Y-Not Form an Alliance?
By: Bruce Biegler
In one of the bigger developments so far this drag racing season, Manitoba-based race car owner Brian Friesen has announced a new direction for his already very formidable TAFC racing team and his driver Roger Bateman.
New this spring is an alliance with Colorado’s Y-Not Racing, which is home to the supercharged TAD driven by Jim Whiteley, a car that finished #2 in final NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series World points standings last year. Y-Not Racing will now be a two-car racing effort with both the TAD and now the TAFC. That team is overseen by wily and highly reputed tuner Norm Grimes.
Roger Bateman& Brian Friesen
The new arrangement has so far shown strong dividends. In the same Ford Mustang (but now painted black) Bateman had very strong runs during both the recent NHRA national events held at Topeka KS and Joliet IL. Those were preceded by a runner-up finish during the LODRS event at Brainerd MN.
“For 2010 we have teamed up with Jim Whiteley and he is helping out our car financially,” confirmed Brian Friesen, from Winnipeg. “We are excited to be able to share some brain trust with such a quality team. My driver Roger Bateman has brought so much to my team – he is the real reason why Y-Not stepped in. With this we are trying to get ourselves to the next level in the TAFC class. We have come very close to winning (a national event) in the past and I’m hopeful this can put us over the top.”
Friesen revealed that his car has a whole new crew and also a change in engine program.
“Our motor is not radically different – we already had all the best pieces – it’s just really moving forward with all of that,” he added.
The Y-Not Racing Mustang TAFC
Friesen, along with Roger Bateman, who was selected as Canada’s Pro Driver of the Year during DragRaceCanada’s off-season on-line pole last winter, will focus on winning the NHRA Division 5 LODRS title for the 3rd straight year. They plan to also run select high profile NHRA national events.
The current “all black” Mustang will also soon receive a fresh new paint Y-Not Racing themed paint scheme.
Jim Whiteley's TAD
(Bruce Biegler Photos)
