Roger Bateman Topeka wrap up

Bateman puts one in the win column for 2008

Racing into the darkness at the renowned Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, KS, the Friesen Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car race team with driver Roger Bateman put together a winning performance. The team competed at the NHRA Heartland Championships (Presented by Aeromotive) this past weekend that was a pivotal stop on the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as the NHRA’s West Central Division is wrapping up quickly.

The team had only two qualifying attempts as qualifying and eliminations was held over two days instead of three and they had to make the most of it. The team posted a 5.693 second/ 253.95 mph pass to put them in the number two spot. The team had to run one qualifying round and three elimination runs on Saturday and had to deal with a lengthy rain delay in the morning. When eliminations did commence on Saturday the evening air temperature was in the high eighties with low humidity and barometric pressure. Roger and team faced off against Bob Alberty of Muskogee, OK with the all important lane choice. Roger handled the Oklahoman 5.656 seconds/ 255.10 mph to 5.849 seconds/ 246.89 mph respectively. “We needed a base line to run and we jumped up” Roger was quoted as saying, referring to the fact that he had run his fastest time of the season in the first round with the new Brad Anderson engine combination. “Let’s see how well we do against Jay (Payne)”.

Round two was different again as the night cooled and the humidity rose slightly. Roger put up his dukes against Jay Payne of Claremont, Ca as the two continued their competition. “I wouldn’t call it a rivalry as we don’t hate each other, but we do meet up a lot in eliminations”; Roger was quoted. “It keeps you sharp and we owe him one from the National Event in Seattle back in July”. Roger and Jay kept their game faces on as they staged with the Friesen Motorsports team holding lane choice once again. Roger took Jay down 5.820 seconds/ 250.51 mph to Payne’s 5.836 seconds/ 253.14 mph with both drivers giving a great race for the fans to enjoy. Bateman now faced Steve Harker of Gainesville, GA in the final. “I owe him one here”, Roger was quoted referring to the fact that Harker defeated Bateman in the semi-finals of the National Event held here back in June. As the night was coming to a close the two drivers faced off against each other. The clock struck twelve for Steve both figuratively and literally as it was close to midnight when they ran. Bateman left first and never looked back defeating the transplanted Australian 5.699 seconds/254.57 mph to 5.754 seconds/525.43 respectively.

“This is just a great day”, team owner Brian Friesen was quoted as saying. “We never gave up and have shown steady progress over the seaon.” “This is just great!” Now the team will carry that momentum into Indianapolis, IN for the prestigious MAC Tools US Nationals next weekend. Congratulations to everyone who busted their tails to get the team the first win of the season!

By Jeffrey Porth
Friesen Motorsports