SCELZI WEIGHS IN
Tue, 2008-06-03 12:29
New chassis working well for the 4-time champion; Moratorium on testing has him scratching his head, though
Four-time nitro world champion Gary Scelzi loves his new
Brad Hadman Funny Car chassis so much that team owner Don Schumacher
Racing [DSR] has ordered two more.
“We’re enjoying the hell out of it,” Scelzi crowed. “It doesn’t get in trouble early on in the run.”
Scelzi was the first to step away from the standard Murf McKinney design over the winter and personally invest in a normalized tubing chassis from Brad Hadman. The car was debuted in post-event testing following the NHRA CSK Nationals in Phoenix, Az. New chassis working well for the 4-time champion; Moratorium on testing has him scratching his head, though
Four-time nitro world champion Gary Scelzi loves his new Brad Hadman Funny Car chassis so much that team owner Don Schumacher Racing [DSR] has ordered two more.
“We’re enjoying the hell out of it,” Scelzi crowed. “It doesn’t get in trouble early on in the run.”
Scelzi was the first to step away from the standard Murf McKinney design over the winter and personally invest in a normalized tubing chassis from Brad Hadman. The car was debuted in post-event testing following the NHRA CSK Nationals in Phoenix, Az.
The Fresno, California-based Scelzi put the car through a strict testing regimen before banking on the ride exclusively during the NHRA Springnationals in Houston, TX. He’s since gained a positive combination and last weekend’s semi-final finish in Topeka has him happy he took the gamble.
This car fits the mandatory specs by the NHRA scheduled for implementation at the NHRA Mile High Nationals in Denver, Co. next month.
Scelzi is no longer the lone wolf in this project.
He said DSR crewchiefs Phil Shuler [Jerry Toliver] and Ed McCulloch [Ron Capps] have both taken interest in the Hadman car, although McCulloch will likely remain with his Murf McKinney combination. The car driven by Jack Beckman and tuned by Tommy Delago and Johnny West will also remain with the McKinney combination.
“McCulloch’s tune-up works better with the McKinney car but with our tune-up, we are able to get the driveshaft more out of control and the car recovers,” Scelzi added. “We like it and we are going to get Phil one and me a back-up.
“I think we’re going to be better off as a team running both combinations than me running the only one out here.”
The one possible monkey wrench into Scelzi’s peaceful euphoria with the Hadman combination is Goodyear’s new D2550 tire which will also be mandatory for all nitro teams in Denver. This ruling was handed down just days before the NHRA announced it’s moratorium on testing due to a nitro shortage by the official supplier VP Racing Fuels.
Schumacher has made the point known he’s got at minimum 300 drums of nitro readily available for testing.
“I don’t have a clue how this tire will affect our chassis,” Scelzi admitted. “I don’t have a clue but I know we need to be doing some testing.
“I just really don’t know how we can mandate testing when there’s nitro available. We’re coming out with a new Goodyear tire and there’s no clue what’s going on with a 100-pound heavier car. You think we had problems early in the year; this is going to make it worse later in the year.
“I don’t know what’s going on here but something is going to have to get resolved shortly. We are going to be in big trouble if we don’t.”
Scelzi said he’s ready, willing and able to give the NHRA props for the great racing that has transpired in Bristol [TN] and Topeka [KS].
“I have to hand it to the NHRA, we haven’t had one-lane race tracks in those events,” Scelzi said. “It’s been a pick-em. I don’t care how hot it gets; the lanes just need to be the same. They’ve done a great job on that.
“But, I’m telling you, we’ve got to get this nitro and tire thing figured out. We are going to need to do some testing.”
Gary Scelzi's gamble on the Brad Hadman chassis paid off. Expect Jerry Toliver to have one soon. (Jon Asher Photos)
“We’re enjoying the hell out of it,” Scelzi crowed. “It doesn’t get in trouble early on in the run.”
Scelzi was the first to step away from the standard Murf McKinney design over the winter and personally invest in a normalized tubing chassis from Brad Hadman. The car was debuted in post-event testing following the NHRA CSK Nationals in Phoenix, Az. New chassis working well for the 4-time champion; Moratorium on testing has him scratching his head, though
Gary Scelzi's gamble on the Brad Hadman chassis paid off. Expect Jerry Toliver to have one soon. (Jon Asher Photos)
“We’re enjoying the hell out of it,” Scelzi crowed. “It doesn’t get in trouble early on in the run.”
Scelzi was the first to step away from the standard Murf McKinney design over the winter and personally invest in a normalized tubing chassis from Brad Hadman. The car was debuted in post-event testing following the NHRA CSK Nationals in Phoenix, Az.
The Fresno, California-based Scelzi put the car through a strict testing regimen before banking on the ride exclusively during the NHRA Springnationals in Houston, TX. He’s since gained a positive combination and last weekend’s semi-final finish in Topeka has him happy he took the gamble.
This car fits the mandatory specs by the NHRA scheduled for implementation at the NHRA Mile High Nationals in Denver, Co. next month.
Scelzi is no longer the lone wolf in this project.
He said DSR crewchiefs Phil Shuler [Jerry Toliver] and Ed McCulloch [Ron Capps] have both taken interest in the Hadman car, although McCulloch will likely remain with his Murf McKinney combination. The car driven by Jack Beckman and tuned by Tommy Delago and Johnny West will also remain with the McKinney combination.
“McCulloch’s tune-up works better with the McKinney car but with our tune-up, we are able to get the driveshaft more out of control and the car recovers,” Scelzi added. “We like it and we are going to get Phil one and me a back-up.
Scelzi, while praising the NHRA for good side-by-side racing in Bristol and Topeka, wonders what they are thinking in halting testing and introducing a tire. He questions the moratorium on testing when nitro is available for testing.
The one possible monkey wrench into Scelzi’s peaceful euphoria with the Hadman combination is Goodyear’s new D2550 tire which will also be mandatory for all nitro teams in Denver. This ruling was handed down just days before the NHRA announced it’s moratorium on testing due to a nitro shortage by the official supplier VP Racing Fuels.
Schumacher has made the point known he’s got at minimum 300 drums of nitro readily available for testing.
“I don’t have a clue how this tire will affect our chassis,” Scelzi admitted. “I don’t have a clue but I know we need to be doing some testing.
“I just really don’t know how we can mandate testing when there’s nitro available. We’re coming out with a new Goodyear tire and there’s no clue what’s going on with a 100-pound heavier car. You think we had problems early in the year; this is going to make it worse later in the year.
“I don’t know what’s going on here but something is going to have to get resolved shortly. We are going to be in big trouble if we don’t.”
Scelzi said he’s ready, willing and able to give the NHRA props for the great racing that has transpired in Bristol [TN] and Topeka [KS].
“I have to hand it to the NHRA, we haven’t had one-lane race tracks in those events,” Scelzi said. “It’s been a pick-em. I don’t care how hot it gets; the lanes just need to be the same. They’ve done a great job on that.
“But, I’m telling you, we’ve got to get this nitro and tire thing figured out. We are going to need to do some testing.”
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