Drag Drive Repeat Episode 99 Recap: Legal Motorsports Battles, Radial Tire Secrets, and Devin Vanderhoof’s Sick Week Saga!
Welcome to Episode 99 of the Drag Drive Repeat Show presented by Summit Racing
Arkansas legislators vote on a bill to limit motorsports facilities to 75db, we announce the location for The Circuit 2025 Racer party, Caroline from Youth Services of Tulsa is on to discuss their commitment to the community, and Devin Vandrhoof is on to talk about Sick Week and Lights Out 16!
00:00 - 05:17 - Episode Intro and Arkansas Motorsport Faces Noise Legislation Crisis
The show ignited with a critical discussion about Arkansas legislators attempting to limit motorsport facility noise levels to a mere 75 decibels, a threshold significantly below realistic racing standards. The hosts did not shy away from expressing their frustration:
Host Quote: "I think these guys are idiots."
SEMA Action Network quickly intervened, causing a crucial delay to the vote originally scheduled at 10 am on the day of the livestream. This swift action by SEMA was pivotal, allowing racers time to rally against the restrictive proposal.
The hosts highlighted similar cases like the one involving Cleetus McFarland’s facility, emphasizing the importance of residential waivers acknowledging the proximity to motorsport venues.
The hosts dig into the details of Arkansas Bill HB1564 and HB1567 during the Jay Wire Solutions segment, beginning at 21:10
09:12 - 13:16 - Big Announcement: 2025 Circuit Racer Party
Fans got exciting news about the 2025 Circuit Racer Party set for April 5th at Broken Arrow Lanes in Broken Arrow, OK. The event will feature: Competitive Bowling, Arcade Challenges, Cruise Night atmosphere, and a Bowling Alley food style buffet.
This is going to be a night of fun and friendly competition!
13:16 – 16:54 Driven Racing Oil Drag and Drive Event Updates
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Heads-Up Hustle & No Half Send Events
The hosts, with event promoter John-Paul Franks, discussed Heads-Up Hustle, taking place July 25-27. The event is now sponsored by Melling Performance! The host track will be Milan Dragway, then drive to Mid-Michigan Motorplex! Mike will be announcing and is trying to peer-pressure Eric into coming. Heads-Up Hustle will conclude with Hidden Motorsport’s No Half Sends event. This unique event features mud drags, drifting competitions with Australian-style burnouts, and a street car shootout at the end. Racers and fans alike should mark their calendars for July 27th in Milan.Street Week Sweden Announcement
Street Week Sweden has officially announced their 2025 event dates! Mark your calendars for July 6-12 at Mantorp Park. The hosts expressed excitement about the growing drag and drive scene in Sweden and how this event is gaining more international attention.Sick at the Rock Expands
In other major news, Sick at the Rock is incorporating a drag and drive element into their event. There will be a 225 car limit with payouts to 32 different categories—not classes—similar to One-Off event formats. Derek shared that while the mileage and route haven’t been finalized, this drag and drive event will follow a traditional format with a dedicated route and checkpoints. Registration opens this Saturday at 9am Eastern, and the anticipation is already building for this unique event.Home ¼ Drag and Drive
The Home ¼ Drag and Drive is confirmed for a 3-day event from June 13-15. This event promises exciting racing action for drag and drive enthusiasts and will be a key summer event in the community. Hosted at Saskatoon for all three days, this event will be a new format with three days of racing at a single track.Hot Lap Challenge Postponed
Unfortunately, the Hot Lap Challenge has been postponed until 2026. Although disappointing, this delay gives racers more time to prepare and fine-tune their vehicles. The hosts speculated that the extra time could lead to an even better event when it finally returns.Central GA Battle of the Streets Reminder
A reminder for those attending the Central GA Battle of the Streets event on March 8 at Silver Dollar Motorsports Park. Mike Mayo posted event details, reminding racers that gates open at 10am, tech inspection follows, and racing starts at 1pm. He emphasized that racers need to stay near their cars, ready to race, as there will be no waiting around. With 660 group members, he urged at least half to show up, or this could be the last race of this kind.
