Roger Bateman Seattle wrap up

Bateman runs strong but falls in Seattle quarterfinals

Rain did nothing to dampen the spirit of the fans attending the Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle, Washington this past weekend. The rain did affect qualifying as the professional categories and sportsman competitors were limited to just one qualifying run Saturday. Roger qualified the Friesen Motorsports/ Nobel Biocare Top Alcohol Funny Car #7 with a 5.752, 249.90 mph pass giving him lane choice in round one eliminations.

Roger had to drive around his first round opponent, Hank Coolidge from Sunburst, Montana as Coolidge got a 0.117 of a second to 0.151sec. advantage at the Christmas Tree. Roger went around Hank to win 5.748, 251.11 mph to a 5.929, 246.26 mph for Coolidge. He now had the task of facing the big Division 7 hitter of Dennis Taylor from Anaheim Hills, California, but not having lane choice had to rely on a good light to help him out. Roger got the advantage at the tree with a 0.055 of a second reaction time to Taylor’s 0.251 sec. reaction. Bateman could not keep it going as Taylor defeated him 5.627, 254.57 mph to 5.852, 247.16 mph. The car was not in the preferred lane and had problems just after half track giving the win to Dennis.

The team will go to Cordova, Il to compete in the Division 5 event there gearing up for the NHRA Nationals in Brainerd the next weekend.

By Jeffrey Porth
Friesen Motorsports