Getting a chance to drive a car that has set class records for several drivers, at seven different locations, can hit a prospective driver with high levels of excitement.

But it can also come with pressure, wanting to deliver a solid performance on the given opportunity.

Two drivers that have participated in numerous drag and drive events for over a decade got the chance to trade the streets and the quarter-mile drag strip for Utah and the Bonneville Salt Flats this year.

Could Tom Bailey and Dave Schroeder make the most of the opportunity, with both drivers possibly earning a class record, as well as joining the 200 MPH club?

Although it’s easy to focus on the elapsed times and who wins classes at events, the big speeds are also an indication of how far racing, and power levels, have come in the last couple decades.

And although it took until the fifth annual Hot Rod Drag Week in 2009 before someone broke the mark, the next five years witnessed four more competitors join the 200 MPH club.

In ten years of Hot Rod Drag Week competition, five different competitors exceeded the 200 MPH mark. We’ll follow up with part two of the 200 MPH club shortly, and see how many more rides can hit the magic speed mark.

“Just a reminder, if you’re building a combo and it isn’t an exact mirror of a known good one, get ready to work a lot.”

“I think it showed the maximum of what we can accomplish on this turbo. There might be a little left, but we hung it out pretty good.”

Recently, a pair of stick shift performances, one by a drag-and-drive competitor, as well as a Cadillac nearing the 6-second zone, got our attention from a test session in Michigan.

After six days of racing, weather and personal best for more than just a few drivers, the 25th anniversary of TX2K is in the books, and champions have been crowned in the thirteen drag racing classes, as well as four roll racing classes.

“I think we are done on 235s. We did what we wanted; we won twice in Rowdy Radial in the same year.”

Making a move from the now defunct Houston Raceway Park, Texas Motorplex would welcome thousands through their gates to witness some quick times and fast speeds in the drag racing and roll racing segments for TX2K.

“We’re not looking for a ton more horsepower, just trying to make the right changes and get the overall run better. 215 mph last year shows we were on the right track.”