(Words: Benoit Pigeon – Photos: David Whealon and Benoit Pigeon) – The 2nd Battle of the Engine Builders 2016 edition, a one off, unique event sponsored by Drag Racing Best News took place at the brand new Galot Motorsports Park on May 7. This 8 car field opposed racers coming from Maryland, the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia and relying on the power made by no less than 6 extremely large motor specialty houses, Fulton, Reher Morrison, Charlie Buck, Albert, Sonny’s and Musi engines.
Only nitrous pro mod cars are allowed to participate, but the massive engines that reach nearly 960ci do put out an excellent show on their own.
Eleven cars participated to this one day event. New to the Pro Mod rank Jamie Chappel entered the show and qualified for eliminations with his blue 1963 split window Corvette. Among the participants were many of the fastest Nitrous cars of the PDRA circuit namely Jason Harris, Jay Cox, Travis Harvey, Lizzi Musi, Stevie Jackson and Tommy Franklin. Todd Howard, Tommy Mauney, Ed Burley who came from Maryland and Edward Wilson with his bright Willys completed the list of participants.
For many it was the very first check down at the facility, especially for Franklin who actually felt perfectly home right away even running an astonishing 3.742 for top qualifier while Lizzi was just behind with an equally fast 3.748. Surprisingly Harvey who has already won a few events this year failed to qualify and so did Harris the 2015 champ at the same event. Wilson who is a local racer however had an excellent day. The clutch car had no problem going down the track, eliminating Musi on the first round. He eventually found himself and his 887ci Fulton engine in position of having the right to challenge the evening dominating Musi engine of Franklin for the title, the $10000 and and the belt. The Willys did put a fight and raced to a 3.84, Edward’s personal best ever, against the evening undisputed Franklin/Musi power mix that took it all with a 3.76
Completely forgot about this race and only 45 min from my house. Wanted to see Steve Jackson and Lizzi Musi!