Here is what he has to say!
Brian Ballard has become one of Sport Compact's top drag racers.
Not only is he an incredible racer and at the top of his game right now, but he is an amazing guy as well. We took some time to run Brian down between race weekends.
Name: Brian Ballard
Age: 29
Birthdate: 08/05/1977
Likes: Cars, Harleys, concerts and heavy metal music
Dislikes: Haters
Location: Sloatsburg, NY
Secrets that no one knows: "A lot of people don't know that I am Straight Edge (alcohol and drug free)." Also, every car I have raced has a Slayer sticker on it."
Brian B: I am coping with it fine, not sure if my girlfriend is though, just kidding. I'd rather be on the road racing than sitting at home.The season has started off great, racing in 80- to 90-degree weather while it is snowing back at home. Winning the first two races helps a little too. Iâm in a great place right now.
GM: What's different about this season for you here in 2007, from the past seasons? Do you have any special goals?
Brian B: This season will be the first that I am pursuing two championships. I am looking to win my fourth consecutive NDRA championship as well as pursuing the East Coast NHRA Quick 16 championship for the team and GM Racing. We also have team goals of consistency and improved personal driving skills. It is actually pretty cool, because (team owner) Charlie Schafer and (PRO FWD pilot) Jason Hunt and I actually meet and discuss strategy. The entire CSI Team is committed to both cars equally. I also hear talk of maybe running either in competition or for exhibition at a traditional NHRA event to showcase the consistency and reliability of this car. If that happens it will be awesome. A lot of people were skeptical of the consistency of a FWD racecar and this platform definitely proves otherwise.
GM: Talk to us a bit about your car. How does it feel to blast those crazy 9-second passes in your car?
Brian B: The car is deadly consistent and reliable. The team gives me a great car that I have full confidence in every time I get behind the wheel. I know that all I need to do is not make mistakes and I have a chance to win EVERY round. GM, Hydra-Matic and Roush have put together a great engine and transmission package that works flawlessly.
GM: You are now the fastest FWD street car in your class correct? How does it feel to hold that title, and do you feel the competition sneaking up on you?
Brian B: It is pretty crazy. Our best E.T. is 9.28 seconds and we have run over 159 MPH. It feels great holding that title, but at the end of the day, all that matters is winning races and championships. As our team owner, Charlie, has told us in the past, "Records will be broken, but wins and championships can never be taken away from you." I have confidence in my team and myself that even if someone were to run quicker than us, they canât match our reliability and desire to win.
GM: Did you make any changes to your car to get it ready for this year?
Brian B: We made one change this season due to a rule revision intended to slow us down. We have to run a smaller turbo on the car this season, so we are running a 71-mm S400 Borg Warner AirWerks Turbo with extended-tip technology. The new turbocharger has not slowed the car down that much at all, which is incredible considering the rule changes were set in place to slow us down. Our guys work a lot with Borg Warner on technology on a regular basis to supply us with the optimum power adder. We want to build the best power package for ourselves and for future Cobalt and Ecotec users. It truly is a group effort. Another great advantage for the end user is that the Borg Warner S400 turbo will be available soon for purchase, which obviously is an awesome turbo!
GM: What is your favorite part about racing your Cobalt?
Brian B: My favorite part about racing the Cobalt is that I am representing such a great company and organization in GM Racing. In my wildest dreams, I never believed that one day I would be sponsored by General Motors, K&N Filters and MATCO Tools Votech. It also doesn't hurt that the car looks pimp and runs really strong. We like to joke that the car looks like a rental with a really bling paint job.
GM: We heard that you talk nice to your Ecotec engine. You want to make sure that she knows how much you love her and all, so that she responds well on the track. Any truth to that, and if so, can you share some of those sweet talks with us?
Brian B: I've always felt since I began racing that you need to be in tune with your car. I always talk to my car and engine. I know that if I am nice to her, that she will be nice to me and so far, my cars have rarely disappointed me. Of course she's a girl.
GM: What about racing in the Sport Compact arena. What are some of your favorite things about racing in a predominately youth automotive marketplace?
Brian B: The nicest thing that I enjoy about Sport Compact drag racing is the camaraderie. I have made a lot of good friends through racing and I look forward to seeing everyone at the races. The fans are great too. Having been involved in the scene since I was a teenager, I can truly relate to the fans. It is such a diverse group of people that compete and attend events. With the drift events mixed in with the drag racing and car shows we are finding we are exposed to even more people that have similar likes and dislikes. Everyone that attends our events are there for one reason or another and it's very cool to meet people from all across the country. We now have friends in Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and across Europe that just love the small displacement-powered cars making huge horsepower and running crazy numbers.
GM: Do you have any funny road rituals, or stories you can share with us from your travels?
Brian B: We don't have enough time for that! Seriously, now that I'm with CSI and don't have to tow the racecar, our road trip stories are fewer because Rob and I fly in to each event. Now when Jason Hunt and I were both running our own sportsman cars and towing with our pick up trucks, we had to make the road trips interesting for everyone. A safe story would be our trip to Illinois where we made everyone we met, strangers, hotel clerks -- I mean everyone -- get their picture taken with this giant clock around their necks and pose like Flavor Flav. We documented it and posted it online. We actually got a lot of hilarious feedback from that.
GM: We want pics of the Flav victims! What about any game time habits? We know you have to do something in the car before you smash the gas pedal.
Brian B: I lost my brother to a drunk driver several years ago but I know he is with me everyday. I actually talk with my brother before every pass down the track. I ask him to watch over my family and team and to get me safely down the track. Then it is game time.
GM: We hear you like to ride your Harley during your off time. What model is it, and what have you done to it?
Brian B: My bike is a 2005 Softail Night Train. "The real question is: what have I not done to it?" It has been a bigger money pit than any car I have ever owned. There is nothing more relaxing, though, than taking a nice long ride on an off weekend with my bike and my girlfriend, Alyssa.
GM: Do you have any thoughts for the young enthusiasts out there that are thinking about buying a Cobalt, or who have one and want to make it a little quicker?
Brian B: The first thing I would say is to not cut corners and do it right the first time. Ask a lot of questions and research everything while building your Cobalt. GM has done something that no other car manufacturer has done for the Sport Compact market. They have provided the parts and information, which are available to anyone to build a 250-horsepower street car up to a 1,450-horsepower, tube-chassis monster. Use the www.gmtunersource.com web site. Everything is right there for you. You can download the build book and have all the information you need. Like I said, no other manufacturer has ever committed to doing that before. Also, donât be afraid to ask our team questions. We have an open-pit policy for anyone inquiring about builds or technology on the sport car. If you can't get us at the track we will have our website up soon so that you can email questions as well.
GM: What about your fans? Do you have anything to say to your fans and supporters out there?
Brian B: My fans and supporters are the greatest. It is weird going to a track you have never been to before and having people come up to you that know of you. They have been behind me since Day One, especially my family, my team and (co-crew chief) Rob Salle. Without their help and desire to see me succeed, I would not be in the position I am in now.
GM: Thanks Brian, we appreciate your time and look forward to seeing some great things from you this year!
Brian B: Thank you for your time. I am looking forward to another successful season in the K&N GM Racing Cobalt. I also want to thank Charlie, Jason, Rob, Dan, Julie, Carmen, Dan, Fred and Brent from GM and everyone at Roush for all they have done to ensure my success. A special âthank youâ to Alyssa, for putting up with all of this.
Last modified on Monday, 29 November 1999
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