The second weekend in July became the new date for the Martin, Michigan, stop on the NMRA tour. In 2005, the event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park was held earlier in the year and was actually interrupted by snow. Moving it to the summer months meant sunshine, great temperatures, and plenty of racing and show action. With everything from 6-second drag runs to 6-feet-tall show trophies, there was plenty to take in.
This event marked the half-way point in the NMRA season, and with only four events left in 2006, many of the racers worked the rule book to the best of their ability. On the car-show side of things, Martin had a nice local turnout with everything from street rods to the newest Mustangs-although we'll leave those new ones to our sister magazine, Mustang Monthly.
Check out these photos by Paul Rosner, who has been doing a great job covering some of the NMRA schedule that we can't get to ourselves. We hope to see more great examples of Ford's classic muscle at these NMRA events. Bring yours when the NMRA show comes near you, and you might just end up on these pages, like the lucky ones seen here.
Brian Nap and his '65 Comet...
Brian Nap and his '65 Comet race car was a sight to behold on the racetrack side of things. Running consistent low 10s at more than 130 mph takes some quality parts. Brian's Comet gets those numbers using a Ford 302 "R" block swinging Eagle and Wiseco internals to the tune of 365 ci. Yates heads, a Comp roller cam, and a Roush intake with a single 950-cfm Holley does the trick. The rest of the drivetrain is as serious as the engine with a race-prepped C4 with a 6,400-rpm stall converter, 9-inch stuffed 5.67 gears, a Moser spool, and 33-spline axles.
Another classic Ford racer...
Another classic Ford racer we spotted giving it his all was Butch Falor with his '66 Fairlane. Butch's 'Lane uses good, old-fashioned cubes for motivation-496 of them to be exact-in a 460 block. Topped with aluminum Cobra Jet heads and a whopping 14:1 compression ratio, his yellow screamer makes 10.20 passes at over 130 mph when he puts it to the floor. It's no surprise that his drivetrain setup is similar to Brian Nap's, since Brian has helped Butch with the build. A 9-inch Moser spool with 4.56 gears and Moser 35-spline axles are out back, while a C4 trans sporting a 10-inch, 4,500-rpm stall converter is in the tunnel shuttling power rearward.
From street rods to Total...
From street rods to Total Performance-era Fords, there was something for everyone at the event.
A car show is a great place...
A car show is a great place to get ideas for your own project. Bring a camera and don't be afraid to talk to the owner about something that suits your fancy.
Come awards time, the NMRA...
Come awards time, the NMRA crew does a fantastic job of announcing the winners and keeping everything running smoothly.
Look at all those trophies...
Look at all those trophies and plaques waiting to be brought home for display on their new owners' shelves.
The Motycka family is one...
The Motycka family is one that firmly believes in racing as a family-based activity. From Mike's classic Ford truck in the background (which he took all the way to the winner's circle at Martin in the Detroit Locker Truck & Lightning class with a 12.186 e.t. at 101.14 mph) to their Falcon, Cougar, and late-model Mustangs, the Motyckas have a lot of fun together at NMRA events.