[coverattach=1](9-29-09) BAKERSFIELD, CA - Under a boiling hot California sun, Randy Walker did this weekend what he’s done so many times in 2009: pilot the Walker Racing Group ’74 El Camino into the finals.
In qualifying, Walker’s 6.350 was second only to Rod Burbage’s stunning 6.254 in his blown ’58 Corvette. Burbage would fall to Tim Henry in the semi-finals, setting up an all-nitrous showdown for the event win.
After locking up the West Coast Hot Rod Association Pro Street championship with his semi-final round win over Bob Bunker, Jr., Walker got the jump on Henry off the line in the finals, but tire shake at half track allowed the fuel-injected Firebird to drive around for the win.
“We definitely wanted to go out with a bang and get another win to go with the championship,” Walker said. “That would have just been the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, we just had a little too much clutch and it shook when it went into third gear. The track was a little tricky due to the heat we’ve seen all weekend, but overall we can’t complain and I’m thrilled to end the WCHRA season with my first championship in eight years.”
“Across two Pro Street associations, there have been a total of twelve races up to this point. Out of those twelve, we’ve been to eight final rounds and won six races, and now have a championship to show for it,” Walker continued. “I’ve set and reset my own personal best ET and speed numerous times and we’ve come close to setting a series record. I owe it all to the awesome team we’ve assembled that dedicate themselves to this operation week in and week out, most notably my brother and crew chief Duane and our team consultant Charles Carpenter.”
With just two points races left in the Pacific Street Car Association’s Pro Street championship chase, Walker maintains a small lead over Clint Hairston atop the standings.
“With the way the car is running, we feel confident heading to both Vegas and Fontana,” Walker said. “Both are really good tracks and we should be seeing some cooler weather as we head into autumn. If we can put it all together we should see this El Camino dip into the 6.20s on a regular basis and maybe make some records fall.”
That type of performance is exactly what Walker and the rest of the Walker Racing Group are hoping to see before heading into the biggest race of the year, the season-ending PSCA Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Street Car Super Nationals in Las Vegas at the end of November.
Walker Racing Group would like to extend a special thanks to RC Construction Services in Fontana, CA, Walker Tucson Properties, Charles Carpenter, Derrick Lamb & Lamb Components, Lenco, Goodyear Tires, Joch at True Carbon Components, and Inland Driveline.
Walker Racing Group is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2010. For more information, please visit Walker Racing Group.
Photo Courtesy Steven Bunker / QuarterMileDesigns.com
In qualifying, Walker’s 6.350 was second only to Rod Burbage’s stunning 6.254 in his blown ’58 Corvette. Burbage would fall to Tim Henry in the semi-finals, setting up an all-nitrous showdown for the event win.
After locking up the West Coast Hot Rod Association Pro Street championship with his semi-final round win over Bob Bunker, Jr., Walker got the jump on Henry off the line in the finals, but tire shake at half track allowed the fuel-injected Firebird to drive around for the win.
“We definitely wanted to go out with a bang and get another win to go with the championship,” Walker said. “That would have just been the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, we just had a little too much clutch and it shook when it went into third gear. The track was a little tricky due to the heat we’ve seen all weekend, but overall we can’t complain and I’m thrilled to end the WCHRA season with my first championship in eight years.”
“Across two Pro Street associations, there have been a total of twelve races up to this point. Out of those twelve, we’ve been to eight final rounds and won six races, and now have a championship to show for it,” Walker continued. “I’ve set and reset my own personal best ET and speed numerous times and we’ve come close to setting a series record. I owe it all to the awesome team we’ve assembled that dedicate themselves to this operation week in and week out, most notably my brother and crew chief Duane and our team consultant Charles Carpenter.”
With just two points races left in the Pacific Street Car Association’s Pro Street championship chase, Walker maintains a small lead over Clint Hairston atop the standings.
“With the way the car is running, we feel confident heading to both Vegas and Fontana,” Walker said. “Both are really good tracks and we should be seeing some cooler weather as we head into autumn. If we can put it all together we should see this El Camino dip into the 6.20s on a regular basis and maybe make some records fall.”
That type of performance is exactly what Walker and the rest of the Walker Racing Group are hoping to see before heading into the biggest race of the year, the season-ending PSCA Chris Alston’s Chassisworks Street Car Super Nationals in Las Vegas at the end of November.
Walker Racing Group would like to extend a special thanks to RC Construction Services in Fontana, CA, Walker Tucson Properties, Charles Carpenter, Derrick Lamb & Lamb Components, Lenco, Goodyear Tires, Joch at True Carbon Components, and Inland Driveline.
Walker Racing Group is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2010. For more information, please visit Walker Racing Group.
Photo Courtesy Steven Bunker / QuarterMileDesigns.com
