BackMotor Funny Car Team

Video from TNT on 11-12-11

2011-11-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

Set a new personal best speed, the very first night out with our new Sponsor 'Auto Repair 1' !!

New look !!

2011-11-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Couple pics showing our new Sponsor 'Auto Repair 1' !!

Ran @ BilletProof

2011-11-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

Had a lot of fun, saw old friends, and made some new ones !! Had some trouble w/ our car (bogged real bad) but all in all it was a beautiful day :) Click on pic for full size >>

BilletProof 2011

2011-10-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

The BackMotor rear engine funny car will be in action at the BilletProof Drags Oct 23rd !! Pics and video to follow.

TNT 10-1-2011

2011-10-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Test and Tune results from Lakeland, FL:

Made a strong burnout, but it bogged off the line, pedaled it and when it caught, the front got light, drifted to the right, shifted to high gear, still drifting to the right, had to feather the throttle to get it back in the groove, then it pulled good the last couple hundred feet. Ran 7.04 @ 114 MPH here is the video >>

Thanks for checking in on us, BackMotor Mike

TNT June 3rd

2011-06-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

Ran TNT (test & tune) June 3rd @ Sunshine. Our ignition problem is fixed, but we still have fuel system issues. We will get it fixed, and be back in 2 weeks !! At least it looked good, we just need it to run that good now !! Thanks for checking in on us, BackMotor Mike :)

TNT May 14th @ Sunshine Dragway

2011-05-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the warm-up video from TNT !! Welcome to our new Sponsor 'BullFrog Performance' !! Getting the new engine combo sorted out, got our eyes on the 4 second zone :)

2011-04-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

Got it running !!

2011-04-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

Fired it up on Easter Sunday !! Here is the video of the initial fire up >>
Thanks for watching us, BackMotor Mike

Getting close !!

2011-04-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Click on pic to get full size.

New engine !!

2011-04-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

Installed and nearly completed, our new BBC on 25% Nitro !!

New Sponsor !!

2011-02-20T06:03:00.000-08:00

Product Sponsors:

BullFrog Performance, of Zephyrhills, Florida !!

The BackMotor rear engine funny car, now has an official machine shop, fuel & parts source, Thanks to Jeremiah at BullFrog Performance !!
New A/Fuel engine coming along nicely, and our first goal is: to get into the 4's (1/8th mile)

Product Sponsors continued:

Arias Pistons
R & R Connecting Rods
Crane Cams ( Thanks Chase Knight !!)
M & H Tires
Fuel Injection Enterprises (Thanks Spud !!)

Sneak peek !!

2011-01-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a pic to give an idea of what we are shooting for with the new A/Fuel engine combo !!

2011 plans

2011-01-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

For 2011 we are making the jump to A/Fuel !! New engine with 25% Nitro in the tank, and header flames !! We will be testing the new combo in March. We will be aiming for the 4 second zone 1/8th mile !! New sponsor announcement coming soon too... Thanks for reading us, BackMotor Mike

Nitro !!

2010-11-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Spending $400 on a flexplate, $550 on a 16 volt battery & charger, $200 in entry fees, $30 for a gallon of NITRO, and running your career best (with a flicker of header flames !!) in front of God and everyone...... Absolutely Priceless !! Here is the video, Thanks for watching us, BackMotor Mike :) >>

Open Outlaw on Nov 20th !!

2010-11-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

Our car is repaired, and we are good to go !! November 20, 2010 Saturday night under the lights, BackMotor runs with the big boys of Open Outlaw @ Sunshine Dragway in Clearwater, Florida !! Hope to see some of ya'll there :)

BilletProof event coverage

2010-10-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Great write-up and pics from the BilletProof Drags 2010 !! >> Hot off the press Video is now posted, in the video / links section. Thanks for checking in on us !!

2010-10-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Flyer for the event we are running on Sunday !! >>

Oct 9th race cancelled....

2010-10-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

The track cancelled the event we were planning to run on Oct 9th @ Sunshine Dragway.

However....

We are confirmed @ BilletProof for Oct 24th (Sunday) Where we will match-race a front engine dragster !!

Got my NHRA License !!

