Phil Burkart Jr

FUNNY CAR DRIVER PHIL BURKART Jr. gets the boot ???



I am very disapointed that fellow New Yorker and snowmobiler, Phill Burkart Jr. was let go from Del Worshm's CSK team. This guy finished #8 in the 2006 season. (Del never made the top 10 with his car this year). He is also one of the best on the tree. I guess we all must face it that money is (or the lack of it in team Worshm) the cause of Phil's unemployment.

Jeff Arend is Phil's replacement, Good driver and good guy no dought, and was able to work for FREE and bring a sponser to the table to boot. I guess that was to hard for Del to pass up.

Now Phil is out in the cold trying to get a ride for the 2007. I hope one of the BIG PLAYERS see's the opportunity to get a great driver and good guy like Phil on their team.

I have spoken with Phil at some of the NHRA races and he is a great represation for the sport. We also spoke of snowmobileing in Old Forge area. I guess we all have the same thing at heart, going fast and sleds. (one in the same)

click on nhra.com and read about it, also see the Driver Blogs and Giger counter for more info on that site.

just some of my thoughts, Steve and Paul

 

Phil's boot

ya, it upsets me that there is no loyalty in the professional categories. What upsets me more than the Burkhart deal is Tonglet being cut from the Harley bikes. That actually makes me angry because Tonglet started with that program. He was riding there stuff before Harleys were dominant, he was loyal to them through the hard times and now they boot him. It can't be that they dont want two cars because they are looking for another rider. Maybe there was a reason behind it, but if it wasn't something of his doing thats pretty horrible representation. What kind of team lets go of the person who helped them get where they are? But, I guess in my immaturity I don't see why money seems to get in the way of all things...
Just my thoughts.
CJ Curtsinger

 

Like it or not, everybody seems to forget that everybody is expendable and that there is always 2 sides to the story. What we don't know and may never know is the real reason behind it.
Don't think it was easy giving the news to Phil. I'm sure the Worshams had a hard time making this decision, if it was their decision at all. I've worked on the same funny car for a good 8 years (that was a few years ago) along with 3 other guys. We were like a family. Hell, one of them was the best man at my wedding. So I know how it feels. Now I'm just babbling. What I'm trying to say is there may be underlying reasons for these changes that we will never know about.

 

The main reason is money.

 

Bootings

Tony, I completely understand (and agree with) what you are saying. But as it appears from the ouside looking in is that Burkart just got a bad deal. When Burkart is replaced by somone bringing a sponsor and driving for free, it looks like it was done for money. There may be another reason, but unless one is given it looks bad for the Worshams. I just know I wouldn't do something like that unless there was a REALLY good reason, and that reason couldn't be resolved.
CJ Curtsinger

 

to CJ Curtsinger, I'm curious, you seem to have an opinion about so many things, but correct me if I'm wrong, you are 17 years of age?


So I'm curious, what is it that you really know about Del Worsham to make such a statement about not liking him for a variety of reasons?

Things in drag racing happen like this when you're hired, in fact, things like this happen in ALL Corporations, and what ever the reasons are, sometimes change, as hard as it can be, is usually a blessing in disguise.

So I'm just curious as to all Your experience and why such harsh words to a guy that you may or may not even know.

Kind regards,
Nancy Matter

 

Well CJ, it looks like your trying to move up the ranks, maybe to Top Fuel eventually. Good luck, I hope it happens. But let me tell you something, if that's what you want to do, then you need to grow up some. Put a smile on your face, kiss the babies (not the babes) and don't let your feelings be known about somebody in public. Keep them to yourself because it may come back to haunt you. Most of all, keep an open mind. When I was working on the Alcohol Funny Car, we lost out on a 2 million dollar deal because of something that happened years before. That's unheard of for an alcohol car.
Nancy, is that the car Joe Percoco had, it looks familiar? If your in need of help, let me know, I might be available.

 

yes it was Percoco's car, but it was built for Lynn Engles. Between the two of them it had about 33 laps on it when I got it.

send me a PM with your info for the help question so we can chat.

