ParkerTech Racing news 2008-06-04

ParkerTech Racing Services/Lane Automotive Season Update
Testing and tweaking towards a win.

Milford, Michigan -- The ParkerTech Racing Services/Lane Automotive Top Alcohol Funny Car team is looking forward to speeding up their unexpected slow season start. Rt. 66 Speedway, in Joliet, Illinois hosts the 11th Annual Torco Racing Fuels Rt. 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend, June 5 -- 8. Frank Parker, team owner, and his driver, Bobby Martin, are ready. "We started out at Gainesville with new parts and a new driver," said Parker. "Our set-up wasn't what we thought, but a testing session got us settled in and straightened out."

National Dragster's "Tricky Tipster" column gave the team decent odds to win, in Gainesville, and predicted that "Experienced driver prepared for landmark season with talented team." In spite of that glowing forecast, and the team's determination, their first race weekend ended in the first round. On the "up" side of the Gainesville race, friend and fellow competitor, Frank Manzo, praised the ParkerTech crew in National Dragster: "I had to run good because I had tough races all day. Bobby Martin is a great driver and Frank Parker is an excellent tuner--" Impressive words from the eleven-time TAFC National Champion.

Since then,

* The team spent a weekend at Martin Dragway testing and improving their performance.

* At the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Summit Motorsports Park, Bobby Martin put the 2007 Dodge Charger in the number two spot with a 5.575 pass at 258.9 mph. The run was just .002 off the car's best time and only .003 behind the pole-sitter, Frank Manzo. The event was rained out, after the first round, and will be concluded in July at the National Trail Raceway LODRS race. Manzo and Martin will both be there.

* The 2007 Dodge Charger visited the open house and car show of team sponsor, Lane Automotive. Parker and his crew fired up the mighty Mopar Hemi engine, rattling windows and spectators alike.

-credit: ptr