LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

We had a surprisingly nice day yesterday to open up qualifying at US 131 Motorsports Park. Low 80s and pretty comfortable. Stock got two runs in, and one in Super Stock before a piddly little shower popped up in the middle of the Pro show, despite the all-clear forecast for the day, which they later revised to 60% once the weather entertainment people figured out that they were wet. ;-) The rest of the sportsman qualifying was scrapped, and it was late before they were finally able to get it dry and finish the Pro session.

Today, Saturday, we once again had a 10% forecast, which is quickly being revised upwards as more pop-up showers materialize. It's very spotty, but is managing to find the dragstrip. Studying the map in motion on Weather Underground, it appears to be originating right at the state line in the middle of the lake. We are considering a declaration of war against Wisconsin, because it's obviously their fault. Don't make us come over there!

Inbetween these showers, we are scheduled for one final qualifying run, and then into eliminations. Probably going to be a long day with this hit n miss stuff.

Scott Stillings has debuted his new Fastburn B/CM Vega Wagon. Looks sharp! Will try to get some pics. Mike Warren has his unique V/SA Camaro here, and there's a show-quality U/SA Chevy II that often runs this event.

The fields are pretty light, which is a shame, as it's guaranteed $1500/win, $900 R/U, and at a great facility. The TSI timing system is gone, having been replaced late last fall with an Accutime. They're a little more prevalent down south, but are popping up more and more up north as well.

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

Dried and back to racing!

Watch live on www.motormaniatv.com

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

Thanks for the report Michael. Good luck!

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

A pic or two of Mike Warren's Camaro would be nice? :p

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

Well, John Frech packaged me up first round, so I will leave you with MotorManiaTV... .028 dead 8, no good. Will post some pics on www.facebook.com/LooseRocker and try to transfer some over here when I get home.

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

Dave Turner you have a PM.

Mike Warren 3554 V/SA

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

I attended/participated in the IHRA event at Martin over the weekend.
I want to comment that I feel that the combined effort of the IHRA team and Martin ran an excellent program.
Plagued with some intermittent rain, the team used the available up time of the track very efficiently and successfully completed the show on Saturday evening.
A couple observations:
The quality of the cars/cycles running the NITRO JAM program was excellent. I enjoyed the AA/FC portion as you could actually tell the body style of the vehicles and the racing was tight and relatively problem free. Minimal breakage/downtime etc.
Pro Stock and Pro Mod had equally exciting, close competitive racing. Also, the Nitro Harley show was cool!.
The crowd (spectators) on Saturday was healthy. Martin has a lot of seating and my observation is that they were 75-80% full during the afternoon/evening.
The facility/ track surface was in A-1 shape. Martin has installed an Accutime Timing system ....eliminating some of the previous issues they had in this area.
The IHRA staff was friendly, efficient and professional. I was thanked more than once for attending the event.
The major downside was the sportsman car count. In stock, we only had 19 cars. The other sportsman classes were also light (actual numbers not known).
I know there are some who have dismissed the IHRA as a viable program, but I would encourage those who have an opportunity to attend and participate in one of their races to give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...18&oe=56832479

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...b5&oe=563DB71E
#1 Qualifer Garrett Ghezzi

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...26&oe=5649485C
Super Stock winner AH Adkins

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cf&oe=5682ACA5
Super Stock Runner-Up Bobby Rashid

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...0a&oe=564C8F57

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...50&oe=56524021
Lori Roy

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...3c&oe=568071C4

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...5b&oe=5681861A
Donn Rhode

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...93&oe=56512BC6
Dan Olding

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...36&oe=563E678B
John Dinkel

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f0&oe=5637AA86
Joe McDougall

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8c&oe=565003E9
Scott Stillings' new Vega wagon

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...07&oe=5683476A
Darrell Ciaravino

And some extracurricular pics...
https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ad&oe=564C45BE

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d8&oe=563C7EBF

https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d4&oe=5640760F

Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam
 

That black 39 Ford NTS class car belongs to SS Racer Darrell Ciaravino. DC has won LOTS of $$$$ bracket racing with that car at Milan Dragway. And what's cool is that he drives it to and from the track. BTW - DC is pretty killer in the blue Camaro at Milan too.