ARTICLE BY JASON CULLEY / PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF WAYNE AXFORD

NASA Pro-VW Drag Racing Series Racer Wayne Axford of Carmichael, CA is currently #1 in points in the 2007 season and currently leads by 60 points over his toughest competitor NASA Rookie Chad Axford (his son) and John Rocha.  As well as NASA events he attends many events at his favorite track Sacramento Raceway Park, including Bugorama #59 held on May 27, where he finished as the runner-up in the PRA Pro Eliminator class.  When he is not racing he works as an Auto Tech for the United States Postal Service.  Wayne got his start in VWs as a kid due in large part to his father.  "In my younger days when VW’s were plentiful my dad would buy ones with blown motors for 50.00 or less.  We would rebuild the motors and fix all the little things to turn around and sell them.", said Wayne.  When he was old enough to get his drivers permit it was only natural he bought a VW, a '66 VW Bug.  Wayne has been racing for over 30 years and plans on racing until he is told to stop by a doctor. 

The '67 VW Bug he currently campaigns was bought when he was 16 years old from AAA Auto Wreckers for $200.00 and immediately turned it into a drag bug.  Over the years it has taken on many looks with one constant motto, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).  The paint and bodywork was accomplished all by Wayne with the lettering done by The Decal People.  The car has a custom made roll cage with Wayne sitting in a Butler seat, held in place by RCI seatbelts, shifts with an Empi shifter and steers the car down the 1/4 mile with Grant steering wheel.  To keep an eye on the engine vitals he installed fuel pressure and head temperature VDO gauges along with an Autometer tachometer.  The engine is a normally aspirated 2276cc, built by Wayne himself with a compression ratio of 14.5:1.  The power is laid to the ground via M&H tires on Centerline rims.

In 1997, Wayne decided to turn his one time hobby into a business and started the Mellow Insanity Racing team.  Over the past 10 years they have been privileged to have many motor sport marketing partners as well as watching his son, Chad hone his business and driving skills.  Along with racing in the NASA series, his son Chad also drives a rear engine Super Comp dragster.  His current best elapsed time top speed in this VW are 10.25 ET at 125.89 MPH.  The whole operation is a family affair with Wayne's wife Linda handling all the crew chief duties and his son who has never missed a Bugorama in 17 years.  "As we all know, the sponsors and the many good friends we make along the way come and go but you always have your family.", said Wayne.  His goal right now is to win the NASA Pro-VW Drag Racing Series championship and the way he is racing this season it looks like 2007 may be his year.

I want to thank Wayne Axford for allowing us to feature his car and for taking the time out of his busy work and race schedule.