2010-09-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Friday Sept 10th at Sunshine Dragway in Clearwater, Florida. I made the remaining 4 runs, to earn my NHRA license !! The final run was a 5.81 @ 120 MPH w/ the chute out. This has been a lifelong dream (now fulfilled) it was a blast, and I'd like to Thank my crew guys for helping to make this happen, Troy and Mark sure were busy :) This is a huge step, and opens many doors, stay tuned for a sponsor announcement (coming soon)

Thanks for checking in on us, NHRA driver BackMotor Mike :)

Licensing Video !! >>

Schedule change...

2010-08-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

The August 25th date got moved to Sept 1st, due to a scheduling conflict at work, a couple guys are on vacation. We still plan to finish licensing on Sept 10th @ Sunshine Dragway. Thanks, Mike

Upcoming Events

2010-08-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

Team BackMotor goes licensing !! First 3 runs on Aug 25th, second 3 runs Sept 10, during Open Outlaw testing at Sunshine Dragway. We have been working very hard to secure sponsorship, and should have something exciting to announce soon !!

We will be adding events/races soon. Thanks for viewing us, BackMotor Mike

Team BackMotor moves to Tampa !!

2010-05-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

Team BackMotor relocates to Tampa Florida !! I accepted a generous job offer in Brandon, FL and have been commuting until I can move into the new house (later this month) just east of Tampa, FL and a very short commute to work !!

Our new 'home track' is Sunshine Dragstrip, an NHRA 1/8th mile facility, in Clearwater, FL where we run w/ the boys of 'Open Outlaw'

Our new updated schedule will be posted soon, please check back :) Thanks, Mike

BackMotor the pit reporter !!

2010-02-26T06:03:00.000-08:00

Team BackMotor is committed to running 3 events w/ the Open Outlaw gang at Sunshine Dragstrip (Sept/Oct/Nov) in Clearwater, Florida. The owner of the group (Bill Heister) asked me to tag along and do a write-up about the group. Here is the story and a couple pics >>

OpenOutlaw.com then the story continues here >> OpenOutlaw-race report This is a good way to stay involved with the group, and have a little fun, while getting our new engine together !! Thanks for reading, BackMotor Mike

P.S. Here are the pics I took that day !! >> PHOTOS

Team BackMotor gets some ink !!

2010-02-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

Online magazine 'Gear Head Haven' has a real nice write-up on our car, here is a link to it >> Team BackMotor << Big Thanks to 'Red' and the entire staff over there !!

Oil Painting of our car

2010-02-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

Oil Painting of our car, done in the Philippines, from a photograph. The detail is just amazing, what a nice gift, Thank You Ted Parker !!

P.S. Click on the pic to see the whole image

Troy Sutton drives the Funny Car !!

2010-02-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

My buddy (and loyal crew-member) Troy Sutton straps into the BackMotor Rear Engine Funny Car. Lots of prep and hard work went into this night, all the pep talks, planning out every move (and possible outcome) all go out the window, when you're strapped in, staged up, and staring down the track... I only promised him one thing... the ride of a lifetime !! Promise DELIVERED !!

Results from Quick-16 on 1-23-2010

2010-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

We had an absolute blast !! Ran 5.68 & 5.66 to qualify 3rd Dialed in a 5.65. First round, ran 5.66, our opponent red-lit. Second round, decent light, caught him by 3/4 track, lifted early ran 5.70. Semi-Finals, cut a .09 light and chased him down BIG-TIME, passing him after the first MPH cone, getting him by a car length, ran a 5.646, broke out by .004, was a double breakout, he was under by .003, MOV was .001 !! Thought I lifted early, but our highest MPH (124 MPH) came on that run, didn't lift quick enough All in all, it was a great night, made 5 runs in one day, most ever for us. Dialed in a 5.65, the quickest dial-in of my career. Had way too much fun, earned some money, gained some respect from the other racers Plus I was surrounded by my friends, Troy brought some of his co-workers, who got to see us run for the first time, they were duly impressed Had Ron Evans coaching me on the phone Thanks buddy !! Special Thanks to our crew, ya'll did an awesome job !!

P.S. I love the new ISP helmet pads

Video from Quick-16 on 1-23-2010 !!

