PATRICK'S BRINGS OUT BIG GUN
Sun, 2008-04-06 09:47
Defending IHRA Pro Stock champion Robert Patrick brought out his big gun for the final session of
qualifying during the IHRA Texas Nationals in San Antonio.
The Fredericksburg, Va-based driver brought out the same 820-inch Bob
Ingles engine he used to run a 6.266 elapsed time in Valdosta, Georgia
preseason testing.
“My team and my engine builder Bob Ingles really worked hard during the off-season and we tested awful hard for times like this,” Patrick said. “We had an engine in the car that we hadn’t run before and it could have run a 6.11 or so. That’s why we put last year’s race engine in the car.” Defending IHRA Pro Stock champion Robert Patrick brought out his big gun for the final session of
qualifying during the IHRA Texas Nationals in San Antonio.
The Fredericksburg, Va-based driver brought out the same 820-inch Bob
Ingles engine he used to run a 6.266 elapsed time in Valdosta, Georgia
preseason testing.
“My team and my engine builder Bob Ingles really worked hard during the off-season and we tested awful hard for times like this,” Patrick said. “We had an engine in the car that we hadn’t run before and it could have run a 6.11 or so. That’s why we put last year’s race engine in the car.”
Patrick’s 4.104 elapsed time and 174.96 speed will serve as back-ups if
he can run quicker and faster during Sunday’s final eliminations. The
current records stand at 4.100 and 175.75.
“The final run was good at the hit, but the track was weak in second gear – we trembled the tires a bit,” Patrick explained. “Other than that, it was a good run. We felt we left a little on the table with that one. The run could have been a 4.09.”
The remaining question is will Patrick go for the world record on Sunday?
“We are going to go out and make a consistent and hopefully winning run,” Patrick explained. “If we do that, I feel we can run quicker than the record. A 4.08 is possible if the conditions are right.”
Robert Patrick returned to his trusted 2007 Bob Ingles engine and climbed to the top spot in Pro Stock qualifying.
“My team and my engine builder Bob Ingles really worked hard during the off-season and we tested awful hard for times like this,” Patrick said. “We had an engine in the car that we hadn’t run before and it could have run a 6.11 or so. That’s why we put last year’s race engine in the car.” Defending IHRA Pro Stock champion Robert Patrick brought out his big gun for the final session of
Robert Patrick returned to his trusted 2007 Bob Ingles engine and climbed to the top spot in Pro Stock qualifying. (Roger Richards Photos)
“My team and my engine builder Bob Ingles really worked hard during the off-season and we tested awful hard for times like this,” Patrick said. “We had an engine in the car that we hadn’t run before and it could have run a 6.11 or so. That’s why we put last year’s race engine in the car.”
Patrick's Saturday evening performance earned him an extra 50 points towards defending his championship.
“The final run was good at the hit, but the track was weak in second gear – we trembled the tires a bit,” Patrick explained. “Other than that, it was a good run. We felt we left a little on the table with that one. The run could have been a 4.09.”
The remaining question is will Patrick go for the world record on Sunday?
“We are going to go out and make a consistent and hopefully winning run,” Patrick explained. “If we do that, I feel we can run quicker than the record. A 4.08 is possible if the conditions are right.”
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