Ahten looking for a thrill ride in Sonoma

Courtesy of Athen Family Racing
Photo by Chuck Costabile

Sonoma, CA – Johnny Ahten and his Ahten Racing Team are happy to be descending. Not in their racing program, but they are eager to be racing closer to sea level. Their last three races have been at high elevation tracks. Racing at Sonoma Raceway in this weekend’s Regional race changes all that.

“With good weather we could be racing at 1800ft, whereas we have been used to racing at over 3000ft,” said Ahten.  “We like Sonoma, since we seem to run well there. We have run in the 20’s, and even runnered-up.”

Some changes will have to be made to the Island Renovations / 801 Racing / Fireman’s Brew Dragster. The Ahten Racing team lead by crew chief Al Ahten, will use elements from their Tucson IHRA win, with changes for altitude. Assisting the elder Ahten will be Howard Katano, Bob Ahten, Kevin Colvell, and Chuck Costable.

“We are bringing just about the whole gang out here,” added Ahten. I’ll be in the motorhome with the wife and kids, and we might even check out Six Flags after the race.”

As if driving a Nitromethane Injected Dragster wasn’t enough of a thrill ride, Johnny Ahten is looking give it a ride in Sonoma.  “I want to kick people’s teeth in,” said a confident Ahten.  “We know our new engine combination can make gobs of power, we have to step up and apply it to the track. We have been studying the computer numbers from our last race and know what we have to do.”

This bravado from Johnny Ahten is somewhat of a departure for the mild-mannered Fire Captain.  The confidence comes from knowing he has the power to win, and the poise of a professional Drag Racer to keep focused. His crew behind him, Ahten has amped up his car, and his demeanor. That can only mean some heartbreak for the cars in the other lane.