Hey, you are still out there! I do hope everything is going well or as well as it can be. Bob, have you figured out how we can make a day into 27 hours? In seven days we could have almost one extra day. Well, it doesn't really matter, we would still need more time to do all the stuff if that could be done anyway.

What has been happening in the land downunder? When are you running your car? Happy Easter. See you at the track.

Dear Sir:

My name is Major Sese Zuma of the Democratic Republic of Congo Army. I was an aide-de-camp (ADC) to the former President of Congo Democratic Laurent Kabila of blessed memory, may his soul rest in peace. I am requesting your assistance for a business transaction which will be of immense benefit to you.

Due to the military campaign of Laurent Kabila to force out the rebels in my country, I was instructed by him (late President Kabila) to purchase arms and ammunition worth $20,500,000 (USD) to fight the rebel groups. While I was in Holland to purchase the weapons, President Kabila was killed in a bloody shootout by one of his aides.

I immediately decided to divert the fund into a private security company for safe keeping. The money is presently in Holland (The Netherlands) where I am currently seeking political asylum after the death of President Kabila. I need a reliable and trustworthy partner who can assist me to move this money out of Netherlands as the beneficiary.

The delay in processing my asylum application has hindered me from moving this money since I deposited it with the security firm. Thank God my asylum application has finally been granted. My UN passport is due for issuance next month. So it is the right time for me to move this money and live the life I have ever dreamed of. Though we have not met each other, I want this transaction to be handled with modesty and honesty.

As it is a deal between you and I, there is need for secrecy. If you are willing to assist me to move this fund out of the Netherlands, I am willing to give you 20% of the total sum as compensation for your assistance while I am also setting aside 5% for all expenses on both sides.

I also intend to visit your country soonest in order to explore areas of possible business investment. I earnestly await your co-operation.

Yours sincerely,
Major Sese Zuma

Bray's Title Hopes Thwarted at Last Hurdle

For the second event in a row, Victor Bray has come tantalizingly close to putting the defence of his Australian Top Doorslammer Championship right back on track, only to be thwarted at the last hurdle. Earlier in the month at the Quit Motorplex in Perth, Victor top qualified, gained the bonus points for quickest elapsed time and highest speed of the event, but narrowly lost the final by thousandths of a second to series leader Peter Kapiris in the fastest side by side sedan drag race ever staged in the world.

With a 98 point deficit going into last night's Triple M Australian Tin Top Titles at Ipswich's Willowbank Raceway, Bray needed a combination of Kapiris losing in the early rounds and an event win with bonus points to get back to within realistic striking distance befor the season finale at the Winternationals in June. When Peter Kapiris top qualified, Bray's task looked near impossible but then with the two title contenders meeting in the second round, luck turned momentarily for the six times champion. Kapiris left the start line too soon, fouling with a red light and handed the win to Bray.

The popular Castrol racer went into the final to face fellow Queenslander Andrew Searle. Searle then destroyed his engine in the pre-race burnout, leaving Victor to solo for what should have been a simple, uncontested win. Already holding the bonus points for high speed, he was attempting to secure the vital extra five points for quickest elapsed time.

Bray moved into the pre-stage beams, brough the revs up and edged into full stage on the start line. Video replays showed he was stationary in full stage for a short period before the clutch started to drag the Castrol Chevy through the lights and Victor launched on his run.

No time or speed was recorded. The starter reported that he did press the button but as the start lights had not actually activated, officials ruled that Bray was ineligible to be ranked a "Winner" as he had not "received the start" as required in the rule book.

The controversial ruling left Victor confusingly ranked as equal runner up with Andrew Searle and cost him 20 vital championship points. The net result is that Peter Kapiris now only has to qualify for the first round of racing at the season ending Winternationals to become the first person ever other than Victor to win the title.

"I was the only person in the race and couldn't believe it when they told me I didn't win," commented Bray. "As far as I'm concerned I stage and red lighted. With no one in the other lane that shouldn't matter but it's cost me a chance at a seventh championship. Rules are rules, but that doesn't make sense to me. Congratulations to Peter (Kapiris) and his team. They've been consistently very quick all season and deserve to be where they are.