21:10 – 29:42 Jay Wire Solutions
New Product Announcements & SEMA’s Legal Fight
Expert Car and Marine Wiring Solutions You Can Trust. Jay Wire Solutions can wire and plumb your hot rod/racecar/drag and drive car. Plus they offer products to make your driving experience better, like the Blinker Module that is a ust for all drag and drive cars. The module will allow your rear turn signals to continue to function while the brake pedal is applied, JUST LIKE STOCK!
New Product Announcements from Jay & Team
A sneak peek into upcoming automotive products.
A specific blinker module is discussed that improves compatibility with aftermarket harnesses.
New product drops are hinted at but not officially announced—potential updates may come in the next episode.
SEMA's Rapid Response to the Arkansas Noise Legislation
Hosts discuss SEMA Action Network’s quick reaction.
The bill was barely publicized, and legislators planned to vote on it within 48 hours of its first reading.
SEMA’s involvement delayed the vote, giving the racing community a chance to mobilize.
The Importance of Residential Waivers Near Racetracks
The team discusses how Cletus McFarland’s track approval required new homeowners to sign waivers acknowledging that they are moving near a drag strip.
The hosts express frustration that such measures aren’t standard across the country.
Discussion on how similar cases could set legal precedents for future racetrack zoning battles.
33:33 – 56:19 Youth Services of Tulsa Joins the Show
Representatives from Youth Services of Tulsa (YST) appeared to discuss their work supporting at-risk youth.
Over 20 programs are helping homeless youth, offering crisis counseling, and running juvenile advocacy initiatives, including:
Runaway and homelessness prevention
Family counseling services
Substance abuse counseling
Court advocacy programs for minor offenses
The racing community’s donations can include:
New or Gently Used Clothing for homeless youth
Essential supplies like phone chargers, gloves, and hygiene products
Tents and Luggage are also great items.
Furniture, dishes, silverware and household supplies
How Racers Can Support YST and Give Back
The discussion shifts to community involvement and charitable efforts.
The hosts share past donation success stories, including:
Large-scale toy drives for children’s shelters.
Clothing donations for at-risk youth.
Essential items like phone chargers, gloves, and hygiene products.
The racing community’s generosity is emphasized, encouraging more involvement.
The Financial Impact of Charitable Donations
How small donations can make a massive impact.
Example: A $100 donation can provide up to 40 meals for homeless youth.
The hosts stress the importance of racers and car enthusiasts coming together to make a difference.
1:03:58 – 1:08:10 Fuel System Upgrades & Performance Talks
DeatschWerks is a leading manufacturer of high-performance fuel system components. The DW product line includes fuel injectors, fuel pumps, pump modules, fuel rails, regulators, filters, lines and fittings, and surge tanks—engineered to support power levels ranging from 400 to 2200 horsepower.
Since Its founding, DeatschWerks has been committed to delivering quality, innovation, and precision to the automotive performance industry. Every DW product is built to maximize reliability and efficiency, ensuring optimal fueling solutions for racers, tuners, and performance enthusiasts worldwide.
With a focus on engineering excellence and industry-leading customer support, DeatschWerks continues to drive the future of high-performance fueling.
DeatschWerks High-Performance Fuel System Components:
Overview of fuel injectors, pumps, and regulators that help improve engine efficiency.
How high-flow fuel injectors make a difference in high-horsepower applications.
The Importance of Proper Fuel System Selection for Drag Racing:
The team discussed matching fuel system components to engine performance needs.
The impact of fuel pressure regulation on consistent performance.
Choosing the right fuel filters and injectors to avoid flow restrictions.
Summit Racing’s Role in Providing Quality Parts:
The Summit Racing lineup was highlighted as a top source for performance fuel system upgrades.
