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MARION, Texas - Following a career year in his IHRA Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock Ford Mustang, Bob Bertsch and his Rislone Engine Oil Stabilizer backed team are excited about their chances in 2008 as they kick off the season at this weekend's Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Napa Auto Parts at San Antonio Raceway. After fighting the proverbial new car blues in the early part of the season, the team posted three semifinal round appearances and qualified in the top five at two of the last three races. The team will once again receive their horsepower from Jon Kaase.
Bertsch, from Willis, Mich., is excited about teaming back up with Rislone and Bar's Leaks.
"We couldn't be more excited about racing another year with Rislone and Bar's Leaks," said Bertsch. "I had dinner with [President] Bob Mermuys just the other day and we talked quite a bit about a number of things. They just have a phenomenal organization over there. They're really an outstanding group of people. We'll do anything they ask. Hopefully we can start the year like we finished it and maybe visit a few winner's circles along the way."
Bertsch was only able to get a limited amount of testing in during the off season, but did record a career best speed of 222 mph.
"We didn't get to do as much testing as we had wanted to," said Bertsch. "We went down to Valdosta [South Georgia Motorsports Park] but only got to get a couple of hits in due to the weather. We did get one run in where it stumbled off the line, but it really picked up in the back half to run 222 mph, which is the fastest we've ever been. Jon Kaase, our engine builder, delivered this motor to us at the end of the year in Rockingham, so it's a fairly fresh piece."
This weekend's event at San Antonio Raceway will be the first of two featured eighth mile events on the tour. While some racers may be making drastic changes, Bertsch plans to pick up where he left off last year.
"This will be the first true eighth mile competition," stated Bertsch. "A lot of guys have been changing their cars up for the short track deal, but we aren't changing much. We're just looking forward to the new year and trying to pick up where we left off at the end of last year. Towards the end of the year we were qualifying in the top half of the field, so that's where we want to start this year. If we can progress as much as we did from this point last year to where we are now, this will be a good year for the Rislone Ford Mustang."
Qualifying begins on Friday for the Pro Categories with two sessions, followed by two more sessions Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to ihra.com for round by round results.
Rislone, America's best-selling engine treatment has been enhancing automobile engine performance for more than 85 years. Rislone Engine Treatment reduces friction & wear, quiets noisy lifters & valves, and removes & prevents sludge build-up. New Rislone products include: Rislone Oil Stabilizer with Engine Treatment, Rislone Transmission Stabilizer with Stop Slip and Rislone Power Steering Stabilizer with Stop Leak. Find out more at Bar's Products, Inc. - Premium Automotive Chemicals
Pro Stock racer Bertsch set to kick off another season with Rislone as primary sponsor
MARION, Texas - Following a career year in his IHRA Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock Ford Mustang, Bob Bertsch and his Rislone Engine Oil Stabilizer backed team are excited about their chances in 2008 as they kick off the season at this weekend's Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Napa Auto Parts at San Antonio Raceway. After fighting the proverbial new car blues in the early part of the season, the team posted three semifinal round appearances and qualified in the top five at two of the last three races. The team will once again receive their horsepower from Jon Kaase.
Bertsch, from Willis, Mich., is excited about teaming back up with Rislone and Bar's Leaks.
"We couldn't be more excited about racing another year with Rislone and Bar's Leaks," said Bertsch. "I had dinner with [President] Bob Mermuys just the other day and we talked quite a bit about a number of things. They just have a phenomenal organization over there. They're really an outstanding group of people. We'll do anything they ask. Hopefully we can start the year like we finished it and maybe visit a few winner's circles along the way."
Bertsch was only able to get a limited amount of testing in during the off season, but did record a career best speed of 222 mph.
"We didn't get to do as much testing as we had wanted to," said Bertsch. "We went down to Valdosta [South Georgia Motorsports Park] but only got to get a couple of hits in due to the weather. We did get one run in where it stumbled off the line, but it really picked up in the back half to run 222 mph, which is the fastest we've ever been. Jon Kaase, our engine builder, delivered this motor to us at the end of the year in Rockingham, so it's a fairly fresh piece."
This weekend's event at San Antonio Raceway will be the first of two featured eighth mile events on the tour. While some racers may be making drastic changes, Bertsch plans to pick up where he left off last year.
"This will be the first true eighth mile competition," stated Bertsch. "A lot of guys have been changing their cars up for the short track deal, but we aren't changing much. We're just looking forward to the new year and trying to pick up where we left off at the end of last year. Towards the end of the year we were qualifying in the top half of the field, so that's where we want to start this year. If we can progress as much as we did from this point last year to where we are now, this will be a good year for the Rislone Ford Mustang."
Qualifying begins on Friday for the Pro Categories with two sessions, followed by two more sessions Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to ihra.com for round by round results.
Rislone, America's best-selling engine treatment has been enhancing automobile engine performance for more than 85 years. Rislone Engine Treatment reduces friction & wear, quiets noisy lifters & valves, and removes & prevents sludge build-up. New Rislone products include: Rislone Oil Stabilizer with Engine Treatment, Rislone Transmission Stabilizer with Stop Slip and Rislone Power Steering Stabilizer with Stop Leak. Find out more at Bar's Products, Inc. - Premium Automotive Chemicals
