Harker wraps up GatorNationals with Semi-Final Finish

Harker wraps up GatorNationals with Semi-Final Finish
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Gainesville FL - Aussie Steve Harker made a solid semi-final appearance at this weekend's NHRA GatorNationals in what was considered one of the toughest race events in Top Alcohol Funny Car history.

As rain delayed qualifying on Friday, teams only received two qualifying passes before going into eliminations on Saturday afternoon. With a solid 5.55et at 259mph pass to put the Harker Motorsport team into the number 2 spot, Harker faced off against Wayne Morris in Round One.

Although Morris had the starting line advantage, Harker had made ground by 60ft and thunder on by Morris to take the win with a 5.60et at 260mph pass.

Round two gave Harker a solo pass and although Harker planned to make a run for lane choice, the Harker Motorsport Monte Carlo never made it pass 150ft, facing serve tire shake and clicking it off.

In a 'Battle of the Titans' as suggested by Frank Manzo, Harker faced off against Division Two nemesis Mickey Ferro in the Semi-Finals. Putting up a great fight, Harker went head to head with Ferro taking the start line advantage however this would not be enough to hold off a hard charging Ferro who took the win with a 5.50et at 261mph to Harker's 5.55et at 261mph.

"We only had the one motor for this race so it was always at the back of my mind to run conservatively and try not to hurt anything this weekend so we could go rounds. I was really happy with the way the car and teamed performed running consistently all weekend long. We fitted a new set of Hedman Hedders to our hot rod and we were really impressed by how easily they pertained with our tune up and helped our overall performance. We are definitely looking forward to running these pipes and working more with Hedman this season and with a few other new products we're trying out now, who knows maybe we'll get our hot rod into the 40's this season too. " Said Harker

The Harker Motorsport team will now take a 3 week break before attending the O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston TX, April 8-11. With 3 weeks to spare, Steve plans on testing the twins Top Alcohol Dragster out at Atlanta Dragway hoping to have the car running consistently before the girl's compete at their first event in 2010.