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EPPING, NH – It’s a rare occurrence when Pro Stock racers say their performance depends on the nitro-powered cars for their success, but Robert Patrick did.
The Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Stock point leader Patrick, who hails from Fredericksburg, Va., says the optimum performances for his class during this weekend’s IHRA Amalie Oil North American Nationals in Epping, NH., will come after a session of Top Fuel is in the books. He said the fresh rubber laid down by those 8,000-horsepower monsters in the second-half of the track will be the key to Patrick’s Purvis Ford-sponsored Cobra SVT and others laying down the big numbers.
“This track always seems to come around after the fuel cars run on it, to put down rubber. The fuel cars don’t run until Saturday afternoon. It may be Saturday night before we can run to our true potential. The 330 on down is the key for us. When they lay that fresh rubber down, we can run strong.”
Another variable to strong performances in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Stock division will depend on Mother Nature. In seasons past, the incredible atmospheric conditions attributed to this track were a given. Not so this season, said Patrick, since the event is contested a month earlier than normal. Patrick said that shouldn’t pose a problem.
“I just don’t see us having the weather we are used to having when we come to Epping,” Patrick said. “But then again, Brian Gahm set the record in 1,500 air, so I don’t think that is something that is a prerequisite for the record. I think the potential for a record is there.”
If anyone understands potential, it is Patrick. Last year he left the event as the king of the hill.
Patrick not only took out the #1 qualifier Rob Mansfield in the finals of the 2006 IHRA North American Nationals, he also established both ends of the class record with an incredible 6.315 elapsed time with a speed of 221.27 miles per hour.
PATRICK “GETTING THE FUEL CARS DOWN IMPORTANT TO PRO STOCK”
EPPING, NH – It’s a rare occurrence when Pro Stock racers say their performance depends on the nitro-powered cars for their success, but Robert Patrick did.
The Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Stock point leader Patrick, who hails from Fredericksburg, Va., says the optimum performances for his class during this weekend’s IHRA Amalie Oil North American Nationals in Epping, NH., will come after a session of Top Fuel is in the books. He said the fresh rubber laid down by those 8,000-horsepower monsters in the second-half of the track will be the key to Patrick’s Purvis Ford-sponsored Cobra SVT and others laying down the big numbers.
“This track always seems to come around after the fuel cars run on it, to put down rubber. The fuel cars don’t run until Saturday afternoon. It may be Saturday night before we can run to our true potential. The 330 on down is the key for us. When they lay that fresh rubber down, we can run strong.”
Another variable to strong performances in the Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Stock division will depend on Mother Nature. In seasons past, the incredible atmospheric conditions attributed to this track were a given. Not so this season, said Patrick, since the event is contested a month earlier than normal. Patrick said that shouldn’t pose a problem.
“I just don’t see us having the weather we are used to having when we come to Epping,” Patrick said. “But then again, Brian Gahm set the record in 1,500 air, so I don’t think that is something that is a prerequisite for the record. I think the potential for a record is there.”
If anyone understands potential, it is Patrick. Last year he left the event as the king of the hill.
Patrick not only took out the #1 qualifier Rob Mansfield in the finals of the 2006 IHRA North American Nationals, he also established both ends of the class record with an incredible 6.315 elapsed time with a speed of 221.27 miles per hour.
