Del, when you began your preparations in the off season to make the switch, did you ever imagine that you and your team would be so successful so quickly? DEL WORSHAM: No, I didn't. The one thing I did know is that I was going to be driving a very good race car. The entire Al-Anabi team and especially Alan Johnson and hiring Brian to take over the lead of this new Top Fuel team; nothing but good things could really come out of it. And for it to happen this fast, I didn't expect it to happen this fast but I knew it was going to be a great team. THE MODERATOR: One of the questions that has come up with so many multi car teams in the classes this year, how have you guys seen the success of having two Top Fuel dragsters competing in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series? DEL WORSHAM: Well, I mean, we are just getting started with that. This is our first season as a multi car team in the same class, and I have often asked myself, you know, what can I or what can this team bring to the Al-Anabi Top Fuel team? With Larry Dixon winning 12 fuel races in the championship last season; you would think not a whole lot. But hopefully as the competition gets stiffer and there are more of these teams out there, hopefully just the additional information will also help Larry's team, along with ours so that we can compete for a championship. Q. How do you interact with this crew with them in Brownsburg and you in California, do you spend any more time than you did with your Funny Car crew? Because Funny Car you had that down pat, and you worked with these guys more on the Top Fuel side. DEL WORSHAM: Well, it's funny you say that because I'm actually in Brownsburg right now. And back then, when we were racing Funny Car, I would not have been here; because the Funny Car, I had down to such a science as far as being fit in the car and being comfortable and not worrying about where things were. In this dragster, I have not been 100% comfortable or close to the level I was in a Funny Car. So after the first two races, I could kind of tell some of the things I didn't like or we could do to make myself more comfortable, so I actually came here yesterday and we're redoing a couple of things, a couple of controls in the cockpit right now with Brad Hadman, who builds our chassis; he is here right now and we are moving these things around. Yeah, and I've already made one extra trip that I normally wouldn't have made, but you know, I'll do whatever it takes. |
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Q. Changing gear a little bit, what can you tell me about Stand 21 and some of the things you've worked on with them? I know gloves, is one of them, has he designed your safety gear? DEL WORSHAM: Stand 21 is a company based out of France that I first got introduced to them probably back in maybe 2007 and they make a great product. They are wanting to get into drag racing and they are very involved and they are very dedicated to this. We have been working with them on building a driving suit, gloves, the shoes, the helmet which is the 8860 helmet and I'm wearing all of their safety equipment right now. The stuff feels great. So far, good. We haven't tested as far as safety goes, but as far as comfort goes and how I feel in the car, at this point right now I'm very happy with it. Q. What makes a difference from some of the other stuff you've used in the past? DEL WORSHAM: Well, one thing is, is just the mobility and flexibility of the equipment has been noticeable. I really did not have a 100%, like apple to apples comparison because I hopped out of a Funny Car into a dragster. So I couldn't jump out and say this is more comfortable than what I had on. It's definitely more flexible. The helmet passed just some great ratings as far as like safety goes, and basically just hand tailored all of the stuff to make sure that Larry and myself are as comfortable as we can be and hoping with all of that, I can get the comfort level up and I can feel as good in the dragster as I did the Funny Car. If you feel good and you're confident, you'll probably be more aggressive. If you're bound up and not feeling very good or very comfortable at what you're doing, you might not have that same feeling. |
DEL WORSHAM: Sure, he has. The amount of Top Fuel experience he has, compared to me; I missed a couple of seasons way back in the early 90s. And he's kind of like a go to guy for any questions I have. I didn't know what to expect; so I really didn't ask a whole lot of questions until after I drove the car and I just got to kind of feel for myself and see what it does and what I need. And any time I have a question, whether it's steering related or parachute related or whatever it is, I go to Larry and he's right there. THE MODERATOR: We thank Del for being on the call. We know he's got to get back. He's working on a few things at the shop there in Indy. |
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