BARKLAGE RACING SUFFERS DEVASTATING FIRE

ELDON, MO (November 12, 2007) – Late on Wednesday, October 24, Barklage Racing received word their tractor trailer transporter was involved in a very damaging fire in Mossy Head, Florida outside of Pensacola. The hauler, carrying both Barklage Racing Pro Mod cars and crew chief Dave Jordan was en route from a shootout race in Houston , Texas to the final Super Chevy Show of 2007 in West Palm Beach , Florida .

The remainder of the team including team owners Mark and Cathy Barklage and drivers Cody and Zach Barklage arrived Thursday afternoon in Florida to assess the damages and salvage what they could. After complete review, it is obvious the trailer and contents suffered severe damage. With a large hole burned out of the passenger side of the trailer, holes burned in the floor of the upper storage area, and the tires and wheels melted off the passenger side of the trailer, it was apparent the contents of the trailer are also heavily damaged. Of the most devastating is the loss of Zach Barklage’s, Steve Bruce built 1957 Chevy. Just weeks prior to the fire, the car set the Super Chevy Aeromotive Fuel Systems Nitro Coupe world record with a 6.01 and backed it up with a 6.02.

“Of the contents, Zach’s 1957 Chevy was damaged the worse,” said team owner Mark Barklage. “The car has lost the carbon fiber body, but we won’t know the extent of the damage to the chassis and engine until it is further inspected. The heat during the fire was tremendous, so we now need to worry if the metal in the car is compromised. We think Cody’s GTO, which was upstairs, will be okay, but again we must inspect the entire car front to back to be sure. There is a lot of interior damage to the trailer, along with structural damage. Everything from light fixtures, to the wheels on the trailer is melted.”

The team worked tirelessly for three days to get the salvageable contents of the trailer reloaded for transport back to their Eldon, Missouri shop, and the trailer repaired enough to be moved. The trailer was later taken to the original manufacturer, Competition Trailers, in Texas for possible repair. Unfortunately, the damage was far more extensive then initially thought and is a loss.

According to team spokesperson, Amy Johnson, “This is absolutely devastating to any team, especially an ‘unfunded’ one like ours. We have worked very hard to have what we have, and to lose so much so quick is just heartbreaking. The team is really pulling together though this, but it’s still very overwhelming. What is important was no one was injured. We have had a tremendous outpouring of help and support. Various members of the racing community from all over the country has offered assistance. Ironically enough, the accident took place at the Lucky 13 truck stop off I-10, and is owned by none other then fellow Pro Mod racer Tim Tindle. Tim offered a lot of support and his staff at the truck center has been wonderful to us. This is another example of how great racers really are.”

In order to race the 2008 season, the team has much to regain and rebuild. With an already very limited budget, it will be near impossible for the team to survive without additional help. To assist the team with damages and loss of race cars and equipment, good friend and past crew member Sean Sparacio has set-up a fund for donations. Sparacio and his company Carolina Pit Stop has conceived the idea of during this hard time, we will be able to survive with help of our fans and friends. Every dime will help the team rebuild. To donate, visit PayPal.com with the account of barklagefund@carolinapitstop.com.

“We have never been a team who asked for hand-outs or a lot of help despite our limited funding,” said World Champion Cody Barklage. “But, in order for us to race next season and beyond, we now really need help. The loss from the fire put a lot of financial stress on our already stretched team. We really want to continue on for our fans, sponsors, and supporters but will need a lot of assistance to bounce back from this. The loss of Zach’s car, trailer and countless tools and equipment is overwhelming.”

“This whole experience has been difficult,” added Zach Barklage. “This has been a real test for our whole family and team. We have had a lot of work the past few weeks, and will remain so for several months now. My car is basically gone, and Cody’s car is in need of some repairs too. We had a tremendous season in 2007, and to have it end this way is hard. We cannot thank enough all those who offered to help and those who are helping us now. We simply cannot continue on without the much needed assistance we are starting to receive.”

The team would like to recognize the added assistance of Tim Tindle, Carolina Pit Stop, Willie Brainerd and Bottom Dollar Racing, Scott Palmer Racing, Tydo Race Cars, Ken Walsh Racing, Fast Eddies Racing, Chris Dingman, Wayne Clemons, Jim Wiens Race Cars, Christian Rayburn, Chris Duncan Race Cars and the countless friends who offered encouragement.

Barklage Racing would like to acknowledge U.S. Marine Corps, Lucas Oil, Taylor Cable, Torco Racing Fuels, NGK Sparkplugs, Goodson, Goodyear, Lake Race Products, P & A Drywall, Mark Barklage Drywall, Moreland Well Drilling, Weld Wheels, Aeromotive Fuel Systems, and Super Chevy Show.

Notable

• 20 year old Cody Barklage is currently the youngest driver on the Super Chevy Show tour and 23 year old Zach Barklage is the second youngest.
• The team is based in Lake Ozark , Missouri .
• The team is owned and operated by parents Mark and Cathy Barklage, and operates a family owned drywall company in the Ozarks area of Missouri .
• Cody Barklage took his first World Championship in the Aeromotive Fuel Systems Nitro Coupe class in Super Chevy, and Zach Barklage is currently No.2.

The team took the victory just two weeks ago in Tulsa with winning Zach Barklage, and Cody Barklage runner-up.