Teach a Novice: NHRA, High Speed Drag Racing

How Fast Did he Really Go? NHRA drag racing breaks barriers.

Are You an NHRA Novice? Now might just be a great time to learn how and why men and women race to the finish line; sometimes over 300 mph.

How much money did he make? NHRA drag racing bring in big bucks; how much?

Professional drag racing is a spectator sport. Stands full of happy crowds waiting for the roar of the engine from their favorite drivers’ pit. Besides being able to make your way to a grandstand seat, there’s a lot to learn when it comes to the finer details of who wins and who loses at drag racing.

Who’s paying the bills? NHRA sponsors cough up how much?

First of all, Mello Yello is the national sponsor of the sport of drag racing. Whenever there’s a televised national event being held, Mello Yello will be well represented as such. So, sponsors don’t mean much except to fund the big budgets of some of the teams. Depending on the class they plan to compete in, money will play an important role in being competitive. “It takes dollars to make dollars in the drag racing business, my friend”.

Continue following these short segments as I take you through what it’s like living a drag race lifestyle.

2011 E.T. Drag Racing at Royal Purple Raceway

The newly crowned Royal Purple Raceway (formerly Houston Raceway Park 1988-2010) has a complete series of competition drag races scheduled in 2011. These competitions are a part of the O'Reilly E.T. Bracket Racing Series which attracts drag racers and their vehicles of different speeds to compete on the same track for cash prizes and great awards.

The 2011 O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series hosted at the new Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas will be one of the drag racing series we compete in during the drag race season of the NHRA Division 4, South central region.

Bracket racing is the incubator for professional drag race teams that had their start back at the beginning. Bracket racing budgets are millions of dollars less than those of the highest priced Top Fuel dragster teams but the competitions are as close if not closer than any other classification of drag racing.

This is where young drivers learn to go 100, 150, 200 and 300 miles an hour down the track on their way from rookie to champion of the class. Imagine jumping out of a plane without a chute and it would be similar to getting behind the wheel of 8000 horsepower drag race engine inside of a million dollar car without doing run after run after run of bracket racing and sportsman racing up through the classes of vehicles as more power is introduced to go faster.

E.T. Bracket racing lets drivers choose their time. That means they must tune their drag race vehicle to reach the end of the track at a prescribed time. Using a handicap start, the host track controls the starting time. This gives a slower vehicle a head start before the faster vehicle gets to leave the starting line.

Everything rides on the finish. Whoever gets to the end with the closest time to the time they chose without going faster wins. Going faster does not win any races here but getting to work on time will will every time.

This racing is very exciting and gives everyone an equal chance to win or lose. Competitors in the series throughout the year are also racing for track awards and points which can be turned in for cash or and/or an invitation to the Bracket Team Championship held every year at the Division 4 Summit E.T. Finals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, TX.

Super Pro 4550 Robin Fitzhenry-Walsh will compete in 2011.

March 12-13, 2011
April 2-3, 2011
May 7-8, 2011
May 21-22, 2011
June 18-19, 2011
August 20-21, 2011
September 10-11, 2011

Summit E.T. Finals
October 8-10, 2011

Important Drag Race Links:

Drag Race Central
Houston area Racing forum

I'm heading to my facebook profile and then to Twitter to retweet some of my friends news from today.

Introducing the NEW Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas

I am many things and I scour many topics. This is one piece of news that I caught right on time. It seems like I've stepped outside myself because I didn't hear anything about it until it was said and done. I'm looking at the future while standing in the past.

From wikipedia

Houston Raceway Park is a quarter-mile dragstrip in Baytown, Texas, just outside Houston. It opened in 1988 and hosts the NHRA's O'Reilly Spring Nationals. It has a seating capacity for nearly 50,000 spectators, with additional grandstand seating brought in during major events.[1] Houston Raceway Park's pit area holds approximately 400 racing rigs, with additional pit parking available on grass. The spectator parking lots have a capacity of over 10,000 cars, along with a special VIP parking area capable of holding an additional 600 vehicles.

In 2000, Houston Raceway Park opened a new world class high banked 3/8 mile dirt oval track at the facility.

The track is owned by the Angel Brothers of Baytown, Texas.

*Announcing the arrival of the NEW Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas; formerly Houston Raceway Park*



Facebook OLD * NEW
Twitter OLD * NEW (no new one yet)
Website OLD (gone) * NEW

Coming off the renovation and construction of new seating, club and I over heard restrooms, the Angel brothers have renovated the name of their race facilities (drag-strip and dirt track) in Baytown, Texas from Houston Raceway Park to Royal Purple Raceway.

