORK? APR 2016
SCOTT \\ NiCom is a high-tech cylinder coating made of a proprietary composite, primarily of Nickel and Silicon Carbide, with other hardening and lubricity agents. Nickel and Silicon Carbide have renowned hardness and wear resistant properties that make NiCom cylinder platting one hundred percent non-abrasive. NiCom is processed in an environmentally friendly manner, and we safely recycle all by-product heavy metals into stainless steel. It’s overall safer for our employees.
SCOTT \\ Probably the number one reason is the significant financial benefits. When you send your cylinder to us for an exchange or repair, we will almost always be less than half of the cost for a new cylinder, and will often cost less than having it steel-sleeved, which many would say is an inferior performance option. Plating is a far superior option from sleeving because you won’t have the added iron weight affecting the cooling and durability properties of the engine.
WOT // WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU RECOMMEND READERS HAVE PLATED BY US CHROME?
WOT // WHAT TESTING PROCEDURES DOES US CHROME USE?
SCOTT \\ All machines benefit from NiCom coating. When you’re pushing your motor it’s inevitable that there will be wear and tear. Your machine won’t run at its optimal efficiency because of space buildup between the piston and cylinder. NiCom coating will bridge the gap and make your machine better than new so you can experience every bit of power your engine offers. US Chrome has done snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs, sport bikes, chainsaws, experimental aircraft cylinders, and marine engines. We have a one year cylinder plating warranty for adhesion, workmanship, and bore size. All cylinders processed at US Chrome’s cylinder plating shop are guaranteed to never streak, scuff, or stripe. WOT // WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF BRINGING EQUIPMENT IN FOR REPAIR AT US CHROME VERSUS BUYING NEW?
SCOTT \\ We have a full test laboratory that contains Atomic Absorption Units, Prolifometers, and Vickers Hardness Testers. Our plating measures at 650 Vickers at minimum – harder than any other in the world! This is why NiCom plating never streaks or stripes like those of inferior processes. We have full dyno capabilities and cylinder plating baths that are diligently monitored. Our full research and development labs test the hardness, adhesion, particle incorporation, and surface finish of every item we touch. WOT // HOW DID US CHROME END UP IN WISCONSIN? SCOTT \\ In the mid 1970’s, Mercury Marine heard about our discovery of chroming directly onto aluminum substrates. Prior to that time, they were using iron sleeves which was creating performance issues because of weight and heat displacement.
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Unique to many of today’s CEOs, Mercury Marine’s president, Charlie Alexander, was very technically inclined and engineering oriented. Alexander wanted US Chrome’s technology in a big way. He wanted US Chrome to be his neighbor, so he sold us land right next to his company and our building was up in 1979. We still do a lot of work for Mercury Racing. We do all of the QC4 engines, the most powerful marine engines ever manufactured having over 1,650 horsepower! We’ve also processed all of the plated 25 HHP Mercury Twins, and 2.4 and 2.5 liter V6 Formula 2 stroke offshore blocks. We cut our teeth in the marine racing world for sure – a very demanding sector of motorsports. WOT // WHAT OTHER COMPANIES DO YOU WORK WITH?
SCOTT \\ Hundreds of industry leaders use US Chrome exclusively: Kustom Kraft Performance, Max Power Engines, Eric Gorr Racing, Finish Line Engines, RK Tek, GM and Corvette Racing, Harley Davidson Racing, Diamond Marine, and Racers Toy Store. We also sponsor hundreds of snowmobile and motorcycle racers, privateers, and Formula powerboat legends such as a Wheels of Thunder vet, Brian Tabara! WOT // WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THESE COMPANIES? SCOTT \\ Definitely the QC4 all-aluminum engines for Mercury Racing. Helping Corvette Racing take first place by five laps at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hour GTE Pro was great. So has been teaming up with our Canadian distributer, Kimpex, about two months ago, plus our new partnership with Cylinder Works/Pivot Works in Iowa.
