IHRA Continues International Expansion – Sanctions BC’s Eagle Motorplex

New tracks in Canada, Puerto Rico and Texas join IHRA

By:  Larry Crum 

The International Hot Rod Association and Feld Motor Sports are pleased to announce the continued expansion of the IHRA with the signing of three new tracks in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico.

Over the past three months the IHRA has made huge strides in obtaining tracks in new markets and areas new to the IHRA brand including an extensive expansion west. Those tracks include the Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft, British Columbia and Ponce International Speedway Park in Puerto Rico. The IHRA has also signed its 11th Texas facility as Desert Thunder Raceway joins the rapidly growing IHRA family. 

“It is great to see that in these tough times, tracks are re-focusing on sportsman racers and programs to provide unprecedented opportunity,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA VP of Race Operations. “IHRA has and will remain focused on creating value for sportsman racers on all levels and we look forward to these tracks joining our family and bringing their racers the programs only IHRA can offer.”

The Eagle Motorplex is the most recent track to fly the IHRA banner as it becomes the IHRA’s most western track and its fourth Canadian facility. The Eagle Motorplex is located two hours north of Vancouver and will be immediately thrust into the spotlight with several planned events beginning in 2011.

“The management team at the Eagle is very excited about moving forward with the IHRA,” said Joe Sye, Race Director at the Eagle Motorplex. “We believe in the IHRA’s goals and outlook going forward. I first spoke to Skooter two years ago about the idea of becoming involved with the IHRA and after meeting with the IHRA team this summer I was sold on the idea of going to IHRA.”

Sye has been involved at the Eagle Motorplex for over a decade, spending half that time as a racer and the rest as Race Director. Under the direction of Sye and a number of local racers, the track has been reborn after nearly shutting down in 2005. Now, five years later, the track is enjoying tremendous growth and will now play a major role in the IHRA’s continued expansion west.

“We have just completed our fourth successful season and are looking forward to running next year under the IHRA banner,” Sye said. “We believe in the same ideals as the IHRA in thinking outside the box while looking after the grass roots racer and providing a first-class facility to do so.”

Ponce International Speedway Park is another exciting addition to the IHRA family as it becomes the third track in Puerto Rico and fifth Caribbean track to fly the IHRA banner. In addition to providing a state-of-the-art facility for racers, Ponce International also acts as a vacation destination for racers and tourists.

The track provides a picturesque setting with an ocean view along the right side of the track and plenty of restaurants, hotels and attractions in the immediate vicinity of the track.

Desert Thunder Raceway, located in Midland, Texas, is the third track to join IHRA in the past two months and becomes the 11th Texas track to fly the IHRA banner. The track is run by Jimmy and Tony Farmer and under their direction has made great strides in becoming one of the top facilities in the state.

“Dad and myself have raced IHRA for quite a few years and it is great to officially join them,” said Tony Farmer. “We know what the IHRA brings to the table and we are certainly familiar with how things are run after spending so many years racing IHRA. It is a great partnership.”

Desert Thunder Raceway is an 1/8th mile facility that was constructed in 2005. The Farmer family bought the track in February of this year and have since made several improvements to the track making it a favorite among local competitors. Farmer said the switch to IHRA has also seen a great response among racers as they gear up for the 2011 season.

 “Everyone knows that the IHRA is head and shoulders above everyone else as far as taking care of the racers,” Farmer said. “The racers love the move and they are all excited to move forward with a real organization. Everyone here is super excited to get this show underway.”

For more information about the IHRA’s latest track signings please visit www.ihra.com.

Melanie Simmons Impressive in Transitional Year

ORILLIA, ONTARIO – Melanie Simmons and her Toyrific Racing Top Dragster had an impressive season in 2010, especially considering the major learning curve thrown her way during the Quick 32 Sportsman Series racing season. 

 

Simmons, from Orillia, Ontario made the move to a supercharged engine in 2010 to afford her a better opportunity to qualify in the top half of the field for the increasingly competitive Quick 32 Sportsman Series events. After several DNQ’s (did not qualify) in the 2009 season, the Toyrific team benefited from the assistance of Carl Spiering and ERD (Engine Research & Development) to build a supercharged 540 cubic-inch Big Block Chevy to motivate the popular female driver. It was an instant gratification for Simmons dipping into the 6.80-second range at 196 mph on her first full pull. 

 

“It was awesome to make the switch from our injected engine to the supercharged engine in 2010. There is nothing like belt-driven power. We cut a full second in ET and added around 30 mph,” Simmons noted.

