How excited are you having your main sponsor Amalie Oil becoming the Title Sponsor of the Gatornationals, hoping for good things this weekend at Auto Plus Raceway:
" It's amazing, working and collaborating with Amalie Oil to become title sponsor of the Gatornationals, but with it comes quite a bit of pressure having been with the company for 12 years. During the process, you tend to forget about it and just try and have the most fun possible. For Amalie Oil, having associated with NHRA Drag Racing for many years with drivers such as Connie Kalitta, and Shirley Muldowney, I couldn't be more prouder and excited to be associated with them."
Amalie Oil has been associated with drag racing as we've said for many years, having been in business since 1903, they are a company that takes their involvement seriously:
"They certainly do, with becoming a title sponsor of the Gatornationals, they see the return value of their investment, and they see the excitement NHRA Drag racing brings to the table. It is a fortunate thing, as I have stated earlier to have been involved with Amalie Oil for 12 years. Their has been only a handful of sponsors associated with drag racing teams, Kenny Bernstein and Budweiser, John Force and Castrol."
The first two events for you, Richard and the team haven't gone the way as you would have liked. Not qualifying in Pomona, losing in the second round of the Arizona Nationals to Tony Schumacher. Has Richard planned any changes to the car to keep your team in the fight for a win and the "Countdown to the Championship:
" Yes. Richard is constantly pursuing what can and will make the car run better. But what put us behind everyone at the start of the season is the fact our car returned later than planned, we were unable to test at West Palm Beach, so Pomona became essentially a test event for our team. We bounced back and qualified at Phoenix, then proceeded to make wholesale changes, which the car seemed to enjoy. So, going into the Gatornationals, we are confident the changes will continue to turn our fortunes around.(Terry, however failed to qualify for the Gatornationals) Hopefully, all of that will put us up at the front to contend for a win, and for a spot in the "Countdown to the Championship."
Is it hard not having the resources that teams such as DSR, Al Anabi, or Team Kalitta have beings that you have but one car to learn information from:
" It is most difficult. Not to make any excuses, we have only 2 full time employees in comparison to the other teams that have 8 to 10 crewmen. Our budget limits us from testing as much as we would like, so we are at a disadvantage. However, our Amalie Oil Team is very dedicated, doing whatever it can to help improve our team with the resources we have. Also, being a one car team, it is difficult in gathering information to help improve our teams' performance. Richard Hartman is someone who I have the utmost respect for. From the moment he became crew chief on the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster, we are and continue to be committed to him and his ideals for improvement in our performance."
But the fact the Top Fuel Class has become so competitive in terms of closeness, what do you feel are the reasons why that is so:
" I believe it involves the rule changes made, it has everyone on a level playing field. The NHRA has mandated no further rule changes, no modifications for the rest of the 2013 season, and they will look more closely at the cars themselves. If the NHRA stays true to those ideals, the Top Fuel class will become tighter in terms of performance. I for one hope that aspect comes true."
Talk about your feelings on the proposed 50 minute turn around time for the semis and the finals in Top Fuel:
" That day will come, so our team has been hard at work, practicing towards hitting that 50 minute turnaround mark. I think it is exciting, taking drag racing to live TV. Seeing the comments in social media (Facebook and Twitter), fans are certainly ready for what the challenge will bring. At the same time, it is a bit concerning for smaller teams. Will something be left undone as they are rebuilding the motor after a tear down if the 50 min rule were mandated. Having said that, it maybe easier just to change the motor rather than a rebuild, and that extra cost could hurt smaller teams. However, the sport will be amazing to watch once it is on live TV. It will be a challenge though but I believe the TV audience as well as fans at the track want the racing to be safe and exciting."
Do you hope this change brings more fans to NHRA Drag Racing along with more fans watching on TV:
" It will be a tremendous impact if the 50 minute rule is successful in terms of presenting an awesome show to the fans. In our sport, the race for top fuel and funny cars lasts between 3 to 4 seconds, with pro stock and pro stock motorcycle lasting 6 to 7 seconds. Anything that can be done, within reason to liven the show, along with it being more exciting for the fans will be amazing. It's something we are very excited about."
At the same time, are you concerned as far as safety of the fans in the pits as cars return to their pit areas:
"One of the biggest problems facing fans with the 50 min turnaround, sometimes they may not know what teams are doing, or which direction the teams may be going. Teams will have to really hustle in returning to the pits, and that may cause problems due to the fact that fans are basically on top of the drivers as the cars return to their pits. That may delay a team trying to make it to the lanes if it is the semi final round or final round, so the NHRA has to devise a safer way for teams to safely return to our areas. By the same token, we want to assure the NHRA fans we are in no way trying to be rude to them when we are getting back, servicing our cars. However, I like the way that drag racing is slowly working its way into the 50 minute turnaround, and it will be great for fans and the sport."
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