Pittsburgh Pro Mods

I just wanted to get this notice out so folks can make their plans. The Pittsburgh Pro Mods will be racing on August 27th at Pittsburgh Raceway Park in New Alexandria. We've been a little short of cars in the series, but I have a feeling this race will be well attended. At the last race Andy Jensen went a 3.95 and became the first door car to go under 4 seconds and also receiving the $1000 bonus for the first door car in the 3's. Pretty impressive performance from a single turbo and only 427 cubes. He said he'll be back for the balance of the races this season. There is a new car that has been testing recently and should be there too. It's a '68 Camaro with twin turbos and 620 cubes. So far it's been a handfull, but look out when he gets it sorted out.
They also run 2 other classes that night, a Box and No-Box race for a decent payout. Gates open at 5:00 and it's $10 to spectate. I think there might be some road construction from the turnpike to the Rt. 66 interchange, but I'm not sure. But the 9 miles from Rt. 66 to the track are done and it's a easy drive. If you haven't been to PRP in a while, there are 2 new entrances to the track off Rt. 22. There are signs posted for the entrance roads. Be careful driving on Rt. 22 since the speed limits vary and the troopers are always watching. We'll be there with the Marion Docks Cobalt at least trying to get into the 20's.

This is the Friday before the 8.90 race and I'll probably be working on the car if it's not all ready yet. If I'm not I may stop by and watch the promods. PRP is a nice facility, and the road going in is super nice now, it took long enough. Like Dan said, just lookout for the po po's cause they were lined up last time I was out there....

Those Pro Mods really put on a show if I get the chance I would like to see that
myself.

We're not racing the following day at Thompson, but I'm going to try and get up there. All I ever get to see are bits and pieces of the racing and I want to see the Renegade cars along with the Asphalt Wars cars too.

We're going out to help a friend get his Nova set up this Thursday night. I'll ask Greg if he has any passes for the PPM race on the 27th and get back to you guys.

Do you have to be a member of the Renegade Warriors to run the class at Thompson ? The Nova we're going to help with runs 8.90's now and we're hoping for some 70's. They might be good candidates for the 8.90 class.

Dan, you do not have to be a member of the Renegade Crew to run the race at Thompson. All you gotta do is fit the rules that they set forth, show up, get a T-shirt and goodie bag, and have fun. You become a member just by coming out and signing up to race in their event. Great group of guys to hang around and race against. Very diverse field of cars, and close racing every round. It's neat to see everyone's method's for dialing in the 8.90....

Just bring it up Dan an tell the Lady at the ticket booth your running the Renegade 8.90 class an she'll take care of ya, then go sign up by the concession stand next where I park, they have a tent set up to greet everyone thats running 8.90 If you aren't seeing any racing when your at Thompson ya need to come over an park where we pit, Mrs Z gets to see every race from that spot along the fence an we do too when we're not in the staging lanes,

Ok guys I was out at PRP helping a fellow with his Nova. I knew there were at least 2 cars I've seen there before that would fit into the 8.90 Renegade Warrior rules. I talked with the one fellow with a Mustang about the class, but his work schedule prevents him from leaving the area to race. And the other fellow wasn't there tonight.
I asked Greg about passes for the Pittsburgh Pro Mod race and he apologized saying they don't do that for special events. I dropped it at that because I know they do it.
Bruce Connelly was there testing his twin turbo 622'' Rick Jones '68 Camaro chassis car. Whenever he gets a handle on that beast, it's gonna fly !

Hope to see some of you this Friday at PRP and maybe on Saturday at Thompson.

I hear of a nasty rumor going around about PRP... I guess they are selling the track to someone and that someone is going to build condos on the property! I sure hope this is false..

Toot, well that's a new one ! In this day you never know what might happen. A few years ago there were big plans of expanding the track, adding seating, a new tower and paving the place like Norwalk, and then getting a IHRA national event. But this was all the work of Evan Knoll and we see where that empire ended up.
The corridor from eastern Pittsburgh is probably one of the fastest growing areas around and with Rt. 22 being a good highway now, anything is possible. But look at the rumors about Quaker City becoming a : housing development, a mall or a extension of the BF landfill. Take your pick.
So as far as Pittsburgh Raceway, all we can do is wait and see. In my personal opinion, I think it'll be around a while as a track for reasons I don't want to get into.

Well, I sure hope your right. Seems like everyone that goes there has a blast.

It's not a bad track really. Racers are treated well and folks coming in from other tracks are welcomed. And none of that drama associated with ''other'' tracks. Payouts are decent and food at the cafeteria is great food. Michael has plans for the place but just like most businesses these days, the economy has prevented things from happening. We were there last night and were able to make 5 passes from 6:00 to 11:00. There were maybe 35 street type cars and trucks, 50 slick tired cars, 12-15 bikes and 2 juniors. They had a decent amount of spectators too. A lot of folks from Wyo-Tech in Blairsville come to the track since there isn't anything out there to do. Greg moves the program along and they do a quick prep of the track after every session. I give a lot of credit to the fellow who runs the lanes in keeping the cars moving along.
There should be a big turn-out this Saturday with the 8 Supercharged Thunder cars coming in. Plus, Beaver Springs Raceway is closed this weekend and some of those racers are coming down.

Dan that track sounds great are they paying you for the plugs ? lol If I get caught up before the bad W word I,m gonna take the monza down there sounds like you can have a blast.

Skip, I guess that did come across as me being a cheerleader...no comments about that please.....about the PRP. In actuality, I'd say the same about any track in the area. They all have their own quirks and personalities, and I just don't want ANY of them to end up like, Youngstown, Skyline, PID, Nu-Be, Peterson, Eldora/Fairmount etc.
We're really lucky living in the areas we do in having so many tracks within a 3 hour tow of our homes.

Andamo wrote:

We're really lucky living in the areas we do in having so many tracks within a 3 hour tow of our homes.

I think I have donated To all of them Except PRP.. I want to make there this year also.

Dan, your right about being lucky to live in a area with so many tracks close by, and each one with its own character, personality, and Good people !
Enjoying some thing that you like with Friends and Family just doesn't get any Better in My book !
I dont want to forget Summit and Jegs Racing Equipment, bringing the cost down on parts which helps the Sport Grow , I go to Summit every time I come up, its like a Candy store for Racers .

Dan I was just pulling you,re string you always speak good of any dragstrip and like you said they all have their good,s and bad,s but the truth is we cannot afford to lose anymore of them. I like the little small time country out of the way tracks that are not to crowded where you have time to tnt and get to know the racers there. Now don,t get me wrong the big tracks are great too, every now and then and Dan like you said we have a lot within a 2-3 hour tow so we,ll show them all our support and try to keep all of them alive and well.Drag racing is a true American sport and there is no one who does it with more skill, talent, and heart!!!