US Chrome, the all American company with over seventy-five years of revolutionary expertise that’s leading the industry, is an essential asset to all power sport enthusiasts and mechanics. They’ve repaired well over one million cylinder bores ranging from snowmobiles to chainsaws. US Chrome has a staff of dedicated people who not only understand your chemical and mechanical engineering needs, but get the love you have for motorsports. No other company in this field compares to the technical depth and expertise US Chrome provides. Everything they do, from NASCAR engines to tiny RC and drone cylinders that ranging from 1.5-4.6 inches in diameter, is raceproven at the highest levels. To celebrate their 20th anniversary of patenting NiCom in Fon du Lac, US Chrome is generously offering free ground shipping to all customers throughout 2016. You can find the deal promo code on the home page of their website, www.usnicom.com, where you can also start a work order form. US Chrome can also be reached toll-free at 866-922-5066! // PAGE 8
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APR 2016
2016 2016
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*Manufacturer’s suggested retail price shown. Prices may vary due to supply, freight, etc. Actual prices set by the dealer. Product and specifications subject to change without notice. Availability subject to production, stocking, and Demand. MSRP for base Kodiak model. Kodiak 700 EPS SE shown from $8,899. Professional rider depicted on closed course. ATV models shown are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at *Manufacturer’s price shown. PricesFor mayyour varysafety: due toAlways supply,avoid freight, Actual prices set by dealer. to change without notice. subject to production, stocking, and Demand. MSRPand foralcohol/ base Kodiak Kodiak 700excessive EPS SE shown 1-800-887-2887.suggested ATVs can retail be hazardous to operate. pavedetc. surfaces. Never ride on the public roads.Product Alwaysand wearspecifications a helmet, eyesubject protection and protective clothing.Availability Never carry passengers. Never engage in stunt riding. Riding drugsmodel. don’t mix. Avoid speed. frombe$8,899. Professional depictedterrain. on closed course. ATV models shown are©2015 recommended useCorporation, only by riders 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at And particularly careful rider on difficult Shown with optional accessories. Yamaha for Motor U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never carry passengers. Never engage in stunt riding. Riding and alcohol/ drugs don’t mix. Avoid excessive speed. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Shown with optional accessories. ©2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com
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Registration starts 9 am at Route 65 Pub and Grub, 18407 Hwy 65 East Bethel, MN 55011 (breakfast available 8 am, on your own). Presentation of colors and bike blessings begin at 10:30 am, with kick stands up promptly at 11 am. Win door prizes at rest stops throughout the day. Non-rider activities begin at 4 pm with riders returning approximately 5 pm for dinner, time with family and friends, silent auction, door prizes, major prize drawings, and dancing.
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The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard is a Non-Profit Organization that provides support to the survivors of Paramedics and EMTs who have given their life in the line of duty. The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard focuses on the current and future needs of the survivors by providing a variety of services to preserve the memory of those providers who have sacrificed their lives for the health and wellness of all Minnesota citizens. Once a year, Honor Guards from across the country come together bringing families of fallen EMS personnel together to honor their loved ones by inducting them onto the “Tree of Life” at the National EMS Memorial Service; this year held in Roanoke, Virginia. The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard relies on the donations by the community to provide services to these families. All proceeds from the motorcycle ride go to support activities of the MN EMS Honor Guard.
