SPARKS, NV (March 8) – Sunday was a big day for certain drivers that race at Top Gun Dragstrip. An inspector from the NHRA visited to certify those chassis that needed it.
Asked about this John Stauverman, racing operations manager and president for Top Guy Dragstrip, said, “The Chassis Certification held here at Summit Racing Equipment in Sparks is sponsored by the NHRA and Top Gun Dragstrip. Any car capable of running in the 9’s needs to have certain requirements in the roll cage and safety equipment. NHRA every three years will inspect these cars and make sure they comply with the rules and regulations set forth in the rule book.”
The certification was originally schedule for Saturday morning but snow on the pass forced a cancellation. So it was rescheduled for Sunday when the weather would be better and allow the inspector to get over the pass.
“The NHRA technical inspector will give the vehicle, the roll bar and roll cages an inspection on the welds. He’ll do a sonic test on the thickness of the metal and will attach a sticker that is good for three years to each car he inspects.”
On the lot there were a mix of racecars to be inspected. They ran from a vintage front engine dragster, dragsters, cars and a 1941 Ford pickup that had been modified for drag racing and there were some small cars as well. All would be inspected in the order they arrived.
The inspector Launie Porteous gave some comments before starting his inspections.
“I’m a tech inspector, I’m a chassis inspector and I work national and divisional events. I’m looking at any car that goes down a drag strip as it needs a roll bar or roll cage that goes by a rule book package. Anything faster thant 9.99 (seconds) requires a certified sticker and that’s what I do. Sportsman tags are good for three years, pro tags are good for one but we normally don’t have any pro tags here.”
Once he was ready Porteous and Stauverman started going through the cars in the order they arrived. Forms had to be filled out and as Porteous did his inspections he would note certain things that needed to be looked at. Once the racer passed a metallic sticker would be attached to one of the roll cage bars where they can be seen by the track’s tech inspector.
Now all the cars that showed up have been inspected and racers are getting ready for the upcoming season. It will start with a Test and Tune day from 10 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. Then racing will begin in earnest in April.
There is one addition to the attached schedule. On June 27, a $5 Saturday there will be a Street Car Shootout added.
For further information one can check the Top Gun Dragstrip Face Book page or go to their website at, www.topgunraceway.com.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• There is an automotive themed show on the radio and it’s Terersa’s Garage Radio Show heard every Tuesday from 2 until 3 p.m. over the air in the Reno/Sparks area on 1180 Am.
I have a preview section at 2:15 where I go over what is coming for the weekend. Besides the radio the show can be heard on a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or you can see us live on Facebook.
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We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they not only support your sport but they help nvracingnews continue.
Our newest sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
Former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian is the owner and they not only service older and newer transmission but now have a section dealing with high performance units including those used for towing.
The phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
This year fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker joined the family of sponsors. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the IMCA Duel in the Desert was well as the Wild West Tour and IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Melissa not only has photos of the cars, and many times drivers, but she can produce hero cards and even a book of from your season.
To see her collections or to place an order please check her website at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again there is a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs.
Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself and he’s committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like-minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.
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