Bill Reichert Gainesville wrap up

Reichert starts title defense with runner-up in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Defending NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion Bill Reichert started his 2007 title defense with a runner-up finish during this past weekend's ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. In the final, Reichert lost a close decision in his Rislone Engine Treatment sponsored dragster to Randy Meyer in what would be the quickest side-by-side pass in Top Alcohol Dragster history.

Reichert, from Owosso, Mich., qualified No. 2 in the 16 car field with a 5.232 second elapsed time at 275.06 mph. In round one, he defeated recent divisional winner Bill Evans with a 5.289 at 270.59 mph, then took out fellow Division 3 racer Marty Thacker in round two with a 5.218 at 275.22 mph. Reichert's semifinal opponent would be rookie Lindsay Wood, who is filling the shoes of Ashley Force in the Darien & Meadows ride this season. Reichert stayed consistent, running a 5.224 at 277.77 mph to set up the final with the No. 1 qualifier Meyer.

In the final, Meyer took a slight starting line advantage and was able to hold on by a narrow margin with a 5.222 at 257.73 mph to Reichert's 5.205 at 274.50 mph.

"It was a good start for the year," said Reichert. "We just came up a little bit short in the final. It was still a neat race to be a part of because I believe that was the quickest side by side pass in the history of the class. We just wish we were on the other end of it."

"We won the championship last year by going rounds," Reichert continued. "I redlighted here the last two years, so to start the season off with a final is a good step for us."

The next event for the Rislone/Bar's Leaks team will be in two weeks for the O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Reichert is the defending event champion.

"We started a good run of wins last year in Houston," explained Reichert. "Hopefully we can keep the momentum going we started in Gainesville and make another strong showing for Rislone and Bar's Leaks."

The flagship Rislone product is Rislone Engine Treatment. America's best-selling engine treatment has been enhancing automobile engine performance for more than 75 years. It removes engine-damaging sludge, varnish and deposits from valves and lifters, as well as ring and piston grooves to restore and equalize compression in all cylinders, returning lost engine power. Other Rislone products include Rislone Oil Treatment, Rislone Ring Seal, Rislone Compression Repair and Rislone 2-Cycle Engine Oil. Find out more at www.Rislone.com

Based in Holly, Mich., Bar's Products is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. For more information about any Bar's Leaks or Rislone products, visit www.barsleaks.com

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com