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APR 2016
Dear Sir/Ma’am: This is a request from the Minnesota EMS Honor Guard for a donation to our motorcycle ride fundraiser, which will be held on May 14, 2016 starting at Route 65 Pub and Grub in East Bethel MN. Your donation of merchandise or monetary gift will greatly enhance our fundraiser, which includes a silent auction, multiple door prizes and raffle games as well as give your business added publicity. The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization that provides support to the survivors of Paramedics and EMTs who have given their life in the line of duty. The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard focuses on the current and future needs of the survivors by providing a variety of services, to preserve the memory of those providers who have sacrificed their lives for the health and wellness of all Minnesota citizens. The Minnesota EMS Honor Guard relies on the generous donations by the community to provide services to these families. The MN EMS Honor Guard can provide these services to fallen EMS comrades and family;
Assistance in funeral planning Information on LODD benefits for the family United States Casket flag Color Guard to present flags at funeral service Honorary pallbearers Bugler for TAPS Serve as ushers Uniformed door attendants CISD certified Chaplin
Arrangements can be made for donations to be picked up by calling; Diane Rollins at (763)234-3121 or Don Schulte at (763)213-3155 Donations can also be mailed to: Diane Rollins 7823 191 lane Nowthen, MN 55303 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely,
Diane Rollins APR 2016
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WRITTEN by Tom Edwards
IT’S ALL IN THE CARDS PHOTOGRAPHY by Tom Edwards
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As a kid growing up in the 50’s (that would be the 1950’s although some days it feels like it was the 1850’s) I enjoyed collecting baseball cards. My family lived in New England and I was, and still am, a Yankees fan so trading my Red Sox cards for cards of the Yankees was easy. About 60 years later having those cards has turned out well. In the 1960’s I began to follow drag racing and, like collecting baseball cards, that’s something I still like. Having drag racing counterparts to my baseball cards didn’t come about until years later. Fleer made racing cards in the 1970’s but those never interested me. Before the start of the 1989 drag racing season I saw an adfor Mega drag racing cards. They were produced as a 110 cards set that was sold in boxes only, no individual packs of cards. I bought 2 boxes, one to open and place the cards in plastic sheets and one to keep factory sealed. In 1991 Pro Set made drag racing cards I liked so I added a set to my collection that year and the following racing season. Those turned out to be the only 2 years for Pro Set cards. The 1992 cards have a hologram card that features the “Wally”, the trophy named for NHRA founder Wally Parks that is awarded to race winners. Having collected baseball cards for decades, I knew unopened baseball card packs and boxes are very collectable so I did the same thing with my racing cards. Having unopened boxes in the racing section of my sports room is fun and that’s the whole idea behind collecting. The Pro Set and Mega cards are a nice mix of driver photos and shots of their cards on the track. In 1993 Finish Line issued drag racing cards so, you guessed it, I was all over those like lint on a cheap suit. Those were sold in packs and boxes. For a small fee you could purchase a complete set of Finish Line Racing cards that were for “The Racing Club Member Only”. When the red notebook type folder arrived I unwrapped it and found the first couple of pages of cards interesting. They have 9 black and white cards that had been autographed. A color version of those cards, not autographed, was included in the set. The backs of the cards, except for the numbers (1 through 9 for the autographed cards) are the same. Action Packed produced cards for the 1994 and 1995 seasons. Those were sold in boxes that contained unopened packs and as a 42 card set. APR 2016
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As a fan of the driver that was named the number one drag racer of all time by the NHRA during their 50th anniversary season, I was pleased to see the Don Garlits Museum issue a set of Racing Legends cards that features some of the most iconic cars in the history of the sport. Don autographed one of the cards and mine is number 183 of the 500 sets produced. You can’t have too many Big Daddy related items if you collect memorabilia related to drag racing. Those cars feature a Swamp Rat waving a checked flag, so that appropriate. I couldn’t find any new cards issued in 1996 but in 1997 I saw an ad that caught my eye. A new brand of cards was about to hit the market. The Hi Tech ad stated: “There are 85,000 members of the NHRA, another 300,000 Race Fans collect Race Cards – We only have 8,000 boxes”. The colorful ad featured the NHRA logo, images of portrait cards and Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock motorcycle cards. Also included was a shot of Christmas Tree card. They are still among my favorite drag racing cards. The 9 card set is die-cut with both sides of the tree on each side and a driver in the center. Very cool. Like the 1993 Finish Line cards, Hi Tech also had a membership offer. The Fast Lane Club Card was not found in packs of cards. It shows John Force and his Driver of the Year car outside Talladega Speedway where he received the 1996 Driver of the Year award; a first for a drag racer. As everyone that has attended an NHRA race knows, the drivers are frequently “at the ropes” of their pit to sign autographs and pose for photos with the fans. I have always appreciated that aspect of the world’s fastest motorsport. The Hi Tech cards had hard-to-find cards that came autographed. When I saw them at an auto racing memorabilia show, I thought it would be easy enough to get those cards signed at a race. Here’s the thing; the factory signed cards had the NHRA logo and Hi Tech in a flat yellow finish. All of the other cards had the logo and company name in a gold, glossy finish. In the world of sports card collecting the factory autographed cards are known as “chase cards”. You have to chase a lot of packs to complete a set of signed cards. Hi Tech also offered an uncut sheet of cards. I didn’t have an uncut sheet of racing cards so adding one to my racing collection was a must have item. The cards with a flat yellow finish and the Christmas Tree cards are not on the sheet.
