Record Breaking Run: Jose Gonzalez and Mark Micke Sets New Quarter-Mile Doorslammer World Record
There isn’t a car with doors faster than the 1969 Chevy Camaro, built and owned by Mark Micke. Micke teamed up with fellow racer Jose Gonzalez to take down the longstanding 1⁄4-mile Pro Modified world record, set by Khalid Mohommed in 2018, and their hard work paid off. The record-breaking run happened during testing for the upcoming Snowbird Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, FL where the Camaro claimed its place in the record books and, of course, FuelTech was onboard to help the team accomplish their record-breaking run.
No sandbagging here, Micke and his ‘69 Camaro FuelTech fans knew that this was the car to watch for serious speed and a potential world record breaking run. We brought your attention to this beast ten months ago when it laid down 4,779 WHP on the FuelTech hub dyno, coming out of the gate with 3.50 runs in the 1/8-mile. Micke made it clear when he debuted the car that his team wanted to make turbo great again! On November 28, 2023, Micke and his team were hopeful as they arrived at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
Former NHRA Pro Mod champion and hotshot driver, Gonzalez, slid behind the wheel of the twin turbocharged machine and ran 5.39 off the trailer, lifting before the finish line. Social media instantly lit up as the record, which stood at 5.379 for 5 years and was set by the EKanoo Racing team, was in their sights. As the Camaro approached the line at Bradenton drag strip for their next run, all eyes were on the track as the twin turbo motor roared down the track and the clock lit up to confirm a new world record had been set, 5.359 seconds, 272.94 mph. Gonzales is no stranger to fast runs, having set multiple all-time ¼-mile full-body/door slammer records, most notable with his C7 Corvette that ran 5.402 at 270 mph five years ago.
The road to the record began with a Pro Line Racing HEMI MH7 to power the formidable Camaro. The outlaw-style engine offers larger displacement and better cylinder heads than the NHRA-legal HEMI. To control the engine, the team chose to exclusively install FuelTech products, including the FT600 engine management system. Steve Petty was commissioned to perfect the tuning; he knew from the start that this car was going to be different from any other turbo car to-date. From the big power on the dyno to the unique strategy they employ with the TurboSmart electronic wastegate, choosing to mount it on the cold side of the turbo kit, allowing the twin Garrett GT57 98mm turbochargers to run unrestricted on the turbine side. The precise actions of the electronic wastegate allows the team to manage the power.
FuelTech is proud that the team chose us to exclusively source the electronics for their record-breaking car, including the FT600 ECU, Peak & Hold Driver, FTSPARK-8 Ignition, CDI Racing Ignition Coils, Travel Sensors, and EGT-4. This is all possible thanks to the significant capabilities of the FT600 engine management system, which offers sequential injection and ignition, O2 Closed Loop, data acquisition, traction control, delay box, Boost Controller, Nitrous Controller, and so much more. The anti-glare color touchscreen offers the ability to tune from the screen without connecting a computer and features a dash display, providing the driver with feedback in real-time and eliminating the need for multiple gauges in the cockpit. 
Not only does the FT600 control the engine, but it also handles all transmission actions of the M&M Transmissions TH400 three-speed. In addition to the ECU-controlled shifting, it operates the lock-up functions of the custom M&M torque converter. As if that isn’t enough, all PowerFT engine management systems act as data loggers and use a CAN network for the many FuelTech sensors and other system enhancements that are available.
Micke selected 720 lb/hr FT injectors to deliver fuel to the powerful turbo engine. FT Injectors are compatible with any ECU on the market and any fuel, including gasoline, ethanol, methanol, nitromethane, MTBE, and ETBE. To provide you with the highest quality injectors, all internal components have gone through extensive testing using a salinization process to ensure all raw materials are resistant to corrosion. THE EV1 style harness plug with silver plated terminals for superior conductivity. All FT Injectors are tested, and calibrated to ensure linearity, repeatability and accuracy for all cylinders.
From big power on the dyno to hurling a door-car down the ¼-mile in record times, there is a reason you’re seeing #FuelTechEverywhere
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