14 November 2010

Mark Mariani driving for Rapisarda Racing at his second NHRA Top Fuel event in Pomona California.

Also see 'Aussie Dave' Grubnic performances from this weekend driving for Kalitta Racing, Dave has been driving NHRA Top Fuel in the United States since 1995.

NHRA Top Fuel is run over 1000 foot which differs to ANDRA Top Fuel at 1320 foot (Traditional Quarter Mile).

14 November 2010 (USA)

Eliminations Round 1

Kalitta beats Grubnic with a fireball going through the lights, 3.888 to 3.997

Grubnic makes another clean pass, but can’t match Kalitta’s pace down the track.

That put an end to any further Aussie involvement at this event.

13 November 2010 (USA)

Qualifying Round Four

Saturday 5:05 p.m. – The Aussie doesn’t make it. Mariani went 4.187 / 266.64

  • Mark ended his NHRA schedule in Pomona as #22 out of 26 contenders
  • Mark Mariani’s incremental times: 60ft-0.877 sec., 330ft-2.279Mph, 660ft-3.302/245.81Mph.
  • Grubnic made the field as #14 in the Kalitta Air Dragster with a 3.928 / 298.60 Mph
  • The bump was set by Dom Lagana with a 3.939 / 308.85 Mph

Qualifying Round Three

Saturday 1:30 p.m. – Mariani had to do some driving on a 4.051 / 28 6.01Mph to get on the bump spot then got pushed to #17 by the end of the session

  • Mark in #17 not yet Qualified
  • Grubby goes 4.068 / 264.70.
  • Grubnic #18 also not yet Qualified
  • Last Qualifying session scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
  • Ron August sits on the Bump with 4.019 in 16th

Fellow Australian Rhett Lougheed on his Pro Stock Suzuki hasn’t made the field and finished Qualifying in 19th spot with a 7.095 / 188.12 Mph.

12 November 2010 (USA)

Qualifying Round Two

Friday 3:23 p.m. – Mariani’s fueler starts to drop cylinder on the left bank and it drives the car almost over the center line before he can get it straightened out with a 4.259/214.18 Mph

  • Mark #21 not yet qualified
  • the bump now at 4.004
  • 28 TF cars now posted times.
  • Two more chances left tomorow to make the field.
  • Grubnic #22

Not a great day for the Aussie brigade better luck on last of qualifying tomorrow.

Top Fuel Q2 Review

Although Dixon remained atop the Top Fuel field at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, he didn’t make a full run Saturday while Tony Schumacher had the second-quickest run to give him two bonus points and cut Dixon’s lead to 84 points.

Dixon remained held onto the No. 1 position with his Thursday 3.813, but had to shut down his Al-Anabi dragster early on his solo Friday pass, slowing to a 5.70 and watching Schumacher, in the other lane, nibble away slightly at his lead with a 3.855. That run did not improve on the Army driver’s Thursday 3.840, but served notice of his team’s intent, but Dixon’s not yet worried.

Third-ranked Doug Kalitta has the best-looking dragster so far after backing up his Thursday 3.840 with a 3.841 that earned him three points and moved him into a tie for sixth place with Brandon Bernstein. Cory McClenathan is fourth with a 3.853 also registered Thursday.

The top eight is rounded out by Shawn Langdon (3.881), Steve Torrence (3.852), Bernstein (3.895), and Antron Brown (3.905). Mike Strasburg has the 12th and final e.t. that will transfer into Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions with a 3.943.

11 November 2010 (USA)

Qualifying Round One

Thursday 3:20 p.m. – Mariani smokes ’em a few hundred feet out on a 5.148/136.18 Mph against Cullinan who loses $2,500 on this one (oil down penalty). He burns it up going down track on a 4.344/238.17 Mph that won’t count.

  • Mark is currently in 13th after 21 cars have posted times
  • Several cars times where disallowed due to “Oil Down Penalty”
  • Larry Dixon is current Top Qualifier with a 3.813/318.390 Mph
  • Tony Schumacher has Top Speed in #2 position of 320.580 Mph
  • Mark Mariani’s incremental times: R/T – 0.103, 60ft – 0.884 sec., 330ft – 2.245, 660ft – 3.557/161.32 Mph.
  • “Aussie Dave” is currently in 12th with a 4.384 the current Bump spot.
  • Dave Grubnic’s incremental times: R/T – 0.104, 60ft – 0.868 sec., 330ft – 2.239, 660ft – 3.230/231.040 Mph 

Also Australian Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Rhett Lougheed is competing at this event currently #19 with a 7.244 – outside the bump of 7.119 after Q1 (23 competitor times posted)

Top Fuel Q1 Review

Dixon increased his Top Fuel lead over Tony Schumacher by one point to 86 as they qualified 1-2 as expected. Dixon’s Al-Anabi rail, with eight No. 1s this year, roared to a 3.813 to grab the top spot. Schumacher’s Army dragster slid into No. 2 with a 3.840.

Doug Kalitta matched Schumacher’s e.t., but “the Sarge’s” superior speed – 320.58 to 316.30 – earned Schumacher the higher position. Cory McClenathan, who also still has a small mathematical chance to win the championship, is fourth with a 3.853 in what will be his final event in the Fram dragster.

The top eight is rounded out by Steve Torrence (3.892), Bob Vandergriff Jr. (3.927), Brandon Bernstein (3.945), and T.J. Zizzo (4.004).

Dave Grubnic sits in the No. 12 spot with a 4.384