 

Melanie advanced to the dragster final in one race and the semi final in another in 2010 and qualified in the top half of the field for every race she attended. In the final race of the year transmission problems kept her from advancing further than the dragster semi-final round of a double header race. 

 

A disappointed Simmons said, “I really felt like I was in the groove to get a win for our team. I was really let down the previous race when it started raining. I felt that my team was on point for the last race and unfortunately we had nothing but mechanical problems. It’s part of racing! I just really didn’t need that to happen at that point in time. It really crushed my overall year end points”. Regardless Melanie held her head high as she always does and represented her sponsors well by signing autographs and being a fan favorite driver at all of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series events.

 

In 2011, the new year is looking to be the breakout season for the popular driver. The Toyrific team is getting an early start on preparations for 2011 by selling the trusty dragster that she has driven for the past several years. 

 

“It’s time to step up the chassis for my daughter,” said team crew chief and father Roger Simmons. “The cars in this Quick 32 Sportsman Series have not only become quicker but also more consistent. With our new ERD horsepower this year it was evident that we needed to make a move. With safety as a forefront of my concern this was a no brainer. It’s all about persevering in this sport and that’s what we are going to stay focused on.”

 

Although a new car has not yet been purchased as funding has to be gathered, Simmons plans on being ready to race the May long weekend and opening Quick 32 Sportsman Series race at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario. 

 

For more information log onto www.Quick32.ca

 

Toyrific Racing thanks all of its loyal sponsors and supporters:
Jackson Transportation Systems, Delta Faucet Canada, ERD (Engine Research & Development), Barrie Harley Davidson, Auto Sense Auto Parts, Auto Logic Service Expert, Castrol, Tim Martin Racing, Extreme Collision Centre, NGK Spark Plugs, Resolution Racing Services, RS Performance Auto Service, Family, Friends & Fans.
 
Photo Credit – Dave Erauw Photography www.erauw-photo.com

ADRL Lemar Motorsports World Finals – October 22^nd, 2010  Dallas Texas

“Battle for the Belts” Final Results

World Champions Crowned During ADRL World Finals VI

By:  Josh Hachat

Frankie Taylor had waited several long years in the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) for a moment like this.  With the belt wrapped around his waist after winning his first ADRL World Championship in the Speedtech “Battle For the Belts” at the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI, the Pro Extreme veteran wasn’t about to wipe the smile off his face.

Five other ADRL racers won World Championships on Oct. 22nd at Texas Motorplex, and all joined Taylor as first-time “Battle For The Belts” champions.

Taylor got his title by beating fellow Houston-area native Joshua Hernandez in the finals, and joining Taylor in the winner’s circle was Burton Auxier (Pro Nitrous), Dan Millen (Extreme 10.5), Kim Morrell (Pro Extreme Motorcycle), John Montecalvo (Extreme Pro Stock) and Tyler Allen (Pro Junior Dragster).

Texan Frankie Taylor is the 2010 ADRL Pro Extreme Champion

Taylor needed to be close to perfect to win the belt considering his matchups. He went 3.65 to beat Texas friend and rival Gaylen Smith, added a little more to chase down Quain Stott with a 3.64 at 208.59 mph in the semifinals and then topped himself in the finals showdown against Hernandez.

Taylor again trailed off the line, but the 3.62 at a whopping 209.98 mph quickly made up for it, wowing the Texas Motorplex crowd in the process.

“All three of those guys are hard,” Taylor said. “With Josh, I just didn’t want to get beat on the tree. Beating anybody in the class is hard, but to beat these three guys says a lot for our team. I’m just lucky I get to drive.”

Auxier went from a tremendous low – not qualifying at the last race in Norwalk, OH – to a tremendous high on Friday in winning his first world title in PN.

He was dominant throughout the day and ended it by going 3.89 to beat Al-Anabi Racing teammate and close friend Shannon Jenkins in the process.

“This is just unreal,” Auxier said. “Everyone pitched in and made this happen. Shannon has taught me a lot and he really has helped me a lot. It was good that we ran in the finals because I know he’s the best guy.”

Auxier tested at Texas Motorplex leading up to the race and it made a major difference. He was the quickest car in Pro Nitrous the entire day, going 3.84 to beat Randy Weatherford and topping it with a 3.83 in the semifinals to knock off No. 1 qualifier Rickie Smith.

Burton Auxier claimed the ADRL's P/N Championship "Belt" for 2010

After an incredibly difficult start to the year, Millen capped off his remarkable turnaround by going 3.84 in the Extreme 10.5 finals, beating No. 1 qualifier Gary White to not only claim the World Championship, but also his first ADRL win.

