Since the current Ford Mustang Cobra Jet’s inception in 2008, the other two domestic automotive manufacturers have jumped onboard with their own version of a factory-built racecar; Dodge is producing the Drag Pak Challenger with HEMI power and Chevrolet has crafted a new batch of COPO Camaros. The machines are designed to dominate the NHRA’s Stock and Super Stock classes, but there’s a side benefit to the programs – drag races are springing up all over the country to take advantage of this new breed of factory supercar.
ATI Racing, long known for their line of transmissions, torque converters, and engine Super Dampers, has jumped onboard to promote their very own event, called the Factory Outlaw Showdown, and it’s scheduled to take place over the weekend of October 11-13, 2013, at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland.
Paul Cambria’s record-setting COPO Camaro
So far, there’s a list of drivers scheduled to attend the event, including ATI’s own JC Beattie Jr. in his ’09 BB/SA Challenger and 2001-03 Stock Eliminator champion Kevin Helms in his BB/SA ’11 Challenger. Multi-time NHRA/IHRA National Event winner Robbie Hudlow will be there with his SS/AAA 2012 Cobra Jet along with 2012 NMRA Cobra Jet Shootout winner (and former Pro Stock racer) Roger Cook and his 2010 CC/SA Cobra Jet. Paul Cambria, owner of the fastest legal COPO Camaro (8.49 at 161 MPH) will be on the property representing the Chevy gang, of which Beattie Jr. is also included with his second car, a 2012 COPO SS/AAA machine.fJoseph Teuton will also be representing the Dodge contingent in BB/SA, and the list will only continue to grow larger as the season progresses and more racers make the decision to attend. It’s sure to be a barn-burner, and will be one of the only events in the country where you’ll be able to see all of these machines go head-to-head in one place at one time. Make your plans now to attend what’s sure to be one of the coolest events of the season.
ATI Racing’s Drag Pak Challenger