Western Fuel Altereds Series 2011

Barona Dragstrip - Saturday Night April 23^rd

The WFA held its second race of the season at Barona Dragstrip in southern California. With cool air conditions and high humidity, eleven teams battled the slick track conditions. The crowd got their money’s worth of thrilling, sideways, tire smoking, two wheel action as the drivers did everything they could to get into the 8 car payout.

First pair out was Jerry Hall and new comer Rick Ackerman. Ackerman, apparently using an Oberg tune-up, sacrificed a burst panel on the burnout, allowing Hall to experience his new found horsepower, blowing the tires off several times during the long 1/8 mile trip. Local favorite Eric Gates was the only driver that decided a visit to the beach was in order as he made a trip into the sand. While most teams found the conditions rather challenging, it was Danny Levitt Jr. who put on a clinic running a nice 4.32 followed closely by the 9000 rpm, burnout “King” Ed Middlebrook.

Second round the track got colder and conditions worsened. This time Dean Oberg was the only car to improve, knocking Middlebrook from his pedestal. According to the crowd response it was the thrill show of Howell and Maroney that highlighted the second round. Both cars smoked the tires about 100 ft out sending the cars sideways. As the pedalfest continued the crowd held their breath as the drivers took a good look at the wall and the centerline with both only using 2 of the 4 wheels available, finally ending with both cars stopping safely at the end of the track. That paired up Oberg and Levitt for the final round.

With the moisture gathering on the track, the teams squared off with what seemed to be a driver’s battle. When the lights dropped, it was Levitt out front with the quickest reaction time of the night. Unbelievably both cars made great 4 second passes in the closest race of the weekend. Levitt’s 4.499 at 143 mph was good enough to hold off Oberg’s hard charging 4.501 at 157 mph. Levitt proved to pick up where he left off last year by taking the win, the Torco Quick Reaction Time award and the RBS Superchargers Low Qualifier bonus. Not to be outdone, Dean Oberg has shown he’s the man to beat this year by winning the FantaZ “Whose Got Game?” award for having the most consistent car at the event and leaving with the series points lead.

Overall the times weren’t as quick as expected, but definitely a fuel altered show!

Event Photos:

See everyone in Tucson on June 4^th. www.wfaseries.com

Final Qualifying Order:

1. Danny Levitt 4.32 152 mph

2. Dean Oberg 4.53 156 mph

3. Ed Middlebrook 4.54 150 mph

4. Sheldon Lofgreen 4.69 142 mph

5. Robert Winefsky 4.75 138 mph

6. Jim Maroney 4.77 144 mph

7. Eric Gates 5.01 130 mph

8. Jerry Hall 5.67 110 mph

9. Rich Howell 6.23 81 mph

10. Hal Rishton 6.34 77 mph

11. Rick Ackerman 12.67 35 mph

1750 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA

Track Website: http://www.baronadrags.com/

Barona Dragstrip is a 1/8^th mile track in the hills of San Diego. This is the first time the WFA has been to the track. The facility has a timed 1/8^th mile, 1/4 mile shutdown, sand trap and net. We will position construction cones on the guardrail prior to the finish line to help drivers know when to lift. The track has agreed to do some maintenance in the shutdown area to provide us with the safest facility possible. Please check over your chutes and brake system prior to the event. Several of our teams have raced there before, if you have any questions about the track, contact Gates, Oberg, Phelps or Levitt.

Overnight camping is fine through Sunday. There are no hook-ups.

Paid member entry is: Free car/driver, 4 crew and 2 vehicle passes. You must be pre-entered with WFA, one week in advance, to get in free. Pre-entry deadline is April 17th. Teams failing to pre-enter will pay event gate fees.

Friday – The track is not open, however you will be able to park on Friday night and set up for Saturday. They will have spots coned off and will have someone on site 24hr.

Saturday – Parking all morning. Gates open at 4pm, however please be parked prior to 3pm, to help avoid the rush. This event will be our standard format. Everyone makes the first two passes with the quick two ET’s coming back for the final.

Tentative Schedule:

Drivers Meeting: 4:30 pm

First Round: 6 pm

Second Round: 8 pm

Final: 10 pm

Pre Entry List as of 4/14/2011:

Jim Maroney

Robert Winefsky

Lawton M. Ferriera II

Eric Gates

Dean Oberg

Jerry Hall

Sheldon Lofgreen

Ed Middlebrook

Hal Rishton

Danny Levitt Jr.

Rich Howell

Rick Ackerman