The new raceway is better than the old raceway but the new name isn't as good as the old one. The old one didn't advertise anything but racing and today it advertises racing and Royal Purple. Welcome to Houston, I mean welcome to Royal Purple.

There's commentary on the way things are done for everything. Taxes go up and we want them to go down (I bet you didn't know) even after they go down. We would just as soon go back to the old ways of doing things if we could because the old ways are better; more value. I for one agree with some of it as long as I have a fast connection.

I have to stop on this type of matter if I want to look back and then look ahead at what the future holds for mass produced commercialism. For what it's worth an old name is worth more than a new name in the long run. The LONG run.

Maybe a name change is good. I think about names and changing names and think to myself that the old name must have had a problem. If you had too many nick names I bet you'd be wanting to change your name too. I know, my name is Francis. But I didn't hear of any problems with the old name and now that there's a new name I think I know why the old name is gone. But everything is the same except the new club, seating, AC and restrooms. Right?

So maybe it's in the name but then again maybe not. I don't know because I don't know anything; just that Houston Raceway Park is dead from a purple heart.

Francis Damian Walsh

Mr. Walsh is an author of many unique blogs and original content. Freelance writing allows this writer to explore subjects and views that are individual to the author and in no way represent views of any other individual or group.

Opinion pieces are meant to be opinionated and invite debate. This commentary is more about the changing face of commercialism than it is about anything else. The opportunity to write comes from the author and on the author's inclination to write.

http://powerfitz.blogspot.com
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http://www.powerfitz.com
http://www.fleshfarewell.com
http://www.powerfitz.com/blog/blog/wordpress (for writers)

UPDATE December 23rd:

Read the Houston Chronicle article

By RUSS GOODALL
Copyright 2010 For the Chronicle
Aug. 17, 2010, 6:52PM

Houston Raceway park becomes Royal Purple Raceway

Top Sportsman 4556 is fixed.

Over the off-season the Stallion of the stable had major work done to it's legs. At the race before the national last year she broke the rear-end to pieces which wicked up into the transmission too. The force was so hard the output shaft was twisted around itself where it slid into the transmission connected by some very strong teeth. Those teeth were all wiped out.

The rear-end was in pieces but the housing and axles survived the event; so did the motor. We tore out the rear-end right away and the transmission too. Now that it's all back together it started with ease. Filling the transmission taught me a lesson I thought I already knew. I got some fluid spit up at me from stupidity. That is all.

The season is only a full moth away and a week or two. I'm ready to get on with the show!

awewriter @ Team Nitrousfitz of BDR Racing

2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Race Series

NHRA.com and the NHRA are hosting the 2011 Full Throttle drag race seaon at the following locations and times:

51st Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Pomona, CA Feb. 24-27
42nd Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, FL (PSM) March 10-13
12th SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals Las Vegas, NV April 1-3
2nd NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Concord, NC April 14-17
24th O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals Houston, TX (PSM) April 29-May 1
31st Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals Commerce, GA (PSM) May 13-15
23rd O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Summer Nationals Topeka, KS May 20-22
42nd NHRA SuperNationals Englishtown, NJ (PSM) June 2-5
11th NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Bristol, TN June 17-19
5th Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Norwalk, OH (PSM) June 23-26
14th United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals Chicago, IL (PSM) July 7-10
32nd Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Denver, CO (PSM) July 22-24
24th FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals Sonoma, CA (PSM) July 29-31
24th NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle, WA Aug. 5-7
30th Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd, MN (PSM) Aug. 18-21
57th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals by Lucas Oil Indianapolis, IN (PSM)Aug. 31 – Sept. 5

Countdown to the Championship
4th O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals Concord, NC (PSM) Sept. 15-18
26th AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Dallas, TX (PSM) Sept. 22-25
27th NHRA Keystone Nationals Reading, PA (PSM) Sept. 29 - Oct. 2
27th NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix, AZ (PSM) Oct. 14-16
11th NHRA Las Vegas Nationals Las Vegas, NV (PSM) Oct. 27-30
47th Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals Pomona, CA (PSM) Nov.10-13

2011 NHRA Divison 4 South Central Schedule

Each year the NHRA and Lucas Oil team up to offer sportsmen racers the opportunity to compete in division for the right to go to the last race of the year in Pamona California. This year is no different.

Each of these races allows BDR Racing and Team Nitrousfitz to compete against the best sportsmen racers in the South Central region of the United States and competitors from other divisions. Each race is a full weekend of racing with traveling. Being at the track first and last means you went prepared and you left a winner. 2011 is poised to be the best year yet for BDR racing and the drivers for Team Nitrousfitz.

The following races have been scheduled for 2011 in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series challenge for 2011.

