Jet Setting Future!

Cayuga Dragway Track Manager Neale Armstrong will jump into something “very fast” later this summer.   The long time Canadian drag racing proponent is scheduled to leap from the outside to the inside of the guard walls and go jet-dragster racing….

Armstrong is scheduled to take delivery of an all new state-of-the-art machine in August and is shooting for a debut driving the car over the Labor Day holiday weekend.  It is being constructed by Lionel at L&J Chassis Hamilton Ontario.

Cayuga's Neale Armstrong will try his hand in Jet dragster racing -- soon!

“I’ve always been interested in the whole jet car racing scene,” admitted Armstrong.  “I’ve already got my IHRA jet license but I will need to upgrade it for crossover to NHRA.”

Armstrong is being guided along on his new venture by Canada’s Lou Pereira, our countries premier jet dragster racer.  In fact Armstrong has made some “full pull” runs driving Lou’s “Terminator” jet-dragster – and exceeded 300 mph.   Neale’s own car will be almost identical to that of Lou’s machine – and will be powered by a similar GE J-85 engine program.

Armstrong will be busy.  He must attempt to balance his current schedule that includes employment at U.S. Steel and his duties as Track Manager at Cayuga to also include racing dates for driving his all new Jet-powered monster. 

“My first priority is to get the new car finished,” Neale added.  “Louie has been great through all of this and our plans are to tour together at some point.  But that schedule is not certain at this time.”

As to that very common fan perception about Jet-car drivers all being certified “knuckleheads” (for willingly just getting in these things) — Neale would neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of that notion.

….but he did admit: “I’ve heard people say that.”

(Bruce Biegler Photos)