Winter is finally over and to all of us in the realm of all things diesel that can only mean one thing-yep, you guessed it, it's time to go racing.
And on a sunny day this past March in Wittmann, AZ (located northwest of Phoenix), drivers and spectators poured into Speedworld Dragstrip to do just that. With more than 6,000 spectators, dozens of racers and some of the biggest names in racing, truck after truck lined up to show and go at the season opener for the NHRDA sponsored by ITP and Strictly Diesel.
Drawing a group of racers of this level, spectators knew they were in for an exciting show and it turned out to be so much more . it was a day of records.
Banks Power brought out its Banks Dragster, piloted by Wed Anderson, and set a Top Diesel National Record with an ET of 7.67.
But that wasn't the only record set. Driving down all the way from Fort McMurray, AB, Canada, was Shawn Ellerton, who really put on a show. Driving his 2003 F-350, Ellerton set a Super Street National Record in both the ET and mph with a 10.60 ET and 131.46 mph.
As always, the Sportsman class had a strong showing of daily driven vehicles and in addition to that both the Super Street and Pro Street categories were stacked with newly built trucks from all over the United States and Canada.
All together, NHRDA competitors won a combined total of $6,600 dollars in prize money.
Overall, the event had something for everyone and went off without a hitch.
Whether you were in the stands, checking out vendor row, hitting the dyno or showing it off at the show and shine, you would have been hard pressed to find a better way to spend a sunny afternoon than enjoying this terrific event.
For complete results and upcoming events, visit the NHRDA website at www.NHRDA.com.