"The Good Guys" Division 4 South Central region of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) sponsored American drag racing circuit will compete:

March 4-6 Houston Raceway Park Houston, Texas
April 15-17 Texas Motorplex Dallas, Texas
May 27-29 No Problem Raceway Park Belle Rose, La.
June 10-12 Tulsa Raceway Park Tulsa, Okla.
September 16-18 Huston Raceway Park Houston, Texas
October 7-9 Thunder Valley Raceway Park

Contact awewriter@gmail.com for more information on

Houston Nitrous Bottle refills
Houston Custom Bead Blasting
BDR Racing and Team Nitrousfitz

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Pamona 2010 (14 days and counting)

Pamona 2010 Kicks off the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Race Season in 14 days

You know it. The NHRA is back on again in fourteen days and that means that for Team Nitrousfitz and B&D Racing, the season is just a few short weeks away. Right now, the off season was filled with things to do. "It looks like the season will have it's own obstacles too, new and old. The Chevelle project is moving, but appears not to be finished by the time the 2010 drag racing begins for the three drivers and their team at Team Nitrousfitz and B&D Racing. Both dragster came off the end of last year with solid runs. SP4550 is ready right out of the box to win the first race a Houston Raceway Park. The News is big this year and the opportunity is great.

If you didn't know it, the NHRA is introducing Top Sportsman and Top Dragster to the lineup of races at National NHRA drag races. This makes it possible for two out of the three drivers of Team Nitrousfitz to have a showing at a national event this year. The registration procedures are making it hard for us to get in the race, but if this pattern continues, we will surely find our way into all the division 4 national events that feature either the Top Sportsman or Top Dragster classes. "It's what the team was built up to do, to get into the races involves having good results at other divisional events and attendance at more circuit races throughout the year.

We will be watching when we can, and racing when we can, all year. Come and say hello! Give us a shout out on your own blog, or just come back and read what else is going on down here in Texas. We're "Racing for Money" in the NHRA with three different class vehicles, Super Pro 4550, Top Sportsman 46 (2009), and Top Dragster 4200, Team Nitrousfitz.

- R Fitzhenry-Walsh

Getting on with NHRA 2010

We're waiting for the last minute I guess. The work that is going to be poured into the team this year is just now getting straight in my head. What, with all the other work that went on during the off-season, the new year of racing is just about here and we look forward to getting all the cars back on the track as soon as they are ready. "So, who's ready?"

Super Pro competitor 4550, Robin Walsh is ready. Her dragster had a great year last year and the driver is getting more seat time and experience at winning against some of the best competitors in Texas. So let's get going with the going already..

The other two vehicles will still need some hand time before either one gets a pass down the track. The 662 needs to have the transmission pulled and set for a new trans-lock solenoid. This dragster has run some of the quickest qualifying times against the best of the West, but this year will prove to be a year for wins and no losses.

The 7065 BB Top Sportsman entrant had some extensive work done to the plenum under the hood scoop. What might have been lacking previously is an amount of air volume inside the scoop to be available when getting to the top end of the track. Look for faster time trials than ever before with this high quality drag vehicle maintained and driven by team leader B Fitzhenry. Look for the whole team to come together this year and pull out some high quality wins, even at the first of the national NHRA events to host Top Sportsman and Top Dragster in 2010.

The Power Letter was created by FD Walsh, crew member and teammate to the whole B&D Racing family of drivers and equipment. 2010 is the year we've been waiting for.

FD Walsh

READ

Powerfitz Publishing
Flesh Farewell Trilogy
Houston's Finest Event Planners

2010 NHRA Schedule

"Click on the Image to go to NHRA.com"


2010 Full Throttle Drag Series
2010 Lucas Oil Series
2010 Hot Rod Heritage Series
2010 NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Series
Summit E.T. Finals
2009 Sportsman Class Schedule
2009 Online Registration Schedule
National DRAGSTER Challenge
King of the Track
Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge
National Hot Rod Reunion
California Hot Rod Reunion

Houston Raceway Park 2010 Racing Schedule

Houston Raceway Park

2010 RACING SCHEDULE

JANUARY

Fri                    Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29         AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sun                  Jan. 17                        NOS Import Face Off

FEBRUARY

Fri                    Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26        AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Fri-Sat              Feb. 19-20                  USMTS Modified National Event (Speedway)

Sat.                 Feb. 20                        Hurricane Alley Motorcycle Drag Racing Series

MARCH

Thurs.              Mar. 4                        "Tower Club" Open House 

Fri-Sun            Mar. 5-7                      2^nd annual DragRaceHose.com Spring Warm-up presented by GoodRidge USA (Open Dragstrip Test Session) 

Fri-Sat             Mar. 12-13                  ADRL Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza VI