Millen, who has been in the 3-second range for nearly every pass since he broke into the club, was on point in Ennis, going 3.84 and 3.85 before his quickest – and fastest (201.16 mph) – pass of the night (3.840) in beating White.

Morrell’s celebration in Pro Extreme Motorcycle started the moment she crossed the finish line and saw the win light come on, making her the first female to win an ADRL championship.

“I was just screaming when the light came on,” Morrell said of her first World Championship and ADRL win. “I can’t believe this. I’ll probably wake up tomorrow and just cry.”

It would be tears of joy after Morrell dethroned Owens, who broke before the halfway point to suffer just his second loss all season.

But it came at a critical time and Morrell, who had a red-light win in the first round and a bye in the semifinals, took advantage with a 4.49.

In Extreme Pro Stock it was John Montecalvo, who returned to the form that brought him four straight wins in Extreme Pro Stock earlier this year. But none of them – or any win for that matter – felt as good as his first ADRL World Championship.

ADRL Extreme PS World Champion - John Montecalvo

“Winning the IHRA title was a lifelong goal and I’m glad we did. But I’ve got to say this just blows it away,” Montecalvo said. “Elated is the word to describe this. This has been a dream year.”

It was a dream finish, as Montecalvo went 4.08 in the first round before posting back-to-back 4.07s in beating Brian Gahm in the semifinals and Pete Berner, who upset No. 1 qualifier Cary Goforth in the semifinals, in the finals.

Allen won the first Pro Junior Dragster title in ADRL history, beating Alexander Oppen in the finals with a 7.93.

Top qualifiers for Saturday’s World Finals VI include Taylor in Pro Extreme, Auxier in Pro Nitrous, Millen in Extreme 10.5, Morrell in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Berner in Extreme Pro Stock and Raven Dupriest in Pro Junior Dragster.

Elements Defer Event Conclusion

In what has become an all too frequent occurrence in 2010 because of inclement weather, the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) was forced to postpone the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VI on Saturday at Texas Motorplex.

A steady and sometimes driving rain in Ennis caused the postponement, wiping away the scheduled Vince Neil concert as well. It marks the fourth race that has been postponed during the 2010 season.

“Our goal in 2010 was to finish the season without an injury to a single driver and we did that, but unfortunately we were affected by rain at 9 of our 10 events,” ADRL President and CEO Kenny Nowling said.  “From a time perspective, there was not any possibility to dry the surface and race. It’s heart-breaking for me and Mother Nature has not been too kind to us this year.”

Instead of the first points race for 2011 being completed at Texas Motorplex on Saturday, the race will now be completed on a double-race weekend on March 25-26 as part of Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VII presented by Safety-Kleen at Houston Raceway Park.

The postponed race came a day after the ADRL crowned world champions in each of its six classes at the Speedtech “Battle For The Belts.”

The 2011 ADRL Tour will start on March 25-26 at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

Nowling also confirmed that the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals VII would take place from Texas Motorplex on Oct. 21-22, 2011.

“The good news is we will be back twice (to Texas) in 2011,” Nowling said.

The full 10-event ADRL schedule for the 2011 season will also be released in the coming weeks.

Kim Morrell became the ADRL's first female World Champion

Grass Roots Grid:  Preying Mantas Mopar!

By:  Bruce Biegler

The 2010 racing season included the emergence of a very significant new machine to the Canadian Super Stock class racing scene.  Toronto’s Gus Mantas debuted a spectacular new and all Canadian-built SS/AH ’68 Hemi Barracuda….

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(Pro Racing Summary – Courtesy Anthony Vestal) 

Larry Dixon raced to his 12^th Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Cruz Pedregon, Dave Connolly and Andrew Hines also were winners at the fourth of six playoff races in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

Larry Dixon - photo by Steve Embling

Dixon was on and off the throttle on his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to beat top championship rival Cory McClenathan in a wild final round. As both dragsters lost traction at points down the track, Dixon managed to cross the finish line first with a 4.906 second run at 295.34 mph performance, to hold off McClenathan’s charging FRAM dragster, which finished in 5.103 at 199.70.

Dixon’s dragster lost traction first, then McClenathan pulled away, only to have the blower belt break on his machine just before the finish line. That’s when Dixon decided to get back on the gas and his determination ultimately paid off in the photo finish.

