ESPN Hunting

ATA photo gallery

INDIANAPOLIS — The road that connects outdoor sports to the sport of car racing is a short one. The biggest gearheads in America are often some of the most obsessed hunters as well.

That connection was quite obvious at this year's Archery Trade Association Show at the Indiana Convention Center.

Near the entrance to the show, and not far from a 20-foot-tall inflatable hunting boot, a top alcohol funny car greets ATA attendees. The car is courtesy of Jim Pyfer, an obsessed hunter and racecar enthusiast.

Pyfer owns D3 Outdoors, a new outdoor hunting show that hopes to draw both hunters and racing fans.

"Both my love of racing and the outdoors date back to my childhood. Sponsoring a funny car just seemed like a natural step," he said.

One look at the car and its connection the outdoors is clear.

Like most racecars, Pyfer's vehicle is covered with product logos. All of the logos on the car, however, are hunting related.

"A lot of the companies that have their logo on my vehicle are small, startup hunting gear manufacturers," Pyfer said. "They don't have big advertising budgets, so I let them place their logo on the car for free."

That benefits both Pyfer and small companies like BowNear, whicht makes a treestand bow holder. When the D3 car races, crossover racing and hunting fans flock to the vehicle because it's so unique.

Rick Cortino drives the D3 car, and because he is an occasional outdoorsman, he has been a bit surprised at the reception he and the car get wherever they race.

"We ran a race in Minnesota last year where people were all over us," he said. "Everyone had on camouflage clothes and wanted an autograph and picture of the car."

Cortino has been racing funny cars for 29 years, and said he has never seen anything like it.

Both he and Pyfer believe the car appeals to the traits and values that are common to both outdoorsmen and racecar fans.

"I think both sports reflect real Americans," Pyfer said. "You know — the kind of people that do their own plumbing and still like to gather their own food every once in a while."

Cortino added that every time he sits around a garage for any amount of time, some other driver starts telling him a story about the big buck he killed or the fish that got away.

"It's amazing how many drivers are also hunters, and how this car brings the stories right out of them." he said.

But despite the hunting theme, the D3 car isn't just for show or a simple conversation piece. It's also a serious contender in the world of funny car racing.

The Murf McKinney Firebird has a 526 Hemi and reaches speeds of 240 mph on a quarter-mile straightaway. It can cover the distance in less than six seconds.

Cortino has a history of qualifying at numerous races around the country and expects to continue his winning tradition in the D3 car.

Meeting other needs

The trouble with funny car racing is that it's a full-time sport, and Pyfer has a hunting fix to feed.

"As my new hunting show takes shape, I find myself having to travel out of state a lot to shoot and hunt on location," he said.

The concept of the D3 Outdoors television program should help free some of Pyfer's time. Half of each show will follow team members on exciting adventures. The other half will be dedicated to airing footage submitted by regular viewers.

Pyfer hopes to choose a winner from all the submissions every week and reward the hunter by airing his hunt and giving him a bunch of gear.

"This show will strive to honestly capture the enthusiasm regular guys have for both racing and the outdoor sports," he said.

And if it all allows him to make a living doing the two things he loves the most, Pyfer will be a happy man.