2010-01-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

:bigthumb

Troy getting some seat time

2010-01-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

My buddy Troy Sutton (and faithful crew-member) getting some seat time, before we put him in the funny car, he did a good job !!

Plans for 2010 !!

2010-01-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

We got our chassis re-certified, plus seatbelts and safety stuff updated. The next step is licensing !! A call has been placed to our local NHRA track official, we will be licensing at Sunshine Dragway in the next month or so.

In addition to racing our car, I wanted to ensure our future in Nostalgia Funny Car racing, so I am taking the bull by the horns. I have entered into an agreement to begin promoting the series that I run in !! A friend of mine who is a promoter (Nostalgia Larry) is wanting to retire, when I approached him with my plans, he said "this is perfect" we will co-promote an event, and at the end of the event, he will officially pass the 'promoters torch' to me !! Our future looks bright, history will be made, and we will be right in the middle of it all !! Thanks for reading us, BackMotor Mike

Some History on our FC body

2009-12-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ran across this in my travels, scroll down to Nor'Easters post, and read the whole thing, I did not even know this until now !! Pretty cool, our body has some history behind it !! >> http://classicfunnycarboard.com/CFB/index.php?topic=13141.0

Video 12-19-2009

2009-12-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

Video from 12-19-2009 at Lakeland Motorsports Park >>
As always Thanks for watching/reading us !!

2009-12-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

Hi gang, we ran in Quick-16 last night, it was a good turnout, with a 'full field' as 17 cars showed up for a 16 car field, we qualified 3rd w/ a 5.75 @ 124 MPH !! First round: did a wheelstand off the line and came down near the wall, got back after it, but the dew had settled and the car was sashaying all the way down thru there, and I used the chute to straighten it out, plus I cut a late light Handicap start on a Pro-Tree definitely takes some practice We had fun, and as always, had Ron Evans on the phone after each pass, making sure we didn't melt anything, we tried the M-5 Fuel for the first time (2% Nitro) smells nice out of the pipes, but didn't pick up any MPH

Results:
Qual #1 5.75 @ 124 MPH
Qual #2 5.75 @ 123 MPH
Rd One 6.21 @ 91 MPH dragging the laundry

Racing Dec 19th Quick-16

2009-12-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

We are racing in Quick-16 at Lakeland Motorsports Park on Dec 19th 2009

PRI !!

2009-12-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

Troy and I had a blast at the PRI show in Orlando !! We went there with a purpose: to meet face to face with the owners of Arias Pistons, and R & R Connecting Rods, to trade ad space on our car for parts, that would complete the A/Fuel engine, for next year with the AHRA. Mission accomplished !! Watch for us in Nostalgia Funny Car next year, Big Block Chevy on Nitro, it doesn't get much better than that !! Thanks for reading us, BackMotor Mike

New body ordered !!

2009-12-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just got off the phone with Pat Scherr of 'Scherr Enterprises' they are building the body for us !! This will be a 1969 Corvair and be VRA/GG/CHRR legal !! As our actual body goes thru production/assembly, there will be progress reports w/ pictures !!

Chassis now certified !!

2009-12-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

Our chassis is now NHRA certified for 3 years !!
The new A/Fuel engine is under construction, and will run it in 2010 !!

Getting the driver (me) licensed is next on the list, we will begin that process in January, to be followed shortly by Troy obtaining his license also. We are starting to get offers to come and run at some other tracks, we do plan to venture out next year !!

Our BilletProof adventure !!

2009-10-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

We had a blast racing at the BilletProof Drags at Lakeland Motorsports Park on Oct 25, 2009 We got to hang out, and match-race with, some of the guys from 'Southern Slingshots' they are an awesome bunch Made a sole pass for qualifying, a 5.75 @ 121 MPH, track felt good. Ran Jeff Morris in his injected alky front engine dragster, we ran a 5.61 @ 125.88 MPH Traded lanes, and ran again, we went 5.68 @ 123 MPH !! We had a great time, and got our first win light too !! My Thanks goes out to the crew, you guys did great :)

BilletProof Drags video !!

2009-10-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Video from testing

2009-10-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Here is the video from TNT at Lakeland on the 17th, Thanks for watching/reading us !!

