Let's Rock

     This weekend, Paul and the Cuda Beast team will be in Rockingham, N.C., in the Pro Boost class of the PDRA's Spring Nationals. If Mother Nature cooperates, it will be the start of the team's 2015 race season that will consist almost entirely of PDRA events.
     Paul said last week the team will travel Wednesday to be able to test on Thursday. A race last month at Montgomery had been eyed as primarily a test session, but it was rained out. A car show commitment in Blue Ridge, Ga., last weekend (Paul had the Beast and his pro street Dart there) ruled out Huntsville as another possible test opportunity, so Paul decided the best thing was to go to The Rock early, pay the testing fee, and get information that could be applied directly to the weekend's racing.
    The team likely will be without the services of its computer guru, Keith Dockery, who is facing a serious health issue. Paul said the team is asking for your prayers for Keith during this uncertain period.
    The Beast will roll into the staging lanes with a new timing box to manage the Hemi's power, which has received a big shot from a refurbished blower.  Paul said he's backing down the boost and tweaking the timing to get the car launched. "After two seconds, we'll have all the power it needs all back in to the finish line," Paul said.
    The PDRA events on the team's schedule are Shreveport, La., at the end of this month; St. Louis at the end of May; Memphis in August (I should be able to make that race); Benson, N.C., in September; and Bradenton, Fla., and Richmond, Va., in October. The PDRA website has all the specific dates.
   Looking at the PDRA site, I was struck by this promo shot for the Rockingham race, and how close spectators are to the racing surface. It's not George Ray's, but it seems amazing to me despite the concrete wall and catch fencing.

 
    We'll pass along any news we learn, and you can always check the message board at promodifieds.us for any updates. Race reporter extraordinaire Brian C. will be reporting from the Southern Shootout series race in Memphis, so that will also be of interest to pro mod fans. Keep Keith and the team in your prayers.