The NAPA Ignitor marks the start for the 2012 racing season. This season Jim Obalek is piloting the Twig Zeigler car. Friday’s test session was rained out, meaning Jim had to acquaint himself with the car, and try to post a good time for qualifying. Jim’s first pass down the track was a 6.01, good enough for the #2 spot. Second round Jim ran a 6.04 for a final qualifying position of #3.
Round one was the Twig Zeigler car against the Northwest Hitter car of Bucky Austin. Jim Set low E.T. of the round running a 5.86 to turn on the win light. Semi final round was against the reigning champion Jason Rupert with the Mert Littlefield car. Jim ran a respectable 5.96 but was beaten by the stealer 5.76 ran by Jason Rupert.
A successful weekend for the whole team; off to Las Vegas for the Rockabilly Rid Reunion.


Check out Jim's personal blog for an inside view of Jim's first Nitro expierence.

For those of you who do read these blogs, I am sorry that I have not been keeping up. The 2012 race season is approaching with a few changes to the team. Jim Obalek is going to be the pilot for the season. Jim and his family is going to be a great addition to the team. The car race ready in preparation for the NAPA igniter in Boise, the first weekend of May. The car will be on display at the BC custom car show in Abbotsford, on April20-22. If you are in the area stop and get a dose of nitro!

What a weekend for the whole Twig Zeigler team. Saturday night during the second qualifying session, Darin Bay ran a 5.78 @ 247 mph. That got the car qualified in the #2 spot, barley behind the Troy Lee Design car, tuned by Roland Leong, driven by Tim Boychuk; who ran a 5.77.
Round one Darin Bay was against Mike Grekul piloting the Pluger and Gyger car. Darin got the win light with a 5.87. Round two Darin got the win light over Todd Lesenko’s Jolly Roger funny car. A 5.85 to Lesenko’s 6.00.
Third and final round Darin Bay in the left lane, Tim Boychuk in the right lane, number one and number two qualifiers. Boychuk had a slight starting line advantage, and turned it into a win. Boychuk ran a 5.81, to Bay’s 5.87. It was a side by side race all the way down the track.
Twig Zeigler racing, runner up at the Canadian nation open. Now we have a quick 1 week turn around before the Night of Fire in Woodburn Oregon. Congratulations to the whole team!

Unfortunately this is going to be a short blog. The Rockabilly Rod Reunion was a letdown. The wind started to blow Friday night and kept blowing throughout the weekend. The team made the first qualifying session on Saturday, with Darin Bay behind the wheel for the first time this season. At the far end of the track the car got into some tire shake, after sliding around and a pedal job by Darin, he crossed the line at 6.24 seconds, good enough for the number 12 spot.
The decision was made to sit out the second qualifying session to save parts; unfortunately the third and final session was canceled due to 80 mph winds. When Sunday morning arrived, nothing had changed and the race was postponed. A few hours later the call was made to cancel the race until Monday, where the forecast looked to be much better.
Due to scheduling issues we were unable to run on Monday, and gave up our spot in the field. Next race is in Mission Canada, looking for some better weather.

First race of the season for the Twig Zeigler Nitro Funny Car, the plans were for Darin Bay to Pilot the car all season, but the week prior to the race Darin was in and out of the hospital with flu like symptoms. Twig was on his way to Boise with the ready to run when he heard the news; and made the call to drive the car for his 41st year in nitro funny car racing.
Friday was plagued by weather, Snow in the morning led to light rain showers, which led back into snow at 1:00. The snow didn't last for too long and we were still able to run the test and tune session Friday night. Due to tricky track conditions and a little too much power for the track, the car spun the tires. Twig was in and out of the throttle 3 times to make it down the track in 6.45 seconds, third quickest for the test session.
Saturday's weather was much nicer, clear skys and a slight head wind. Track conditions were still hit and miss, but Twig Zeigler piloted to a 6.02 to qualify 5th for Sundays eliminations. Will face Dennis La Charite's back in black GTO round 1.
Sunday morning was beautiful, temperature in the lower to mid 60's with a forecasted high of 72°. First pair of cars up for round one eliminations; a rematch of round one at the Nightfire Nationals in August, where Darin Bay was behind the wheel, when La Charite won with the first ever side by side 5 second run at Firebird Raceway in Boise. After the Canadian and American national anthem were sung it was time to go racing. Twig ran a 5.89 a career best for the round one win.
Round two was off to a good start, a .998 second 60 foot time led to Twig slowley pulling away from Jason Rupert in the other lane. Just before half track the #2 spark plug was stripped out of the head; running on 7 cylinders there was no way to beat Jason Rupert and the Mert Littlefield tribute car who ran mid 5.90.
An offbeat weekend due to last minute driver changes and tire shake; led to a semi final loss. Overall a successful weekend for the whole team. Congratulations to Jason Rupert for winning the Ignitor. Get well soon Darin!