Keith Berry and the Berry Motorsports Drag Radial Corvette (photos)
Keith Berry builds and drives some of the fastest drag radial tire class cars in the series. His C5 Corvette set records for what that platform, and drag radial tires were capable of. Let's dig deeper into how he did it.
1. Meet Keith Berry
Keith Berry is a hero of the radial tire racing scene, and as one of the best-known and successful drag racers of the new millennium, it's hard to believe he went from being a novice to a master of the sport in ten years. Known as the back-to-back champion of the NMCA Radial Wars, he's arguably even more famous for his boisterous personality and successful marketing of his WOOOO! Nation brand. That name accurately reflects the fun-loving attitude Berry brings to the sport.
2. Atlanta - The right place at the right time
After seeing the show Pinks All Out was filming at Atlanta Dragway, a race track just 30 miles from his home, Keith Berry got the racing bug and decided to build a car. Fortunately, he wasn't without some help; his brother Todd had been in Outlaw Racing Street Car Association (ORSCA) competition for years. Although Keith didn't have much competitive success at first, it wasn't long before he started picking up speed in a big way.
3. The Corvette Z06 was an impulse buy
Keith Berry is most associated with his signature black 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, but the choice to get one was apparently an impulse decision. As he tells it, his wife began to notice his love for racing and told him they would get a divorce if he ever bought a Corvette. As legend has it, that's exactly what he went to Texas to pick up the next day, though details are foggy as to his wife's ultimatum. Although the Corvette has been built up and torn down several times since the purchase, the distinctive black Corvette is an important part of Keith Berry's brand in the radial tire scene.
4. Wrecked on the a drive
The decision to mod up the trademark C5 Corvette happened by accident when a young machinist, who worked at Berry's shop, asked to take the vehicle for a spin. "Don't wreck it" were the only instructions Keith gave the guy, and he couldn't even follow that one. However, and rather than getting angry, Berry took it as an opportunity to improve it far beyond the already impressive factory specs.
5. The Corvette's major overhaul
In order to be competitive with the rest of the racers in the series, some big-budget remakes were due on his Z06. Obviously, a nitrous oxide system was a power adding addition, but the rest of the vehicle was practically rebuilt from the ground up too. With the help of his brother, out came the factory 5.7 liter LS motor, and in went a 454ci Proline Racing LS engine and Fuel Tech FT500 EFI system. To top it all off, twin turbos were added.
6. Collaboration the secret to Berry's success
As boisterous and assertive a man as Berry seems, he's actually very modest. He's quoted as saying his primary responsibility is knowing when to "let go of the button at the right time" and the rest of the team is actually more important to his success. While other drivers are happy to soak up all of the credit, Keith Berry acknowledges the consistent effort and quality of the team surrounding him.
7. Smart branding is also important
Even as one of the biggest names in the small tire drag racing scene, Keith is the first to admit there are more talented racers out there, however, he remains arguably the most talked about. Why is that? A large part of it has to do with Berry's charisma as a performer outside of the car and the successful branding of WOOOO! Nation. A good part of the team's appeal is that they don't take themselves completely seriously, even as they apply serious effort to the sport. Keith Berry has also championed the cause of a young fan and raised money for A.J. Kepthart, who was stricken with childhood cancer.
8. Surprise retirement and liquidation
On January 17th, with no warning, Keith announced on Facebook that the Corvette Z06, and his entire racing set up was for sale. There is no word on whether he himself was retiring, but his firesuit was included in the items listed. For just $250,000 someone is getting a great start in drag racing, and a bargain too. For more information on this check out Bangshift.
For help with service and mods on your Corvette, check out the how to sections of LS1Tech.com