BRANDON BERNSTEIN TO FLY WITH U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS PRIOR TO NHRA RACE AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/b_bernstein.jpg" alt="b_bernstein" align="right"borders="0"/>
KENT, Wash. – Brandon Bernstein will satisfy his need for speed this week while gearing up for the Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals July 18-20 at Pacific Raceways.
On Thursday, July 17, he will get a taste of the jet set life as he flies with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at McChord Air Force Base.
“It’s an absolute thrill to get the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds,” said an excited Bernstein. “It’s going to be an awesome experience, I know. I plan to record some footage of the day and hopefully of the flight. In our dragsters we record five G’s when we leave the starting line and a negative five when we pull the parachute at the end of the run. It will be interesting to see how that compares with the intense power of the airplanes.
“We have blocked five hours for this flight. This isn’t a plane you jump into and go. It takes a lot of preparation, medical clearance and a few hours of education before you fly. I’ve heard a lot of stories about blacking out or getting sick. I’m hoping for the best!”
On Friday, Bernstein will jump into the familiar confines of the cockpit of his 8,000-horsepower Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster to begin qualifying for the 14th event in the 24-race series.
“ Seattle falls in the middle of a hectic three weeks of racing we call the West Coast Swing,” explained Bernstein. “We need a good three race series to keep our standing in the top 10. After the first 18-race ‘regular season’, 10 drivers in each category are eligible for the playoffs and a crack at the 2008 world championship.
“Last year we were in the hunt until the semifinals of the final race of the season. It hurt to be that close and watch your hopes evaporate. We’re ready to give it another shot this season.”
Bernstein has competed at Pacific Raceways for four years as pilot of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster and has been in the final round two of those years, winning in 2005 and notching a runner-up finish last year.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, July 18 at 3:30 p. m. with a second qualifying session at 6 p. m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p. m. and 3 p. m. with eliminations schedule to begin Sunday at 11 a. m.
Bernstein to visit Fort Lewis . Bernstein and Funny Car teammate Tommy Johnson, Jr. will visit soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma Thursday, July 17. They will greet soldiers and sign autographs at the base’s main PX from 11 a. m. to noon. They will then shift to nearby McChord Air Force Base where they will meet some of the base personnel. McChord will host Air Expo 2008 July 19-20, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other exciting aerial attractions.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/b_bernstein.jpg" alt="b_bernstein" align="right"borders="0"/>
KENT, Wash. – Brandon Bernstein will satisfy his need for speed this week while gearing up for the Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals July 18-20 at Pacific Raceways.
On Thursday, July 17, he will get a taste of the jet set life as he flies with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at McChord Air Force Base.
“It’s an absolute thrill to get the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds,” said an excited Bernstein. “It’s going to be an awesome experience, I know. I plan to record some footage of the day and hopefully of the flight. In our dragsters we record five G’s when we leave the starting line and a negative five when we pull the parachute at the end of the run. It will be interesting to see how that compares with the intense power of the airplanes.
“We have blocked five hours for this flight. This isn’t a plane you jump into and go. It takes a lot of preparation, medical clearance and a few hours of education before you fly. I’ve heard a lot of stories about blacking out or getting sick. I’m hoping for the best!”
On Friday, Bernstein will jump into the familiar confines of the cockpit of his 8,000-horsepower Budweiser/Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster to begin qualifying for the 14th event in the 24-race series.
“ Seattle falls in the middle of a hectic three weeks of racing we call the West Coast Swing,” explained Bernstein. “We need a good three race series to keep our standing in the top 10. After the first 18-race ‘regular season’, 10 drivers in each category are eligible for the playoffs and a crack at the 2008 world championship.
“Last year we were in the hunt until the semifinals of the final race of the season. It hurt to be that close and watch your hopes evaporate. We’re ready to give it another shot this season.”
Bernstein has competed at Pacific Raceways for four years as pilot of the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster and has been in the final round two of those years, winning in 2005 and notching a runner-up finish last year.
Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, July 18 at 3:30 p. m. with a second qualifying session at 6 p. m. There are two qualifying rounds Saturday, 12:30 p. m. and 3 p. m. with eliminations schedule to begin Sunday at 11 a. m.
Bernstein to visit Fort Lewis . Bernstein and Funny Car teammate Tommy Johnson, Jr. will visit soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma Thursday, July 17. They will greet soldiers and sign autographs at the base’s main PX from 11 a. m. to noon. They will then shift to nearby McChord Air Force Base where they will meet some of the base personnel. McChord will host Air Expo 2008 July 19-20, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other exciting aerial attractions.
