King's Ransom Racing

Mark Agnew, founder of King's Ransom Racing, purchased his first flatbottom in 1977. Mark worked hard to get the flatbottom ready for racing. By 1980, the Howard flatbottom was complete. In 1982, Mark had decided to enter his first drag boat race on the Colorado River in Parker, AZ, and the King's Ransom name was born. He continued to race in the 95-105 MPH bracket through 1984 when the "need for speed" took over.

In 1984, a Kurtis Kraft hydro was the boat of choice. Mark started with a bare hull and in 2 years the Kurtis was ready to take the water. The Kurtis Kraft hydro was almost 25 MPH faster just by the hull design, so the need for speed was satisfied....for a little while. Mark raced in the 115-125MPH bracket with the hydro for only 1 year, before realizing that the boat was just not quick enough.

The motor was rebuilt in 1987 from a 427 to a 460. This increase in cubic inches gave Mark all he needed to race in the Comp Eliminator (9.00 index) and Super Eliminator (8.00 index) competitively. This continued until 1989, when the Super Eliminator class was really getting competitive. The 460 Cubic Inch Carbureted motor was traded out for a 468 Blown Injected Big Block Chevy.

From 1990 until 1994, Mark was a very tough competitor in the Super Eliminator Class. In 1994, the hydro was sold and the King's Ransom name would continue on in the new generation.

Michael Agnew, the son of the legend, was a thriving individual desperate to start his racing career. He had grown up working on the drag boats of his father and had his heart set on racing. In 1995, the 1969 Chevy Chevelle was purchased. The Chevelle was driven throughout High School and College until graduating in 2002.

After graduation, the decision was made to build his first car into a drag car. One year was all that was needed to convert this car from a street car to the competitive drag car you now see before you. Mike's first season started in 2003 at Irwindale Speedway. In 2004 Mike was a Top 3 finisher and made his first trip to the NHRA Summit Series Division 7 ET Finals.

In 2005, Mike switched over to 1/4 mile racing at the Autoclub dragway @ Autoclub Speedway. Along with the NHRA Summit Series, Mike was a strong competitor in the 10.60 Index class and Open Comp class in the Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA). In 2007, the decision was made to focus on the NHRA Summit Series because of the success the team had at the Division 7 ET Finals the previous year. Focusing on the Summit Series really showed, going 6 rounds at the ET Finals at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. The King's Ransom Racing team is a team to be reckoned with in years to come.




	History In The Making Mark Agnew, founder of King's Ransom Racing, purchased his first flatbottom in 1977. Mark worked hard to get the flatbottom ready for racing. By 1980, the Howard flatbottom was complete. In 1982, Mark had decided to enter his first drag boat race on the Colorado River in Parker, AZ, and the King's Ransom name was born. He continued to race in the 95-105 MPH bracket through 1984 when the "need for speed" took over. In 1984, a Kurtis Kraft hydro was the boat of choice. Mark started with a bare hull and in 2 years the Kurtis was ready to take the water. The Kurtis Kraft hydro was almost 25 MPH faster just by the hull design, so the need for speed was satisfied....for a little while. Mark raced in the 115-125MPH bracket with the hydro for only 1 year, before realizing that the boat was just not quick enough. The motor was rebuilt in 1987 from a 427 to a 460. This increase in cubic inches gave Mark all he needed to race in the Comp Eliminator (9.00 index) and Super Eliminator (8.00 index) competitively. This continued until 1989, when the Super Eliminator class was really getting competitive. The 460 Cubic Inch Carbureted motor was traded out for a 468 Blown Injected Big Block Chevy. From 1990 until 1994, Mark was a very tough competitor in the Super Eliminator Class. In 1994, the hydro was sold and the King's Ransom name would continue on in the new generation. Michael Agnew, the son of the legend, was a thriving individual desperate to start his racing career. He had grown up working on the drag boats of his father and had his heart set on racing. In 1995, the 1969 Chevy Chevelle was purchased. The Chevelle was driven throughout High School and College until graduating in 2002. After graduation, the decision was made to build his first car into a drag car. One year was all that was needed to convert this car from a street car to the competitive drag car you now see before you. Mike's first season started in 2003 at Irwindale Speedway. In 2004 Mike was a Top 3 finisher and made his first trip to the NHRA Summit Series Division 7 ET Finals. In 2005, Mike switched over to 1/4 mile racing at the Autoclub dragway @ Autoclub Speedway. Along with the NHRA Summit Series, Mike was a strong competitor in the 10.60 Index class and Open Comp class in the Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA). In 2007, the decision was made to focus on the NHRA Summit Series because of the success the team had at the Division 7 ET Finals the previous year. Focusing on the Summit Series really showed, going 6 rounds at the ET Finals at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. The King's Ransom Racing team is a team to be reckoned with in years to come.