Fri                   Mar. 19, 26                AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sat-Sun           Mar. 27-28                  O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series               

APRIL

Fri                   Apr. 2, 16, 23, 30        AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sat                  Apr. 3                        ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car Series (Speedway)

Fri-Sun            Apr. 9-11                     23^rd Annual NHRA O'Reilly Spring Nationals

MAY

Sat-Sun           May 1-2                       O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

Sat                  May 1                         ASCS Wingless Sprint Bandits (Speedway)

Fri                   May 7, 14, 21, 28        AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sat-Sun           May 22-23                   O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

JUNE

Fri                    Jun. 4, 18, 25               AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Fri-Sat             Jun. 11-12                   NHRA Lucas Oil Texas Sportsman Challenge

Sat-Sun           Jun. 19-20                   O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

Sat                  Jun. 19                        ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car Series (Speedway)

JULY

Fri                    Jul. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30      AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sat                   Jul. 10                         Mean Street Events Car/Drift Show

Sat                   Jul. 17                        ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car Series (Speedway)

Sat                   Jul. 17                        Houston All Motorcycle Championships

Sat                   Jul. 31                        O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

AUGUST

Fri                    Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27       AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

Sat-Sun           Aug. 28-29                  O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

SEPTEMBER

Fri                    Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24       AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night       

Sat-Sun           Sept. 11-12                  O'Reilly Auto Parts E.T. Bracket Racing Series

Sat                   Sept. 18                     ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car Series (Speedway)                                         

OCTOBER

Fri-Sun            Oct. 1-3                       3^rd Annual Texas National Motorcycle Rally

Fri                    Oct. 8, 22, 29              AAA of Texas Friday Street Night

Fri-Sat             Oct. 15-16                    PINKS ALL OUT

NOVEMBER

Fri                    Nov. 5, 12, 19             AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night       

Sat-Sun           Nov. 13-14                  2^nd Annual NMRA/NMCA Lone Star Shootout

Thurs-Sat         Nov. 18-20                  4^th USMTS Texas Winter Nationals (Speedway)

DECEMBER

Fri                    Dec. 3, 10, 17              AAA of Texas Friday Safe Street Night

John Force says 'Enough is Enough' to Tony Pedregon

John Force is what the NHRA is all about. Period.

This past weekend in Indianapolis the U.S. Nationals were contested for the 55th year at O'Reilly Raceway Park. This yearly NHRA event is 'The One'. A drag racing event that every race fan and drag racer looks to attend at least once in their life. The weekend was long and the racing was great. If you were watching the 55th running of the NHRA U.S. Nationals like we were, then you saw John Force prove why his fans love him and hate everyone else.

John Force Racing

During the Nitro Fuel Funny Car elimination rounds, John Force competed against Robert Hight, a JFR vehicle. Winning the round would put another JFR vehicle in the chase for the NHRA Nitro Fuel Funny Car class championship. Some might think that the decision is an easy one but NHRA rules say that there can be no 'laying down' during an event.

John and Robert raced heads-up. During the race John's Ford went into tire spin and sent him toward the wall. Robert took the win and the last place in the chase for a championship. No problem, right? Wrong. No one likes a winner, right? Or no one likes a sore loser, right? If you love John Force, you love him wether he wins OR loses. The Pedregons might find that people follow John Force because they respect him for how he plays the game.

It must be nice to work all your life and let people talk smack about you, your career, and your work within the NHRA. Let's not forget that John Force has not only given himself to the sport, but his entire family. His daughters, wife, and the other members of the family who race along side him. Let's not forget that his message is heard more than any other competitor when he speaks to the media. Let's us not also forget that we love a winner, and hate sore losers. Bite it Mr. Pedregon, that's how the cookie crumbles.

Fitz

Nitrousfitz Power Letter 2009 1st Edition, Vol. 1

Family ties are represented in the way the members interact and support the development of each other. By promoting the best parts of each individual, the dynamic produces the best result from individual efforts. If you think this is analytical, then you haven't had an opportunity to go drag racing with Team Nitrousfitz, a third generation family of professional drivers and vehicle designers that look to take advantage of the NHRA with a full roster for 2009.

Super Pro, Top Dragster, and Top Sportsman entries means 3 drivers, 4 crew, and 5 team members who have to work together at home and on the road in order to get everyone into the winner circle in 2009.

Off-Season maintenance has included running valves, change oil and filter for engine and transmission, replace gear oil, batteries, and an added fuel regulator has just been completed. Mid February brings a two day test and tune opportunity for all. Images and video will be available after each meet. Results and news can be seen here, @awewriter, and @powerfitz on Twitter.

