Kari Bahus’ Open Container
across the parking lot. They immediately came over and interviewed me about the Blazer.
“ That was the day I went all the way to the finals and got second place in my class. From there on, Open Container blew up and everyone started hearing about it. We even ended up doing an episode of Cleetus’ Garage( on YouTube. com) toward the end of the race season. Now that was insane!”
Bahus made it a point to get to as many races as he could last year, including Street Car Takeover events in Kansas City, Oklahoma City and St. Louis, determined to have the time of his life, win or lose. His diligence paid off as the Open Container grew in popularity, with a few big-name companies deciding to hop on board to help Bahus out for the 2017 race season.
“ Right now it’ s actually at Sho-Me Speed in Springfield, Missouri, getting the motor rebuilt and then tuned. The original 454 LS7 Dart Block with Brodix heads was supposed to make around 700 horsepower last year, but it wasn’ t. The intake valves weren’ t closing all the way and thanks to Wes and the guys at Sho-Me Speed we got that problem fixed and we should be making more power on motor than we were on spray last year. They also de-stroked from a 4.190 bore to a 4.0 bore, and we added in CP Pistons and Carrillo rods. Then the guys over at Nitrous Outlet hooked us up with their Dual Stage Gen 3 Hornet plate system that will put us double to triple the power we made last year.” shoot for 9s first.
“ We lifted the front tires a little bit last year and I’ m hoping to carry them a little further this year, but I don’ t want to put me or anyone at risk so I’ m just going to go as fast in it as I feel comfortable. I want to be able to drive it home from the track, and drive it back next weekend for more racing.”
It’ s been 15 years since Kari Bahus was in an accident that changed his life, but that hasn’ t stopped him from doing the things he loves. He continues each day looking forward to the next racing event, and spending time with friends, working on cars and having a good time. It’ s everything his Open Container is all about.
“ After all of the hard work and countless hours spent, eventually the reward will come. We ultimately want all of the good stuff in life but it takes a lot to get there and a lot of people don’ t get that. I’ ve put everything into the Open Container, and I’ ve had a lot of help that I am very thankful for. If I’ m ever in a situation that I have to sell my house to keep the Blazer and live in a hotel room that’ s close to the next drag strip I would do that, because my family will always be at the track.”
Having all those extra horses on hand makes Bahus even more eager to return to the track, but he respects the responsibility it brings, too.
“ I learned a lot from last year and this year we are definitely going to have the bugs worked out and it’ s going to take some time to get used to the increased power. The only thing that’ s going to be holding the Blazer back is me,” he realizes.“ With the power range it will be set up for the Blazer should be able to run 8.50s, which is what my cage is certified for, but I’ m going to
MOST EPIC SENIOR PHOTO
Story & Photos by Kevin Cox
When 17 year old James Loar contacted our very own Kevin Cox and asked him to shoot his senior photos, he would have never thought they would end up the way they did. We had previously met James at Street Car Takeover in Oklahoma City and being the big car enthusiast that he is, we decided to add a little twist on his shoot and make these the most epic senior photos ever.
We contacted our friends over at Shelby Killer Performance and they brought out their 1,000 plus wheel horsepower C6 Corvette to surprise James and do a massive burnout for one of his photos. Needless to say, James had the biggest grin on his face the entire time, mission successful. The most epic senior photo ever? We surely think so!
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