Mention of multiple brands available through Summit Racing for racers to consider.
1:08:10 – 1:50:33 Devin Vanderhoof Shares Wild Drag and Drive Experiences
Special guest Devin Vanderhoof broke down his chaotic Sick Week experience, revealing the highs, lows, and unexpected setbacks that made the event one to remember.
Prepping for Sick Week & Car Modifications
Major changes before the event:
Completely tore the car apart and rebuilt several components.
Changed the gear and the stator in the converter for improved performance.
Expected to test the car but never got the chance before the event.
Quote from Vanderhoof: "We showed up completely in left field. We got a couple of test hits in, but we were running about a tenth and a half slower than expected."
Early Struggles at Sick Week
First day was a disaster:
The team struggled to get the car dialed in.
Vanderhoof: "Day one really shot us in the foot... honestly, I thought we were screwed."
Transmission issues:
A broken transmission caused hours of downtime.
Quote: "We broke a transmission, changed so much stuff—it was unreal before Sick Week."
Overnight Repairs & Late-Night Adventures
Racers working together through breakdowns:
Vanderhoof shared how they spent hours at gas stations troubleshooting a fuel pump failure.
Quote: "We had people bringing us pumps, but nothing was working. It was now 4:30 AM, and we were still 100 miles from the next checkpoint."
Funny police encounter at 6 AM:
Vanderhoof had a memorable moment with the police while exhausted from repairs.
Quote: "I just got done talking to a police officer and taking a leak in the bushes. The officer asked what I was doing, and I told him, 'I'm pissing, and I don't care. I'm too tired to care.'”
Police were checking to ensure no one was breaking into race cars.
Performance Gains & Racing Battles
Despite issues, the car improved:
Eventually ran in the 4.20s in the eighth-mile, though it was still off from its ideal performance.
Unexpected challenges with setup:
Wrong gear choice and too loose of a converter caused slower runs.
Quote: "We figured we'd have time to test, but that didn’t happen. We just had to make it work on the fly."
Final Breakdown – Another Major Delay
More mechanical failure:
A fuel pump failure forced them into an hours-long roadside fix.
Quote: "Six hours in a gas station parking lot trying to make it work. Everyone chipped in, but it just wasn’t happening."
Pushing through exhaustion:
Little to no sleep all week but determined to finish the event.
Quote: "Seven hours of sleep all week… that’s just the reality of drag and drive."
1:54:10 – 2:06:48 Radial Tires vs. Slicks: The Debate Rages On
Vanderhoof’s Strong Opinion on Radial Tires
Vanderhoof’s declaration: "Radials are the Lord’s Tire."
He humorously criticized big tire slicks, saying:
"I don’t know what more can be said about a big, floppy tire that hasn’t already been said."
"Radials don’t move around as much. The track dictates how much power you can put down—not the tire."
Performance Advantages of Radial Tires
Radial tires offer superior speed, stability, and efficiency compared to big slicks.
Vanderhoof’s take:
"The radial is a more predictable tire. You know what the track is giving you, and you know exactly how much power to apply."
"Slicks move around way too much—you’re guessing on grip all the time."
The Science Behind Radial Tires:
They provide consistent grip levels without excessive tire distortion.
Less rolling resistance = faster acceleration and better ETs (Elapsed Times).
The Fear if Big Tire Racers Switch to Radials
Vanderhoof raised an important point:
"If those big tire guys ever figure out how to make radials work, we’re screwed."
Many Pro Mod and big tire cars are not yet optimized for radials—but if they were, the advantage could be massive.
Pro Mods and the Future of Radials
Tom Bailey’s Pro Mod example:
Vanderhoof speculated that if Bailey perfected a radial setup, he could consistently run 5.60s in the quarter-mile.
"Tom’s Pro Mod, if it could consistently hold a radial, would be an absolute monster."
Challenges of Running Radials on Big Tire Cars:
Many chassis setups are not built for radials, leading to excessive tire shake.
