Rookie Kalivoda to Unveil Moto1 Colors in Las Vegas

October 24, 2001 – First-year Top Fuel driver Brady Kalivoda will be flying the colors of computer gaming company Moto1, Inc. on his Hartman Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster at the Inaugural AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals October 25-28. The dragster will be wrapped in eye-catching all-vinyl livery designed by David Womack and produced by Vectors Plus of Kirkland, Washington. The scheme is complete with shark's teeth and flames and will also carry the names of Motorsims and software publisher ValuSoft.

Moto1 will be using their involvement with Kalivoda to promote the release of the highly anticipated game suite, 'NHRA Drag Racing Main Event'. Following the event, and through November 2, the car will then be on display in the Moto1 booth at the AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.

Kalivoda, heading to Las Vegas fresh off of his first 300mph run at the O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec last weekend, is excited about his new ride. "It's by far the best looking Top Fueler I've ever had the privilege to drive. It looks pretty hot with all those flames … literally!" Kalivoda said, laughingly. "Really, the car looks great and it should be a crowd-pleaser, but more than that I'm excited about partnering with Moto1 to launch the new game, NHRA Drag Racing Main Event," he said.

"Moto1 has gone to great lengths to produce the most authentic drag racing simulation ever. With Main Event, they have one-upped themselves by adding Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck to an already awesome game," said Kalivoda. "Moto1 has increased awareness of NHRA Championship Drag Racing and done our sport a great service by making the game available in retailers nationwide. Their involvement with myself and Hartman Motorsports in Las Vegas simply furthers their commitment to our sport and we're hoping to reward them with a strong showing on race day."

This weekend will mark Kalivoda's sixth national event behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster. The second-generation racer made his Top Fuel debut in July in Seattle driving the Hartman Motorsports/FRAM SureGrip entry and has been filling in for the injured John Smith since the AutoZone Nationals presented by Pennzoil in Memphis.

Moto1, Inc. is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Other game titles developed by Moto1 include 'NHRA Drag Racing', 'NHRA Drag Racing 2', and 'AMA Superbike'.
   

July 25, 2001 – Former nostalgia racer Brady Kalivoda will make his professional driving debut July 27 in the cockpit of the FRAM SureGrip Top Fuel Dragster at the 14th annual Prolong Super Lubricants NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts.

The second-generation racer from Seattle will get the nod as John Smith takes a one-race hiatus from the driver's seat to concentrate on tuning duties in preparation for the Hartman team's all-out run at the FRAM Autolite Nationals title the following weekend in Sonoma.

Kalivoda earned his Top Fuel license in April with the help of Hartman Motorsports and looks forward to being able to race in front of friends and family at his home track. "Driving a Top Fuel dragster is a dream I've been chasing since childhood and I'm extremely grateful to be getting the chance not only to drive, but to drive in Seattle," said Kalivoda. "My Mom has been diagnosed with cancer and it's not so easy for her to travel around. She's my biggest fan, so it's extra special to have the opportunity to do this at home, where she can come and watch and truly enjoy herself."

Kalivoda will have additional backing from Moorefield Construction and Tommy Ahrens Motorsports for the event and is optimistic about the possibility of competing in future NHRA National Events. "Although right now I'm focusing entirely on the Seattle race, I'm still working on the big picture; trying to find the resources to do this not just once, but 23 times a year," said Kalivoda. "I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. I grew up here watching the Fallnationals and spent my college years here racing nostalgia dragsters, so it's fitting that Seattle is the place I take the first step in what I hope is a long professional career behind the wheel."

Of interesting note is that some 41 years ago, Kalivoda's father, Dick, also made his driving debut at Seattle International Raceway (then called Pacific Raceways). On July 4th 1960, the elder Kalivoda became the first driver to set an NHRA National Record at the track, running an elapsed time of 11.78 in the B/Modified Roadster class. Dick Kalivoda then went on to campaign several dragsters before concluding his driving career in the Top Fuel category in 1970.
 

May 9, 2001 – Second-generation racer and former crewmember Brady Kalivoda earned his NHRA Top Fuel License April 25 during a test session at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. With the help of Hartman Motorsports, Kalivoda made six laps in the FRAM Triad X2 Top Fuel Dragster, clocking a best of 4.88 at 296mph on his final run to complete the license upgrade.

The FRAM Team was shaking down the car in preparation for John Smith to compete the following weekend at the inaugural Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN. "It just happened to work out perfectly," said Kalivoda. "They had the chance to get the car sorted out for John to race, and at the same time, I got the opportunity to make some laps and get my license."

"It was a dream come true for me, and I owe Virgil Hartman, John Smith, Rhonda Hartman-Smith, and their entire team a world of thanks for that," said Kalivoda. "The best part was that my family was there. They came all the way from Seattle to watch."
Brady, 28 years old, is the son of former racer Dick Kalivoda, who piloted several cars out of the Pacific Northwest during the 1960's, most notably the "Joker" Top Fueler from 1968-70. Also, the elder Kalivoda's first ride, the Kalivoda & Hamlin B/Modified Roadster is in residence at the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, CA.

Brady earned his NHRA Super Comp license in 1992 and spent five seasons behind the wheel of a 200-mph nostalgia A/Fuel dragster before going "on the road" as a crewmember for the teams of Tom Hoover, Jim Head, and most recently, Tony Schumacher.

Kalivoda currently speaks at NHRA National Events on behalf of the U.S. Army in conjunction with NHRA's Youth and Education Services Program and is actively seeking sponsorship to allow him to fulfill his dream of competing in NHRA's premier class. "This has been a life-long dream of mine, to drive Top Fuel or Funny Car. The plan now is to somehow, by will or might, find the resources to make it happen."