I love it when we get letters from the readers. Some months we'll receive letters on a wide variety of topics, everything from the cost of safety equipment to feature topic suggestions to human interest stories. Then there are other months were one subject seems to dominate the majority of the mail we receive. Months like that are usually the result of something that was written in the magazine, sometimes it's a feature but most often it is about a column either Bob or I wrote. This month was exactly that-single subject domination.
Now, we have been getting feedback on Project G.R.E.E.N. since we introduced the concept of "green racing" with the January issue. But it seemed to come to a head in the March issue when Bob wrote his column "Big Changes Are Coming: How Racing Might Soon Be Going Green." I continued to receive letters on the subject as this issue was shipped off to the printer in early January. Three of the letters are printed in Pit Board and all are worth the read. I encourage you to write in and let us know your opinion on the subject, especially where the first round of dyno testing of our Project G.R.E.E.N. motor is concerned. The article, which appears on page 30 and was penned by Jim McFarland, details the results of that initial test. In many ways it was eye opening and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
This issue also marks our Best of PRI theme as we turned veteran freelancer Jeff Huneycutt loose with camera and pen to cover the Performance Racing Industry Show held in mid-December in Orlando. His PRI feature story on page 70 takes the place of Race Products this month.
Hot on the heels of the successful IMIS Indy show, my team and I also headed to PRI curious to see what, if any, affect the Indy show would have on O-town. If there was an impact it was hard to see. The aisles of the PRI show were full of attendees and most every exhibitor we talked to was pleased with the results. Granted, the number of exhibitors was down compared with previous years-judging by the way the aisles were setup and the fact that the rear of the hall had empty space. But that's to be expected-we are in some pretty down economic times and racing, no matter how you slice it, is a disposable-income sport. However, brisk attendance at both shows tells me that 2010 should shape up to be a great one for the racing industry.
Green racing aside, the future of our sport lies within concepts like F.A.S.T. a new asphalt late model series in Florida that was developed by a group of veteran racers. Bob Bolles takes a look at the inner workings of this new series.
In addition, we have a slew of great innovative tech to round out this issue, including Part 2 of our Boss 351 Late Model engine build. We also take an inside peak at Mittler Brothers' Pull Down Rig, an innovative tool for teams that don't want, or can't afford, to mess around with a seven-post shaker. And we can't forget what has to be one of the more unique and entertaining stories that graces the cover of this month's Circle Track. It follows a group of northwestern short trackers who got the inspiration to run a full-bodied stock car in the country's longest endurance race-the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. It didn't go as planned and, regardless of the venue, I believe every last one of us has had a race just like theirs.
I'm writing this on January 4, so while you're reading it in mid-February I'm going to take this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy and Safe New Year! May your setup be balanced, your motor tuned, and your trophy case full.
Until next month go fast and turn left!