Right from when Chrysler launched the 5-door hatchback for the 2000 model year to its final production on July 9, 2010; the “personal transport” was identified as the perfect economy family car. Who would ever believe that it could be a drag strip show star? Well “Nitro Mike” Kunz made a whole bunch of believers as he launched “Walking Tall” to the crowd’s delight!

Let me tell you; this isn’t the little hatchback grocery getter that you are used to seeing at the shopping centre. To start, the engine is stuffed into the rear compartment and is radically morphed from the original 2.4 litre gas saver to a blown Chrysler 448 c.i, methanol alcohol gulping monster. Kunz can pilot this crowd pleaser to 130 mph in 10.4 seconds on a good day. Even in spite of significant crosswinds, he stood her on her back wheels for the entire Gimli Dragway quarter mile and then wheelied back, burping flames to the fans applause!

Looking around the car, the full tube chassis, 2004 PT Cruiser has a wheelbase of 117 inches. Power comes from a Chrysler 448 with Edelbrock aluminum heads and a 10-71 BDS blower. The mill is matched up with a modified 727 Chrysler 3-speed air shift tranny and a Ford 9 inch rear end. I don’t think that the original Plymouth designers and engineers had this in mind when pencil went to paper.

The flamed paint job speaks volumes for the blazing entertainment that Kunz delivers, but the hood highlights his pit pizzazz to the max! The entire plain white front end is adorned with virtually hundreds of signatures and good wishes. Most are from kids that have visited his pit area. Mike and better half, Wanda are very receptive hosts with warm greetings to fans of all ages that drop by. No worries about “touching” the car from this couple; the Sharpie is available to all. The only problem is that they are running out of space.

Out on the track, “Nitro Mike” has plenty of play with the fans flair too. With a kid-like gleam in his eye, Kunz related a story to me that took place at a drag strip that had grandstands on just one side of the track. Understandably, many spectators wonder how he knows where he is going when the nose of the car is so high in the air. Taking full advantage of the one-sided layout on his return from a full wheel stand run, Mike climbed out of the PT and waved to the crowd as usual. This time, he wore dark glasses, carried a white cane – and waved to the wrong side! Needless to say, the fans roared! Now, Mike asked me to clarify that he had no intent to offend anyone. How could any person with a healthy sense of humour, not appreciate hilarious antics like this?

The welder / fabricator by day from Summerland, British Columbia has maintained a passion for going fast for 30 years. He has owned and raced stuff from mud-boggers to top alcohol rails. He has held an NHRA exhibition wheel stander license since 2008. Combine that experience with dedication to entertain and a zany, radical ride; you get a pure unadulterated show that brings race enthusiasts to their feet. Nitro Mike’s style and crowd charisma is what puts fans in the grandstands. This is the kind of exhibition extravaganza that Canadian drag racing needs to keep the sport thrilling and continuously growing, full throttle into the future. No doubt, Manitoba fans are looking forward to his return with “Walking Tall” in the 2012 season!

Photo Credit: Don Yewish

Dale Hickey
Canadian Drag Racer Magazine

On Saturday there was Drag Racing at the famous Sechelt Airport. Very unique venue with planes taking off in-between the race runs. “NitroMike” was a crowd hit with the Walking Tall wheel stander.

NitroLube made some new friends and received the attention of many new racers which are now sporting the NitroLube logo on their race car.

Driving his 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT, Patzer has extended his Points Cup lead every month in the Pacific Northwest racing circuit this year with some fantastic finishes.

Gerald placed 1st six times in taking on the 2010 Pacific Raceways Champion Casey Reed in the National Open Event and winning by 9 thousands of a second.
In the second round was paired up against last years national open champion and former division and world champion Don ’the worm’ Elgin, and won that round by 2 thousandths of a second.
In the third round was paired up against the current points leader at Bremerton, Washington and former division champion Jerry Gossett.

Gerald mention “I definitely give credit to NitroLube’s great products in keeping my car running in top shape”

NitroLube wishes Gerald, Mission Raceway top driver, success in the coming months.

NitroLube Team member Gerald Patzer won his Sport Compact division.

NitroMike did an outstanding exhibition at 100mph with his Alcohol 1000HorsepowerwheeliePT Cruiser. www.nitromike.com.

More exciting Racing news at www.speedzonemagazine.com

Another great year this weekend at Tradex in Abbotsford. The stars were shining with, Brett Wagner from the TV show Past Time; George Barris “King of Kustomizers” himself and Legend Custom Car builder Gene Winfield.

Thousands of people attended and enjoyed music by Karen Lee Batten and some great Custom & Jet Car Demo’s.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Robbie Dickson is doing it for you….Do you like adventure…..Do you want excitement and pleasure and the Canadian scenery with an exhilarating ride included…Then you need to do this…..Rally in the Rockies…….Canada’s First Bull Run….from Vancouver – Jasper – Lake Louise - Calgary – Kelowna – Whistler…Register for August 2011…. http://www.canadianbullrun.com/

The 2011 Canadian Bullrun Rally is expected to run 23rd to 30th July 2011. The winner of the rally will receive ten-thousand dollars worth of prizes.

Team Chinook have chosen NitroLube products as their Lubricant of choice for this grueling 13 stages, 9000 km / 16 day journey across Argentina and Chile.
This demanding race puts the drivers and their vehicles through the ultimate test.

The Canadian Team Chinook will be raising funds to support Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada.

Team Chinook is the only Canadian Team in the Dakar Rally. There will be 156 competitors in their class and over 400 total competitors from all over the world. They are the only Chevy truck.

More information can be found at: http://teamchinook.com/

All  Classes-http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_8-engages.html

The Route- http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/docs/parcours_carte.pdf

Our Class-http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/docs/DAK11-LISTE_ENGAGES_AUTOS.pdf

Another successful year and a special thank you to all the race teams that supported NitroLube. We look forward to the 2011 Season.

This Years 1st Place Class Winners

SUPER PRO -Jim Behnke
PRO – Dave Jung
SPORTSMAN – Phillip Marvetz
SPORT COMPACT – Gerald Patzer
BIKE/SLED – Brett Payne
HOT ROD – Henry Zacharias
JR LIGHTNING – Tyler Smith
JR THUNDER – Miriah Conway
HIGH SCHOOL – Ryan Ross