Personal Information

Name:
Location:
Age:
Birthday:
 

Mark Hamel

East Greenbush, NY

39

8/8/68

Vehicle Information

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1976

Vega

Pro

9.20

146

Assembled In-house. Machined by Clifton Park Engine Rebuilding

Merlin

478

GM

Crane

Crower

JE

13 to 1

Dart

Crower

Dart

1050 Holley

Holley

TCI Glide by Bernie’s Transmission in Schenectady

Dana 60 w/ 4.56 gears

MSD

Updates are by ABS Chassis

Racing Accomplishments

  7 Points Titles. 1 in Street (1985) 1 in Pro (1986) 4 in Super (I think 1990, 1991, 1993, & 1994) & 1 in Pro (2007). Also won a couple King of the Hill Races. A few wins at other local tracks (ESTA, Englishtown, New England, Napierville)

Sponsors

Lots of technical/financial help from my brother Scott, ABS Chassis, Clifton Park Engine Rebuilding, & Bernie’s Transmissions

Questions

How long have you been drag racing?  Started in 1984, before I had a driver’s license. First trip down the dragstrip was on a 1976 Honda CR125 dirt bike. 18.50’s at a whopping 59 mph.

How did you get your start?   Following the footsteps of my brother Scott who started racing before me

What’s been the biggest challenge to your racing program this season?  Compared to last season? This year the Vega was extremely reliable, so my biggest challenge was keeping mentally focused on the task at hand every week. Also not over-thinking everything and keeping the sport simple. Last season I was mentally nuts and tried way too hard. I was too aggressive and mistake prone. 

What would you consider your biggest accomplishments as a racer? See “Racing Accomplishments” above.  

What’s gotten you hooked on the drag racing scene? In “Bracket Racing” everyone that enters the gate in the morning has “legitimate” chance to win. Whether their car is a state-of-art 1000 HP car, or a tired old 300 HP car. What has me hooked is that a person with a skinny wallet can compete with a person with a fat wallet on a pretty level playing field.

What are your plans for the future? Nothing special. Just continue to do as well as I can.   

What advice would you give to someone looking to start out? Watch others very carefully. Learn the smart things they do. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Also learn from the mistakes you see others do. (Nothing wrong with learning what NOT to do through the screw ups of others) Stay up on the maintenance of your car every week.    

Who are your biggest friends (or enemies) at the track?  Biggest friend is Mopar Dan Russell and his crazy 5-speed Dart. Obviously my brother Scott is my best friend, and the entire reason for my success. There are lots of people that I enjoy talking too. Not sure if I have any “real” enemies. I might, but I really don’t care all that much.

Who do you fear having to see at the starting line?  Why? Any first round opponent at the Bracket Finals. I have no damn luck there.

Very briefly, tell me the dumbest mistake you've ever made at the race track? Everyone in my family could probably pick a different stupid thing. But years ago Dirty Dan and I were in a final for I think $1,500. The final got rained out and was decided to be run the 2^nd time trial of the following week. Well I ended up getting completely drunk the Saturday night before the final and was extremely hung over during time trials. The result was redlighting (by a lot) in a $1,500 final that was run at something like 11:30 in the morning. That is one of many.  

Anyone you’d like to thank, wives you HAVE to thank, other things not mentioned you feel are important?  Of course. Scott, Mom, Cindi, Mopar Dan, and Rhonda.

What music do you listen to?  Who’s your favorite?   

Any nick names for you?   Bernstein (Long Story)

Do you have any pets?   Cat (Willy)

Do you have Kids?   Nope

What do you like to do as a hobby outside of drag racing?  Fishing, Golf, Running (Not very good at any of these hobbies as I rarely do them)

What track do you dislike the most? Dragstrips with corners in themJ Seriously, I will only start to dislike any track when I feel they are starting to get complacent in safety personnel. Anytime there are no qualified safety personnel in shutdown area (time trials, test & tune, whatever) that is my pet peeve.   

Which is your favorite track to race on Any track that is well prepped, has needed safety personal (especially at shutdown area) and has good starting line lighting especially in lane two. (Hint)

Do you have a lucky charm?  What is it?  No, Thought it would be funny to strap a blow-up doll in the passenger seat area, but then I saw someone in open trophy that already had one strapped in. Not sure if would be lucky, but would be funny.

If you could meet anybody you wanted living or not who would it be?  Why

Any additional comments?