Special Feature

John Gray featured in Idaho ITD Newsletter!

By Jim DeFord

BOISE, Idaho (June 17, 2008) — USSBA Sprint Boat Racer, John Gray, was featured in this month's issue of the Idaho Transportation Department's monthly newsletter.

I was contacted some time ago by Reed Hollinshead to help provide some background information on John and the USSBA. You can read the full article HERE.

You are truly one of the finest racers I have met John. And that's a pretty long list of IndyCar and sports car racers from all over the world. Mary and I appreciate you stepping out of your race-mode when we see you at the track to offer thanks for the work we have done over the years. That means so, so much to us. The help you offer your competitors really makes you stand out far above the rest.

Good luck this year, John, and hope to see you soon!

Interview

Supercharging Tsunami

Interview with Bill Root by Jim DeFord

CALDWELL, Idaho (May 7, 2008) — Team Tsunami recently announced that Bill Root will be moving up to the Super Boat class with a supercharged 406ci Chevy motor. I talked with Bill last week.

Jim: Congratulations on the move up Bill. Good to see another Super Boat in the series.

Bill: Thanks. I did start out in Super Boats 6-7 years ago and it's nice to be back and give them a run for their money.

Jim: Did you get a new motor?

Bill: Yes. The new motor is an aluminum block 406ci Chevy motor. It's hot!

Jim: Tell me about the supercharger.

Bill: It's a "Roots" type supercharger. The kind you commonly see on drag racers. It sits on top of the engine.

Jim: Won't that change your center of gravity?

Bill: Yes, but we have mounted the engine extremely low due to the extra weight of the blower on top of the engine.

Jim: How much does it weigh?

Bill: Same as our 400 (Group A-400) motor last year.

Jim: Is the boost adjustable? How much power will it have?

Bill: We have it tuned to 900hp, but there is still plenty more left. We can crank it quite a bit more.

Jim: It seems the key for blown motors is to adjust the boost down. I have seen the past few years in New Zealand and with Lee Rice's boat that the turns are not as smooth.

Bill: That's why we cut down Lee's boost last year and you saw he ran much smoother.

Jim: Yes, that's true.

Bill: So that's our goal to have a aluminum block motor with the blower to get the power down.

Jim: Speaking of which, what size blades will you be running?

Bill: I need 19's. Maybe even 20's. Lee's boat could use 21's or 22's. We're looking at making our own blades.

Jim: Thanks for the chat and good luck this season.

Bill: We're excited to get out there on the track and this season is going to be very exciting for the fans and the teams with two brand new tracks in Albany and Sequim.