NHRA News: Wilkerson prepares for 2004 after career-best season (1/1/2004)

Wilkerson prepares for 2004 after career-best season

1/1/2004

"I wouldn't want to be a competitor of the LRS Funny Car team in 2004."
– Tim Wilkerson

Tim Wilkerson is taking a moment out of his New Year's celebration to reflect on his successful first year as a full-time driver of the Levi, Ray & Shoup Funny Car.

With two national event wins, two No. 1 qualifying positions, a career best E.T. and mph, and a seventh-place finish in the POWERade championship points standings, Wilkerson proved you don't need to be a multi-car team to be competitive.

"Looking back on the 2003 season, I have to think that things went pretty well our first full year on our own," Wilkerson said. "Winning the U.S. Nationals has to be the high point of the year and of my career.

"I'm sure the competition will be even tougher in 2004 with the addition of more quality teams. We have been working on some new things to bring our program to the next level. We're looking at the backset intake manifold, which was used by a few teams in 2003, and some real hi-tech ignition pieces MSD has for use.

Wilkerson won the grandaddy of all drag races
in 2003 with his U.S. Nationals crown.
Racers Edge Photography

"Getting a chance to run a new body from GM will be a real welcome change. They have been working hard to get us to the level of the Ford used by Team Force and the Dodge used by Team Schumacher. Our old Pontiac served us well, but it is time for a change. I am hopeful that all these changes will make us a consistently faster team.

"I think we would have to say that our goal for 2004 is to qualify for the Skoal Showdown at Indy and finish in a higher position in the POWERade points standings. Our off-track goals are to get more LRS customers and race fans more familiar with our team and realize some additional benefits of being involved with LRS.

"I would like to thank everyone involved with sponsorship of the LRS Funny Car this year; Don Sitter of Clevite Engine Parts, Scott Negley of Negley Electric, Fram-Autolite, Tony Merritt and John Aden of Mac Tools, Bill Rush and Kevin and Cory Christensen of Souix City Truck and Trailer, and of course, Dick Levi of Levi, Ray & Shoup. The support Dick has given the team over the past four years has made all of our accomplishments possible. Last but not least, I would like to thank all the fans and my team. My thanks go to all the fans that e-mail and send me letters, the Wilk Warriors, and all the LRS customers.

"Thanks also to the guys at the shop who keep the business going while I'm away. Thanks to my crew, which I would stack up against any out there. I believe that we were the only top 10 Funny Car not to be tagged with an oildown all season. And a very special thank you to my wife, Krista, who keeps the house going, kicks the kids when they need it, and always finds a way to make me think I'm the best husband, friend, and Funny Car pilot on earth.

"I know you're supposed to make New Year resolutions but I really don't believe in resolutions. I think that you get what you work for, so with that thought in mind, I wouldn't want to be a competitor of the LRS Funny Car team in 2004."

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