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For the NHRA’s 50th anniversary season, Racing Champions issued 1/64th scale die cast cars with a trading card. Among the variations were Gold Chrome Chase Cars and autographed cards. There are 1,000 of each of the Gold Chrome cars. One of the autographed cards in my collection was signed by 2015 Funny Car World Champion Del Worsham. I have never seen a listing of how many autographed cards were signed for the set but I’m guessing it isn’t a large number. I always looked for signed cards at auto memorabilia shows I attended around the time they were issued and didn’t find many of them. Sets of the die cast cars and matching cards were also produced in 2002 but, unfortunately for collectors, it marked the end of that run. Drag racing cards took a long break until Press Pass offered a 50 card set for the 2005 season. The cards were sold in boxes as a complete set. Each box also contained one chase card, either an autographed card or race used “Cool Threads” fire suit piece. Those were issued in 3 series: Green – 250 cards, Gold – 750 and Red – 1,000 cards. There are 34 certified driver autographed cards; they do not have serial numbers. Having collected sports memorabilia for years and having had an NHRA membership for decades I am convinced that, properly marketed, drag racing cards would do very well if packaged, advertised and promoted in a manner that is similar to what is used for the stick and ball sports. The cards for the world of round and round racing do well and they have some great chase cards. With the number of fans I see at drag races, getting them interested in new cards of their favorite cars and Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racers is something I hope will happen in the near future. Adding a card to the 1/24th scale die cast cars I see being sold at races would be a start. I know getting those cards signed would be easy as the drivers stop by those memorabilia trailers for autograph signings. //
APR 2016
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PAGE 17
LEAH PRITCHETT GETS HER FIRST TOP FUEL WIN IN ALL
FEMALE FINAL ROUND
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY Nicole Clark-Erickson, Aries Media LLC Two Top Fuel Dragsters driven by women went into the final round of the 2016 CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. But it was the Bob Vandergriff Racing, Quaker State dragster driven by Leah Pritchett who came out the winner. Pritchett faced Brittany Force in the final round after defeating J.R. Todd in round one, two-time Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown in round two and Clay Millican in the semifinals. Pritchett had a 3-1 record against Brittany Force, but the two have never faced each other in the final round. Pritchett had the advantage off the starting line and held on to that lead the entire race and made her quickest pass of the weekend: 3.775 at 323.12. “As we were getting closer to the finish line I was thinking, ‘I don’t see her tire. Could I win this?’ The first thing I looked at is the win light. When I saw it, well… It is still soaking in. To win on a hole shot doesn’t get any better than that,” said Pritchett. Pritchett also credits advice from two well-known men in racing with helping her mentally get through the final round.
APR 2016
“Don Prudhomme and I are pretty close and he gave me some pointers after Pomona that I implemented this weekend,” said Pritchett. “I also received great advice from Bob Vandergriff who is not just a car owner, but also a driver. He told me to just do what I do and that is drive. Don’t over think everything surrounding the final round with Brittany and I would be fine. He was right.” There were several “firsts” for Bob Vandergriff Racing yesterday in the Winner’s Circle. This was Vandergriff’s first Wally as a team owner since stepping out of the cockpit in November 2014. While his team made it to the final round nine times last year, this was the first time BVR walked away a winner. The win in Phoenix was also the first win for veteran crew chief, Mike Guger. “Mike Guger & Joe Barlam are my co-crew chiefs. Joe has won before but Mike hasn’t,” said Pritchett. “To be able to bring this home for him and to celebrate with him is an honor. He’s put 40 years in this sport and that is way bigger than my 20 years in racing.” This win also made Pritchett the 101st different winner in Top Fuel. // WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET
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Tim Wilkerson
WINS
CARQUEST
T
im Wilkerson earned his 19th career victory and first in Phoenix at the 2016 CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in the Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. This is Wilkerson’s first win since the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals in May of 2015. It is also the earliest in the season Wilkerson has ever won a race. “For my crew this was a spectacular day,” said Wilkerson. “I’m really fortunate to be here and we have a great car. If you told me a 3.99 would get me into the finals I wouldn’t have believed you. The track was trickier today than it was on Saturday, but I think that really helped us get through these rounds.” Wilkerson qualified No.8 with a 3.966 E.T. at 317.19 mph and made it past Chad Head in the opening round. In the second round he took out event top qualifier Ron Capps in a nail-biting pedal-fest, with APR 2016
Auto Parts
NHRA
Nationals in Phoenix
Wilkerson took out longtime rival John Force in the finals with a run of 3.937 at 320.43. This was Wilkerson’s best elapsed time of the weekend.
