Page 28 - Nitro Madness Magazine Fall 2017
P. 28
ERIC GATES
Other than the stereotypical all- addition to any track sanction lowest between-round maintenance
over-the-track Fuel Altered runs, and safety rules, all cars must be of any car in the series. Jerry gets
ET’s range from low 7’s to the high pre-1948 Nostalgia-type body, it done with minimal crew and is a
6’s. Lyle Greenburg holds the series 125” wheelbase max, 40” front WFA veteran.
ET record with a 6.38 and Kevin overhang max and have a rear wing
Knowles has the speed record at if running over 200 mph. Other On the other end of the spectrum
216 MPH. than these items, the engine type/ from Jerry Hall is Jim Maroney.
configuration can vary widely The Family Legacy fuel altered has
The race format is tailored to the and there are allowances made roots back to the 70’s. Jim’s father
request of the track. In general, for basically every combination Jack campaigned the Blind Faith
one-day shows run a modified out there. For more specific Fuel Altered and they continue to
elimination format with one round information, please contact the burn the stinky stuff today. The
of qualifying and no semi-final. WFA. ex-Top Alcohol chassis by Neil &
This allows the promotor to have Parks has a 500” nitro-burning TFX
a one-day show and stay within Jerry’s Instant Rush Subway- hemi sitting between the frame
a comfortable time frame for sponsored hot rod is the most rails. A 3-disc Crowerglide clutch
their spectators. Two-day shows consistent car in the series. While and 2-speed Lenco get power to
utilize a typical 8-car qualified he may not hold the ET record, the ground. The red, white & blue
field, with qualifying on the first Jerry consistently finishes in the top T-bucket car has a WFA-best time of
day and racing on the second. To 5 in points every year. Built from an 6.62 at 212.67mph.
help spread the payout to all of the old Plueger built Lil’ John Lombardo
cars, teams are compensated for funny car chassis, the engine is a Sheldon’s car utilizes the oddest
individual qualifying passes. In Dart Big M 555” BBC with Brodix combination in the series. The
each round, the quick 8 cars get Heads and an 8-71 Littlefield chassis is was built by Tony Casarez
paid. It’s very common for a slower blower. The trans is a BTE built for Mike Burkhart around 1978.
car to be paid for each qualifying by Jay at Don’s Hot Rod shop in Engine is a 500” TFX92 with a
pass, yet not be in the overall quick Tucson and the converter is a Trans special Crower cam, lifters and steel
8 to race on Sunday. Specialties 9.5”, which makes a rods. A custom Hogan sheet metal
combination that consistently goes intake was designed by car owner
The Series rules are basic, In down the track and has probably the Continued on page 31
28 Nitro Madness Magazine Fall 2017
