More Quick (32) Updates                                                                        
By: Tim Miller
 
 
 
Melanie Simmons ups ante with new engine program for Quick 32 Sportsman Series – Top Dragster of Toyrific Racing gets boost with supercharged powerplant
 
With a new ERD engine program, Melanie Simmons is hoping to be a strong player in this year’s Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
“We were disappointed we didn’t qualify for a couple of races last year,” said Simmons, who drives the Top Dragster of Toyrific Racing. “But we’ve stepped up for this year.”
 
The 540-cubic inch Chevy engine has received a supercharger and related equipment from the shops of Carl Spiering’s Engine Research & Development (ERD) and the team is hoping the increase in power will get the LJ Red dragster down the track quicker.
 
“We sat out a couple of races,” Simmons explained about the team’s woes last year. “That’s why we’ve upgraded the engine.”  The car was previously fueled through an Enderle Fuel Injection system.
 
During the first Quick 32 Sportsman Series event for 2010 held at Cayuga Dragway in May, the team borrowed a car from Spiering similar to their now-upgraded dragster, and Simmons qualified 13th in the field. The Toyrific team will be ready with the new combination for the upcoming RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend to be held at the Grand Bend Motorplex June 25-27.
 
Simmons has raced since 1996, starting in Junior Dragsters and graduating to the faster car several years ago. 
 
The popular driver will once again have her father Roger crew chiefing for the team. 
 
Others helping out include Colin Steels, Dave Gregg, Suzanne Simmons, and Mike Scott. Team sponsors are Jackson Transportation Systems, Delta Faucet Canada, Barrie Harley Davidson, Lauer’s Restaurant Equipment, Auto Sense Auto Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, McArthur Tire Orillia, Castrol, Tim Martin Racing, ERD (Engine Research & Development), Extreme Collision Centre, NGK Spark Plugs, Felpro Gaskets, Crown Battery and RS Performance Auto Service.
 
Simmons said she enjoyed the first year of Quick 32 Sportsman Series, in spite of her limited success.
 
“We still had fun,” she mentioned. “I thought the series was excellent, and our sponsors still had lots of exposure.
 
“And this year we are shooting for a better season.”
 
At the RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend three qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 26 and eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday, June 27.
 
  
New engine and increased speeds for Grubb Racing in 2010 – Top Sportsman team on board with more power in Quick 32 Sportsman Series
 
With a bigger engine this season, Darrin Grubb has stepped up his team’s efforts in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
 
The Ontario-based Top Sportsman team has added a whole bunch of cubic inches to its 2004 Chevy Cavalier, and Grubb, who drives the Cavalier for Grubb Racing, said he has noticed a big difference.
 
“We’ve gone from running around 180 in the quarter to close to 195 now with the new engine,” said Grubb. “It is a nice, awesome ride.”
 
The team placed sixth in the Championship Point Award Series standings last season, highlighted with a Top Sportsman class victory during the June event at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario.
 
The new 706-cubic inch powerplant is from the South Carolina shops of former IHRA World Champion Scott Duggins and his PAR Race Engines facility. The big Chevy sits in a Chris Duncan Race Cars chassis, and a Hutch’s Transmission Service Powerglide sits behind the engine. Rupert’s Racing Service provides the alcohol-based fuel system.
 
The team qualified sixth in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series opener at Cayuga, Ontario last month, and although lost in the first round, Grubb said he was happy with the car’s first outing of 2010 and is optimistic for the rest of the season.
 
“So far so good this year,” he said. “There are some good quality teams this year, and we are going to have to really be on our game plan.”
 
Crew chief for the team is Mike Dennis, and car owner Marvin Grubb, along with Barb Grubb are the rest of the team.
 
Sponsors for the team include Marvin’s Automotive Service Ltd., Pennzoil, Hutch’s Transmission Service, Ideal Supply, Chris Duncan Race Cars, Foris Signs and Par Racing Engines.
 
Grubb Racing and the Cavalier will be on hand for the next Quick 32 Sportsman Series event, the RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend to be held at the Grand Bend Motorplex June 25-27.
 
Three qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 26 and eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday, June 27.
 
For information about the RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.rpm-mag.com or www.grandbendmotorplex.com
 
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@Quick32.ca