"They've run 6.07, had a win, a runner up and two semi-final finishes from the four rounds. We've set the national record to 6.10, had two runner ups and a semi-final, but not qualifying at the G.I.L. Nationals really hurt us in the points. We would have won tonight, should have qualified at the Nationals and could have won at Perth, but you don't get points for woulda, shoulda, coulda.

"Losing the championship or not, with my son Ben winning the Nationals and me being second in the points, it hasn't been a bad year for the Castrol team and it's not over yet. I'll have the new Castrol Chevy at the Winternationals and Ben will move into this one. Both cars will be right on the minimum weight and if the conditions are right, we believe we can have two cars capable of running the first five second pass in the world. I'm sure Peter Kapiris has the same aim so we'll be looking forward to getting it on."

The Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway on June 7th to 9th is the final round of the series and is known for producing excellent conditions conducive to record setting performances.

Following the Triple M Australian Tin Top Titles, the top ten in the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship Series are:

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Dear Sir:

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you do not know me personally. The purpose of my introduction is that I am Joseph Malik Tambo the first son of Chief Zuma Malik Tambo who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I was furnished with viable information about you from the World Trade Centre here in Amsterdam, Holland, and decided to write to you.

Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Amsterdam to deposit the sum of $17,000,000 (USD) in a security company, as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This money was deposited in a box as gemstones to avoid much demurrage from the security company. This amount was meant for the purchase of new machines and chemicals for the farms and establishment of a new farm in Swaziland.

This land problem came when Zimbabwe President Mr. Robert Mugabe introduced a new land act that wholly affected rich white farmers and some few black farmers. This resulted in the killing and mob action by Zimbabwe war veterans and some lunatics in the society. In fact, a lot of people were killed because of this land reform act of which my father was one of the victims.

It is against this background that I and my family who are currently staying in Amsterdam decided to transfer my father's money to a foreign account. Since the law of the Netherlands prohibit a refugee (asylum seeker) to open any account or to be involved in any financial transaction.

As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking a genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred without the knowledge of my government who are bent on taking everything we have got. The Netherlands Government seems to be playing about with them. I am faced with the dilemna of investing this amount of money in Netherlands for the fear of going through the same experience in future since both countries have similar history.

Bob, it is good to know you are alive. I figured maybe you never came back after the last trip to Oz. I check here every day to see what's new. And you keep waiting... and waiting.... and waiting, don't you?

A quick note to let you know that at Santa Pod, Dave Wilson just ran the fastest by a Top Methanol Dragster outside the USA (actually, North America) with a 5.597 at 252.84 mph. If he backs that up tomorrow, we have a new British and European record.

Qualifying to date:

Dennis Wratten was prevented from making an observed run when a thread stripped on a spark plug, and there wasn't time to fix it before the session ended.

There will be more news on the first round of the British Top Methanol Championship on the www.etmra.com website tomorrow.

I would like to know if you have ever heard of this: Someone told me that once upon a time, it was alleged that it was theoretically impossible for any dragster to exceed 198.8 miles per hour in a quarter mile race. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Thanks.

Hard to imagine Nitro Funny Cars get stolen in this day and age, but it seems one in Alberta do. If anyone knows of anything, here's the contact info. Spread this around.

STOLEN: both nitro cars, "Trial & Error 1" and "2". Any info, please contact Jason Du Chene (780) 905-3113. Truck found, but trailer and cars still missing.

Bob, I hope this message finds you still here in the Great White North, but getting ready for more fun in the Land of Oz. I emailed you over a year ago because I was about to make my first trip To The Land of Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) and a visit to Brisbane and Surfers Paradise. You gave me an address for Willowbank and Dennis Syrmis and I got in touch with him and was welcomed by him and his staff at Willowbank Raceway and treated quite graciously. (even after you mentioned my name?). They are good people down there.

