We've seen imports run faster in all classes than the WFC's heavily domestic winners this time around, but mechanical setbacks and lack of preparation resultant of import drag racing's tumultous past few years kept most off the poduim. With more track-organized events planned next season, expect the imports to run more consistently than ever. And with classes open to virtually everyone, '10 might just be the best year in a decade to get in on the action.
www.importvsdomestic.com
Christian Rado Killing Spree
Just one year after destroying two transmissions at our Super Lap Battle finals at Buttonwillow Raceway in 2008, and failing to finish the event in satisfactory standings-the close of a season riddled with mechanical failures-Christian Rado and team Scion/World Racing now sit as undisputed champions atop the Unlimited FWD time-attack thrown. The crew scorched competition at this year's SLB finals, winning their class outright and setting a new 1:49.3 record for the clockwise-13 track configuration with their dual-winged, GT-Award-winning tC, earning what would be their first of two such major time-attack series titles. And if that wasn't enough, Rads blew the dust off his Pro FWD dragster for some Comp-class competition at NHRA Finals in Pomona, CA, and ran a 6.87 @ 197mph the second round of Qualifying, backing it up with a 6.97 @ 146 mph (letting off) the very next round, cementing the World Racing drag Scion tC in history books as the first FWD ever to run a six-second quarter-mile. Look to a future issue of 2NR for the complete feature.
www.world-racing.com
Japan Ousts Hyundai
Despite increased sales and a projected 19% growth for the '10 year, Hyundai Motor Company announced that it will discontinue sales of new passenger vehicles in Japan, indefinitely. The news comes on the heels of the company's decision to withdraw from the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show ("411", Feb. '10), and through the numbers, should come as no shock; Hyundai sold only 15,000 passenger cars in the staunch JDM over the past seven years, failing to move even 800 this year, while rivals Toyota, Honda and Nissan sold 21,000 cars in Korea last year alone. Company officials blame the numbers on Japan's weakened economy, high tariffs for imported cars, low demand for mid-sized sedans, and garages too small to park them. "We (will) focus on more promising markets such as the United States . . . , " a Hyndai official said. Translation: JDM Genesis bits are about to become uber-rare!
www.koreatimes.co.kr
Tricks Of The Trade
Helping You Wrench
Sealant Syndrome
Permatex copper gasket spray is a popular seal enhancer that has been used by engine builders when applied to a head gasket before assembly. The sticky, metallic copper spray helps to dissipate heat and improve heat transfer, while managing to fill minor surface irregularities. Spraying Permatex on a single-layer head gasket is considered a no-brainer but what about if you're using a multi-layer gasket? 2NR has found that spraying between the layers helps improve the seal before assembling the cylinder head. But don't be overzealous and spray a can's worth onto the gasket; four to five coats on both sides and in between should get the job done.