20 Year History of 200ft Open Class National Records
Open Class National E.T. Records (World’s quickest drivers in a legal Open Class 4x4)
In the 1980’s, I started to promote, support, and preserve the history of our motorsport, Mud Racing. The Open Class, on paddle tires, in 200 feet, was the standard of measurement of performance in our sport. In 1988, I started the NMRO (National Mud Racing Organization) and kept records of achievement.
Ennis Thomas "Heartbeat of America II" Sets NMRO Open Class National Record 2.922
It was July of 1989, in Phenix City, AL, where Ennis Thomas, driving his “Heartbeat of America II”, a big block Chevy injected alky & nitrous car, went under 3 seconds with an E.T. of 2.922, in 200ft, to win the World Championship, start the 2 Second Club, set the National E.T. Record, and become the 1989 NMRO Open Class National Points Champion.
Ennis Thomas NMRO 1989 Open Class National points Champion and the first member of the 2 Second Club!
Mike Thomas Sets 200ft National record at 2.732 in "Murphy's Law" 4/28/1990
In 1990, Mike Thomas, driving “Murphy’s Law”, a big block Chevy carburetor & nitrous car, ran a 2.732, on April 28th, in Panama City, FL, to take the title from his dad.In July, at the World Championship in Phenix City, AL,
Rick Kiel's "Destroyer III" was the car Mike Fair set the National record time of 2.640
where Ennis had set the Open Class National E.T. Record just the year before,Mike Fair, driving “Destroyer III”, a blown, injected big block Chevy, ran an E.T. of 2.640 to win the event and take the National Record fromMike Thomas and the ET Racing Team.
In 1991, on May 12th, outside of Bouge Chitto, MS, Ron Pense, driving “Tatar”, also a blown, injected big block Chevy, ran an E.T. of 2.475. Ron would have the luxury of holding on to the Open Class National Record for almost 2 years, to the day. On May 5th, 1993, in Beavercreek, GA, Mike Thomas, driving “Mad Max”, a blown, injected big block Chevy, ran a 2.395 to set the new Open Class National Record. Just 4 weeks later on Memorial Day Weekend in Dresser, WI, Mike re-set the National Record, in “Mad Max”, to a 2.328 and it would be the time to beat for the next 11 years.
Ron Pense "TATAR"
Mike Thomas 2.328 in "Mad Max"
"Mad Max" Longest National record holder over 11 years!
Tim Wheelus "Simply II" 2.251
In 2001, the Promotion Company/Special Events acquired the NMRO. TheNational E.T. records are still kept and recorded by TPC. In 2004, at Neeses, SC, on April 25th, Tim Wheelus, driving “Simply II”, a blown, injected big block Chevy, ran a 2.284 for the win in Class 6 “Open Class” to set the new National Record. On April 25th, one year later, Tim Wheelus again lowered the National Record at Neeses, in “Simply II”, with an E.T. of 2.251. This record would stand for almost 3 years.
In 2008, The Mud Racers Association (MRA), held its season opener in Florence, SC, on March 29th, Mark Lee, driving “Pure Energy”, a blown, injected Hemi, ran a 2.123 E.T. for the win and the MRA 200ft Open Class National Record.
Mark Lee "PURE ENERGY" 2.123
Mike Lane "ATTITUDE" current PROBADD 200ft National Record 2.122 and MRA 200ft National Record at 2.110 and "WORLD RECORD"
On April 11, 2009, in Cobbtown, GA, at the season opener for the Professional Racing Organization’s Blown Alcohol Dirt Drags (PRO-BADD) ALL-STAR Series Nationals, Mike Lane, driving “Attitude”, a blown, injected, big block Chevy, ran an E.T. of 2.122 in "Attitude" for the win and the PRO-BADD current 200ft National Record. On August 22, 2009 Mike ran a 2.110 at the MRA Nationals in South Haven, Kansas (KBL), and set the current MRA National Record. That makes Mike Lane the World’s Quickest Mud Racer! How Long will this record Stand?
(Read more about Mike in Event News and the World’s Quickest Man in Mud Racing)
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