I have since become engaged to the lady that I visited, have made altogether three thrips to Brisbane and area in the last year (including trips to Willowbank and Crocodile Hunter's Zoo each time). So far, my visits have not coincided with any big events at Willowbank. On my last visit during Christmas - New Years, I had to return to Canada on the weekend of the Nationals race in January, so I missed the big show.

I will be heading back there in May - June 2002 and will be attending the Winternationals with my fiance (probably on Saturday & Sunday). I wonder if you will be there with your car? If so, I'd like to meet you and say hello. I expect you will be very busy and I don't intend to intrude on your weekend, but it would be good to meet another Canuck down there. Besides, I might be the only one in the grandstand cheering for the Canadian to win over whichever Aussie team you line up against.

If, for some reason you are there and we don't meet up, best of luck to you and the team. I sure will be glad to see it cooler than it was over Christmas. Hey, here's a suggestion if you want to pick up some instant fan recognition and an immediate following: call your car ELVIS after the nickname of that big water-dropping helicopter that went down from Canada to Sydney to help fight all the bushfires. Aussies still think that is the best thing that ever came out of Canada!

Speaking of bushfires, did you happen to hear (I don't believe it to be the truth, I'm sure it's just another "urban legend"... Aussie style) about the fire crew that was going over ground recently burned off by a bushfire. They were checking for any hot spots when they came upon a human body, except that the body was inside a diving wetsuit, complete with flippers, mask and scuba tank!

The firefighters were mystified until they concluded that the guy must have been swimming along in the ocean or a lake or something when one of the smaller helicopters with the buckets slung underneath accidentally scooped him up and flew him over a fire zone and dropped him onto a bushfire. The irony of swimming blissfully out in the cool water minding your own business only to burn to death seconds later in a bushfire. Like I say, I don't believe the story to be true -- I didn't hear anything about it on the evening news -- but it does make for a great (if rather gruesome) story over a couple of brews.

So, bye for now.

Petterwood Aims to repeat Tin Tops Titles Win

Kym Petterwood experienced a fairytale beginning to his career in the elite Top Doorslammer category of Australian Drag Racing when he won the very first championship event he entered. That victory occurred at last year's Australian Tin Tops Titles at Willowbank Raceway and this weekend Kym will be attempting to win that same event again.

After qualifying second in his Shell Helix - Century Batteries Corvette with a stunning 6.206 second elapsed time at the 2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals in January, he has shown his Lifestyle Motorsport team has the performance to run at the front of the pack.

"We're still feeling our way in Doorslammer since our move from the Pro Stock category so we aren't big on making predictions," said Petterwood. "But we know we've got a good car with more than enough horsepower to be competitive so we have every reason to feel positive about this event. We won it last year and there's no reason we couldn't repeat. The pace of the class is certainly getting faster but so are we. We'll just throw everything we've got at it and see what happens."

Petterwood has not contested interstate rounds of the Australian Top Doorslammer Series this year as his team becomes familiar with the new car and class and he concentrates on business interests. As such, he is not in a position to challenge for the championship, but with Peter Kapiris and Brett Stevens locked in a tight battle with defending champ Victor Bray, Kym's performance this weekend could have a big impact on the title hopes of the trio.

Qualifying for the Australian Tin Tops Titles will take place on Friday evening with three sessions from 5:00 pm. Eleven drivers have nominated for the event, but only the eight quickest after qualifying will get to contest elimination racing on Saturday evening from 5:00 pm.

The Top Doorslammer category will be supported by a round of the Australian Championship for Pro Stock Eliminator and every sportsman class of drag racing with over two hundred teams from all over the country competing.

Well-known drag racing designers John Andrews and Ian Turboville have joined forces to bring racers and their teams a range of professional products at sportsman prices for the 2002 season.

High quality team shirts, hero cards, marketing proposals, photography and illustration are just five of the tightly co-ordinated services on offer from the sport's most experienced proponents of digital graphics and sponsorship acquisition. With a combined client list that reads like a "who's-who" of European drag racing, Ian and John fully understand the needs of racers and can provide solutions to fit any budget.