She always says ‘Your first hunch is the best. Stop thinking you’re not doing the right thing because I know you are.’ That really helps me out.”
“Racing John Force is an honor and privilege,” said Wilkerson. “John is a great guy. I wouldn’t be racing out here if it wasn’t for him. He constantly helps me. I just bought two Ford bodies from him over the winter. But it also feels really good when I beat him.”
Wilkerson revealed during the post-race media center interview that this was probably the final run for this chassis. He is talking about retiring it after this race. I have a new car from Murph McKinney that he says is the most tricked out thing he has ever built,” said Wilkerson. Another big reveal Wilkerson made: His son Daniel will drive the car that won today at the NHRA race in Charlotte later this season. The next race in the NHRA Mello Yello Series is the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville on March 18th – 20th. //
Unlike most drivers in his class, Wilkerson is also the team owner and crew chief. Many people ask how he does it all. He gives credit to his wife Krista.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND WRITTEN BY Nicole Clark-Erickson, Aries Media LLC
“My wife is my biggest advocate and supporter. WWW.WHEELSOFTHUNDER.NET
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SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT SUCCESS
ANDERSON MAKES IT THREE-IN-A-ROW AT NHRA GATORNATIONALS Gainesville, Fla. (March 21, 2016) The Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaros of KB Racing continue to dominate the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series by claiming victory at the third consecutive race of the season. It was an all-Summit final with Greg Anderson and Jason Line facing off for the second time this season, and Anderson taking the win.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND WRITTEN BY Nicole Clark-Erickson, Aries Media LLC PAGE 28
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GREG ANDERSON, Summit Racing Equipment
JASON LINE, Summit Racing Equipment Chevro-
The win Sunday makes this the 80TH career win for Anderson. This is also his fourth victory at Gainesville Raceway and the second consecutive year in the Winner’s Circle. Anderson calls Gainesville Raceway one of his favorite tracks.
This is Line’s third consecutive final round appearance in 2016. Line came into race day as the number one qualifier with a 6.584 E.T. at 208.84 mph. His Summit Racing Equipment Camaro ran consistent all weekend even with the constantly changing Florida weather conditions.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
“This place is magical to me; I love it. It makes me smile just driving down here. When we drove down the other day, it’s like a 7 hour drive from Charlotte, it makes you smile the whole way,” said Anderson. Off the starting line, Anderson cut the better reaction time with a .009 light to Line’s .064. At the finish line it was Anderson turning on the win lights with a 6.598 elapsed time at 210.01 mph to Line’s 6.581 E.T. at 210.57 mph. “It was definitely surprising to win on a holeshot. It was a great weekend for KB Racing. As the weekend went on and we made run after run, Jason was absolutely the strongest car between us,” said Anderson. “But these races are not decided on paper, they are decided on the race track every time. I had a couple of .060 lights the prior two rounds and was kicking myself wondering what was going on. I resounded myself to fact that I did what I had to do today and I’ll get my runner-up and go home. Well this was icing on the cake. I overachieved in the final and stole a win away from Jason.”
let Camaro SS
“I was frustrated with myself because I didn’t do a very good job in the final,” said Line. “We had two great hot rods thought and we aren’t ever going to trade these two Camaros for anything. It’s fun to come to the track every week knowing you have a good chance to win. We’ll go home and go back to work for the next race. You can’t stop digging and trying to go faster.” On his way to the finals, Jason had a bye-run first round, defeated Vincent Nobile in the quarterfinals and defeated Drew Skillman in the semifinals. By claiming the top qualifying spot, Jason also earned a $3,000 bonus in the K&N Filters Horsepower Challenge Award. Line leaves the Gatornationals with the NHRA Pro Stock points lead. Continue to page 30
On his path to the finals, Greg defeated V. Gaines in round one, Jeg Coughlin Jr in the quarterfinals and Allen Johnson in the semifinals. Greg leaves the Gatornationals No. 2 in points, just six points behind his teammate Line.
