FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos earns top spot in national standings

MEDFORD, Ore. - The Northwest Division NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series concluded with Rick Santos and Pat Austin taking the Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car win at Southern Oregon Dragway.

Santos of Brentwood, Calif., made a 5.511 second, 253.13 mph pass to earn the win lights, and take the top spot in the Federal-Mogul Dragster national point standings. The dragster pilot happened to be the builder of both vehicles in the finals.

Pat defeated his uncle Bucky Austin, with a 5.818 second, 245.82 mph pass. This the fourth time that the Austins have faced each other in Northwest Division competition, with Pat taking three of four. All four match-ups have been in the finals.

The Comp Eliminator featured a battle of the number one racers in the Northwest and Pacific Division, with Brian Hyerstey and Andy Manna Jr. representing each division respectively. Hyerstey of Eugene, Ore., defeated Manna of Laguna Niguel, Calif., with his 7.863 second, 166.63 mph run.

Winners in other categories are Jim Morris of Olympia, Wash., in Top Comp; Steve Wann of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock; Ted Seipel of San Leandro, Calif., in Stock; Larry Scarth of Manhattan Beach, Calif., in Super Comp; Don Kalina of Albany, Ore., in Super Gas; Roy Neal of Suisun, Calif., in Super Street; Scott Pollacheck of Medford, Ore., in Pro Sportsman Motorcycle; and Robin Gautheir of Mission City, British Columbia, in Top Fuel Harley.

The Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series' next competition will be at the AutoZone Nationals in Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 28-Oct. 1.

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Southern Oregon Dragway.

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.511 seconds, 253.13 mph def. 
8. Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 6.174, 227.41

2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.535, 258.74 def. 
7. Bernie Plourd, Covington, Wash., '95 Dragster, 7.569, 118.13

3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.617, 254.11 def. 
6. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.742, 252.50

4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.637, 252.98 def. 
5. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.703, 257.23

Semifinals
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.471 seconds, 258.79 mph def. 
4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.519, 255.39

3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.518, 260.19 def. 
2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.501, 258.74

Finals
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.429 seconds, 259.81 mph def. 
3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., .5.560, 255.39


FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1.Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.862 seconds, 219.27 mph def. 
8. Matt Goss, JCT City, Ore., '00 Firebird, 6.529, 222.60

2.Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.833, 247.17 def. 
7. Dave Germain, Toledo, Wash., '01 Avenger, 6.516, 212.44

3.Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif. '98 Oldsmobile, 5.965, 239.32 def. 
6. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.135, 234.19

4. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Pontiac, 5.872, 241.87 def. 
5. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.957, 238.91

Semifinals
1. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.811 seconds, 245.82 mph def. 
4. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Pontiac, 5.962, 241.83

2. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.843, 247.02 def. 
3. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif. '98 Oldsmobile, 5.932, 243.19

Finals
1. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.818 seconds, 245.82 mph def. 2
. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.880, 215.48

COMP ELIMINATOR
Brian Hyerstey, Eugene, Ore., '97 Dragster, G/D, 9.400 seconds, 133.55 mph def. 
Andy Manna Jr., Laguna Niguel, Calif., '90 Pontiac, D/EA, 8.494, 156.75

SUPER STOCK
Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dodge, GT/MA, 11.470 seconds, 111.65 mph def. 
Kyle Seipel, San Lorenzo, Calif., '89 Camaro, SS/BM, 9.309, 149.51

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Ted Seipel, San Leandro, Calif., '97 Firebird, 12.982 seconds, 102.04 mph def. 
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., '79 Chevy, 11.456, 110.36

SUPER COMP
Larry Scarth, Manhattan Beach, Calif., '89 Beretta, 8.970 seconds, 151.95 mph def. 
Ashley Jeffrey, Vacaville, Calif., '81 Dragster, 8.956, 164.89

SUPER GAS
Don Kalina, Albany, Ore., '81 Chevrolet, 9.982 seconds, 137.25 mph def. 
en Heard, Ridgefield, Wash., '86 Mustang, 9.981, 135.52

SUPER STREET
Roy Neal, Suisun, Calif., '67 Camaro, 11.000 seconds, 122.00 mph def. 
Kurt Gross, Oregon City, Ore., '77 Vega, 10.987, 123.35

TOP COMP
Jim Morris, Olympia, Wash., '99 Dragster, 7.863 seconds, 166.63 mph def. 
Shannon Boepple, Meridian, Idaho, '01 Dragster, 8.142, 164.29

PRO SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, 8.981 seconds, 134.64 mph def. 
Mike Fordice, Woodburn, Ore., '84 Suzuki, 9.479, 137.68

TOP FUEL HARLEY (EXHIBITION)
Robin Gautheir, Mission City, British Columbia, '00 Harley, 7.141 seconds,192.18 mph def. 
Ron Houniet, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, '01 Harley, 9.342, 102.26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Both No. 1 qualifiers make it into semi's

MEDFORD, Ore. - In the final day of competition from Southern Oregon Dragway, number qualifiers Rick Santos and Pat Austin, have reached the semi-finals of their respected categories.

