Whiteley set to test the waters in TAD in 2008
Considering change to Pro Mod
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - After finishing fourth in national points standings in NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster last season, Jim Whiteley and his Norm Grimes lead "YNot Racing" team will enter the 2008 season in a 'test' mode of sorts. Not so much in the fact they will be testing exotic combinations on the track, instead they will be gauging the balance of the Top Alcohol Dragster class itself. Competitors in the Top Alcohol Dragster class are allowed to run two different vehicle types, supercharged (blown, the combination Whiteley runs) alcohol and injected nitro (A/Fuel). If Whiteley doesn't see an improvement in the balance of the class, Whiteley and his team will make the move to the Pro Modified category.
The World Championship has been claimed by an A/Fueler every season since 2002. Despite several attempts to slow the A/Fuelers down by reducing their nitro fuel percentage, they have maintained a dominance in the performance department. A casual glance at nearly any NHRA national event's qualifying sheet will show several A/Fuel cars in the 5.20's, even a 5-teen on occasion, while there has been less than ten blown alcohol drivers to ever run a 5.20 in the history of the class.
Whiteley and Grimes haven't taken the situation passively hoping for a rule change to increase their competitive stance. Grimes and the team have spent much of the offseason developing their blown alcohol engine program and have spent several days on the dyno. The team also has a rigorous test schedule planned prior to the season-opening CARQUEST Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-9.
"It's not like we're sitting around hoping for a rules change to save us," said Whiteley. "We're taking the bull by the horns so to speak and really working hard to cut into the performance gap. It's still very hard to stay motivated to spend the time and money it takes to field a championship caliber team when the performance gap is so prevalent. We had hoped the increased overdrive they gave us would help, but it just wasn't the cure we were looking for."
"Norm has some things we've tried on the dyno and some things we're going to try on the track," Whiteley continued. "We're doing everything we can. But, you have to draw the line somewhere. I feel like we have one of the best tuners in the business in Norm Grimes, and there are other smart guys out there trying to make this blown alcohol combination work, and we're still a long way behind the A/Fuelers. We're going to start the year with intentions of chasing the championship, but if the class is still in the state of unbalance like it is now, we will be moving to Pro Mod."
The wheels are already in motion for the Pro Mod to be ready for action by May. The car will be a Tim McAmis built '53 Corvette. Norm Grimes and his team will still provide the power.
"It's not definite we're getting out of TAD, but we will have a Pro Mod car ready to go by May," commented Whiteley. "It's about going to a class where you have a shot at being competitive, and there are a lot of venues to race that kind of car. Sure we could go A/Fuel, but that's not how I want to race or spend my money."
"Make no mistake about it," added Whiteley. "We're going to come out swinging this year for the championship. We're just keeping our options open and an eye on the future."
Whiteley and the YNot team will test at the NHRA National Time Trials this weekend at Firebird International Raceway just outside of Phoenix.
For more information on the team, visit their website at
The Home of Y Not Racing
For more information on the team's fine partners visit the websites below:
B&J Racing Transmissions - Choose the racing transmission that powers the YNot Top Alcohol Dragster down the track.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Fly with the Eagles with Goodyear Tires.
NGK Spark Plugs USA - Choose the spark plugs winning teams like YNot Racing use, NGK.
The team would also like to thank: J&A Service, Raptor Industries, Advanced Oil Field Service and Knowles Enterprises