The Powerfitz.com Power Letter November 2008

The Powerfitz.com Power Letter November 2008

TEAM NITROUSFITZ NEWS * Release Immediately *

Drag racing is about going to the track for some real competitive horsepower showdowns in the NHRA division 4, South Central regional circuits of the United States. As the curtain closes on the NHRA 2008 season, only a bracket bash event will put the period on the sentence of 2008 drag race season for Team Nitrousfitz and that’s exactly what we plan on doing next weekend at Raceway Park in Baytown Texas.

It’s domestic bliss. Our family of drag racers has been building and tuning competitive power-plants stuffed inside custom tube frames for over 19 years. 2008 marks the 19th invitation to the NHRA bracket finals for division 4. More than a milestone, this year’s race was run by 2nd generation drag racer Robin Fitzhenry, who carried on the tradition of getting off first and ending on time. In only her second year racing in the bracket series from Raceway Park in Baytown Texas, she was able to stay in the top 20 of her track, and completed a first round win at the division 4 bracket finals at the Motorplex in Ennis Texas. The torch has been passed. Now we look forward to next year’s schedule which will be more about ratcheting up the horsepower in the Top Sportsman and Top Dragster classes with customized nitrous oxide multi-staged systems that are computer controlled to bring the team’s engines up to speed.

2008 was ultimately a “test and tune” kind of year for Team Nitrousfitz. Though you might not be able to tell by the final point’s standings, what with a division 4 top 10 in Top Sportsman, and an invitation to the bracket finals, all three classes were performing harder and faster than in previous years AND without actually running their engines where they will be next year. Team top speed during 2008 competitions was 197mph for Top Dragster, and 204mph for Top Sportsman. Outside of some minor issues with system performance, the 2008 race season has been damage free, and a winter refresh and testing session will be all that’s needed to get into the 2009 season. Look for the addition of stage three in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster in 2009, the continuing bracket challenges, and by the end of 2009, a Jr. Dragster for 2010. This will be the 3rd generation for Team Nitrousfitz which will carry the progressive championship spirit with it well into the future of division 4 NHRA, sportsman drag racing.

Team Nitrousfitz ends the 2008 season in Ennis, TX.

Our team was present at Red River Raceway in Gilliam, LA on the weekend of October 3rd, and in Ennis, TX on the weekend of October 10th. Two NHRA Division 4 competitions bring to an end the 2008 race circuit for the team. Both weekends were completed by the the scheduled racers, and for three Team Nitrousfitz members, now that the season is over, it's time for a refresh for equipment and racers combined.

In Gilliam, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster was where our team was racing. In the end, Team Nitrousfitz holds a top 10 spot in points in Division 4 Top Sportsman. It's not easy fighting off all the regular racers to pick up a top ten. Next year will be the year the power is turned up. The existing Nitrous Oxide systems have yet to be used completely, and now that this year's tests are over, next year we will be introducing an added stage in the Nitrous injection during rounds.

On a memorable note, team members have been invited to the NHRA division 4 bracket finals for the 19th straight year in 2008. An accomplishment which is magnified by the fact that this year the torch was passed to 2nd generation drag racer Robin Fitzhenry. "Way to go!"

Team Powerfitz is following the NHRA Championship races each week, and with the help of National Dragster and ESPN, will continue to post the news on local and national NHRA drag race news here at the Powerfitz blog produced by the POWER NETTER of Powerfitz.com.

VENOM COMPUTERIZED NITROUS SYSTEM Advanced dual-processor management module plus Venom nitrous metering valve (patent pending) make this system the best you can buy! You can custom program performance gains from 10 to 175 HP! No need for jets, pills...no need to raise fuel pressure Automatically stops nitrous flow if air/fuel mixture becomes too lean, minimizing risk of engine damage Optimizes air/fuel ratio at ANY bottle pressure. The most advanced system available! The secret is in the nitrous management module that YOU can program using the software included. YOU choose the amount of nitrous injected with the click of mouse-see the 3 program modes above. Module ensures optimum air fuel ratio mixture by using existing fuel injectors and oxygen sensor. No damage to engine. No extra pressure to the regulator as with conventional systems. No too-rich mixtures resulting in fouled plugs and oil saturation. Backlit LCD driver information display constantly informs you of critical engine data: RPM, injector pulse width, throttle angle, exhaust status (rich/lean), operating mode and system status. Includes: nitrous management module, LCD display, valve and solenoid assembly with fuse, wiring harness, nitrous bottle, nitrous braided hose, mounting brackets, software, PC download cable, switch and tuning guide, installation manual. Requirements: Windows(r) 95, 98 or NT system. CUSTOM PROGRAM 3 OPERATIONAL MODES! Easy to use! Simply plug the management module into the service port of your PC. Then, using the software included, you can "custom tailor" the nitrous to operate in any one of 3 different ways. 1. Drag mode. Same mode as current nitrous systems. You program the amount of nitrous to be delivered to the engine at wide-open throttle 2. Linear mode. You program at what throttle angle nitrous should be introduced. The management module then adds a proportionate amount of nitrous in relation to the throttle angle. The higher the angle, the greater the nitrous flow (up to a maximum amount programmed by you). It feels like a turbo! 3. Timed mode. You program at what throttle angle nitrous should be introduced and the percentage that should be added. You also program length of time nitrous will be injected. Ideal for turbocharged engines.

