ANDRA Website Reloads
Following a very unwelcome “hack job” to its official website (from freakin’ Turkey of all places!!) the Australian National Drag Racing Association has re-launched its all new website… (continue reading…)
Archive for August, 2010
10th Mopar Hemi Challenge – At Indy This Weekend
10th Mopar Hemi Challenge – At Indy This Weekend
By: Darren Jacobs
The Mopar® HEMI® Challenge Race Series which made its debut back in 2001 at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis — will celebate it’s 10th Anniversary this coming weekend… (continue reading…)
Delehay Collects 4th WCPMA Championship
Delehay Wins Spokane — Collects 4th WCPMA Championship!
In what was a great come from behind story, Joe Delehay and his PM Motorsports Inc. team (from Calgary AB) went into the final West Coast Pro Mod Association event of 2010 sitting in the 3rd position in the championship points standings. (continue reading…)
Safety Top Priority for PMRA
Safety Top Priorty for PMRA
PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series – well-equipped with safety apparatus and personnel if needed.
By: Tim Miller
Drag racing offers some of the most exciting and colorful racing in all of motorsport, but safety is an important element and cannot be overlooked.When the Pro Modified Racing Association and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts stage an event, the fire and rescue safety crew is front and center throughout the racing in case of an emergency.
“Our squad works closely with the teams and supplement the venue’s emergency and safety crew where we participate to ensure that a proper safety and emergency plan is in place to the benefit of our teams and their families, the track, the series, the sponsors and our fans”, explained Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations. “The safety of our fans, drivers and crew members is a critical priority to the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series”.
“The Pro Modified class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and volatile classes and safety is a key element to our sport,” said Jim Salemi of G-Force Race Cars. “The cars are constructed under strict technical and safety regulations provided by our sanctioning organizations. But to be a leader in our sport you need to run on the edge to be competitive and that can be dangerous.
“These cars make hundreds of runs down the race track,” Salemi continued. “It only takes one time for something to go wrong and you can be in trouble fast.”
The PMRA and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series are pleased and thankful for the companies that play a leadership role in the Series’ Safety Initiative Program which helps to reduce the risk factors and increase safety awareness at its races.
Leaf Racewear and Safety Equipment Inc. provides the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Fire and Rescue Safety team with two-piece fire suits, and these suits have the SFI specification rating of 3.2A/20. Suit material is set up in six categories from 3.2A/1 to the maximum 3.2A/20.Leaf’s Colin Grandy explained that the suits are of the highest rating and custom-made for the individual wearer.
“These suits have the top rating,” he said. “The trick is to make them as safe as possible and provide comfort at the same time.
“This is important for these guys,” he continued. “They are the ones that have to get right in there in case of an emergency.”
Based in London, Ontario, Leaf Racewear has been supplying personal safety attire for the race industry for 26 years throughout North America.
Along with the fire-retardant suits, the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Fire and Rescue Safety team wears fire-resistant gloves, boots, and helmets. These items, courtesy of G-Force Race Cars in Tonawanda, NY, are from Stroud Safety Apparel which offers a full line of safety apparel and accessories, along with drag racing parachutes.
The PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series are also pleased to have the involvement of Jones Brown Motorsports in the Series’ Safety Initiative Program. Jones Brown Motorsports is the leader in motorsport insurance. Based in the US and Canada, for over 50 years, Jones Brown has provided the motorsport industry with a broad range of insurance coverage, products, and programs.For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher at Bruce@PMRA.ca
NHRA Posts 60th Anniversary– Full Throttle Season Schedule
NHRA ANNOUNCES “60th Anniversary Celebration” FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE
GLENDORA, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2010) – NHRA announced its 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule today, featuring 22 national events…. (continue reading…)
“Nitro Express” Now Canadian-based!
“Nitro Express” Now Canadian-based!
By: Bruce Biegler
In a rather significant Canadian drag racing news development – there is now a 2nd Top Fuel dragster operation based from Canadian soil.
Confirmation has come from Oshawa Ontario’s John Laporte that he recently completed the purchase of the entire “Nitro Express” Top Fuel operation from Oklahoma’s Fred Farndon. Farndon, who was born in Canada, and who is a wily 71-years old, will continue to drive the car for the immediate future.
The "Nitro Express" is now Canadian based
Laporte, who owns and operates a precision sheet metal fabrication company (Fabrication Technics – Bowmansville ON) also confirmed that John (Bodie) Smith, son of legendary famed tuner Paul Smith will tune the car and that the motor program will include new involvement by Canada’s Kirk Silbermann (Ajax Engines).
The team has plans to race at both Charlotte and Reading NHRA events this fall which will lead up to a 5-6 event run during the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle season.
“After we raced at Cayuga last summer we did a lot of work to the car in Canada,” said Laporte. “Because of the almost all Canadian crew it just made more and more sense to base the car out of Canada – so I purchased it all – 100%.”
