Roger Bateman- Chicago Wrap Up

Frustration Was the Name of the Game for Bateman in Joliet

Joliet, Ill- Last year at this race, Roger Bateman and the Friesen Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car team had to endure numerous rain delays and a tornado warning on Saturday to finish in the runner up position to TAFC Kingpin Frank Manzo. This year provided a totally different set of weather conditions, as bright sunny skies greeted the team for three of the four days.

The team was representing the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) West Central Division in the special race-within-a-race for the sportsman drivers called the JEG’S Allstars. The specialty race held on the Saturday of the 12th Annual United Associates NHRA Route 66 Nationals holds special meaning to both drivers as they win money form JEG’S Mail Order and bragging rights, as the seven geographical divisions compete for an overall championship and the prestige of the win.

Bateman and the crew were treated to a special appreciation dinner on Friday of the event where the crew received goodie bags and other free items from the JEG’S company.

Saturday, after driver introductions Bateman squared off with Beaver Falls, PA racer Bobby Martin. “We owed him one”, Bateman commented, (referring to the fact that Martin beat him in the first round of eliminations at Pomona, CA last November). “We are better than we looked last fall”. Bateman took the green and handled the Pennsylvanian handily running 5.615 seconds at 256.45 mph beating Martin’s slower 5.805

The semi finals pitted Bateman against Mark Billington of Norcross, GA. Bateman handled the South East racer with a winning ET of 5.614 seconds at a speed of 252.66 mph.

The final saw the little Canadian team run against the grand champion of the class, Frank Manzo of Morganville, NJ. “He will be tough (as he usually is)”, car Chief Todd Murray proclaimed. “He is not untouchable and we will give it everything we’ve got.” With the sun setting and the track cooling, Bateman and crew staged against the multi- time champion, hoping to get the jump off the line. Unfortunately, the clock struck twelve for Bateman as Manzo drove away from Batman recording a 5.556 ET at 260.41 mph to Bateman’s competitive 5.636 ET to take the win. “We are a bit bummed about losing the all-stars but tomorrow is race day and anything can happen” Dr. Friesen said.

On a similar note Roger ran the fastest elapsed time of his career Friday afternoon at 5.566 seconds to qualify fourth for the national event and held lane choice for Sunday’s eliminations. Sunday morning was rainy and windy, delaying the first round of eliminations for alcohol until early afternoon. Bateman and crew would face Billington once again in first round. “We have a great deal of respect for Roger and (crew chief) Kenny (Murray)” Billington was quoted. “They can run hard!” Once again the two squared off but this time Mark took the win as Roger’s racecar broke the front right hand steering arm and could not make the run. “Sucky” was one of the words used and “exasperating” was another used by the crew to describe the loss.

Now the team will pack up and get ready for Thunder on the Mountain, presented by Grease Monkey. A Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional race held at Bandimere, CO June 19th to 21st.


Courtesy of By Jeffrey Porth
Friesen Motorsports

 

Great Work!

Great work Dr. Friesen, Roger and the rest of the gang! You not only represented your division with class, you represented and looked great for all of Canadian drag racers. Keep up the awesome work!
Paul Noakes