TODD TUTTEROW: JACK-OF-ALL TRADES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT

If it has wheels, chances are Todd Tutterow might have a hand in making it go faster.

Sure, Tutterow is an ADRL Pro Extreme standout, a former ADRL world champion and a 2011 Battle For The Belts winner.

But, these days, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to describing the ultra-talented Tutterow.

He’s calling the tuning shots for Tommy D’Aprile Pro Extreme car and that team is having newfound success; he’s working with NHRA Pro Modified driver Donnie Walsh and his turbocharged set-up; he’s setting up cars for a number of local Quick 8 racers and grudge racing teams; he’s tuning a new two-car Pro Extreme/Top Sportsman team; and Tutterow is also tuning a sand drag truck with a screw blower.

Throw in his dealings with Precision Turbo Owner and President Harry Hruska, a relationship that has Tutterow working on innovations from everything from a turbo-charged tractor-pulling team to a Pro Extreme turbo car, and it’s quite obvious Tutterow has a very full plate.

“It’s really been a lot of fun. We kind of do a lot and I’m working on race cars full time now,” Tutterow said. “There’s a lot of business out there.

“Of course, it would be nice to have that big multi-million dollar sponsorship, and this is a lot of work. It’s seven days a week, 12-15 hours a day and I’ve got a big calendar. But we’ve kept going and we’re trying something different, trying to make ends meet and keep racing.”

With the economy still struggling, Tutterow’s West Bend Grading business has been so slow that, coupled with his multiple racing projects, he’s pretty much parked the grading company.

That full schedule includes all 10 ADRL races, including this weekend’s Gateway Drags IV in St. Louis, the full NHRA Pro Modified schedule, numerous local races, plus 12 sand truck races in the United States and a full slate overseas this winter.

That relationship with the sand-truck team of Bader Ali and Mustafa Buhmaid formed when Tutterow raced in the Arabian Drag Racing League in Qatar, and the results have already been impressive.

Running on a 300-foot dirt track in a 4-wheel drive truck, Tutterow has already coaxed a 2.88 in testing, which is remarkable considering the U.S. record is 3.86. In real competition, Tutterow is expecting event more.

“They’re building another truck right now and I can’t see how it won’t run in the 2.30s at 300 feet,” Tutterow said. “We’ve been to Kentucky, St. Louis and North Carolina, and there’s no doubt this thing is going to be fast.”

“Doing something like this, it’s always a feather in your cap.”

The GALOT tractor-pull team, which is owned by Earl Wells, has enjoyed immense success in the National Tractor Pullers Association, finishing fourth nationally in 2008 and winning a number of regional events over the past several years.

Now, Tutterow is working with the North Carolina-based team on their new two-car drag racing team, along with some new turbo set-ups on their tractors.

That’s part of the extensive research and development with Precision Turbo, which may have Tutterow – or someone he’s working with – driving a turbo-charged Pro Extreme car at some point in 2012.

“(GALOT) approached me about building some engines for them for their Pro Mod and I’m kind of working with them and putting their whole race team together,” Tutterow said. “With their tractors, it’s all there, you just have to be open-minded with the info given to you. It seems to be working well and, even with tractors, all of this is related.”

Tutterow’s magic touch has remained in the ADRL, where D’Aprile has made back-to-back finals appearances for the first time in his ADRL career.

That has vaulted D’Aprile to third in points, while Tutterow is sixth heading to St. Louis.

As much as he wants his own world championship, his first priority is with one of his many clients.

“We took Mel Bush and their team on, and we’ve managed to have some pretty good success and a really good season,” Tutterow said. “My first obligation is Mel’s car and making that go fast and be successful.”

And, like everything he’s currently working on, that shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

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