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ATLANTA, Friday: Tim Wilkerson made two troubled runs in his gleaming new Chevrolet Impala SS today at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Wilkerson knew he might have a vision problem with the sleek new body, but was able to make some adjustments to improve the problem. But Wilkerson never expected the other problem that arose. Apparently, the forces from running over 300 mph caused parts of the body to cave in.
"On the first run, it was doing okay," explained Wilkerson, "then it got out of the groove and smoked the tires. But I really had a hard time seeing out of the Impala. So, we changed the seat in the car for the second run and I could see a little better. And it was going down through there when the whole windshield and doghouse (the shroud over the supercharger inside cockpit) caved in. We're obviously not going to run the Impala tomorrow. The body is really an issue right now. I'm not real proud of having two Impala's right now, but we'll get them fixed."
In the first qualifying session, Wilkerson ran 5.657, which was good for the No 15 position. In the second session, he took advantage of the cooling evening temperatures to step up his performance. Wilk improved to run a 4.801, but with most of the competition also improving, the Levi, Ray & Shoup Funny Car again ended up in the No. 15 spot.
"I think our 15 spot should keep us in the show," said Wilkerson, "so now we have to figure out how to run on Sunday. I'm hoping it's hot and sticky tomorrow, the way it's suppose to be on Sunday."
Wilkerson plans to finish the weekend with his trusty Monte Carlo, which is patiently sitting in the upper tier of the transporter.
Wilkerson disappointed with collapsed Impala
ATLANTA, Friday: Tim Wilkerson made two troubled runs in his gleaming new Chevrolet Impala SS today at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Wilkerson knew he might have a vision problem with the sleek new body, but was able to make some adjustments to improve the problem. But Wilkerson never expected the other problem that arose. Apparently, the forces from running over 300 mph caused parts of the body to cave in.
"On the first run, it was doing okay," explained Wilkerson, "then it got out of the groove and smoked the tires. But I really had a hard time seeing out of the Impala. So, we changed the seat in the car for the second run and I could see a little better. And it was going down through there when the whole windshield and doghouse (the shroud over the supercharger inside cockpit) caved in. We're obviously not going to run the Impala tomorrow. The body is really an issue right now. I'm not real proud of having two Impala's right now, but we'll get them fixed."
In the first qualifying session, Wilkerson ran 5.657, which was good for the No 15 position. In the second session, he took advantage of the cooling evening temperatures to step up his performance. Wilk improved to run a 4.801, but with most of the competition also improving, the Levi, Ray & Shoup Funny Car again ended up in the No. 15 spot.
"I think our 15 spot should keep us in the show," said Wilkerson, "so now we have to figure out how to run on Sunday. I'm hoping it's hot and sticky tomorrow, the way it's suppose to be on Sunday."
Wilkerson plans to finish the weekend with his trusty Monte Carlo, which is patiently sitting in the upper tier of the transporter.