Red River Raceway: Hurricane Ike Race this Weekend

The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series head to Red River Raceway in Gilliam Louisiana for the rescheduled meeting of the Division 4 NHRA South Central Region Sportsman series competition.

Scheduled for the weekend of September 12th, Hurrican Ike prevented the running of this race, and now Team Nitrousfitz will be attending to bring home the Wally for Team Nitrousfitz team leader B. Fitzhenry who currently sits #6 in the Division 4 Top Sportsman competitor list.

Gates at Red River Raceway open at 8 a.m. every day of the raceday. Qualifying and time trials begin on Friday @ 9 a.m. and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. This is going to be an all-out race to the finish of the 2008 Division 4 Top Sportsman and Top Dragster season. Both vehicles pump Nitrous Oxide for better performance. Using only the best equipment and techniques for performance, Team Nitrousfitz look s to improve their record with a big win at Red River.

Team Nitrousfitz wants you to learn more about Nitrous Oxide, and how you can use it to get better performance from your vehicle. Here are some great kits and systems that might work well for you. Start learning now, and find out the best way to get more horsepower from your street or race vehicle with the addition of a quality Nitrous Oxide kit or system here:

HOLLEY® NOS® CHEATER™ KIT Adjust power level from 150 to 250 horsepower in seconds! Designed for use on 350 CID or larger carbureted engines. The NOS® Cheater™ uses large nitrous and fuel solenoids and can be adjusted to any desired power level from 150 to 250 horsepower in a matter of seconds. The Cheater™ system is easy to install and utilizes a 1/2" thick injector plate that fits between the carburetor and intake manifold to provide ample hood clearance. Includes a 10 lbs. nitrous bottle, 4 stages of jets, aircraft quality steel braided line and all necessary electrical and mounting hardware for a complete installation. Each single carburetor Cheater™ system includes jet pack #13725 that allows jetting to 4 different horsepower levels: 150, 180, 210 and 250. IMPORTANT NOTE: To supply the proper amount of fuel to the carburetor and Cheater™ system, a fuel pump must be used that is designed to operate between 5 and 10 PSI with a flow rate of 0.1 gallons per hour/horsepower at 6 PSI. Fuel Pumps sold separately (item # ZX274475 and ZX274476). Safety Switch sold separately (Item # ZX274477). NOTE: SKU numbers ending in F are factory shipped and may take a little longer to reach you.

NOS ® POWERFOGGER ™ "WET" SYSTEM Adjustable for a 30-, 50- or 75-HP increase without engine modification! Cutting-edge single-fogger wet system features an exclusive Soft-Plume nozzle to produce the finest, safest fuel/nitrous mixture possible Thoroughly dyno-tested to ensure safe, dependable results on virtually any 4- or 6-cylinder car you want to "squeeze" Performance gains will vary depending on engine's condition and configuration. This system can be used on an engine with stock rods, pistons and crankshaft, but at power levels of 140 and above, it is recommended that heavy-duty forged components be used. Due to the nature of nitrous oxide injection, some cars "like" a certain nitrous tune-up more than others.

Team Nitrousfitz loaded their vehicles Sunday, September 28th. Three members of the team will be attending the race. While running two racers in two two different classes can be a difficult task for the best trained competitors, Team Nitrousfitz has been sending this trio of Nitrousfitz pros out to all the tracks around Texas, and they've brought home some great wins in many of the events. They look to get an early start on the weekend, so that they get the best opportunity to win this year's points race in the Top Sportsman class of drag race.

Bound for Gilliam from Houston, the team will depart Thurday Morning, October 2nd 4:00AM, and expect to arrive by 10:00AM the same morning. Parking and unloading will happen upon arrival and test and tune will begin that afternoon. Getting the best opportunity to win big races means getting a head start on each and every round of racing. Visit with Team Nitrousfitz and show your support of the 3rd Generation NHRA Drag Race family.