Thanks, talk to you later,
N

 

Burkart

Nancy, I have been around drag racing my entire life and have interacted with a fair portion of the professional drivers. Since I realized Tony's point about the future coming back to bite me I have already deleted that part of my post. So I won't rephrase it, but I have very personal opinions about people that usually come from first-hand interaction. There are some people I find to be less favorable company. This person may be the coolest person in the world, but I guess first impressions last a while. I will give you the fact that I haven't interacted with that person a whole lot, but what little I have I didn't like. My father is 64 years old and has been around drag racing since he was a teenager. He used to work with Eddie Hill on his car, so he also has some stories of well known drivers that I can only take as his word.

As for having a lot of opinions, everyone has opinions; I just tend to be the one in the pack to open his mouth (and yes, it has gotten me in trouble on MANY occasions and I am working on it).

I understand drag racing is a business, but you have to realize that I have never even had a job. I guess certain circumstances appear different depending on your experience, and I will admit that I have about none in that department.

Sorry if I seemed a bit abrasive earlier, I guess my age and ignorance will shine through every once in a while. Ill try to keep personal statements regarding others to myself from now on.

Thanks for the advice,
CJ Curtsinger

 

Bazemore was such a horrible representation that Matco hired him to drive the dragster... give me a break kid! Think before you type! Bazemore was also replaced for money.

 

I respect your opinion, but I think there was more than money involved in that deal (which I cannot confirm). When you have a driver that no one gets along with and embarrasses his team by making many personal mistakes on national TV, thats reason enough to let him/her go. I haven't ever dealt with Bazemore personally so I can only go by what actions I have seen him do. In my opinion his behavior was unfitting for somone that is supposed to be a "team" player.

CJ Curtsinger

PS. I never said he was a bag rep for Matco, I said he was a bad rep for DSR.

 

flyin' Phil

yes, it is very sad to see a fellow Div. 1 racer get the boot, but we don't know the whole story. Phil is an excellent driver and very nice guy, but money is the driving force behind any team. It's not a matter of who you know, just how deep your pockets are. I'm sure phil will get a ride, it's just a matter of who and when. Hope all have a great weekend and find a good spot to park at the mall to shop!

 

Hmmm... obviously DSR was a bad rep for Matco or they would not have left. Anyway, your valued to your opinion. I wish you the best in the future.

 

DSR/Bazemore

That actually brought up a question that I had. Did DSR lose Matco or is Matco just ALSO getting the dragster? What are they going to do for Beckman next season?

 

No more Phil

They did also list the other reason as that they would be able to have there new driver with the team full time and he would be able to work at the shop full time, but I think we know that is just kind of throw in there. The only part I think is sad is Phil was the only car that really rep. that team and went rounds last year. T-2

 

Top Fuel drag racing once was a sport that anyone with the fire in his or her belly and no fear could field a car if the determination was there. As any sport there was rivalries and competition was strong. However the competetion was not so much about the money but mainly pride. What has changed? Now it is so expensive that only the mega rich or the people who are best at finding the funding can field a race team in TF & TFFC. As in any business the only motivator stronger than loyalty is $$$. Team owners have to bring the money to the table to survive. Drivers know this, owners know it,
and even the fans. I like Dell Worsham and his dad and am sure the decesion they made was a hard one as Burkhart was a nice guy a a capable driver. However the team did not fare well last year and I am only making an assumption but they probably felt they needed a bigger budget in 07 to pick it up. If this team failed because of funding look at how many people would have been adversely affected. Phil knows this and is probably grateful for the opportunity they gave him.
CJ the mear fact that you are willing to retract a statement of your feelings on the subject is classic. You were quict to realize that the statement you made might have some effect on your ability to procure funding or inhibit you reaching your driving goal. When you think about it money controls what you say and the decesions you make. You've much to learn but I am sure you're a good guy and quick learner. Tell your dad hello for me.
Bob Holley

 

There you go CJ. Beckman is a perfect example of putting a smile on your face and kissing the babies. I've known Jack for awhile now and I've never heard him say one derogatory remark about anybody. He even drove the funny car I was working on one time.

 

CJ,
Maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself as far as Bazemore and Worsham go... Two of the very best out there...You claim to know a FAIR amount of pro drivers, but never use one of them as an example...
Instead of buying a TAD soon, maybe you should buy a clue...
You are young and intitled to your opinion, just think before you push the submit button next time...
Think about it!!

 

Tu Shay!!!!

 

Now, now everybody, lets not be too hard on the boy. He's still young and impressionable. Let's all sit back and watch him grow. I think he's had enough bashing for now.