CHRIS RUSSELL JOINS MAIN AND MARTINETS
Thu, 2007-01-11 05:38
Veteran NHRA Sportsman competitors Howard Main and Darvin Martinets have teamed
up to field a Top Alcohol Dragster in the NHRA's South-Central Division 4.
Rather than starting with a complete new operation, Main has purchased the
two-time Division 2 Championship winning TAD of Guy Kelly. Martinets, a veteran
of the TAD ranks from the 1980's will handle the driving chores, while former
Division 4 Tuner of the Year Chris Russell will handle the tuning
duties.
The team will receive primary backing from Reaction
Delivery, a Houston based short and long haul hot shot trucking company and
associate backing from Pipe Tools, Inc., a Houston based rental company
specializing in field machining equipment for the petrochemical
industry.
No stranger to the seat, Martinets, of Lake
Jackson, Texas, experience stems back to the former Pro Comp class in the late
70's, then through the class' transition to what it is now known as Top Alcohol
Dragster through the 80's and early '90's. Due to rising expenses, Martinets
settled into the local bracket racing scene where he has been a fixture ever
since. Car Owner Main is also a veteran of the bracket ranks and is excited to
team with his good friend Martinets for this venture.
"You cannot believe how excited I am to return to
my roots in Top Alcohol Dragster," said Martinets. "It is a dream come true to
come back with a proven car, the best equipment, and the funding to do it
properly. Last time I drove my old alcohol car a 6.20 was fast, and most people
did not even know who Mike Spitzer of Spitzer Race Cars was. That tells you it
has been a while."
"Darvin and I pondered this idea a bunch, we went to Reading
and Dallas, we talked to Mike Kosky, Marty Thacker, the Cantrells, the
O'Bannons and everyone that would give an opinion," Main added. "The consensus
was, we were not crazy, the blown cars were not "dead" and Kelly had "the" car
for sale."
"We need to get our parts and spares together, get our ex-Don
Garlits transporter rig tooled out and get testing by the end on the month,"
continued Main. "I cannot believe the support we have had
in this endeavor I would like to thank Will Hanna for putting us in touch with
the right people to make this happen. Even Big Daddy says he may show up a time
or two to show us how it is done."
The team is working vigorously to make their debut at their
home track in Houston for the Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener
there Feb. 16-18.
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