Vernon Rowland Prepares for 2012 Season
With a total of 371 claimed points in IHRA division 4 in 2011 to wind up in the 3rd place, a few wins, 2 Tournament of Champions Qualifying spots, and many late round births in Quick Rod, Vernon Rowland is going into 2012 with a mission. The commercial roofer from Blanchard, OK is busy making final touches on the Ray Alan dragster for the upcoming season. After many years of dedication to IHRA, 2012 marks a change in the curve. Being the first year in many years, Rowland will also be chasing many NHRA races.
A non-textbook year in his 9.90 ride, Vernon has stepped back and re-evaluated the set- up and decides to take a new approach with the Corvette Roadster. With minor maintenance and adjustments being made in the off season along with a new Meizere billet flywheel, the ‘Vette lacks a good wax and to be loaded up.
The dragster received a little more love in the cold winter months of Oklahoma. The 582 cu in Eagle Racing Engine was sent back to Chad and the gang in Loundon, TN to be gone through, checked and freshened with all necessary parts to make a go at it in 2012. With the engine returning last week, the reassembly has started. The fresh engine will also support a new Meizere billet flywheel, and bolted to a fresh B&M converter that will deliver power through a fresh powerglide form Jackie King and Trans Clinic.
The Rowland Motorsports stable will be heading south in March to start off the season in Houston at the NHRA divisional before returning to San Antonio in the weeks to follow to kick off the IHRA schedule that Vernon is so well known for running across the south. Rowland has a long and eventful schedule for 2012 that will give him the ability to make a large hard charge at the 2012 NHRA & IHRA championship in both the 8.90 and 9.90 classes.
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Vernon Rowland Prepares for 2012 Season
