PR - MARTY THACKER - JOLIET DIVISIONAL WRAP-UP

Submitted by: Shanna Snyder-Bell

Contact Person: Marty Thacker
Contact email address: mlthacker@mapllc.com

Thacker Encounters Disappointing Loss in Joliet

This past weekend, Marty Thacker in the TORCO Racing Fuels sponsored Top Alcohol Dragster participated in the third event of the North Central Divisional series in Joliet, Illinois. Thacker who was coming off a win at the Mid-Michigan divisional race was unfortunately ousted in the first round.

Twenty-three cars from four different divisions turned out to qualify for the 8 car field. Thacker ended up in the #3 position running a 5.44 at 263.77 mph.

"It took us all three qualifying passes to come up with a way to approach a great Route 66 track with poor air conditions. Even the last qualifying pass wasn't perfect but it gave us a good idea of where to look," stated Thacker.

"First round we shook the tires hard enough to dismount the barrel (fuel metering) valve loose from the injector hat, resulting in a severely lean condition in the cylinders. We burnt 2 pistons, torched a head and blew the burst panels out. This resulted in a fire that burnt off several items behind the engine."

"We have a lot of work to do in order for this TORCO machine to be back in perfect condition. I'm just glad I have the right crew for the job. Dan, Larry, Mark, Boomer, Leslie, Lanny, and Mitch have put their hearts into this car, just like I have. When things are going right a good crew can get you by, but when things aren't going your way it takes a great crew to turn it around. I'm blessed with a great crew and very supportive sponsors. If it weren't for TORCO Racing Fuels, Atlantic Scaffolding and Boltech Services, this kind of damage would be devastating. These companies, and the support they put into our NHRA Drag Racing operation, keep the car motoring down the track week after week."

The next race on the schedule for the Rapid Transit Racing Team is in Bristol, Tennessee at the Bristol Dragway July 22nd and 23rd.

Please visit the official team website www.rapidtransitracing.com.

You can access the full line of innovative products offered by our major sponsor TORCO Racing Fuels including racing gasoline, additives, and TORCO Gear at www.torcoracefuels.com.

Visit the websites of our current associate and product sponsors at the following websites:

Atlantic Scaffolding Company – www.atscaf.com

Valvoline - www.valvoline.com/pages/racing

Hoosier Racing Tire – www.hoosiertire.com