Image courtesy: Marvin T. Smith

Jay Payne, a longtime supercharged racer during his career in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Modified, recently made the switch to a twin-turbocharged Brad Anderson engine combination aboard his 2010 Ford Mustang entry. During a test session at the South Georgia Motorsports Park on Wednesday prior to this weekends Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Payne clicked off some impressive performances in the heat and humidity, recording a best of 5.96 at a blazing 255.00 mph.

Jay’s first crack at the SGMP quarter mile netted a peddling 6.305 at a 250.37 and the three subsequent passes were hampered by mechanical issues and a loss of traction. In the late afternoon, with the mercury measuring a steamy 96 degrees and the track surface at 130 degrees, Jay unleashed the 5.96 and track record-setting 255 mph speed.

Incrementasl on the run were 1.031, 2.741, 4.014 at 197.13, 5.077, and 5.964 at 255.00. For those counting, that’s a gain of 57.8 mph out the back half.

With a new clutch in the car on the last pass of the day, the FireIce Mustang recorded a stellar 6.026 at 252.52, serving notice that this team has their act together with the turbo combination right out of the gate.