The DragRacingOnline.com AA Funny Car Challenge will make its first appearance at San Antonio Raceway on May 19-20.
After a one-year hiatus, the drag racing series for nitro Funny Cars returns for its eighth season.
“With the IHRA walking away from their nostalgia Funny Car program this year, we didn’t want these racers to be without a place to complete,” said DRO AA/FC Challenge series administrator, Jeff Burk, also editor of DragRacingOnline.com. “So, we’re kind of putting the band back together and taking it on the road.”
Cars already on the entry list include Paul Romine from Indianapolis in his “Man O’ War” Mustang, the champion of the series in the first two seasons, 2009 and 2010.
Dallas driver John Hale, the 2011 and 2012 series champion, will be competing in his “One Bad Texan” Camaro this season. Appropriately, Hale’s company, Best of Texas Barbeque Sauce, is the presenting sponsor of the San Antonio event.
Shawn Bowen, the 2013-14-15 series champion, is no longer racing, but his championship-winning car was purchased by Fred Farndon of Oklahoma and has been renamed “Play It Loud.”
Of special note at the San Antonio race will be a tribute to Texan Raymond Beadle, owner of the famous “Blue Max” car. Fellow Texan Ronnie Young will be at the controls of the latest version of the iconic car.
Troy Ray of Kentucky will bring his “Wild Side” Dodge Charger to the competition. New cars are coming for Vic Tiffin from Ohio in the “Gold Digger” Mustang and veteran racer Larry Gould of Illinois in his famous Ford cammer-powered EXP.
There is no entry fee for racers and up to five crewmembers with the winner getting $5,000 and runner-up $3,750. Semifinalists will receive $2,500 and first-round losers $1,750.
Nitromethane and header flames at night coming from 250+ mph cars is an experience that can’t be missed! Qualifying for the DRO AA/FC Challenge will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, with elimination rounds at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Gates open at 3 p.m. both days with Bracket Racing starting at 4 p.m.
San Antonio Raceway (www.saraceway.com) is located at 3641 S. Santa Clara Rd., Marion, TX 78124. Phone 210-782-9578.
Other events on the 2017 DRO AA/FC Challenge schedule are:
July 14-15: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Aug. 11-12: Martin, Michigan
Sept. 8-9: Martin, Michigan
Sept. 22-23: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oct. 13-14: Series Finals with the Goodguys, Bowling Green, Kentucky
For rules and more information about the series go to http://www.dragracingonline.com/dro-aa-fc-challenge.html or call Jeff Burk at 314-322-6445.
Photos: Ronnie Young in the “Blue Max” and John Hale in “One Bad Texan.”
