[coverattach=1] Elma, NY – Prior to the Hardee’s Georgia Drags IV this past weekend Mike Janis’s Aeroquip team headed to Mooresville, NC for some testing at “The Dirty Mo”.
“We’re making progress but we’re far from being able to use all the power we have on tap,” said Crew Chief Mike Janis Jr. “Our tire and gear tests proved a suspicion we had prior to coming here (Mooresville). The ”late” shake we were encountering is directly related to our horsepower band. To get rid of the shake we needed to back her down but now it’s slowing us later in the run. Finding a happy medium is proving next to impossible.”
“Thanks to the great people at Mooresville Dragway we’re confident we can make it through our shake problems all be it using a little less power but we’ll have to work with it,” said team owner Mike Janis.
While the team was able to post impressive 60 foot times in both Mooresville and Valdosta the late run problems continued for the team. The team was able to take advantage of the ADRL’s Friday testing program but was unable to make it down under power on the first pass. The second pass proved better posting a mid 3.80 pass.
With track conditions and the weather heading in their favor the Jan-Cen powered Aeroquip team was hoping to take advantage of Friday’s late night qualifying session but it wasn’t meant to be.
Janis was shut off after his burnout and not allowed to make a run. A recent safety directive imposed by ADRL officials forbids teams to have anyone in front of the vehicle while in motion. Crewmember Steve Hermann performed his pre run duties just like he has for the past 20 years but because he ran along the concrete barrier in front of the car the team was thrown out for the round.
“We misunderstood the rule, it’s our fault, said Mike Janis. “Whether I agree with it or not I have to respect the sanctioning body for putting safety first.”
On their second attempt no infractions were made and Janis posted a 3.836 at nearly 196 miles per hour, low for the round. The run held for sixth on the qualifying ladder and paired Janis with number 11 qualifier, Joey Martin in round one.
Martin was first off the line with a .007 reaction time but it was Janis and his Monster Power equipped, Dan Paige built ’67 Firebird taking the win with a 3.858 to Martin’s slower 3.987. The win over Martin placed Janis against Jason Hamstra and his ultra consistent converter equipped Camaro.
Janis took a slight starting line advantage but was unable to hold of the hard charging Hamstra when a shower of sparks came out from under Janis’ ride causing Janis to slow.
“I’m not sure yet but I think we lost a rear main and took out the flywheel,” said driver Mike Janis.
While exiting in the quarterfinals is less what the Elma, NY team wanted the continued progress on their Screw Blower combination is promising.
On both our car and Tommy’s (D’Aprile) our injector spacer is proving dividends. With a little more R&D we’ll soon be able to offer a carbon version to customers,” said Janis.
While working on screw blowers is now part of the Mike Janis/Jan-Cen repertoire, roots blowers continue to receive improvements from Elma, New York’s Supercharge specialist.
“We’re still working with the roots blower and making gains,” said Jan-Cen R&D specialist Kevin Peters. “Just look at what Ken Thomas has been able to accomplish with his Bad Bird since we corrected his roots supercharger and Tommy Grey’s 5.91 in legal trim. By no means are we done with the roots.”
Next up for the Mel Bush Motorsports team will be the ADRL Memphis Drags II on May 22and 23 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tennessee.
“We’re making progress but we’re far from being able to use all the power we have on tap,” said Crew Chief Mike Janis Jr. “Our tire and gear tests proved a suspicion we had prior to coming here (Mooresville). The ”late” shake we were encountering is directly related to our horsepower band. To get rid of the shake we needed to back her down but now it’s slowing us later in the run. Finding a happy medium is proving next to impossible.”
“Thanks to the great people at Mooresville Dragway we’re confident we can make it through our shake problems all be it using a little less power but we’ll have to work with it,” said team owner Mike Janis.
While the team was able to post impressive 60 foot times in both Mooresville and Valdosta the late run problems continued for the team. The team was able to take advantage of the ADRL’s Friday testing program but was unable to make it down under power on the first pass. The second pass proved better posting a mid 3.80 pass.
With track conditions and the weather heading in their favor the Jan-Cen powered Aeroquip team was hoping to take advantage of Friday’s late night qualifying session but it wasn’t meant to be.
Janis was shut off after his burnout and not allowed to make a run. A recent safety directive imposed by ADRL officials forbids teams to have anyone in front of the vehicle while in motion. Crewmember Steve Hermann performed his pre run duties just like he has for the past 20 years but because he ran along the concrete barrier in front of the car the team was thrown out for the round.
“We misunderstood the rule, it’s our fault, said Mike Janis. “Whether I agree with it or not I have to respect the sanctioning body for putting safety first.”
On their second attempt no infractions were made and Janis posted a 3.836 at nearly 196 miles per hour, low for the round. The run held for sixth on the qualifying ladder and paired Janis with number 11 qualifier, Joey Martin in round one.
Martin was first off the line with a .007 reaction time but it was Janis and his Monster Power equipped, Dan Paige built ’67 Firebird taking the win with a 3.858 to Martin’s slower 3.987. The win over Martin placed Janis against Jason Hamstra and his ultra consistent converter equipped Camaro.
Janis took a slight starting line advantage but was unable to hold of the hard charging Hamstra when a shower of sparks came out from under Janis’ ride causing Janis to slow.
“I’m not sure yet but I think we lost a rear main and took out the flywheel,” said driver Mike Janis.
While exiting in the quarterfinals is less what the Elma, NY team wanted the continued progress on their Screw Blower combination is promising.
On both our car and Tommy’s (D’Aprile) our injector spacer is proving dividends. With a little more R&D we’ll soon be able to offer a carbon version to customers,” said Janis.
While working on screw blowers is now part of the Mike Janis/Jan-Cen repertoire, roots blowers continue to receive improvements from Elma, New York’s Supercharge specialist.
“We’re still working with the roots blower and making gains,” said Jan-Cen R&D specialist Kevin Peters. “Just look at what Ken Thomas has been able to accomplish with his Bad Bird since we corrected his roots supercharger and Tommy Grey’s 5.91 in legal trim. By no means are we done with the roots.”
Next up for the Mel Bush Motorsports team will be the ADRL Memphis Drags II on May 22and 23 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tennessee.