VENOM COMPUTERIZED NITROUS SYSTEM Advanced dual-processor management module plus Venom nitrous metering valve (patent pending) make this system this the best you can buy! You can custom program performance gains from 10 to 175 HP! No need for jets, pills...no need to raise fuel pressure Automatically stops nitrous flow if air/fuel mixture becomes too lean, minimizing risk of engine damage Optimizes air/fuel ratio at ANY bottle pressure. The most advanced system available! The secret is in the nitrous management module that YOU can program using the software included. YOU choose the amount of nitrous injected with the click of mouse-see the 3 program modes above. Module ensures optimum air fuel ratio mixture by using existing fuel injectors and oxygen sensor. No damage to engine. No extra pressure to the regulator as with conventional systems. No too-rich mixtures resulting in fouled plugs and oil saturation. Backlit LCD driver information display constantly informs you of critical engine data: RPM, injector pulse width, throttle angle, exhaust status (rich/lean), operating mode and system status. Includes: nitrous management module, LCD display, valve and solenoid assembly with fuse, wiring harness, nitrous bottle, nitrous braided hose, mounting brackets, software, PC download cable, switch and tuning guide, installation manual. Requirements: Windows(r) 95, 98 or NT system. CUSTOM PROGRAM 3 OPERATIONAL MODES! Easy to use! Simply plug the management module into the service port of your PC. Then, using the software included, you can "custom tailor" the nitrous to operate in any one of 3 different ways. 1. Drag mode. Same mode as current nitrous systems. You program the amount of nitrous to be delivered to the engine at wide-open throttle 2. Linear mode. You program at what throttle angle nitrous should be introduced. The management module then adds a proportionate amount of nitrous in relation to the throttle angle. The higher the angle, the greater the nitrous flow (up to a maximum amount programmed by you). It feels like a turbo! 3. Timed mode. You program at what throttle angle nitrous should be introduced and the percentage that should be added. You also program length of time nitrous will be injected. Ideal for turbocharged engines.

Bitch Slapped

Can they really do that in 2008?

The NHRA boasts the newest opportunities for athlete to achieve the highest goals of their sport. Drag racing as a sport has some of the most dedicated fans and players. In 2008, the cream of the crop is rising to the top, and as the year progresses towards the Chase for the championships, th NHRA divisions and pros are getting ready to make a break for the lead.

We all need a #1

This year may bring a first to the NHRA. There have been a few already this year with Ashley Force qualifying #1 in Team Force's Nitro Funny Car. She's one of the new leading players in the sport of high-speed, high-risk motorsports where the sky's the limit in more ways than one.

She ain't no regular lady

Let's mention that Ashley Force is female, and there won't be any eyebrows raised because Team Force has been preparing the world for a whole new breed of Drag Race fan and competititor. The Ladies are back in town, just not in the back of the house. More and more women and girls are pushing pedals to the metals that make up their high-speed driving machines.

How did they do that?

Getting on the track is easy for anyone, but for those who are able to bring something to the tree, how the women get there and how the men who got them there got there are two totally different paths.

What a Hurricane will do, it will do.

The NHRA Division 4 race in Shreveport Louisiana was cancelled over the September 12th, 2008 weekend. The arrival of Hurrican Ike into the Houston Ship Channel caused major damage the to core competitors who run the sportsman class of NHRA Drag Racing. Team Nitrousfitz was contained at home in Tomball Texas as Hurrican Ike struck the Gulf Coast a mere 55 miles away. With the core race team together in one place, support member who live in Houston hunkered down to weather the storm.

Robin Fitzhenry looks to run the the Bracket Series Finals at Baytown texas if she can turn a first alternate bubble seat into a place at the starting line with her SUper Comp Dragster. The team is completely behind this new generation Bracket racer from an established team of drag racing competitors. Husband and wife team Bob and Debbie Fitzhenry look forward to the rescheduled Division 4 race that was cancelled due to Ike, but be sure that the whole team will be present when the Dicvision 4 Nhra Sportsmen drag racers hit the lines in Louisiana.

Here are some great deals that have been keeping us looking for more. Shop today at the Powerfitz Blog Mall and find a great trick, tip, or tool right here, right now.

NHRA Division 4 Bracket and Sportsman classes dominate weekends here at Powerfitz.

Ask the head of household what they want most this weekend, and you'll be told that they want nice weather even under the threat of Gustav, and that double points would really help them get the the bracket finals.

The year is getting close to the apex for both sportsman and bracket competitors. Over-all the weather has been good for all the races, minus one or two rainy days. As the points become tighter in the race for bracket finals, R. Fitzhenry wants to get the races going to see if she has made her spot in thisyear's bracket finale. Team Nitrousfitz includes members who have been invited to the bracket finals from Baytown, TX for over 20 years. The hopes of the team as past competitors rise up from the bracket race circut, and devote more race time to the new Sportsman class Top Dragster, and Top Sportsman. With every point that can be garnished on race day, the newest team member looks like she'll be that much closer to her goal.

