Thomas Bayer has added another National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) “Wally” award to his collection by winning the Super Gas class during this past weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 7/Pacific event at Merle’s SIR Dragway in Tucson, Ariz.
Equipped with Proxes Drag Slicks, Bayer’s Toyo-sponsored 1962 Corvette survived seven rounds of eliminations despite being buffeted by high crosswinds and challenged with back-to-back runs.
During his final round victory, he posted a top speed in the quarter mile of 150.51 mph with an elapsed time of 10.165 seconds.
Bayer won the 2006 Division 7 Super Gas Championship and has been the Super Comp champ in 2006 and 2009 while racing on the Toyos.
Defending his 2009 Pacific Division Top Sportsman Championship, Gary Forkner and his Toyo-sponsored GTO also had a great weekend in Tucson by finishing as the runner-up in the Top Sportsman class.
Forkner made it to the final round of eliminations to post a 7.593 ET at 181.13 mph on his Proxes Drag Slicks.
Forkner’s runner-up status helps earn him valuable points while pursuing a back-to-back championship. He also qualifies to compete in the JEG’s All-Stars race at the upcoming Chicago National event.
“Once again,” observes Stan Chen, Toyo’s manager of motorsports and events, “our Proxes Drag Slicks proved they can take you to the final round in harsh track conditions.”
For more information, visit www.toyotires.com.
