NHRA Founder Wally Parks, 1913-2007Wally Parks, the driving force behind the formation of the NHRA, has died at the age of 94. It was Parks' vision, goals, and unconditional commitment to the need for speed and side-by-side racing in a safer, more controlled environment that created what is today the world's largest motorsports governing body.
"Today is a sad day in the world of NHRA and the sport of drag racing," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. "Words simply can't describe the immeasurable impact Wally has had on the sport he created and the millions of people's lives he touched along the way. The name Wally Parks is synonymous with drag racing, and his vision and direction will guide the NHRA for years to come. Everyone in drag racing, and the industries formed to service the sport, will forever be indebted to Wally, his vision, his focus, and his desire to create, build, and grow the NHRA."
Parks, who founded the NHRA in 1951, received countless awards in the motorsports world and played a pivotal role in the establishment of an entire industry devoted to speed and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories that today is a multibillion-dollar business. Yet Parks never implied that he did it all himself. His pride and joy, and where he spent most of his time in recent years while still serving on the NHRA's board of directors, was The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
Flowmaster Announces HushpowerFlowmaster is proud to introduce its new brand, Hushpower(r). Hushpower will be a standalone corporate brand based in Hayden, Idaho, with long-term corporate member Lee Thompson assuming the position of division manager. Hushpower is being positioned to service markets and applications outside its parent company's emphasis. Hushpower is already a multi-make and industry-capable exhaust company with a specific focus on racing, off road, diesel performance, hot rod and custom exhaust, ATV silencers, and industrial and commercial truck applications.
The new lineup of Hushpower PRO Series mufflers are designed to silence the extreme sound levels produced by racing engines with their patented Hushpower Wide Spectrum Sound Cancellation technology. These Hushpower mufflers have been mandated by both the United States Auto Club (USAC), the C.R.A. Sprint Car Series, as well as being the Official Muffler of the Diesel Hot Rod Association (DHRA). In performance diesel applications, the 4- and 5-inch PRO Series mufflers are noted for their significant sound-control capabilities while providing increased engine efficiency and torque levels. The Hushpower HP-II mufflers with their Cool Shell case have already found a strong marketplace with hot rod, custom, off-road, lowrider, and sport truck builders. These all-stainless mufflers offer a slim-line case and are designed for applications with limited space and a need for heat control. The Hushpower-patented technology can be refined to address specific environmental and performance improvements in a wide variety of applications.
Hushpower products are available exclusively through its network of factory-authorized dealers. More information is available by calling 877-EXHAUST or visiting their Web site at www.hushpower.com.
Wyotech Student Receives Fourth Annual Vic Edelbrock Sr. Memorial ScholarshipOnce again, Vic Edelbrock Jr. and his company, Edelbrock Corporation, have shown their support for the automotive technicians of tomorrow with a generous scholarship to a WyoTech student. The WTI Foundation is excited to announce that Travis Miller is the recipient of the Fourth Annual Vic Edelbrock Sr. Memorial Scholarship award of $5,500. Miller is currently finishing advanced automotive training programs in High Performance Powertrain at WyoTech's Laramie, Wyoming, campus.