For Laporte, whose involvement with Fred Farndon dates back about two years, the chance to field a second Top Fuel car for Canadian drag racing fans was something he didn’t want to pass up.
“I’m pleased to give Canada another Top Fuel car to cheer for,” John added. “We look forward to some fun and exciting times ahead.”
Racing fans planning to attend this weekend’s Autofest in Oshawa can get an exclusive close up look at the car which will be on display over the weekend. That takes place Friday thru Sunday at Lakeville Park.
(Bruce Biegler Photo)
Dale Armstong to Hall of Fame of America
CANADA’S DALE ARMSTRONG INDUCTED INTO MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME OF AMERICA CLASS OF 2010
BY: Anthony Vestal
Legendary NHRA crew chief and mechanical wizard Dale Armstrong (who was born and raised in Alberta) was one of seven icons from the world of motorsports inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Wednesday evening during the organization’s annual induction ceremony at the Fillmore Theatre in Detroit MI. (continue reading…)
Orr Mines for Gold in TS Class
Orr Mines for Gold in TS Class
By: Bruce Biegler
Eastern Canada’s Top Sportsman racing scene has been a thriving one during 2010 with a number of new emerging entries. One of the most impressive new class cars is a morphed Mopar that comes courtesy of Quebec’s Tom Orr…. (continue reading…)
Nitro on for Labour Day at GBM!
Nitro on for Labour Day at GBM!
Editors Note: It seems hard to believe that the 2010 “feature” race season for Canadian drag racing is winding down already! Southern Ontario area fans may thus wish to set their compasses for Grand Bend Motorplex over this coming Labour Day Weekend as that facility is primed to send the season off with a bang…
CANADA’S BIGGEST LABOUR DAY BASH DESENDS ON GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX
By: Paul Spriet
Our second biggest event of the season – The Teamsters 879 “Thunder by the Beach” event presented by Rudy Held’s Performance Centre will once again take center stage at Grand Bend Motorplex this coming Labour day weekend (Sept 3-5th).
Tim Boychuk will drive for Barry Paton at GBM
The event opens Friday night with an Test & Tune from 6-10pm and then really gets going on Saturday & Sunday. In addition to Grand Bends regular Thunder and Junior classes Saturday includes the “Night Of Nitro” featuring 300MPH match races between IHRA event winner – the Paton Top Fuel Dragster (with scheduled driver Tim Boychuk) & IHRA World Champion Dale Creasy’s Nitro Funny car, plus Prostaglia Nitro Funny Car Match races, Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny cars, Qualifying for the final PMRA Pro Mod and Napa Quick 32 races of the season , the Wheel standing Fire truck, Jet Funny car and Jet Truck runs, all capped off by an impressive Fireworks show.
Sunday will include the Grand bend classes, Eliminations in the PMRA and Napa Quick 32 programs, plus Jets, the Wheel stander and more !
Chicagoland's Dale Creasy -- a Canadian fan favorite -- will bring his nitro FC
Don’t miss your last chance to Smell the Nitro for one last time this year — at Grand Bend Motorplex this coming Labour day weekend! Visit: www.grandbendmotorplex.com for more details.
Gatornationals Sponsorship Extension
TIRE KINGDOM EXTENDS TITLE RIGHTS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA GATORNATIONALS WITH MULTI-YEAR DEAL
NHRA announced that Tire Kingdom®, a leading brand of service centers for Florida-based TBC Retail Group Inc. (TBC), has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue its title rights sponsorship of the tradition-rich NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway.
In addition to title sponsorship of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, Tire Kingdom will be a national partner of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) Program presented by the U.S. Army, utilizing its Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire and Battery®, Merchant’s Tire and Auto Centers®, and Big O Tires® brands. TBC Retail Group will also have a presence in NHRA’s Manufacturer’s Midway at a number of events on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule throughout the year.
“After its successful support of this year’s Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, TBC Retail Group decided to extend and expand its relationship with NHRA,” said Tony Driscoll, vice president of sales and business development, NHRA. “We are excited to have the TBC Retail Group brands associated with NHRA at the title rights level and within the NHRA YES program presented by the U.S. Army.”
The Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals has a long and storied history serving as the East Coast opener for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Next year, the event will celebrate its 42nd anniversary of thrilling fans throughout the state of Florida, and as the home to numerous records and memorable moments. In 2011, NHRA will be celebrating its 60th anniversary and will announce a number of special events and activities planned throughout the year.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to become multi-year sponsors of the NHRA Gatornationals since The Tire Kingdom Gatornationals was a tremendous success for us last year,” said Bob Crostarosa, senior vice president, marketing and advertising, TBC Retail Group. “This relationship has enhanced our exposure in the Florida market where the Tire Kingdom brand has a huge presence. We are fired up to engage our associates and customers as we increase our participation in the NHRA.”
