Booher Kicking Off 2013 Season at Indy Regional

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion

CLERMONT, IN (April 25, 2013) –Torque converters have been a hot topic in the doorslammer drag racing circles lately. However, their success has yet to move into the alcohol racing classes. Top Alcohol Dragster competitor Brandon Booher is hoping to change that, starting this weekend at the North Central region opener at Lucas Oil Raceway. Booher, who last raced at the U.S. Nationals last year, enters the season with new converter technology and a fifty-pound weight advantage over his clutch counterparts.

“Over the offseason, NHRA announced a fifty-pound weight break for TAD and TAFC teams who chose to run a torque converter. From that time until now, our main focus has been taking weight off the car. The car and driver are now a little over a hundred pounds lighter than we were last year. We also have some new converter technology that was developed by Snyder Motorsports and Coan. With the weight break and improvements in the converter department, I expect to knock off at least eight hundredths off our 5.39 best,” said Booher, who set the record for quickest and fastest converter car two years ago at Maple Grove.

Booher and his AB Construction/Torque Management team hope to take advantage of the advancements in door car torque converter technology and apply it to their long wheelbase blown alcohol dragster. Though there are differences in the track length and chassis set-up, Brandon hopes the transition will go smoothly.

“The ADRL guys run mostly the same motor. They have about fifty more cubic inches, a supercharger that can displace more air, and they’re running eighth-mile. We’re lighter, we have a good blower, and we run quarter-mile. The new converter equipment should transfer over just the same. The converter doesn’t know if it’s attached to a dragster or a door car; it’s either going to be more efficient or it’s not. We should be able to have a converter that will slip less on the top end and be more efficient at the starting line. It’s just going to run better, and that’s been proven over in ADRL. Those guys are making 2,300-pound door cars run 3.5 E.T.s at 214 miles per hour in the eighth – that’s haulin’. A lot of those guys picked up five to seven hundredths with the converter technology. We’re just hoping that translates into quarter-mile racing in the NHRA,” Brandon claimed.

Current plans for the season call for a packed regional tour – Indy, Norwalk, Columbus, Cordova, and Bowling Green. National event competition will most likely begin at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, where Booher reached the final round in 2011. Brainerd, Indy, and Maple Grove are also part of the tentative schedule.

The former Junior Dragster driver has high expectations for the season. Past performance and the aforementioned upgrades over the offseason have his confidence at an all-time high.

“As far as expectations on the performance end of things, if you’re going to go, go big – I want to see a 5.29.  The hundred pound difference alone should put us in the mid-to-low five-thirties, and the consistency should remain the same. With the converter improvements and a few other changes I’ve made this winter, I think a high five-twenty is feasible, but everything is easier said than done. We just need to do our best to make sure all of our ducks are in a row. The miniscule details are where the big performance gains are going to come from. I just want to focus on our car and our car only”.

Longtime supporters Goodson Tools for Engine Builders and Spitzer Enterprises are continuing their support of the family-owned team.

“It’s great to have the support of Goodson and Spitzer for another season. Goodson gives me and my team the tools we need to get the car ready for a race and running at its best during an event. Mike Spitzer and Spitzer Race Cars have been building me safe, fast race cars ever since my Junior Dragster and Super Comp days. We’re happy to represent them and their products in front of the fans and our fellow racers,” Booher said.

Also on the side of the car will be Torque Management, a consulting business which Booher started to help other torque converter racers get the most out of their equipment. Brandon uses the lessons learned with his car to apply to his clients’ entries, which can include TAD, TAFC, and Pro Mod. 

Booher Racing is a Champaign, Illinois-based Top Alcohol Dragster team, competing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Former Junior Dragster driver Brandon Booher pilots the family-owned AB Construction blown alcohol dragster. The team owns the world record for quickest and fastest converter-equipped TAD. Booher Racing receives support from Goodson Tools, Spitzer Race Cars, and Torque Management. To learn more about Booher Racing, please visit www.nitronate.com/booher.

For news and results throughout the 2013 season, follow Booher Racing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/booherracing) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/booherracing).