"Our philosophy is simple. If you look like a professional, you'll be treated like a professional and it won't cost you an arm and a leg"

Ian will be spreading the word at Santa Pod Raceway's Easter Thunderball this weekend, and the pair will be out in force at the Super Series Spring Nationals, May 4 - 6 at Shakespeare County Raceway.

For further information, just visit Ian at www.turboville.com or check out some samples on John's Motorgraphic website at www.motorgraphic.uk.com

We invite you to take a look at our site. Race parts, cars, trailers, etc., race auction site. I would like to send you a link to our site if you are interested? www.nitrobay.com

The following was written by Rick Telander and published in the Salt Lake City (Utah) Sun-Times on February 25.

Keystone Raceway was forced to change their URL last year. They are now at www.keystoneraceway.net.

Hey mate! What's up? How has your year been? Missing your updates at Northern Thunder, but you have THE ONE person who understands how hard it is! Drop me a line and let me know how you're doing.

What's the best form of birth control after 50?
Nudity

What's the difference between a girlfriend and a wife?
45 lbs

What's the difference between a boyfriend and a husband?
45 minutes

Why is it so hard for women to find men that are sensitive, caring, and good looking?
Because those men already have boyfriends

How many women does it take to change a light bulb?
None; they just sit there in the dark and bitch

What's the difference between a new husband and a new dog?
After a year, the dog is still excited to see you

What makes men chase women they have no intention of marrying?
The same urge that makes dogs chase cars they have no intention of driving

What do you call a smart blonde?
A golden retriever

Why does the bride always wear white?
The stove and refrigerator should always match the dishwasher

A brunette, a blonde, and a redhead are all in the third grade. Who has the largest breasts?
The blonde, because she's 18

What did the blonde say when she found out she was pregnant?
Are you sure it's mine?

Why did O.J. Simpson want to move to West Virginia?
Everyone has the same DNA

What's the Cuban national anthem?
Row row row your boat

What's the difference between a Northern fairy tale and a Southern fairy tale?
A Northern fairy tale begins "Once upon a time"
A Southern fairy tale begins "Y'all ain't gonna believe this"

Polish history books have long claimed the invention of the toilet seat. But, it has been recently disclosed that it took a smart German to cut a hole in it.

Tony:

When was your article on "Das Boat" published? Are there more articles on the racing Electras? Scotty Guadagno gave me a copy of CARS ILLUSTRATED. Does anyone road race an Electra? Any salt flats racers? Thanks!

Good News! The HotRodder.com newsletter will now be put directly on the web with easy, clickable links for those of you who didn't have mail programs that put active links in your message. No more cut and paste! From now on, we'll just e-mail you a note with one link to where you can go to find out the latest news from HotRodder.com.

You'll find the March 2002 newsletter online here.

There have been some new Resto/Rebuild Projects added to that feature, and there are events coming up in March in our Events Calendar. Check for listings in your area! We also wanted to let you know where you can find out about the newest U.S. legislative issues dealing with your automotive hobby. If you live outside the U.S., we'd like to hear from you if your country has any restrictions on older vehicles.

Slick Sites features a new drag racing organization and also links to sites that have good information and tech articles dealing with camshafts.

Personal best with Steve Klemetti:

Drag Racing Story of The Day:

March 4

March 3

March 2

March 1

February 28

February 27

February 26

Drag Racing Picture of The Day:

March 4

March 3

March 2

March 1

February 28

February 27

February 26

Drag Racing Movie of The Week:

March 4

March 3

RACE TRAILER STOLEN

Bristol-based drag racer Aiden Kenny had his trailer stolen from his Brislington home on the night of Wednesday the 27th or Thursday 28th of February. The 18-foot tilt-bed unti has a galvanised steel chassis, a winch and bike rack on the front, and four distinctive checker-plate pads on the deck.