Santos, a Brentwood, Calif. native, defeated fellow dragster Bill Edwards Jr. in the first round of competition with a 5.511 second, 253.13 mph pass. Having qualified into the semi-finals, Santos will now race archrival, Mark Hentges in the semi-final round.

Hentges is the current national and divisional points leader in Federal-Mogul Dragster. Although he has clinched the Northwest Division title, the Federal Way, Wash., resident is only sixteen points ahead of Santos in the national standings.

If Santos defeats Hentges in the semi-finals, and goes on to win the event tonight, Santos will take over the national point standings. The two have faced each other three times in Northwest Divisional competitions, with Hentges taking two of three.

Both Pat and Bucky Austin qualified into the semi-finals of Federal-Mogul Funny Car, setting up a possible Austin/Austin final. Pat, a Tacoma, Wash., resident will face John Weaver of Hanford, Calif. While Fife, Wash., resident Bucky, will face Larry Miner of Woodbridge, Calif.

The following are Saturday's preliminary results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Southern Oregon Dragway. Final results will be distributed for all eleven categories as soon as they are available:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.511 seconds, 253.13 mph def. 
8. Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 6.174, 227.41

2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.535, 258.74 def. 
7. Bernie Plourd, Covington, Wash., '95 Dragster, 7.569, 118.13

3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.617, 254.11 def. 
6. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.742, 252.50

4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.637, 252.98 def. 
5. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.703, 257.23

Semifinals
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.511 seconds, 253.13 mph vs. 
4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.637, 252.98
2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.535, 258.74 vs. 
3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.617, 254.11

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
Round 1
1. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.862 seconds, 219.27 mph def. 
8. Matt Goss, JCT City, Ore., '00 Firebird, 6.529, 222.60

2. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.833, 247.17 def. 
7. Dave Germain, Toledo, Wash., '01 Avenger, 6.516, 212.44

3. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif. '98 Oldsmobile, 5.965, 239.32 def. 
6. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.135, 234.19

4. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Pontiac, 5.872, 241.87 def. 
5. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 5.957, 238.91

Semifinals
1. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.862 seconds, 219.27 mph vs. 4. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Pontiac, 5.872, 241.87
2. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.833, 247.17 vs. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif. '98 Oldsmobile, 5.965, 239.32

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin's record short lived as Friday qualifying finishes

MEDFORD, Ore. - Rick Santos in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Pat Austin in Federal-Mogul Funny Car are leading the fields after setting record times during qualifying Friday evening at Southern Oregon Dragway.

Dragster pilot Santos, set a new track record in Federal-Mogul Dragster with a pass of 5.402-second, 260.19 mph, on his first qualifying run. The Brentwood, Calif., native surprised even himself after his pass.

"I was pretty surprised at how the car ran," said Santos. "But hey, you just take it one run at a time and see what happens."

Austin, a Tacoma, Wash., native set a new Federal-Mogul Funny Car track record shortly after Bucky Austin had originally broken the record. Pat eclipsed the record set earlier in the day by Bucky with a 5.737-second, 248.39 mph pass. The two Austins are seeded one and two heading into tomorrow's eliminations, and are each looking for their third win in Northwest Division competition.

Top qualifiers in other classes are Brian Hyerstey of Eugene, Ore., in Comp; Todd Miller of Phoenix, in Top Comp; Bob Mazzolini of Grants Pass, Ore., in Super Stock; and Calvin Queahpama of Warm Springs, Ore., in Stock.

Final qualifying and time trials run at 9 a.m. Eliminations begin at 2 p.m., with Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car eliminations beginning at 5 p.m. Gates at Southern Oregon Dragway open at 6 a.m. For more information call the track, (541) 772-6932.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Southern Oregon Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.402 seconds, 260.19 mph vs. 
8. Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 5.765, 240.52

2. Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.445, 260.13 vs. 
7. Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.719, 243.17

3. Paul Jones, Stockton, Calif., 5.514, 255.76 vs. 
6. Don Hudson, Stockton, Calif., 5.683, 253.07

4. Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.545, 228.46 vs. 
5. Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.566, 255.76

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '01 Pontiac, 5.737 seconds, 248.39 mph vs. 
8. Matt Goss, JCT City, Ore., '00 Firebird, 6.775, 205.51

2. Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Firebird, 5.752, 248.81 vs. 
7. Dave Germain, Toledo, Wash., '01 Avenger, 6.446, 212.22

3. Larry Miner, Woodbridge, Calif. '98 Oldsmobile, 5.828, 243.20 vs. 
6. Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '97 Camaro, 6.101, 222.73

4. John Weaver, Hanford, Calif., '00 Pontiac, 5.854, 238.05 vs. 
5. Bret Williamson, Campbell, Calif., '01 Corvette, 6.077, 238.37

COMP ELIMINATOR
1.  Brian Hyerstey, Eugene, Ore., '97 Dragster, G/D, 9.403 seconds, -.717 under index
2.  Andy Manna Jr., Laguna Niguel, Calif., '90 Pontiac, D/EA, 8.518, -.592
3.	Tom Tucker, Bend, Ore., '96 Lumina, F/A, 8.715, -.575
4.	Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 Dragster, B/D, 6.995, -.565
5.	Fred Gross, La Crescenta, Calif., '97 Firebird, E/A, 8.415, -.565
6.	Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '34 Chevy, B/SR, 8.271, -.559
7.	Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Calif., '89 Firebird, C/SM, 9.163, -.537
8.	Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., '97 Dragster, B/ED, 7.059, -.521
9.	Jim Warter, Fox, Wash., '92 Camaro, B/SM, 8.917, -.503
10.	Maureen Jondahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Firebird, G/AA, 9.178, -.502

TOP COMP
1.	Todd Miller, Phoenix, '23 Altered, 7.343 seconds, -.917 seconds under index
2.	Frank Miller, White City, Ore., '67 F.E.D., 7.471, -.789
3.	Harold Owens, Ridgecrest, Calif., '79 R.E.D., 7.625, -.635
4.	Wes Garvin, Kennewick, Wash., '23 Altered, 7.639, -.621 
5.	Jon Riedel, Marysville, Calif., '77 R.E.D., 7.690, -.570
6.	Rich Bailey, Salem, Ore., '93 Victory, 7.731, -.529
7.	Tim Ferreira, Ashland, Ore., '98 Dragster, 7.735, -.525
8.	Chub Tucker, Okotoks, AB CAN, '88 Brogie,, 7.756, -.504
9.	Frank Tamez, Yakima, Wash., '63 Corvette, 7.766, -.494
10.	Marvin Mueller, Lake Stevens, Wash., '96 Corvette, 7.789, -.471

SUPER STOCK
1.	Bob Mazzolini, Grants Pass, Ore., '99 Sebring, GT/HA, 10.514 seconds, -1.006 seconds under index
2.	Bill Stewart, Marysville, Wash., '74 Cuda, SS/LA, 10.951, -.979
3.	Tony DeFrank, Tarzana, Calif., '98 Pontiac, GT/FA, 10.296, -.974
4.	Richard Salcido, Whittier, Calif., '95 Oldsmobile, GT/HA, 10.554, -.966
5.	Curt Auman, Yorba Linda, Calif., '90 Beretta, SS/AM, 8.752, -.948
6.	John Schiess, Tarzana, Calif., '91 Oldsmobile, GT/BA, 9.766, -.944
7.	Ross Wilson, Alta Loma, Calif., '66 Nova, SS/HA, 10.148, -.922
8.	Bill Blaken, Bell, Calif., '68 Chevy, SS/HA, 10.157, -.913
9.	Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '01 Pontiac, SS/CM, 9.171, -.879
10.	Steve Wann, Modesto, Calif., '98 Dodge, GT/MA, 11.433, -.807 

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1.	Calvin Queahpama, Warm Springs, Ore. '65 Wagon, T/SA, 13.658 seconds, -1.272 under index
2.	Ken Etter, Riverside, Calif., '76 Plymouth, I/SA, 11.629, -1.161
3.	Don Little, Westley, Calif., '70 Plymouth, A/SA, 10.315, -1.155
4.	Sarah Norsworthy, Santa Clara, Calif., '83 Dodge, ET/SA, 12.348, -1.152
5.	Gene Buell, Hesperia, Calif., '70 Dodge, D/SA, 10.883, -1.147
6.	Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Pontiac, E/SA, 11.048, -1.132
7.	Steve Hanby, Salem, Ore., '85 Camaro, M/SA, 12.251, -1.099
8.	Tim Lisson, Canby, Ore., '72 Chevy, H/SA, 11.544, -1.096
9.	Dave Brodgewater, Devore, Calif., '97 Firebird, E/SA, 11.089, -1.091
10.	Bryan Phillips, Sacramento, Calif., '67 Pontiac, E/SA, 11.101, -1.079