<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/pittman_burnout_epping.jpg" alt="pittman_burnout_epping" align="right"borders="0"/>
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 2006 eMax IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule is down to just three events, including this weekend’s continuation of the rained-out Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, and Pro Modified competitor Alan Pittman is looking to maximize the time he has left on the track this season.
His goals are not that much different than they were when the season kicked off back in March, but accomplishing them has proven to be more of an up and down battle than he and team owner Mel Bush could have envisioned.
When Pittman and Bush took their new and unique 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air to San Antonio Raceway for the season opener, they wanted no more than to qualify for one of the first few races, and go a few rounds. They expected to have to spend a certain amount of time fine-tuning their supercharged hot rod, so they weren’t really prepared for the early success they enjoyed. Contrary to the way the process usually goes, they qualified well at the first two races of the year, and by the third event they were in the winner’s circle.
From there things went downhill, however. Despite qualifying well and running career-best numbers on occasion, Pittman failed to make the show at three of the next five events, including the last race in Epping, New Hampshire. He was on a strong run in the final qualifying session when the cap on his oil tank came loose, spilling oil on the track and under his tires. He saved the car, but added another frustrating DNQ to his 2006 logbook.
Pittman has a never-say-die attitude, however, and he knows he has a good car, a good engine combination, and a good team. With three races left to run this year, he’s now focused on a strong sprint to the end and a top-ten finish in points, one of the goals he and Bush set for themselves back in March.
“We had a real mess after Epping,” Pittman said, referring to the oil bath his car received in New Hampshire. “You can’t imagine how many hours we’ve spent wiping, scrubbing and replacing oil-contaminated wiring and connections under the hood since we got home.”
“Fortunately, the car is fine, and it was on a solid pass before the oil spill, so we’re pretty sure we would have made the show in Epping,” he said. “That gives us a lot of confidence going back to Toronto. We’re working towards next season now, and we’d love to finish in the top ten this year – that would give us a real boost for 2007. I’ve said it a lot this season, and I’ll say it again. We’ve got a hot rod, and it’s just a matter of time before it’s in the winner’s circle again.”
This weekend’s race is the IHRA Canadian Nationals, September 22-24, 2006, Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 2006 eMax IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule is down to just three events, including this weekend’s continuation of the rained-out Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, and Pro Modified competitor Alan Pittman is looking to maximize the time he has left on the track this season.
His goals are not that much different than they were when the season kicked off back in March, but accomplishing them has proven to be more of an up and down battle than he and team owner Mel Bush could have envisioned.
When Pittman and Bush took their new and unique 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air to San Antonio Raceway for the season opener, they wanted no more than to qualify for one of the first few races, and go a few rounds. They expected to have to spend a certain amount of time fine-tuning their supercharged hot rod, so they weren’t really prepared for the early success they enjoyed. Contrary to the way the process usually goes, they qualified well at the first two races of the year, and by the third event they were in the winner’s circle.
From there things went downhill, however. Despite qualifying well and running career-best numbers on occasion, Pittman failed to make the show at three of the next five events, including the last race in Epping, New Hampshire. He was on a strong run in the final qualifying session when the cap on his oil tank came loose, spilling oil on the track and under his tires. He saved the car, but added another frustrating DNQ to his 2006 logbook.
Pittman has a never-say-die attitude, however, and he knows he has a good car, a good engine combination, and a good team. With three races left to run this year, he’s now focused on a strong sprint to the end and a top-ten finish in points, one of the goals he and Bush set for themselves back in March.
“We had a real mess after Epping,” Pittman said, referring to the oil bath his car received in New Hampshire. “You can’t imagine how many hours we’ve spent wiping, scrubbing and replacing oil-contaminated wiring and connections under the hood since we got home.”
“Fortunately, the car is fine, and it was on a solid pass before the oil spill, so we’re pretty sure we would have made the show in Epping,” he said. “That gives us a lot of confidence going back to Toronto. We’re working towards next season now, and we’d love to finish in the top ten this year – that would give us a real boost for 2007. I’ve said it a lot this season, and I’ll say it again. We’ve got a hot rod, and it’s just a matter of time before it’s in the winner’s circle again.”
