LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam

Michael Beard · 08-08-2015, 09:35 AM

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.

Michael Beard · 08-08-2015, 11:10 AM

Dried and back to racing!

Watch live on www.motormaniatv.com

rlytch · 08-08-2015, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the report Michael. Good luck!

Dave Turner · 08-08-2015, 02:46 PM

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

Michael Beard · 08-08-2015, 04:04 PM

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.

MIKE3554 · 08-09-2015, 08:15 AM

Dave Turner you have a PM.

Mike Warren 3554 V/SA

John Nechiporchik · 08-10-2015, 10:46 AM

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!

Michael Beard · 08-10-2015, 11:33 AM

#1 Qualifer Garrett Ghezzi

Super Stock winner AH Adkins

Super Stock Runner-Up Bobby Rashid

Lori Roy

Donn Rhode

Michael Beard · 08-10-2015, 11:38 AM

Dan Olding

John Dinkel

Joe McDougall

Scott Stillings' new Vega wagon

Darrell Ciaravino

And some extracurricular pics...

Mike Delahanty · 08-10-2015, 07:47 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Dan Olding

John Dinkel

Joe McDougall

Scott Stillings' new Vega wagon

Darrell Ciaravino

And some extracurricular pics...

08-08-2015, 11:10 AM	#2
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam Dried and back to racing! Watch live on www.motormaniatv.com __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

08-08-2015, 12:12 PM	#3
rlytch Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas now Jacksonville N.C. Posts: 64 Likes: 55 Liked 58 Times in 18 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam Thanks for the report Michael. Good luck!

08-08-2015, 02:46 PM	#4
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam A pic or two of Mike Warren's Camaro would be nice? __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

08-08-2015, 04:04 PM	#5
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	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. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

08-09-2015, 08:15 AM	#6
MIKE3554 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 16 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam Dave Turner you have a PM. Mike Warren 3554 V/SA

08-08-2015, 09:35 AM	#1
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	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. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

08-10-2015, 10:46 AM	#7
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 316 Likes: 84 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	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!

08-10-2015, 11:33 AM	#8
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam #1 Qualifer Garrett Ghezzi Super Stock winner AH Adkins Super Stock Runner-Up Bobby Rashid Lori Roy Donn Rhode __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS Last edited by Michael Beard; 08-10-2015 at 11:39 AM.

08-10-2015, 11:38 AM	#9
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: LIVE from Martin, MI IHRA Nitro Jam Dan Olding John Dinkel Joe McDougall Scott Stillings' new Vega wagon Darrell Ciaravino And some extracurricular pics... __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS