Durst makes history with first nine-second blast

National Dragster, Nov 21, 2003

Honda Tuning All Motor

With two wins and four straight final-round appearances in the second half of the season, there wasn't much left for Honda Tuning All Motor ace Leslie Durst to prove heading into the season finale, but that didn't stop the driver of the Horizon Motorsports CRX.

Durst won her third event of the season, jumping to third in the final standings. In addition, she made All Motor history by recording the class' first nine-second run, a 9.934 at 134.99 mph, alongside Norris Prayoonto in the second round.

Prayoonto was the first to give Durst the news, flashing a nine-finger salute through his car window in the shutdown area after either seeing it on the scoreboards or hearing it from a team radio.

"We knew the car had a nine in it, but we weren't sure it would happen this weekend," said Durst. "The [density] altitude was around 3,000 feet. If we can get under better conditions, I know we can run a 9.80."

Durst, who qualified No. 1 for the fifth consecutive event, claimed the win over first-time finalist Jack Sacchette, who had powered his Beetle to the quickest VW pass in NHRA sport compact history, a 10.091. Durst, who recorded an 11.088 at 93.35 in the final, earned the victory when Sacchette fouled at the start. Her 9.934 set the all Motor national record.

"I kicked butt today," Durst said. "I'm so thrilled and excited about this weekend. This season couldn't have ended on a better note for us; we accomplished so much this year. To run a nine and win the race in Pomona is more than I could have asked for."

With his semifinal finish, Scott Mohler locked up the season championship, edging Ken Scheepers, who also lost in the semi's, by only eight points.