Pr - Marty Thacker

Thacker Heads to Atlanta​

Even though the initial weather forecast was questionable last weekend, Marty Thacker and the Rapid Transit Race Team finally got to test their new pulleys when the skies cleared over National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio. This weekend they are hoping to get a few more laps on the new set up at Atlanta Dragway during the Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

The Team earned the #4 qualifying spot in the Columbus event. Once again, they were the quickest blown car on the property. Thacker took the win light first round with 5.52 at 259 MPH. In the second round, the defending Division 3 championship team covered the quarter mile in 5.42 seconds and 265 MPH but was unable to take the win light.

"Well, things are getting better. Last weekend, it only rained half the time, and we finally had a chance to test the new blower overdrive. We had to abort our first run, because as soon as I put the car in second gear, an air fitting failed and tried to downshift the car into first again. We had already lost the first session to the weather, so that only left us one more chance to get in the show. Our first complete run with the new pulleys moved us up to the #4 Qualifier spot. In second round, we nailed the tune-up for a tricky race track and laid down a real nice pass, but it wasn't enough to stop the A/Fuel car. After making such major changes to the car, to qualify in the top half and make the semis while not hurting any parts is a testament to this team. We're all excited to get a chance to see what we can do with the new pulleys again this weekend."

After a short week, the team will load up the trailer again and head down south to Commerce, Georgia for their third race in as many weeks. They are currently sitting in 3rd place, just one round out of second in the Division 3 standings.

“As the season comes to a close, we really want to get this Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels dragster in the winner’s circle again. Evan and the whole Torco family have been really good to us and we want to give something back to them. Plus, it will be really nice to get a few more passes and gain some data on the car before we head into the TORCO Nationals in Virginia next weekend.”

Qualifying for the divisional event will begin on Saturday evening with 2 passes to be held at 5 and 8 PM. Elimination for the alcohol classes begin at 1 PM on Sunday. To keep up with all the exciting action please log onto www.dragracecentral.com.

Quick Facts

• The Team has been to two final rounds this year earning one win at the prestigious Jeg’s All-Star event earlier this year in Joliet, Illinois.
• This weekend marks the 3rd race for the Team in the last 3 weeks.
• The defending Division 3 Champions currently sit in the #3 spot in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points standings and 16th place nationally.
• The Team, based out of Robinson, Illinois, has won 5 UDRA National Championships and 2 NHRA Divisional championships.
• Four of the Rapid Transit Race Team crew members race in the NHRA Super Comp class.

Please visit the official team website www.rapidtransitracing.com.

You can access the full line of innovative products offered by our major sponsor TORCO Racing Fuels including racing gasoline, additives, and Skull Gear at www.torcoracefuels.com.

Visit the websites of our current associate and product sponsors at the following websites:

Atlantic Industrial – www.atscaf.com

Valvoline - www.valvoline.com/pages/racing

Hoosier Racing Tire – www.hoosiertire.com

Fatheadz – www.fatheadz.com

Submitted by: Shanna Snyder-Bell

Contact Person: Marty Thacker
Contact email address: mlthacker@mapllc.com