PRO Cheap Street Taking HeatCheap Street was supposed to be the PRO Fastest Street Car Series' answer to a true entry-level heads-up class thanks to an innovative $3,000 claimer rule. The idea was to keep cars in the 10-second-e.t. zone by forcing racers to focus on tuning and racing rather than getting bullied by big-dollar combinations. The rules mandate a minimum eight-car field from which any top-five qualifier is eligible to exercise a claim on the winner's engine, which includes the complete long-block from manifold to oilpan. Of course, by the middle of the first season, the most competitive cars were running well into the 9s at over 140 mph, but at most races there wasn't a full car count to bring the claimer rule into play...until recently.
At the PRO finals in Memphis, Tennessee, Cheap Street racer Andy Legg made the long haul from Baytown, Texas, with his '68 Chevelle and put the claimer rule to the test. Since Legg qualified fourth out of an eight-car field with a 10.07 at 131 mph, he was legally eligible to claim the engine in top-qualifier Paul Smith's Bowling Green, Kentucky-based '91 Camaro, which ran a 9.77 at 138 mph. Legg followed the procedures and claimed the motor within the allotted time by shelling out $3,000 in cash to PRO officials. However, even though PRO considered the claim to be legal, Smith refused to turn over the motor, as was his right under the rules. By refusing the claim, Smith forfeited his right to compete in Cheap Street for the duration of the year, although he's still allowed to compete in another class within the series, which we hear he plans to do next year.
What left us scratching our heads though, was the decision by PRO to allow Smith to keep the prize money and contingencies. The claimer rule may have looked great in theory, but failed to work when applied. Looks like Cheap Street isn't really so cheap after all.
Got Info?Have any interesting information, outrageous rumors, or incriminating photos? If so, don't be greedy-share them with us! E-mail them to henry.delossantos@primedia.com, and if it's especially good material, we'll send you the highly desirable Car Craft plate, maybe some stickers, or whatever else we think looks good at the time.
Have any interesting information, outrageous rumors, or incriminating photos? If so, don't be greedy-share them with us! E-mail them to delossah@primediacmmg. com, and if it's especially good material, we'll send you the highly desirable Car Craft plate, maybe some stickers, or whatever else we think looks good at the time.
A Race Near YouLooking for a place to compete and not sure where to go? Here are the current dates of events near you.
2002 EventsOctober 4-6PRO-EdelbrockWorld Street Car FinalsMemphis Motorsports ParkMemphis, TN
November 1-31st Annual PSCA/Probe Industries World FinalsSpeedworld MotorplexPhoenix, AZ
'03 ScheduleAmerican Autosports Productions, the longest running all-Ford racing organization, is going on its 12th season, and the new schedule includes a couple of stops on a new West Coast swing through Southern California and Arizona. With $2.4 million in contingency payouts from a heap of aftermarket companies and the chance to win a new car from Ford, it's an experience Blue Oval racers and fans won't want to miss. For more information, call Fun Ford Weekend (FFW) at 225/664-0996 or visit www.funfordevents.com.
March 1-213th Annual MM&FF Spring ShootoutOrlando Speed World Dragway Orlando, Florida
April 11-1313th Annual PeachState FFWAtlanta DragwayCommerce, Georgia
May 2-413th Annual TexasThunder FFWHouston Raceway ParkBaytown, Texas
June 6-813th Annual Sunshine State FFWGainesville RacewayGainesville, Florida
June 27-295th Annual OldDominion FFWVirginia Motorsports ParkRichmond, Virginia