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47th Annual Amalie Oil Gatornationals Final Round Results Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.598, 210.01 def. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.581, 210.57. NHRA MELLO YELLO CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS (3 out of 24 events)
Pro Stock 1. Jason Line, 337 2. Greg Anderson, 331 3. Bo Butner, 233 4. Drew Skillman, 205 5. Chris McGaha, 161 6. (tie) Jeg Coughlin, 160 Allen Johnson, 160 8. Vincent Nobile, 138 9. Alex Laughlin, 121 10. Erica Enders, 97
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BACK TO THE FIFTIES WEEKEND 18
CONTACTS:
J. Marie Fieger, Nemer Fieger c: 612-940-1668, jmarie@nemerfieger.com Molly Steinke, c: 612-309-1677, molly@nemerfieger.com
Minnesota Street Rod Association’s 43rd Annual
BACK TO THE FIFTIES WEEKEND June 17 – 19, 2016 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
WHAT:
The Minnesota Street Rod Association’s 43rd annual “Back to the Fifties Weekend” presented by NAPA Auto Parts will showcase more than 12,000 street rods, customs, classics and restored vehicles, all dating from 1964 and earlier.
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds will be blanketed with thousands of shiny cars, trucks, live music and more, including:
• John Schneider of “The Dukes of Hazzard” will be signing autographs at the NE corner of Cooper & Randall • More than 350 vendors and automotive exhibits across the Fairgrounds • Saturday MSRA Kids’ World in the Grandstand in-field: games, music and dance: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Ladies’ Showcase in the Dairy Buidling - fashion, food, pampering, speakers and Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. • Cruise-N-Arts Craft Fair in the Education Building: - decor, gifts and much more Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Model Car Contest inside the Grandstand all weekend - awards held Sunday at noon • HUGE Swap Meet on the Midway – Sunday: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. • NAPA Auto Parts Display – All weekend • Twin Cities Classic Car Auto Auction – Friday & Saturday • Free concerts on Friday & Saturday nights at the Bandshell on Cosgrove
WHEN:
June 17, 18 & 19, 2016 Friday & Saturday Sunday
WHERE:
Minnesota State Fairgrounds – St. Paul, Minn.
8 a.m. - 10 p.m. 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.
HOW:
PHO TOG R
FREE Parking Shuttles – Saturday ONLY – for locations, visit www.msra.com Take Metro Transit for free. Download the pass stating May 1 at www.msra.com.
INFO:
www.msra.com
ADMISSION:
At the door: Adults - $10; Kids 12 and under are FREE with each paid adult
$2 advance adult discount tickets available at participating NAPA Auto Parts
SPONSORS:
NAPA Auto Parts, Meguiar’s, Metro Transit and Twin Cities Classic Car Auction
APH
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Contact: Abby Brownell, Nemer Fieger, 612-581-8612, abrownell@nemerfieger.com
COMPETITION OF ELEGANCE
10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance – Sunday, June 5 Excelsior, Minn. (April 1, 2016) -- The fourth annual 10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance will be held Sunday June 5, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. along the shores of Lake Minnetonka in historic Excelsior, Minn. This exceptional show will feature more than 180 historic, superbly-conditioned automobiles, watercraft and motorcycles. Held rain or shine, net proceeds from this event will benefit the ICA Food Shelf. The 10,000 Lakes Concours d’Elegance—French for competition of elegance—is a true Minnesota lakeside experience. Guests will enjoy learning the fascinating histories of the automobile, watercraft and motorcycles from their owners while enjoying live music performed by the Peter Kogan Jazz Quartet on the Wixon Jewelers Stage. Cuisine beer and wine will be sold throughout the day along with delectable lunch fare. Guests of all ages are invited to play lawn games with costumed characters hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society, learn the history of Tonka Toys at a display from the Westonka Historical Society, and shop at the on-site luxury retail market including Brightwater Clothing & Gear and Allen Edmonds. WHEN:
Sunday, June 5, 2016 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE:
Excelsior Commons - Excelsior, Minnesota
PARKING:
Free shuttle service from Excelsior Elementary and street parking available
TICKETS:
Tickets are $35 at the gate Kids 12 and under are free, as are military personnel with current ID. $30 advance tickets will be available for purchase starting March 1, 2016 at https://squareup.com/market/10000-lakes-concours-delegance and at select Kowalski’s locations. starting April 1, 2016. Visit www.10000lakesconcours.com for specific locations.
