Jackson Racing Route 66 - Battle Of The Imports

Import drag racing took a big step in its evolution Sept 30 and Oct 1, 2000 at the Route 66 Battle of the Imports in Joliet, Illinois. To put it all in perspective Quick Class racer Jimmy O'Connor ripped a 9.72 during qualifications but, miraculously, found himself fifth on the grid. Rarely is a 9.72 not a Top Dog position but at Route 66 Jimmy and the Venom Racing Civic had a litter of 9-second puppies in front of them. This Jackson Racing Battle event took on even more epic proportions when three Quick Class racers challenged the 8-second barrier. With a class-leading 9.18 timeslip already in his pocket, Brent Rau scorched his way to 9.23 in his second-gen Eclipse while Extreme Motorsports comrade Sean Glazar blasted 9.22 in the finals to win the Quick Class. In the Honda camp Lisa Kubo became the quickest uni-body Honda with a dazzling 9.21-second run. The stage is set and it certainly looks like an 8-second Quick car is a "when not if" proposition. Who will get there first? That's the million-dollar question.

Turbo Magazine Pro Import QualifyingCrowd favorite Brent Rau, who had recently set the record for fastest Mitsubishi (9.18 at 152 mph) was definitely one to watch as he took advantage of the traction provided by the well-prepared track. Brent managed to back up his 9.18 with a 9.23-second qualifying pass boosting him to the top spot for eliminations. Brent found himself having to wipe down his windshield though as he blew a head gasket toward the end of the track.

Sean Glazar also made it to Route 66, but he ditched the Mirage he has been running all season to bring back his Talon with an experimental auto tranny. Good thing he brought a spare 5-speed though as his only qualifying pass that day was problematic. Sean was in the pits the rest of the day swapping the auto back to a stick.

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Mike Simon treated the spectators to his tube-frame, Mitsu-powered Honda CRX with big smoky burnouts. This car is not just show though as Mike was making mid-8 second passes all day. Ed Bergenholtz was also out running exhibition passes, trying to make the elusive 8-second run. It was not to be found this weekend.

The unfortunate event of the day happened just as the last few racers were trying to qualify. A Supra from Sound Performance in Chicago, Illinois squeaked off a fast 9.54-second pass but tagged the wall at the end closing the track for the rest of the day. The driver walked away unscathed (except for his ego) and the Supra was even driven away from the scene, but there was not enough time to clean the track for the rest to qualify. That would have to continue the next morning. The 9.54 put the Supra second on the grid. Honda big guns Kenny Tran and Lisa Kubo nabbed the third and fourth spots running 9.59 and 9.68 respectively. The rest of the qualifiers can be gleaned from the chart.

Turbo Magazine Pro Import EliminationsIn eliminations the big name racers advanced to the second round. It should be noted that Lisa Kubo had a bye run in the first round so there was no pressure on her to make a full pass. Not wanting to let the crowd down nor herself, Lisa put the pedal to the metal. With a little tire scrub and the turbo screaming Lisa managed to set the new record for the fastest uni-body Honda at 9.21 inching even closer to the 8's.

In the semis Quick Class kingpins Lisa Kubo and Sean Glazar squared off. Sean's blisitering 9.22 was too much for Lisa who posted a 10.37. The other semifinal heat pitted the Venom Civic and Texas quick shooter Kenny Tran against each other in a Honda versus Honda showdown. The Californian outdrew the Texan 9.73 to 9.91 in one of the closer battles of the day.

The Quick Class final was contested by Sean Glazar and his first-gen Talon and Jimmy O'Connor and the Venom Civic. In another agonizing twist of fate the Venom Civic tore off a 9.61 at 152 and still went home runner-up as Sean's second 9.22 of the meet was just too much. Despite the .40-second difference in e.t., the final was a close race as the Venom Civic had a slight lead early and was passed at the top end, another strange happening as Hondas are usually the ones reeling in the competition the last 400 feet or so.

Import Racer Magazine Pro-StreetIn the all motor racing category it was business as usual as Tony Shagday and the Skunk2 Integra covered the competition by seconds in the final. But, in a change of pace the Skunk2 car was not the top qualifier as Shawn Hillier and L'Natural were the top dog with an 11.00 at 127 mph. Shawn did not appear for eliminations which opened the door for Shagday who qualified second at 11.15. Third qualifier Norris Praytoonto (11.38) made the finals but suffered mechanical problems in his quest to take out Skunk2.

Pro Import RWDThe rear-drive "import" class had only one Japanese import, Russ Matusevich's JZA70 Supra. The remainder of the field consisted of two, not one but two, Ford Pintos and a five-pack of VW Bugs. It came down to a battle of the Bugs as Doug Gonzales defeated Marty Staggs in a fender to fender final.

Route 66 is quickly becoming a premier venue in import drag racing. The track officials are respectful and the track surface is so good running a big number is practically a foregone conclusion. The IDRA is looking to expand and have two dates at Joliet next season. Current plans call for a May date and a September date but stay tuned to Turbo or www.battleoftheimports.com for a rundown of the 2001 Battle schedule.

In the all-motor class it was business as usual as the Skunk2 Integra took down all comers. The all motor final pitted Tony Shagday and the Skunk2 Integra against Norris Prayoonto. He suffered mechanical problems and the Skunk2 team won by daylight.

Glazar's best pass (9.220) came when the chips were down in the Quick Class final. Lucky for him the Talon was on top of its game because Jimmy O'Connor turned an impressive 9.61 and actually had a small advantage in the early stages of the race.

Sean Glazar brought back his Talon and clicked off insane numbers after 10 months of down time. The all-wheel-drive Quick Class warrior clicked off 9.34, 9.228 and 9.220 e.t.s during the competition, displaying unbelievable quickness and reliability.

Kenny Tran had a revised paint scheme on his Jotech Civic. He boosted to an impressive 9.59 at 151 mph to take the third position on the grid.

In the semis Tran and O'Connor lined up their Hondas against one another. O'Connor and the Venom Racing Civic edged out the win 9.73 to 9.91.

Cover boy Brent Rau kept the fire lit as he also took a shot at 8-second immortality blasting a 9.23 to back up his impressive 9.18.

Norris Prayoonto qualified third with an 11.38 and advanced to the finals where engine problems slowed him severely.

Mike Simon's 4G63-powered CRX blasted mid 8s in the exhibition class.

The next Lisa Kubo??

Bustin' a move