"It takes a different mindset—radials demand a totally different tuning approach."
2:11:25 – 2:27:53 Behind-the-Scenes Racer Camaraderie
Fuel Pump Failure Leads to Late-Night Struggles
Vanderhoof recounted a long night on the road where their fuel pump failed.
The team spent six hours stuck at a gas station, trying to fix the issue.
Quote: "We had people bringing us pumps, trying everything, but nothing was working."
Racers Stepping Up to Help Each Other
Fellow drag and drive participants jumped in to assist, showing the tight-knit nature of the community.
"It didn’t matter that we were all competing against each other—when someone needed help, we all stopped to lend a hand."
The hosts emphasized how this is what makes drag and drive special—everyone wants to see each other finish the race, even if it means helping a rival.
Alan’s Medical Emergency & The Team’s Quick Response
Racer Alan Whitaker was in bad shape, feeling sick from exhaustion and dehydration.
The community quickly stepped in to get him medical help.
Quote: "Allen was done. He wasn’t feeling good at all, so we had to adjust the plan."
His friend Rick from Gear Vendors RV took him in, letting him rest during the drive to the next stop.
The Challenges of Drag and Drive Life
Unpredictable situations make drag and drive even more intense:
Long nights, exhaustion, and breakdowns are part of the journey.
Sleep deprivation is a major issue—Vanderhoof admitted to getting only seven hours of sleep all week.
Quote: "At some point, you stop caring about comfort—you just do whatever it takes to keep moving."
Balancing Competition & Friendship
Despite fierce competition, racers always look out for each other.
"If someone’s broken down on the side of the road, you stop. It’s just what we do."
The drag and drive scene is about survival, endurance, and teamwork as much as it is about speed.
2:36:27 – End Mega Week: The Biggest Drag and Drive Ever
Episode 99 concluded by hyping "Mega Week," set to be an unprecedented drag and drive event featuring the biggest, most intense drag and drive event in history. With an unprecedented 600 cars expected to participate, this event is set to redefine the limits of endurance racing.
What is Mega Week?
Mega Week is the most ambitious drag and drive event ever attempted.
Expected to bring together over 600 cars, making it the largest event of its kind.
Features a week-long schedule that will push racers and their machines to their absolute limits.
Why Mega Week is a Game-Changer
Massive participation:
"We’ve never seen this many cars in one drag and drive event before—600 is just insane!"
Ultimate test of endurance and performance:
"Drag and drive is already a brutal test… now imagine doing it for an entire week with that many competitors."
Unmatched competition level:
Some of the fastest and most experienced racers in the world will be there, making this event as competitive as it gets.
A party like no other:
Expect legendary pit stops, racer gatherings, and unforgettable late-night wrenching sessions.
"This is going to be the biggest party we’ve ever seen in drag and drive history."
What to Expect from Mega Week
Multiple tracks and challenging routes that will push cars and drivers to their limits.
Huge sponsor involvement—Summit Racing and other major brands are expected to play a big role.
High-stakes racing—many of the fastest drag and drive cars on the planet will be competing.
A festival-like atmosphere, bringing together racers, fans, and industry insiders.
Final Thoughts on Mega Week
Quote: "If you think Sick Week was crazy, just wait until Mega Week. This is next level."
Quote: "This will be the biggest thing drag and drive has ever seen—we’re making history here."
The excitement is off the charts! The community is already buzzing with anticipation, and racers are preparing for what could be the toughest and most thrilling event in the sport’s history.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead
Episode 99 was a rollercoaster of legal battles, major racing announcements, and unforgettable racer stories. Whether it was Arkansas’ battle over noise laws, Devin Vanderhoof’s Sick Week struggles, or the upcoming Mega Week spectacle, this episode was filled with moments that keep fans coming back for more.
Stay tuned—Drag Drive Repeat isn’t slowing down any time soon!