INFO:
10000lakesconcours.com
SPONSORS: Artful Living, AutoMotorPlex, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Fastsigns of Minnetonka, Kowalski’s Markets, SNAP Agency, Unique Mankato, U.S. Trust and Wixon Jewelers, Jaguar and Land Rover of Minneapolis, Porsche of Minneapolis, Maynards, All inc., Hagerty, Freedom Boat Works, WCCO Radio, Total Luxury Limousine ###
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7,000 MUSCLE CARS | 50,000 ENTHUSIASTS | ONE BIG HORSEPOWER PARTY! WHAT:
Get Ready Motorheads, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Machine Nationals returns to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds July 15-17, 2016 with Burnouts, Autocross, Thousands of Show Cars, DYNO, Bikini Contests, And More. It's a national celebration of horsepower &
torque that will fill St. Paul with high performance muscle cars, pro-touring cars and street machines from across the country. Get ready to see some show stopper cars, hear the screechin' tires on the Autocross & smell the burnin' rubber of the Burnout Contests.
Meet the host of Power Nation TV's Detroit Muscle, Tommy Boshers. Also watch for the Detroit Muscle TV Crews and the editors of Power & Performance News, RPM Magazine, Street Rod Life, and Gear Heads 4 Life Magazine shooting coverage on-site all weekend. FEATURES:
(*subject to change)
•
• • • • • • • • •
Media Coverage from Gear Heads 4 Life, RPM Magazine, Power & Performance News and Street Rod Life Magazine and Power Nation TV show Detroit Muscle Burnout Contests -- Smokin’ Tires and Burnin’ Rubber – always a crowd favorite - All Three Days! More than 50 pro-judged car awards including Detroit Muscle Celeb Host and Editor's Choice awards HUGE Performance Marketplace with manufacturers selling aftermarket products at rock bottom prices. Street Machine Challenge This contest showcases the braking, handling, and horsepower-generating abilities of some of the top cars in the nation - with one car reigning Best Above The Rest. Witness the Autocross - a driving skills challenge course with tight turns and tough competition Lucas Oil Dyno Challenge - Test your vehicle's torque and horsepower against the best! Stop Box – Testing a combination of acceleration and braking performed in 150 feet. Giveaways and activities from the COMP CAMS Main Stage CASH PRIZES - Miss Street Machine contest - Sunday
WHEN:
Friday, July 15 Saturday, July 16 Sunday, July 17
WHERE:
Minnesota State Fairgrounds 1265 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 www.mnstatefair.org (651) 288-4400
TO ENTER:
Preregistration is $45, plus a $3.50 non-refundable handling fee (valid until Friday, July 8th, 2016, or you may register you vehicle for $65 on-site beginning Thursday, July 14th at noon. Entry fee covers car, driver and copilot as well as children under 15 that ride in the vehicle. Fee also includes one goodie bag (while supplies last).
TICKETS:
Discount tickets available at area O’Reilly Auto Parts starting in early June 2016. Full priced tickets also available online at www.StreetMachineNationals.net and at the event gates.**Children 10 & under will be admitted free with paid adult
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
O'Reilly Auto Parts: General Admission.……$13*
Online / At The Gate: General Admission……$15
(Online / At The Gate: 2-Day Pass: $26 / 3-Day Pass: $39) / * Additional Fees Apply
INFO:
The latest information and a full schedule of events may be found at www.StreetMachineNationals.net, on Facebook at FB.com/StreetMachineNationals or by calling 1-877-413-6515.
SPONSORS:
O’Reilly Auto Parts, QA1, COMP Cams, TCI, HP Tuners, ANPAC, Unique Specialty & Classic Cars
Media Contact: Molly Steinke | molly@nemerfieger.com | (952) 278-3142 APR 2016
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