LETTER from the EDITOR
As trends and classes in drag racing have changed over the last 10-plus years , the definition of “ outlaw ” racing and consequently the Outlaw Issue have changed too . Many of the so-called outlaw classes that once filled the pages of this annual issue have reeled in their no-limits nature in an effort to save themselves . Other classes that were popular in the late 2000s , like Pro Extreme and Outlaw 10.5 , are now shells of their former selves .
So who do we feature in the Outlaw Issue now ? Really , it ’ s all about an outlaw attitude and mindset . A racer with an outlaw attitude can find ways to think outside the box in even the most restricted professional classes .
Take for example our cover story subject this month , Martin Connelley . Martin has raced in a handful of different small-tire categories at outlaw races throughout the Southeast . He ’ s experienced success at various levels , but perhaps his most impressive performance came at Lights Out 11 last year when he doubled up in Limited 235 and DXP Street . Racers in Limited 235 are restricted to a very narrow tire , while a spec tire and spec nitrous system help maintain parity in DXP Street . Working within those confines , Martin managed to absolutely crush both classes for a rare double-up at one of Duck X Productions ’ races , a feat he talks about in the cover story by Josh Hachat .
On the complete other end of the spectrum you ’ ll find Richard Hartman and Tim Wilkerson . As veterans of the NHRA nitro racing scene , one might think these guys are as far from outlaws as you can get . But an outlaw racing mindset helped them
Nate Van Wagnen Editor-in-Chief make drag racing history when they broke the 4-second and 300-mph barriers in AA / Fuel Altered racing at the Funny Car Chaos Nitro Madness race at the Texas Motorplex last month .
They put together a Frankenstein of a Fuel Altered using a mish-mash of Top Fuel and Funny Car parts and at the last minute dragged it down to Dallas with intentions of having fun and making history . Sure , they rolled in the gates with a big 53-foot tractor-trailer emblazoned with corporate sponsors , but what happened in that pit area and on the quartermile Texas Motorplex strip was some seriously outlaw stuff .
Tom Bailey , known for his barrier-breaking , 5-second , street-driven Pro Mod , similarly fits the bill for the Outlaw Issue not only because of his past accomplishments , but also for what he has planned for the next stage in his racing career . He ’ s putting together a screw-blown , nitro-burning , gasser-style Chevy Nomad on drag radials . You wouldn ’ t end up with that combination unless you threw a bunch of words in a hat and randomly drew them . It goes against everything that seems to make sense , and I can ’ t wait to see how it plays out .
Along with the features described above , you ’ re going to read about a number of other outsidethe-box outlaw racers , from the stars of drag radial racing at Sweet 16 4.0 to Kyle Shimizu , a sportsman racer who goes to extraordinary lengths to go racing on the islands of Hawaii .
What ’ s your definition of an outlaw racer ? Who fits that description ? Let me know in an email at the address listed below and we ’ ll print the best responses in the next issue . DI
Feel free to email me at nate @ dragillustrated . com and follow me at facebook . com / nitronate1320 and nitronate1320 on Instagram and Twitter .
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10 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 167