Shane Sanford started sand drag racing ten years ago with a V-6 dune buggy in Pro 5 and has moved his way up to become a force in the Top Alcohol class. Shane, from Fullerton, CA, always had fast toys and once he got into the sport of sand drag racing the natural progression up the ranks began. After a couple of seasons with the buggy, he moved up into the Pro 2 category with an ex-NHRA Super Comp dragster owned by his dad, Ed. Shane went on to take two Primm victories in that race car. This dragster is still raced on a limited basis by the Sanford’s. The need for speed continued to haunt Shane and it drove him into the current Top Alcohol dragster the Frederosa team campaigns. A ’97 285” Hansen ex-NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster chassis was purchased. This car was owned by Jerry Darien and driven by Frank Pedregon and Gary Scelzi during its life on asphalt. The current engine combination was built by “Famous Amos” Saterlee and is a 542” KB Motor topped by a set of BAE Hemi heads and a PSI supercharger. The tune up was developed with help from Randy Goodwin (NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car Racer) and Keith Longerot. Over four years of competition with the car, the Frederosa team has had 15 final round appearances and 10 victories. The career best E.T. for Shane was a 2.503/153mph pass.
An article about the Frederosa Racing Team wouldn’t be complete without an explanation of what Frederosa actually means. Shane says that he constantly gets asked this question. It is a 50-acre ranch owned by Ed and Cheryl Sanford in Octillo Wells, CA. If you take the name “Ed”, add “Fr” for Freaks, and also incorporate the “Ponderosa” you come up with “Frederosa”. This equals a bunch of off-roaders gone mad, “The Frederosa Racing Team”.
Shane would like to thank all of his family and friends for their support over the years including wife Michelle, daughters Ashley and Sydney, crew chief Troy Schweers, dad Ed Sanford, and Dean Schweers. Ray, Mike, Jeff, and Keith are also important crew members for the Frederosa team. Lucas Oil Products and Tom Bogner have been huge supporters of the team over the years providing the program with superior lubricants. Also, big thanks go out to Randy Goodwin for all of his help with the tune up and providing a quick, consistent race car.
The Frederosa team has gotten off to a fast start with two victories in a row in the Top Alcohol class which has given them a substantial early season point lead. Shane and the team are working towards a NSDA point series championship in 2007 as well as a run at Richard Montiel’s Top Alcohol class E.T. record. Whenever the Top Alcohol class is called to the lanes, keep an eye out for Shane and the Frederosa Racing dragster as they are capable for low E.T. and potential record setting times whenever they pull to the line.
Shane on his way to the TA class victory in March at San Jacinto.
The Frederosa Racing Team at the March NSDA event.
Sanford has run low E.T. of the '07 NSDA season in Top Alcohol with a 2.530 pass in February.
Shane making a pass in February at the NSDA Soboba Casino event.