TNT on 10-17-2009

2009-10-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

We got there when the gates opened 5 PM. Mid 70's and clear out, but the temps dropped quickly, especially the track temp. Our first run there was still some daylight left, but it didn't help. Car left with the wheels up, but got loose about 100' out, pedaled it, rode the centerline, got it back in the groove, got back after it, lit the tires right up, sashaying across the stripe, 6.60 @ 85 MPH Decided to make another run, and didn't want to let it cool down any more, so fuel, tire pressures, quick check over, and right back in line, left a little soft, got it to go down thru there, wasn't pretty, but ran a 6.22 @ 95 MPH dragging the laundry, as it got a little loose 3/4 track, and I hit the chutes, which straightened it right out !! Thanks for reading us, will post the video soon.

RTR logo on a funny car !!

2009-10-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

Pic from our last event

2009-09-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Sunshine Dragway, on Sept 5th running in Open Outlaw !!

Match-Race !!

2009-09-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

Team BackMotor is running at this event !! Hope to see you there >>

April 29th results

2009-09-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Oops, I forgot to update after we ran at Lakeland, on August 29th !! We had a great time, my dad and brother came and ran their car in the bracket race, you should have seen my dad running back and forth between the two teams, wish we had pitted closer to them, he had a path worn, by the end of the night !! We had 3 runs in the mid 5.60's all at 122 MPH, but more importantly, me, my dad, and my brother, all got to race together again !! We used the parachute for the first time that night also, and the car came back clean and dry, ready for Sunshine and Open Outlaw, the following weekend, and dad was proud !! Will post video in the links in the left margin. Thanks, Mike

Open Outlaw 9-5-09 !!

2009-09-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

We ran with the Open Outlaws at Sunshine, we qualified 12th out of 14. Ran 5.66 & 5.65 both at 122 MPH. The highlight of the night was running against another funny car, Jerry Martin in the 'Burnin" Money Mustang !! I left on him and had the lead, until he came roaring by, but it was great while it lasted, he got me by 3 car lengths. He ran a 4.98 to my 5.66 but with a .2 hole-shot, it was closer than it should have been.

BackMotor schedule (partial)

2009-08-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Our next adventure(s) will be: August 29th @ Lakeland FL, then again the following weekend at Sunshine Dragway, in Clearwater FL, where we will be running with the big boys of 'Open Outlaw' we had a blast the last time we ran with them !!

Test & Tune, Aug 1, 2009

2009-08-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

We got there before the gates opened, 95* air temp, 135* track temp, 90% humidity, it was hot Unloaded and did our warm-up, there was a nasty crash in the first few pairs, delaying the start. They got it cleaned up, and we got to run, first pass: 5.85 @ 122.40 MPH, bogged off the line, kinda surged in high gear, got it back to the trailer, pulled the plugs, and called Ron Evans, made fuel system adjustment (richen main jet by .010) plugs back in, pulled back in line, 88* air temp, 109* track temp, 90% humidity. Second pass: 5.68 @ 123 MPH and picked up a tenth in the 60' plus got the front wheels up a bit on the launch, was #2 qualifier if we cared to run the bracket race, the dew had settled on the car (and soon the track) so we decided to pack it up, half hour later it rained, so that was a good call !! Here is the video, Thanks for reading/watching us, Mike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYz3ZvDhyw4

Evolution of our BackMotor Funny Car

2009-06-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

This video covers the first 8 years with our car, we sure had a lot of ups & downs to get to this point, but I guess that's why they call it paying your dues. Link >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUq1LHaqMmc

2009-06-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

This was our first adventure running with the BIG BOYS of Open Outlaw !! We received a warm welcome from the track officials, the fans, and the entire group of Open Outlaw racers. We qualified 6th, lost to #1 qualifier and eventual winner Ron Logan, but it did nothing to diminish our spirits, we had an absolute blast !! We have been invited back for September's race. Here are some pics (courtesy of ChevelleRob, the track photog) CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE > >

Test

2009-06-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

Our new blog !! We will be keeping a BLOG of our adventures with our Rear Engine Funny Car called: BackMotor