First Regional of the Year has Ahten Looking Back

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of Troy Case

Chandler, AZ.  Been there, done that. Johnny Ahten and the Ahten Racing Team are looking to go back to a familiar place. This weekend they are racing at Firebird International Raceway, but that is not the place. They want to get back to running in the 5.30’s. The Ahten Racing Team are done waiting.

“We have to get this thing back in the 30’s,” said Ahten. “We have run mid-to-low 30’s at Firebird in the past and I know we can do it again. A few years ago we even qualified number one. We have the parts, the knowledge, and the ability. Now we just have to go out and make it happen.”

The Island Renovation/801 Racing/Fireman’s Brew dragster showed promise at the season opener in Pomona. A second round appearance was a positive step. An issue with the fuel system was found to be a performance limiting factor, but Crew chief Al Ahten believes he has it cured. Assisting Al will be Howard Katano, Bob Ahten, and Kevin Colvell, with Johnny pulling extra pit duties.

“The warm weather is going to be a concern since fuel cars don’t like it warm,” added Ahten. “The track might not be as tight as Pomona was, but we will deal with it and work to avoid tire shake. Speaking of shake, I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank DJ Safety’s “Big Ben” and John for their support.”

As the Ahten Racing caravan travels to Arizona for this weekend’s West Regional race, they are preparing for the race mentally. The work ahead, the tuning decisions to be made, but mostly Johnny and the gang are thinking about the 30’s. Everyone has aspirations, goals, and wants. The pieces are in place to make it happen; now all they have to do is get them in the right order. Johnny Ahten will be looking to the past for inspiration, and he is planning on adding jigsaw puzzle master to his resume. 

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We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track.  We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing.  For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com

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TAN

Past Firebird Success and New Car Performance Give Demke Confidence

Courtesy of NVW Motorsports Promotion
Photo courtesy of Aimee Maddern

CHANDLER, Ariz. (February 27, 2013) – Coming off of a #2 qualifying position and final round appearance at the season opening Winternationals, Chris Demke enters this weekend’s LODRS regional event with great confidence in his car and his crew. He’s only made just over ten runs in his Peen Rite/OSI/801 Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, yet he’s already starting to feel at home in the new car. The Maddern Racing team is learning what the car needs to click off consistent 5.2-second passes.

“The car is very similar to the old car, but it looks like it wants a more aggressive tune-up. Since it’s a regional, the track prep won’t be as good as it was in Pomona, so we’ll just have to watch ourselves. While we know the car wants an aggressive tune-up, we don’t necessarily need to get after it right off the bat at Phoenix because of the less favorable track conditions,” said Demke.

Demke and the Jerry Maddern-owned team have proven they know what it takes to win on the Firebird Raceway strip, though. Chris has been deep into eliminations in previous years, even winning 3 consecutive years. Those experiences, coupled with a disappointing finish at last year’s race, will give him the drive to add one final Firebird win at what might be the last event at the storied Arizona facility.

“Last year here we were number one qualifier and I choked on the starting line in the first round and lost. I had numerous incidents where I was just inconsistent. It all came to an end about mid-season last year. Adam (Rhoades) got on my case. Looking at the second half of last season, I think I got my stuff straightened out. My driving and the team’s performance give me great confidence that we can come home with the Wally,” Chris claimed, who is sad to see the end of a racetrack that has been a successful place for the Maddern Racing team.

“I like the Phoenix track. I won in ’04, ’05, and ’06 and runnered-up a couple times as well. I’m sad that they’re closing it. This will be my last opportunity to race at Firebird and I’m sad to see it close.”

Top Alcohol Dragster Q1 at the Firebird Raceway West Region event is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Friday, March 1. Two more qualifying sessions follow on Saturday at 12:30 and 4:30 PM. Round one of eliminations will begin at noon on Sunday.

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We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track.  We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing.  For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com.

TAN