Top Gun

Turn 5
Season 1
Lap 3

McLain Protests Disqualification

by Phillip Gasstank
Chouteau Morning Tribune
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

CHOUTEAU- Pure stock driver Russell McLain announced today that he plans to protest his most recent disqualification at Salina Highbanks Speedway.

Following Friday night's race, technical inspectors ruled that McLain had made illegal modifications to his race car, and revoked his 11th place finish. McLain claims that the hotrod Lincoln's modifications are well within the rules of pure stock racing at Salina Highbanks Speedway.

"I'm not an expert in military aviation, but it appears Russell McLain has taken parts from an F-4 Phantom and attached them to his car," technical inspector Chris "Eagle Eye" Peepers said. "And it's not just sheet metal. I'm talking about guided missiles and a jet engine!"

"There is nothing in the rule book that says you can't run this type of engine," Russell McLain said. "I bought all of these parts legally, on surplus from the British Royal Air Force. I made no modifications to any of these parts, so they are still stock."

Russell McLain's brother, teammate, and current pure stock points leader Lee McLain added "Rule 18 lists specifications for Ford, GM, and Mopar engines, but it doesn't say anything about engines manufactured by Boeing or McDonnell-Douglas. We didn't know Russell's engine was illegal."

Russell McLain says he will not remove the aircraft parts from his car until he gets a ruling from Salina Highbanks officials.

"I had some trouble getting used to steering the car with the new engine's thrust capability, that's why I finished 11th. Once I get the feel for the handling though, I think I'll have a pretty fast race car," Russell McLain said.

"Russell's straightaway speed was incredible," said Vernon Vail, driver of the #400 pure stock car. "It was all I could do to keep up with him on the straightaways, but he had a heck of a time taking corners."

Both McLains will be in action at the next race at Salina, on Friday, June 23rd.