Like so many club racers, Aiden has had to work hard to participate in the sport he loves, so the theft is a major loss. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone who knows anything about the theft or is offered the unit for sale should call Aiden on 0117-909-6079 or contact him via the Motorgraphic website.

Bray settles for new records and runner-up

Victor Bray top qualified, set two new National Records and came within 59 thousandths of a second of repeating his 2001 Marlows Westernationals victory when he lost the final to Melbourne's Peter Kapiris in the fastest side by side race in Top Doorslammer history at Perth's Quit Motorplex tonight. Kapiris won the event and moved into the lead in the Australian Championship with a 6.152 at 230.76 mph to just head Bray's 6.185 at 234.98 mph.

Bray earlier set new national records for both elapsed time and terminal speed with a 6.10 at 236.22 mph in the final qualifying session and completed the necessary back-up performances within one percent with his 6.16 - 235 mph victory over David Simpson in the opening round of eliminations. In the semi-final, an attempt to go even faster came unstuck when the Castrol Chevy broke traction early on the run, forcing Bray to lift off the throttle momentarily. The big top speed of his car was able to carry him over the line ahead of Perth's Peter Hamilton however to earn his place in the 23rd final round appearance of his career. Peter Kapiris gained lane choice for the final with a solid 6.18 in what Bray considers the pivotal point of the event.

He commented, "We knew the right lane wouldn't hold as much power as the left and had to be a little conservative or risk blowing the tyres off the car. It was fast but not quite fast enough. That's racing. It's good to have the record back. We needed a real good performance here to put our championship campaign back on track and I'm very proud of all the guys on the Castrol crew. This was a great effort. Unfortunately, Peter got the better of me in the final and slipped a bit further in front. With a shorter season this year and only two events to go, things will really have to fall our way to retain the title. It's not over though, and we'll be in there swinging to the last breath."

The next round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship will headline the Australian Tin Top Titles event at Willowbank Raceway on March 29th and 30th.

Current top five in the points standings:

What's up Bob? No replies to my messages or emails. No stories turned in. Where are you?

Bray runs career best to head qualifying at Westernats

Victor Bray drove his Castrol Chev to a career best elapsed time of 6.105 seconds at 236.22 mph in the final qualifying session of the Marlows Westernationals in Perth to secure the number one spot by the barest margin of just one thousandth of a second from Peter Kapiris in his Studebaker. The time represents a huge leap of a full tenth of a second for the aging '57 Chev that has carried Bray to six consecutive Australian Championships.

"This is what we've been chasing for ages," said Bray. "We've actually been very close for a while now, but if you miss the mark with just one small part of the deal you can end up in big trouble like at the Global Info-Links Nationals where we didn't qualify. That hurt us pretty badly in the championship, but finally the last pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place and produced the results. If we can convert potential into points on race day we might still have a shot at another title yet."

Last year Bray suffered a string of outs early in the season which saw him back in seventh position going into this event. His luck then turned around with him winning the Marlows Westernationals, K&N Australian Nationals and Konica Winternationals to win the championship by a wide margin. Currently in fifth spot, he is now hoping this event will again mark the turning point of his season.

Victor's son Ben may have been celebrating his 18th birthday today but had no luck in qualifying with his Castrol Customline, missing a spot in the eight car field for tomorrow's elimination racing by just eight hundredths of a second. He recorded a best of 6.70 seconds at 215 mph.

Victor Bray will race Perth's David Simpson in the first round of eliminations, scheduled for 6:00 pm local time on Sunday.

Finally got the pistons and rings on order; they should arrive at the depot by the first of next week. How's the search for the Funny Car going? How's the job going? How's your Mom? How is Tom? How are you?

We have a painted T/AD chassis out in the container.

Hey Bob; tried to get a hold of you over the weekend, to no avail. I'll see if I can track you down on Monday some time and if you can at least reply to this email it would be great. Hope you haven't been too busy.

