Wed, 7 Nov 2001, 01:43 PM Division Six TOP COMP Class To Run In Vegas in 2002

By Michael L. Jex Popular Class Continues To Expand

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - LAS VEGAS - Six Second Door Slammers. Nostalgia Funny Cars. Front Engine Dragsters. From it's inception four years ago, the Northwest Division TOP COMP Class has been one of the most popular and fastest growing categories in NHRA Division Six.

For the first time in history the Top Comp class will be added to next year's NHRA Div. 7 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series season finale in Las Vegas. The 2002 event will mark the first time the four-year-old class will compete outside the Northwest Division.

"Top Comp in the most interesting class in NHRA sportsman racing," said Las Vegas Motor Speedway Director of Drag Racing Operations Chris Blair. "I've been involved in the development of this class since its inception and I want to be the first track operator outside the northwest to showcase the program."

Blair made the joint announcement with NHRA Division 6 Director Mike Rice.

"The main reason for doing this is to come to Las Vegas and The Strip," Rice said. "It also gives (Div. 6 racers) the opportunity to run eight races next year.

"It's a unique class, with everyone running 7.99-sec. or quicker," Rice continued. "Normally, we start a 32-car field. We had 50 entries at Mission, B.C. The 2002 race at Las Vegas will start 64 cars."

According to Rice, Top Comp is a true "run-what-you-brung," anything goes class for cars running 6.0-8.19 sec. This class is comprised of an assortment of cars ranging from Pro Modifieds, Pro Street, nostalgia dragsters and "door slammers. The class utilizes ET and Advanced ET rules with cars running off a .5 tenths full tree and open top bulb. Also class is open to all vehicles except Motorcycles and Snowmobiles."

The 64 fastest qualifiers at the Las Vegas event will face off for the largest purse in the history of the program. The race will award out-of-division points for Division 6 participants.