Ed Verenka Edmonton Pro Fuel weekend story

The first weekend of the season for the Verenka Racing Pro Fuel dragster gave the team new data but not the performance they were hoping for at the Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals this past weekend in Edmonton AB.
Ed and the team are putting a number of new parts on their family A/ Fuel Dragster in preparation for Daughter Crystal to get behind the wheel later this year to start her licensing process. Ed plans on moving up to Top Fuel in the near future, and Crystal will race in A/fuel. The team was unable to get the car ready for the first run Saturday evening, but came out for the 'Night of Fire" session at close to 11:00pm Friday Night A huge crowd was Castrol Raceway for the Rocky Mountain's and the team was excited about making their first lap on the season. He would face another Edmonton driver Keith Falconer. Ed ran a cylinder dropping 6.21 in his first run of the season. "This was actually the first run with a combination more in line to the lower nitro percentage the NHRA compete at, and we know it will take some time to get it sorted out. I (along with my daughter who is so keen on learning this deal) tune the car myself, and since we have not run very much in the last couple years, it will take a few runs to get a handle on it. In the first round Sunday we broke the starter and were unable to make a lap. We did not get our starter fixed but we got one from our Saturday competitor so we got in a run Sunday in the final round. It was very warm and the corrected air was much higher, and the changes we made to adjust for the different conditions did not go the way we expected. It is a learning curve for sure, and making more runs is the only way to get a handle on it".
"We did learn a bunch and look forward to getting back on the track (later in the year) to get Crystal licensed. Having my daughter in the car is a dream for Sharon and me, and of course a dream for Crystal. I can't wait"
Ed's and wife Sharon would like to thank the team this weekend including Rex Jones, Peter Brodeur, Nolan Brodeur, Phil Seguin and Kathy Seguin.

Verenka Weekend preview:
Home town guy Ed Verenka is out for the first time in 2010 competing in the newly formed Pro Fuel class at the Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam Nationals. Ed and Wife Sharon have competed sporadically in the North West for the last decade and a half competing with a BAD for the first few years, and then in A/Fuel since 2000. This year, Ed has planned a bit more energetic schedule beginning this weekend at the Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam. The Pro Fuel class is in essence A/Fuel Dragster with little or no rules. They have no percentage restrictions; they can run a clutch management system similar to Top Fuel. Ed has run in the Top Fuel class at prior events here at Edmonton and has run very well. In fact he has the quickest ET for an A/Fuel car (5.34) in competition prior to the introduction of the new Pro Fuel class. Ed's goal for this season is to get a solid baseline for the A/Fuel car and have his daughter Crystal get behind the wheel and get licensed by the end of the season. He will then work on putting together his new Top Fuel car and have that ready for next season. Being from Leduc Alberta, Ed knows how important this weekend's event is, and he is looking forward to competing against cars that are similar in performance. In the past he has always raced against the Top Fuel cars at Edmonton, and it was like a Ferrari racing a VW. His run could be perfect but you know even an average run by the TF car will result in Ed heading home early.
With three other A/Fuel cars and two BADs to race, it is a much more level playing field and may the guy with the best tune up win. "We are really looking forward to racing here this weekend in front of our fans. We have a real good car that we think can compete against anyone". We'll see by Sunday afternoon who had their car dialled in the best".
"That being said for as much as I am looking forward to competing this weekend, I am really looking forward to having my daughter get behind the wheel and get her license. She puts in so much time working on the car and has shown a keen interest and knowledge that she is the natural choice to step into the car". The team is trying a few things this weekend that adapt to the new Top Fuel as well as A/Fuel, which will give them data once they get that car together.
Ed's team this weekend include Rex Jones, Peter Brodeur, Nolan Brodeur, Phil Seguin, and Kathy Seguin.

Courtesy SpeedZone Magazine

 

Wwr/ were back

hi ed good job like always you are consitant and your back i am glad to here your crystal is gettin in the car.we have been like you takin some time to re group after the crash in calgary but were back also with a nhra top alcohol funny car and a ihra top fuel dragster,we are going to med/hat in 2 weeks to upgrade our nhra drivers papers for the funny car and off we go to 6 events we lots of parts 3 motors and some other things hope to see you out thier wild west racing CALGARY.