Michael Young, a 31-year-old sales associate with Brook's Interiors ofBoston, is perhaps the most interesting person in Outlaw Mustang dragracing today. His past resembles that of most people who are readingthis magazine, except Michael has separated himself with his vision ofwhat one guy can do with the will to win. He has been in the 5.0 gamesince the early '90s where he took a street 5.0 and turned it into aneight-second car. You may have seen Mike Young racing at Atco, NewJersey; Englishtown, New Jersey; Epping, New Hampshire; or Leicester,New York. Or, you may have run into him in the timing tower at an NMRAevent as he acted as the race director for the first two years of thatorganization's existence.
In 2005, you will see him driving his '95Cobra R--the same car that Jim Blair used to capture the '04 NMRA SSOchampionship. As an NMRA employee and, more importantly, as a rabidMustang drag-racing fan, Michael Young has observed, studied, andplanned what it takes to win in big-time, heads-up 5.0 drag racing. Now,armed with the right car (besides the former Blair machine, Michael has,at the time of this writing, six SSO cars ready to go) and the rightteam (Pat Burke of Ocean State Performance), Mike has a chance to enterthe elite of the sport. As we begin the hotly anticipated '05 season,we asked him five questions so that you may get a chance to meet thenext big thing in 5.0 Mustang drag racing.
1.0 Are you going to have a tough time deciding on what car to bring towhat race?
I mentioned a good game plan and finding the right supporting team. Ihooked up with Pat Burke from Ocean State Performance in June 2004, andwe have come up with a plan in which we believe will net us the resultswe want. As you know, Jamie, I do own several SSO race cars and theyall fit into this plan. So to answer the question, all the cars will beused accordingly throughout the year. Pat will make the call on this asthe season progresses, but I'm sure if you call him before each race, hewould tell you what the game plan is.
2.0 Is there any concern that you will be labeled as the guy who boughtJim Blair's car?
There is a definite concern, but hopefully fans and other racers willsee a somewhat different car. We have tried our best to add our ownflavor to it. I just want to race. Building a car from the ground up andhaving it ready for Bradenton just wasn't being realistic. Jim's teamworked hard to achieve what they did last year and we will have to dothe same, no matter what happens. Jim and I had several conversationsbefore I bought the car and he told me, "You can't win either way. Ifyou do well, then it will be because you bought 'the car,' and if youdon't, then you 'messed up a good thing.'" We have had some earlysuccess with the car and hopefully that will continue.
3.0 You've already driven your '95 Cobra R to a tenth under the nationalrecord--can you maintain this performance throughout the year?
As I said previously, we were lucky to have some early success with thecar. It's kind of like the first few dates--you are getting to know eachother. Maintaining that kind of performance will require good air and asticky racing surface, neither of which are available generally in themiddle of the summer. I think the car's performance speaks for itself. We hope to build on that, and who knows, you may see some interestingnumbers in competition.
4.0 Who do you think will provide you with the toughest competition in2005?
The thing about SSO is that you must give all the cars in the fieldtheir due respect. They are, for the most part, capable of beating anygiven car on any given Sunday. I think the hardcore guys like Sam[Vincent], Manny [Bugina], and some others who go to every race and dowhatever it takes to win, are always tough. It looks like there aregoing to be several new teams throwing their hat into the ring for 2005. Any of these teams could offer tough competition.
5.0 If anyone has a nice SSO car for sale, should they give you a call?
No, I think I'm all set for right now. Oh, who am I kidding? Have themcall me.
6.0 Are there any rule advantages that you see with one power adder overanother?
That has been the topic of discussion since the tail end of last season.I think power adders come down to personal preference. They are almostlike clothing, and what you feel most comfortable with. I think allracers have done a good job with their respective power adders. Therewill always be someone out there that's just a little faster than you.There's a lot more to an SSO car than the power adder.
7.0 How did you first decide that you wanted to race an NMRA SSOMustang?
I have been racing in True 10-inch Outlaw type classes for about 10years. I started out locally and when the NMRA was formed, it was thehottest thing around. I think it was probably the way the class took offand was marketed that made me decide to race with the NMRA.
8.0 What makes the SSO class so exciting for you?
With out a doubt the tire size. I have been in a few race cars with bigtires and I actually like the smaller tires better. Trying to put1,500-plus horsepower to the ground using 10 inches of rubber quicklybecomes more than just a driver's race. The tuning, and always ridingthe edge of blowing the tires off, trying to bring the power in at theright time is where it's at for me.
9.0 Can you describe some of the hardships that you have endured alongthe way to developing a competitive SSO team?
I think the toughest thing was coming up with a good game plan andfinding the right people to make it successful. SSO has always beencompetitive, and like most racers, I have had my share of parts breakageand downtime due to the lack of money, time, and a good path to success.Lady luck never hurt either, and she hasn't called in a while, sohopefully 2005 will be a turning point for me.
10.0 What SSO drivers and teams have you learned the most from?
I have learned the most from Manny Buginga, and Jim Blair. Manny livesabout 40 minutes from me so we have had several conversations aboutracing. I have seen his car race locally for a few years and he showedme some tricks of the trade about the class. The first time I ever racedwith the NMRA was this past season in Columbus, Ohio. I had some issuesand needed some parts and tools, which were graciously donated by theSorby brothers and Jim. I actually talked to Jim about buying his car inOhio, and after that race I learned a lot about racing in SSO from Jim.
11.0 Does your experience as the former NMRA Race Director help give youan advantage in NMRA racing?
I don't think so. The organization has changed a lot since I workedthere. It is nice knowing most of the people that work the eventsthough. Although everyone at the NMRA has been great to my team and me,I have seen no special treatment, and I would rather have it that way.
12.0 What are your goals for the 2005 season?
1.) Win 2.) Win 3.) Win. Although I did have some success toward the endof last season, I only won one round all year. That was really tough forme because I was used to going several rounds if not to the finals atthe races I attended. I had to race Jim twice, and Manny once, the oddswere not in my favor. So the goal is to win some rounds, then maybe arace, and like every other hardcore NMRA racer who is at the gate at 2a.m. on Friday morning, one of those Nitto rings would be great.
13.0 Do you feel a lot of pressure to win in SSO since you now own the'04 SSO championship car?
Yes, I think that there is always going to be a certain level ofpressure when you take something that has had success in the past andtry to repeat it. My hope is that the pressure will be a positive andmotivational thing.
14.0 Do you think that after the '05 season, Mike Young will be ahousehold name amongst Mustang racing fans?
It's certainly a possibility. I guess it will depend on how well we dothis year. One thing is for sure, I will always have a race car to drive.