Taliaferro to return to blown ‘roots’ in Topeka

Taliaferro to return to blown ‘roots’ in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. – Former two-time NHRA Division 5 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion Mark Taliaferro will return to his blown ‘roots’ with his Markco Machine Works sponsored team during next weekend’s Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan. Taliaferro, who has campaigned an A/Fuel dragster for the past three seasons will be returning to a blown alcohol combination with a brand-new Chip Nielsen chassis tuned by Tom Conway.

Taliaferro, from Odessa, Texas, returned to the Top Alcohol Dragster class with a Conway tuned A/Fuel Dragster in 2010 after taking 12 years off to focus on his family and business. He scored two divisional wins and two national event runner-ups since returning to competition. He finished a career-best 8th nationally last season.

With the resurgence of the blown alcohol combination, Taliaferro felt the urge to go back to the combination he raced throughout the ‘90’s with, winning two Division 5 Championships and one national event. He last drove a blown car in 1998.

“We did a lot of homework on the class when we looked at coming back in a couple years ago,” said Taliaferro. “At the time, the A/Fuel combination was definitely the way to go. Over the past few years, the blown cars have definitely become competitive with the A/Fuel cars. I had a lot of fun driving my blown car back years ago. After watching Whiteley and Demke last year, we decided to make the switch.”

Taliaferro cites that getting Conway on board to make the switch closed the deal.

“I have had Tom as my tuner going back years ago when we raced the blown car,” stated Taliaferro. “We didn’t want to do it without him. He has done a lot of homework over the winter studying what has changed since he last raced a blown car.”

The team had hoped to get the car in time to test before Topeka, but after encountering several setbacks getting the blown car completed, the first qualifier on Friday will be Mark’s first lap in a blown car in nearly 15 years.

“Obviously we would have liked to test,” explained Taliaferro. “The reality is we are going to be working late nights just to get the car done for Topeka. I have no doubt we have the right people and pieces on the car. I may be the biggest variable in this deal. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven a blown car. Hopefully we can go make a respectable showing and get some good data to build on. I really have to thank all the work my team has put into getting this car together along with the support of our sponsors Markco Machine Works, W74 Oil Tools and MCO Construction. Without a good team and support from our sponsors this would not be possible.”

Qualifying begins next Friday and final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

Markco Machine Works is an API Licensee for manufacture of new Blow Out Preventers, as well as re-manufacture and repair of blowout preventers. Markco also manufactures wellhead equipment and is a supplier of BOP replacement parts. Find out more at www.markcomachineworks.com

W74 Oil Tools is your one-stop resource for downhole fishing tools and oilfield support services. Located in the Permian Basin of West Texas, one of the largest oilfields in North America, we have over 35 years of fishing tool experience. Through decades of servicing national and independent companies, we have established a name representing quality and reliability. Find out more at www.w74.com

MCO Construction, leaders in oilfield fabrication and maintenance, was established in 1975. Along with fabrication and maintenance, MCO offers services in pipe cleaning, reclamation systems and CNC plasma cutting and machining. Find out more at www.MCOConstruction.com