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POMONA, Calif. (February 8, 2007) - For months, every move has been choreographed, preparing for a stellar drag racing season. Parts were ordered, engines built, trailers filled, cars lettered, painted and wrapped. The plan was rehearsed over and over, burning habits into the minds and hands of every team member. Mike Ashley and the entire Gotham City Racing team envisioned the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger blazing down the quarter mile at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Pomona with impressive power.
As the lights flashed green and the headers flamed on Thursday for Ashley’s inaugural qualifying run of 2007, it looked to all like the well orchestrated plan had come together perfectly. Until about 200 feet down the track, that is, when the tires lost traction and the pass ended in tire smoke.
"What can you say - we smoked the tires. That's it. We have everything in place and I know we will have success, but today, we just didn't get it right," Mike Ashley said.
According to the scoreboard, Ashley limped to a disappointing 10.511/82.27, but the team is hardly phased by the numbers.
"Actually, I'm glad to have that run behind us," Ashley said. "I think the 'first run jitters' catch a lot of people, and we just had a hiccough. Now that we've all been reminded we're not going to waltz away with top qualifying positions or record setting runs, I think we are better off.
"I talked with Brian [Corradi, crew chief], and he said there was a clutch malfunction, and that caused us to lose traction. In all, it really doesn't matter what happened, just that we all are working on making sure we are in the game - and I know these guys are the very best.
"I've got complete confidence that by the end of qualifying this weekend we'll be well placed and ready to race on Sunday,” he said.
“I believe you don't win races by going out and running the highest numbers all the time, you get there by being consistent and repeating things that are successful. That’s our strategy, and that’s what we’ll do tomorrow,” Ashley said.
Qualifying rounds are scheduled to at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, and 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 10. Pre-race ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday Feb. 11, followed by the first round of professional eliminations at 11 a.m.
Ashley’s Orchestrated Plan misses it’s first beat in Pomona – Team remains confident
POMONA, Calif. (February 8, 2007) - For months, every move has been choreographed, preparing for a stellar drag racing season. Parts were ordered, engines built, trailers filled, cars lettered, painted and wrapped. The plan was rehearsed over and over, burning habits into the minds and hands of every team member. Mike Ashley and the entire Gotham City Racing team envisioned the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger blazing down the quarter mile at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Pomona with impressive power.
As the lights flashed green and the headers flamed on Thursday for Ashley’s inaugural qualifying run of 2007, it looked to all like the well orchestrated plan had come together perfectly. Until about 200 feet down the track, that is, when the tires lost traction and the pass ended in tire smoke.
"What can you say - we smoked the tires. That's it. We have everything in place and I know we will have success, but today, we just didn't get it right," Mike Ashley said.
According to the scoreboard, Ashley limped to a disappointing 10.511/82.27, but the team is hardly phased by the numbers.
"Actually, I'm glad to have that run behind us," Ashley said. "I think the 'first run jitters' catch a lot of people, and we just had a hiccough. Now that we've all been reminded we're not going to waltz away with top qualifying positions or record setting runs, I think we are better off.
"I talked with Brian [Corradi, crew chief], and he said there was a clutch malfunction, and that caused us to lose traction. In all, it really doesn't matter what happened, just that we all are working on making sure we are in the game - and I know these guys are the very best.
"I've got complete confidence that by the end of qualifying this weekend we'll be well placed and ready to race on Sunday,” he said.
“I believe you don't win races by going out and running the highest numbers all the time, you get there by being consistent and repeating things that are successful. That’s our strategy, and that’s what we’ll do tomorrow,” Ashley said.
Qualifying rounds are scheduled to at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, and 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 10. Pre-race ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday Feb. 11, followed by the first round of professional eliminations at 11 a.m.
