The Mr Whippy Racing Team embark on a new challenge this week when they race their dragster in the last three races of the American National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Series in the US.
The US Hot Rod Association host events all over the country and also in neighbouring Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims it has evolved into the largest promoter of professional drag racing in the world.
The 2015 series started last February and comprises 24 races held across the United States and Canada.
This will be the first time for Mr Whippy Racing Team, the 2012 European Drag Racing champions, to compete in the US series.
They will be racing in the Top Alcohol Class which is being contested by 24 other teams.
Fine tuning
Mr Whippy pilot Manty Bugeja and owner Joe Carabott have been working overtime in the last few months, along with their team of mechanics, to fine-tune the same dragster that has brought them so many successes in recent years, including the continental title of three years ago.
Their first race is scheduled for Friday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
All teams will have to negotiate three qualifying sessions with the top 16 then progressing to the elimination round and the final race on Sunday.
Carabott’s team will be back to the same Las Vegas venue between November 5 and 8 for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
From Nevada, the Mr Whippy Racing caravan will shift to the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California, for the NHRA Championship Series finale between November 12 and 15.
“We are really looking forward to this new challenge and the US series,” Matthew Carabott, spokes-man for Mr Whippy, said.
“The best dragster drivers are in the competition but we have full trust in Manty Bugeja and we know he’s eager to test his wits against those in the series. There is no bigger challenge than the National Hot Rod Association Championship Series.
“It’s a huge step up for our team in terms of competition and prestige but it’s a challenge that really excites us.”
Among the favourites for the fastest time at the Speedway this week is Bill Litton.
Litton established new records as he won the last NHRA racing series which was held at the Texas Motorplex, in Dallas, earlier this month.