"Make or Break" time for Bray's Title Hopes

Victor Bray regards this weekend's Marlows Westernationals round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship as the make or break point for his chances of retaining his title. After being a shock non-qualifier at the Global Info-Links Australian Nationals at Willowbank Raceway in January, Bray knows anything less than a win at this round will make it almost impossible for him to secure a seventh consecutive Australian Championship. The Castrol team are again running two cars, with Victor's son Ben behind the wheel of his Customline while Bray will be relying on his faithful '57 Chevy that has carried him to six titles after his new car could not be completed in time.

"The Perth rounds carry 50% bonus points so if we go well here and a few of the other guys struggle, it's possible to come right back into contention," said Bray. "I was further back last year and got there, but this season there's not as many rounds to peg back the leaders. This weekend really is critical and if we can't close the gap here you'd have to say it would be pretty difficult to retain the title. It'd be nice of Ben could knock out a couple of the front runners, but who knows, he could win this thing like he did at the Nationals and that would put a whole new slant on the championship."

The Castrol team's preparations for the event were thrown into turmoil when the ship carrying their cars back from their New Zealand tour was delayed. After not getting Victor's Chev back in Brisbane until the Monday morning before the event, the team then had to completely service the car, refit the engine and get the transporter on the road to Perth in under 24 hours. This time though, things went to plan and both Victor and Ben were able to take part in a private test session yesterday (Friday). Victor recorded a best of 6.51 at 227 mph to be the quickest of those testing on what was described as marginal traction.

Ben tested a new injector hat and other changes to the fuel system, which saw the Customline repeatedly overpowering the track. He elected to return the car to its previous, more conservative setup overnight before the start of qualifying this afternoon. "We learnt from Dad's problems at the Nationals that test days are for testing and race day's for racing. We'll see if we can get on top of the new stuff before the Tin Tops at Willowbank, but in the meantime I should have a race car that'll get me down the track. Consistency is the only thing that won us the Nationals and we'll have to rely on it again and take our chances."

Ben turns 18 today and will be hoping for a good qualifying position as a perfect birthday present. Qualifying commences at 6:00 pm (Western time). Full updates will be posted at www.victorbray.com after each session.

Nice job, but your link for Seattle International Raceway needs to be corrected; it's not a race track... any longer

Hey everybody:

Finally... due to some people's nagging (you KNOW who you are!)... there has been some pictures from the Motor Show posted... not much else has changed on the website. Gee, that sound's familiar

Also, I have been thinking about this for awhile, and I'm going to start a mailing list and send out an email everytime there is an update to the website, or whenever there is big news about our cars or our team, or just anything else really, really, important. So if you wish to be a part of this mailing list, email me at the address above. There will also be something on the website soon about it.

So yah, I guess that's all. How about the website address?
www.dynoracing.com.

Thought you'd enjoy these photos. We had to do this to stop the car from standing up and pulling the wheels out of the beams.

I was just looking at your site this morning, and clicked on my drag strip address, Friendship Park Raceway, in Steubenville, Ohio and it links to the old address. Please change it to www.friendshipparkraceway.com. Thanks.

Dear Bob:

I would like to introduce you to the services provided by Joyce Julius & Associates, Inc. and the Sponsors Report. We are an independent "sponsorship analysis" firm, specializing in evaluating sponsorship exposure accumulated through all exposure-generating media outlets, i.e. national television, print media, event site, etc.

Per your involvement with the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, I would like to point out that we perform a number of evaluations within the motorsports industry via our national television evaluations, compiled by the Sponsors Report. The following will highlight links on our website that will provide you with additional information and sample analyses, as well as the corresponding rates.

Sponsors Report Overview
Sponsors Report Sample
Full Team Exposure Source Breakout Sample
2002 Sponsors Report Rates

Furthermore, our NITV Analyses have proven very useful in aiding teams negotiate with their sponsors. The NITV Analysis is a comprehensive report that has the capabilities of documenting sponsor exposure generated via several media outlets, i.e. national television, highlight shows, news programming, print media, etc. For additional company background and research services, please visit our homepage.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions whatsoever. Thank you.