Inside Hurco blog: news and events from CNC machine company

BRAINERD, MN (August 21, 2016) --- The winningest driver in NHRA history has enjoyed unrivalled support from his legions of fans for nearly four decades. When John Force was starting his now historic career fans encouraged him, cheered him and in many cases fed his low budget team. This year Force will rely on his fans one more time in his bid to race in the 2016 edition of the Traxxas Nitro Funny Car Shootout. He has two wins in 2016 but the surging Force in his PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS was not one of the first seven Funny Car drivers to win this season and will vie for the 8^th and final spot through the fan vote and lottery process. Fans can vote for John Force by clicking this link http://bit.ly/Traxxas2016 which will take them to the fan vote on NHRA’s Facebook page. Voting is open now and will remain open until 9 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

The August issue of Performance Racing Industry magazine arrived today. The magazine's editorial team selected Hurco to represent the Machinery Row Issue. Of course, we think the Hurco MAX5 is worthy of covergirl status. The Machinery Row Preview article has a wealth of information to get teams ready for the PRI show that is held right in our back yard in December. Click here to read the article.

NORWALK, OH (August 11, 2016) --- On Saturday night, August 13^th, history will be made at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. In addition to legendary NHRA 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force and 2009 NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight once again thrilling fans with their 10,000 hp Nitro Funny Cars, the great Bob Motz will make his last pass in his iconic jet truck.

SEATTLE, WA --- Robert Hight raced to the quarter-finals at the 29th annual Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals and dropped a very close race to No. 1 qualifier and national elapsed time record holder Del Worsham. The final round of nitro eliminations were postponed due to persistent rain showers and will be concluded in two weeks at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Hight and the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car took a starting line advantage and led Worsham well past half-track before Worsham narrowly moved around Hight by three thousandths of a second. At the finish line it was Worsham with a 3.883 to Hight’s 3.894 as both drivers ran faster 320 mph.

COURTNEY FORCE ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY FROM SEATTLE INCIDENT

RENTON, WA (August 7, 2016) --- NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series racer Courtney Force escaped serious injury after a racing incident in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at Pacific Raceways. Force’s Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made contact with the left guard wall. Force exited the vehicle on her own power and was checked by NHRA emergency services personnel before heading to Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., where she was evaluated for head, neck, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.

“I am beat up pretty good. My arm, my shoulder, and my right knee are banged up. I am really thankful that the second I got out of the race car there was already a Safety Safari person right there to help me get down. I couldn’t put any weight on my right knee. I want to say thanks to everyone that was at the track who helped me. I got right to the ER and the doctor checked me out. I am extremely relieved nothing is broken,” said Force.

Doctors released Force from the hospital this evening but expect her to be very sore tomorrow. X-rays of her right knee, left elbow and left shoulder along with a CT scan of her head and cervical spine were negative. The tendon on the knee was intact but there was a contusion from contact with the steering wheel. Force will see a sports orthopedist in Lake Tahoe, Nev., where the family has a summer home for continued evaluation and to make sure there is not a partial tendon tear in the knee. 

Heading into the final race of the 2016 NHRA Western Swing, the 29^th annual ProtectTheHarvest.com NHRA Northwest Nationals, John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, answered a few questions about his chances of sweeping the swing for a second time and also how his season has turned around. Photos courtesy of Gary Nastase Photography for media use only.

SONOMA, CA --- John Force is the only Funny Car driver who has won the historic NHRA Western Swing races of Denver, Sonoma and Seattle consecutively. Today with his 8th Funny Car win at the 29th annual Toyota Sonoma Nationals Force is in position to become the only driver to ever sweep the Western Swing twice. In a final round for the ages Force outran Funny Car point leader Ron Capps 3.948 to 3.960 to capture his 145th career Funny Car win and his 1,251st round win.