This weekend’s race is the IHRA Canadian Nationals, September 22-24, 2006, Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario
With Three To Go Pittman Looking Ahead To 2007
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 2006 eMax IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule is down to just three events, including this weekend’s continuation of the rained-out Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, and Pro Modified competitor Alan Pittman is looking to maximize the time he has left on the track this season.
His goals are not that much different than they were when the season kicked off back in March, but accomplishing them has proven to be more of an up and down battle than he and team owner Mel Bush could have envisioned.
When Pittman and Bush took their new and unique 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air to San Antonio Raceway for the season opener, they wanted no more than to qualify for one of the first few races, and go a few rounds. They expected to have to spend a certain amount of time fine-tuning their supercharged hot rod, so they weren’t really prepared for the early success they enjoyed. Contrary to the way the process usually goes, they qualified well at the first two races of the year, and by the third event they were in the winner’s circle.
From there things went downhill, however. Despite qualifying well and running career-best numbers on occasion, Pittman failed to make the show at three of the next five events, including the last race in Epping, New Hampshire. He was on a strong run in the final qualifying session when the cap on his oil tank came loose, spilling oil on the track and under his tires. He saved the car, but added another frustrating DNQ to his 2006 logbook.
Pittman has a never-say-die attitude, however, and he knows he has a good car, a good engine combination, and a good team. With three races left to run this year, he’s now focused on a strong sprint to the end and a top-ten finish in points, one of the goals he and Bush set for themselves back in March.
“We had a real mess after Epping,” Pittman said, referring to the oil bath his car received in New Hampshire. “You can’t imagine how many hours we’ve spent wiping, scrubbing and replacing oil-contaminated wiring and connections under the hood since we got home.”
“Fortunately, the car is fine, and it was on a solid pass before the oil spill, so we’re pretty sure we would have made the show in Epping,” he said. “That gives us a lot of confidence going back to Toronto. We’re working towards next season now, and we’d love to finish in the top ten this year – that would give us a real boost for 2007. I’ve said it a lot this season, and I’ll say it again. We’ve got a hot rod, and it’s just a matter of time before it’s in the winner’s circle again.”
This weekend’s race is the IHRA Canadian Nationals, September 22-24, 2006, Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 2006 eMax IHRA Drag Racing Series schedule is down to just three events, including this weekend’s continuation of the rained-out Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park, and Pro Modified competitor Alan Pittman is looking to maximize the time he has left on the track this season.
His goals are not that much different than they were when the season kicked off back in March, but accomplishing them has proven to be more of an up and down battle than he and team owner Mel Bush could have envisioned.
When Pittman and Bush took their new and unique 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air to San Antonio Raceway for the season opener, they wanted no more than to qualify for one of the first few races, and go a few rounds. They expected to have to spend a certain amount of time fine-tuning their supercharged hot rod, so they weren’t really prepared for the early success they enjoyed. Contrary to the way the process usually goes, they qualified well at the first two races of the year, and by the third event they were in the winner’s circle.
From there things went downhill, however. Despite qualifying well and running career-best numbers on occasion, Pittman failed to make the show at three of the next five events, including the last race in Epping, New Hampshire. He was on a strong run in the final qualifying session when the cap on his oil tank came loose, spilling oil on the track and under his tires. He saved the car, but added another frustrating DNQ to his 2006 logbook.
Pittman has a never-say-die attitude, however, and he knows he has a good car, a good engine combination, and a good team. With three races left to run this year, he’s now focused on a strong sprint to the end and a top-ten finish in points, one of the goals he and Bush set for themselves back in March.
“We had a real mess after Epping,” Pittman said, referring to the oil bath his car received in New Hampshire. “You can’t imagine how many hours we’ve spent wiping, scrubbing and replacing oil-contaminated wiring and connections under the hood since we got home.”
“Fortunately, the car is fine, and it was on a solid pass before the oil spill, so we’re pretty sure we would have made the show in Epping,” he said. “That gives us a lot of confidence going back to Toronto. We’re working towards next season now, and we’d love to finish in the top ten this year – that would give us a real boost for 2007. I’ve said it a lot this season, and I’ll say it again. We’ve got a hot rod, and it’s just a matter of time before it’s in the winner’s circle again.”
This weekend’s race is the IHRA Canadian Nationals, September 22-24, 2006, Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario
