Ahten looking to scorch the desert

AHTEN LOOKING TO SCORCH THE DESERT

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Chandler, Az. – Top Alcohol Dragster driver Johnny Ahten from Santa Clarita, Calif., is no stranger to high-pressure situations.

The driver of the Lucas Oil/Island Renovations Ahten Racing A/Fuel Dragster, affectionately known as ‘The Stump-puller’, operates as fire-fighter specialist in Los Angeles County in Southern California. He moonlights as the driver of a 270 mile per hour, nitro-methane powered dragster which will be competing at the first NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, this weekend contested at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Az.

For Ahten, this weekend’s race at Firebird Raceway is just another day at the office.

“There are several similarities to being a fire-fighter specialist and driving one of these 5-second dragsters,” noted Ahten. “You have to be surrounded by good people, people that work well together. Each person has a specific job to do to achieve the common goal. Whether it’s top side ventilation working with interior fire attack or the diver working with the guys on the top of the motor, everyone must communicate and do their part. Fortunately, I have a great group of people in both avenues in life which I feel very comfortable working with.”

Ahten grew up in Southern California looking up to his father Bob, a former firefighter himself, for advice and guidance. Currently, the patriarch of the Ahten Racing team serves as the crew chief, working together with his brother Al and Howard Katano to walk the fine line between recording a blistering elapsed time, limping the car down the 1,320 foot race track or performance somewhere in between.

After today’s initial qualifying session, the Lucas Oil/Island Renovations A/Fuel Dragster fell into the somewhere in between category. A 5.50 second elapsed time at only 240 miles per hour was the result of their first attempt to qualify for the eight-car field. And although 240 mph is much quicker than most people will ever drive in a car, Ahten knows today’s performance is not an indication of the cars potential.

“This car has run in the mid 5.20-second zone on several occasions, so today’s 5.50 is about three tenths of a second off-pace,” stated Ahten. “We did accomplish a goal today by laying down a base line pass, which will give us something to tune our car with for tomorrow. We are currently qualified in the number 3 position and are only 0.03 seconds from the quickest E.T. of the day, so we feel pretty confident our Lucas Oil/Island Renovations Dragster will pick up the pace for eliminations.”