Epping: Bob Bertsch preview

Bertsch hoping to stay on a roll in New England

EPPING, N.H.- After breaking into the top ten in IHRA Torco's CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock standings, Bob Bertsch and his Rislone Engine Treatment backed team are hoping to stay hot during this weekend's Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. After losing in the quarterfinals last weekend in Martin, Mich., due to a wounded motor, the team took the 'long way' from Martin to Epping. The team made the trek to horsepower guru/engine builder Jon Kaase's shop in Winder, Ga., for repairs during the week, then to N.H.

Despite a lengthy road trip, Bertsch, from Willis, Mich., feels it will be worth it. The culprit of his engine woes last weekend was several broken pistons. After analyzing the data, the team feels the damage occurred two races ago in Grand Bend. The fact they qualified a career-best seventh last weekend with an apparently damaged motor gives the team high hopes for their Rislone backed 2007 Ford Mustang.

"We left Georgia at ten p.m. Wednesday night," said Bertsch. "I met my son in Pennsylvania today and we plan to be at the track by Friday morning. We found a few broken pistons that was causing our loss of power and vacuum. We have been losing vacuum slowly since Grand Bend, so it might have been hurt all last weekend. That gives us a lot of hope to run that well down on power. Now we just have to get the power we've picked back up to the ground. The track in Epping is pretty close to sea level, so it should be fast this weekend. We're definitely looking forward to it, and hope to make a great showing for Rislone Engine Treatment, Bar's Leaks and our associates Share Capital and Ram Clutches."

-credit: barsleak