September 29, 1998 -- The Best President's Cup EVER!
I absolutely MUST sleep tonight, so I have to keep this
short. But I've
gotta tell ya that we had the best IHRA President's Cup Nationals EVER this past weekend
at MIR. You've probably seen it all elsewhere, but for a numbers freak like me, there was
lots to like. How about brand new world records in Pro Stock! I knew we could do it if we
could ever get the weather to cooperate! Our Pro Mod track records for nitrous cars took a
beating, as did our records in almost every IHRA category. The only reason we didn't get
the new records in Pro Mod was that they slapped 100 pounds on Scotty Cannon after his
dominant performance at Epping. No matter. Scotty just went out there and killed 'em with
consistency, winning despite the recent rules changes. (Kinda like Glidden in the late
'70s).
As usual, I had a ball with all my long lost,
see- 'em- once- a- year pals. I also met some NEW pals that I've been dying to meet for some time -- namely, Australian
Top Doorslammer champ Victor Bray and his wife Marie! As soon as I heard
Victor was in Scotty Cannon's pit, I made a beeline.
I missed him several times, but I finally
caught up with the champ. We hit it off immediately. What a super, down-to-earth
guy. During the weekend, we talked about IHRA rules, ANDRA rules, baseball, cricket, and the
possibility of him and several other Aussie Top Doorslammer guys coming up here to
participate in a few IHRA races next season. If only those rules will settle down long
enough so that they are the same when the Castrol '57 Chevy comes OFF the freighter as
they were when it was loaded ON the freighter! Victor got a few constructive meetings with
IHRA boss Bill Bader. I hope this comes to pass! I also got to meet Troy Critchley, who
ably represents the Ford contingent down under with his 6. 40 Customline! Also cruising the
pits, hoping to travel all the way East (if only those rules will settle down) was British
Columbia racer Glen May, whose "Cranberry Connection" was one of, if not THE,
first outlaw Pro Mods over 220 mph. It was great to meet everyone. Victor and Marie
generously gave me a Victor Bray Racing cap and team shirt, AND they made me another
INCREDIBLY GENEROUS offer. More on that later! Anyway, my pal Greg Gage caught this nice
shot of me, Marie, and Victor. This one means a LOT! See ya SOON! Bill
Pratt/Draglist