Von Smith prepares for latest Pro Mod rule change
 
Joliet, IL - May 24, 2004 -  Following a disappointing first round loss to Route 66 Nationals runner-up and low-qualifier Fred Hahn, Von Smith and crew are preparing for their next event by testing in Joliet... and they are not alone.  The upcoming Pro Mod race next weekend in Richmond, VA will be the first contested under the latest IHRA rule revision set April 29.  The new rule echoes one set around this time last year and is again setting limitations for the supercharged, methanol burning cars, which compose the majority of Pro Mod entries in 2004, by lowering the maximum supercharger overdrive from 25% to 20.0%.  Early in the 2003 season, rule makers efforting attempts at parity between the nitrous injected and supercharged entries limited the blown car's maximum overdrive from 29% to 25%.  The effects of the rule change were noticed immediately, with last weekend's winner, Mike Castellana, of the nitrous competitors, leading the charge with a victory at the St. Louis event in 2003.  By season's end the supercharged racers were finding ways to compensate for the lack of boost and once again saw their ET's dropping to competitive levels.  Monday's 20% overdrive testing in Joliet, IL seems to have set the tone for the Richmond race as ideal weather conditions were sizably offset by the reduced overdrive leaving only a couple of teams able to dip into the [6] teens. Needless to say the buzz in the pits is on the hot topic of the fairness in making such a rule change during the season and the crushing blow that the supercharged competitors feel as they struggle in search of higher speeds and better ET's only to be hindered once again with binding force of red tape.