Upcoming trips to Baytown and Shreveport will take up the next two weekends. Hope the track is good, and the competitors late.

Powerfitz is a Houston Nitrous Oxide dealer and distributor. Find the nitrous kit you want from one of the great manufacturer's Powerfitz offers.

Tech Tips for Nitrous. The questions we all have. #1

Nitrous Knowledge: Presented by Nitrous Supply
Tech Tips from the Innovator of Nitrous Oxide Injection


Written by Mike Thermos
Making More Power with Water?




"How compatible are nitrous oxide and water injection?" That is currently the most asked question on the Nitrous Supply tech line. Because of that, I'm dedicating this month's entire column to nitrous and water injection.

For starters, nitrous oxide injection and water injection are very compatible because one enhances and complements the other. In fact, the addition of water injection to your nitrous setup is currently the most logical, most efficient, most economical solution to improved nitrous efficiencies, eventually leading to increased power.

Based on my more than 25 years of experience in researching, developing and perfecting nitrous oxide injection it is a proven fact that only "things" that burn can produce horsepower - "things" that don't burn do not make horsepower. So, the obvious question here is, "How can adding a water-injection system to my nitrous setup make any additional horsepower as water does not burn?" Very true! But, a water injection unit does create improved efficiencies that, ultimately, help your nitrous system produce additional power. Basically, here is the way it works: To make more horsepower we know we have to burn more fuel, so we introduce more fuel into the engine. But, to burn the additional fuel you need to bring in more nitrous. More nitrous comes from the simple installation of bigger jets. But, by burning more fuel, cylinder pressure increases dramatically, while also creating much more heat. With more heat in the cylinder the need arises to get rid of it before it starts to cause detonation of the fuel and/or before it soaks into all of the major components, like the heads, the block and the pistons. An engine gets rid of its heat by transferring heat through the heads, block and pistons into the water jackets and, ultimately, into the radiator. However, most of the heat is dispersed through the exhaust. Consequently, it makes logical sense to introduce something into the engine that will become part of the exhaust process and dissipate heat quickly. That "something" is water injected into an engine by an efficient water-injection unit.

For more on water injection and its compatibility with nitrous oxide, I've enlisted the expertise of Matt Snow of Snow Performance. Snow Performance is currently recognized as the leader in water-injection technology and specializes in producing high quality, power efficient, water-methanol injection systems. According to Matt Snow, the biggest benefit of combining water-methanol injection with nitrous oxide is you can run full timing with increased amounts of nitrous and not have to worry about "hot pockets" or detonation. Water-methanol injection can also increase engine efficiencies in terms of miles per gallon, in addition to producing more power. According to Matt, water-methanol injection and nitrous oxide are the perfect 1-2 combination for producing additional, efficient horsepower. When water-methanol injection is combined with nitrous oxide more fuel can be burned, more nitrous can be used, and more power is created. While detonation is minimized, timing does not have to be retarded, combustion is slowed down (similar to the effect of using high-octane fuel) and cylinder pressure and heat are controlled. Basically, with a Snow water-methanol injection system your nitrous setup will become much more efficient, while ultimately, producing much more power.

So, the answer is, yes, water injection is very compatible with nitrous oxide and should be combined with any/all nitrous setups for the ultimate in efficient power gains.

For more information on nitrous and water injection, call the NS Tech Line at (714) 373-1986, visit www.nitroussupply.com, or call Snow Performance at (719) 633-3811, and check out www.snowperformance.net. DR

And the year picks up the pace.

The best way to describe the Drag Race season is quite the same as explaning what happens when you drag race. "You pick up enough speed to make it to the end quickly."

All of our efforts have been to drive the team forward. Months and months of preparations are bringing us closer to the prizes we are wanting to get from the grasps of the other competitors in the NHRA Division 4 South Central Region .

We have already taken Top Sportsman Division meet 1st place with Team Nitrousfitz Leader taking home the win in March 2008 at the Bella Rose No Problems Raceway in Bella rose, LA.

Are you looking for a new nitrous kit? Do you want to learn how to install and race your vehicle at the drag strip? Do need noew tubing and solenoids for your nitrous system. Are you looking to upgrade your racing equipment becasue you want to win more drag races? Check in on our drag race blog Powerfitz. Powerfitz the blog contains great things for you to learn and purchase right here at the Powerfitz blog.

Learn to run with the fast ones on Nitrous Oxide. Get the Nitrous Boost you need to win more Drag Races from Powerfitz and Team Nitrousfitz.