Nitro
Thunder III
 Completed in late February
of 2004, the 3rd generation Nitro Thunder has raised the bar
for style and function for the Nostalgia Top Fuel world. Here
are a few shots of the car during construction at Neil &
Parks. The fabrication was done by Frank and Scott Parks while
much of the final assembly was left to Jack and Brett Harris
and Utah Posse members Kenny
Robison and Don Tyrrell.
Neil & Parks Racing
Enterprises 9341 West Highway K31 Burlingame,
KS 66413
 The basic chassis is almost lost on the
jig inside the immaculate and expansive work area at Neil &
Parks Racecars.
 Frank Parks fabricates
the super strong, one-of-a-king rearend housing.
 Before the roll cage
is even installed, the motor plate and mock-up block are put
in to make sure the alignment to the rearend is exact.
 When the chassis was
basically in tact, the fuel tank and seat were the first "tin"
added.
 Don Tyrrell and Jack Harris jump in to help as the
car was on a deadline for the Goodguys March Meet.
 Jack sits in the seat
as Frank adjusts the operation levers to fit him.
 Frank installed the rearend housing and
then finished the brackets.
 Scott Parks does the
final installation of the rearend assembly and gets the brakes
set.
 Kenny Robison assembles one of the side
canard wings.
 Don and Brett drop the
engine in for the first time.
 Brett tightens the left headers.
 Brett and Don start
fitting the body panels (above) and cowl (below).
 Brett, Jack and Don
take a bread for a "Billy The Kid" photo op.
 The electronics for the Data Computer
are neatly attached inside the chassis.
 The finished cockpit - exactly
like Jack wanted it.
 With most of the "tin"
(body) completed, Brett checks out the view from the drivers
seat (above) and Jack gives it a comfort test below.
 Ready to put on the ground.
 Frank and Scott Parks
pose with their work of art.
 Scott poses with the custom vent/data
collection scoop he fabricated.
 One very unique feature
on Nitro Thunder III is the state-of-the-art front wing that
takes the stress off the chassis and more down force where its
needed.
 Getting very close.
 Just two short weeks
after the car left Neil & Parks, Jack Harris and the Utah
Posse nabbed runner-up honors at the 45th
March Meet
Mid-Season - New
car gets its red paint.
Nitro
Thunder Photo Archives |