“Our car just hooked up,” Dixon said. “I had such a run on him, and I blew by him so fast. When I saw the win light come on, I was laughing and couldn’t believe it all at the same time because that’s a race you shouldn’t win, and I just won.”

With the win, which also included early round victories over Terry McMillen, Doug Foley and David Grubnic, Dixon increased his series lead to 89 points over McClenathan with two races remaining in the season.

“It was a huge [day in the points],” Dixon said. “I mean, you’re racing the No. 2 guy, and you could tighten it right up or spread it out. With two to go and over a four-round lead with eight rounds left, I’d rather be 90 up than 90 down.”

Cruz Pedregon - photo by Steve Embling

Pedregon continued to impress as a Countdown spoiler in Funny Car as he rumbled to his second victory in the post-season. Although not championship-eligible, Pedregon seems to be hitting his stride in his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry. He held-off new series points leader and national record holder Matt Hagan in the final round. Pedregon covered the distance in 4.130 at 312.35 while Hagan trailed with a 4.242 at 301.13 in his DieHard Dodge Charger.

“I’ll be honest with you, if you had said a 4.13 was going to win that, I would have said no way,” said Pedregon, who beat Ashley Force Hood, Tony Pedregon and Del Worsham to advance to the final. “We tried getting after it. We were kind of going for broke. We thought unless we could run a mid-4.0 this guy was going to send us packing. He must have had problems, but it was just a good win for us. Hagan’s going to be tough. I told Matt and his dad, ‘You guys are on the green. You just need to putt it in.’”

Hagan now leads 14-time world champion John Force, who lost in the first round, by 64 points. The Virginia cattle rancher came up just short of a perfect weekend.

“I knew the conditions were getting pretty good out there and I thought we had it in the bag,” Hagan said. “But that’s drag racing for you. We have a good race car. We went down the race track every single lap today except for the final, and that’s just how it goes. We swapped the points lead with Force, and that’s huge. We have nothing to hang our heads about. As bad as it hurts inside we’re going to stay humble, tie on a big grin and move right into Vegas.”

Dave Connolly - photo by Steve Embling

Connolly ended a two-year winless drought in Pro Stock by beating new series points leader Greg Anderson in the final round with a quicker reaction time. Connolly posted a 6.580 at 210.05 in his IDG Makita Power Tools Racing Chevy Cobalt to hold off the quicker, but losing performance of 6.579 at 209.75 by Anderson in his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP.

Connolly beat Ron Krisher, Larry Morgan and rookie Shane Gray en route to his 22^nd career victory.

“It was just an incredible weekend all together,” Connolly said. “Just to be out here is a lot of fun. I’ve definitely learned over the last couple of years that you don’t take anything for granted and just enjoy the weekends you do have out here because there’s a lot who are less fortunate than what I have.”

With the runner-up finish and third consecutive final, Anderson moved 36 points in front of defending series champ Mike Edwards. Anderson is working on his fourth world championship title in the 200-mph category.

Andrew Hines - photo by Steve Embling

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines finally beat rival LE Tonglet in a playoff final round. After falling to the rookie rider in the last three races, Hines used a holeshot start to take his fifth win of the season and 23^rd of his career. Hines used a quicker reaction time and rode his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to a 6.916 at 188.36 to defeat Tonglet’s quicker, but losing NitroFish Gear Suzuki, which finished in 6.913 at 190.40.

“When I saw that win light, that was one of the prettiest win lights I’ve seen in a long time,” Hines said. “I’m trying to rely on some of the other competitors out there to take LE out early, but we keep matching up in the final round. It’s been tough with that little blue bike beating us the last few races. We were wondering what it was going to take to get it done.”

Hines outran early round opponents Neil Jacobs, Angie Smith and teammate Eddie Krawiec to advance to his seventh consecutive final round. With the win, Hines increased his series lead to 72 points over Tonglet.

“We have a nice cushion,” Hines said. “It could come down to just a few measly points there at the end.”

The NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship continues Oct. 28-31 with the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Click here to view our photo coverage from the event.

(Photos by:  Steve Embling & Dave DeAngelis)

A Far Out Galaxy!

By:       Bruce Biegler

I get to see a lot of cool drag race cars in my travels but every once in a while something really stands out for me.  During the summer of 2010 while attending the Canadian Street Car Nationals at Cayuga, I did have one of those episodes…. (continue reading…)

Pro Modified driver hoping to get TF license in Las Vegas in early November 

Ike Maier try his hand behind the wheel of the Paton family's Top Fuel Dragster

Ike Maier has entered into an agreement with Canada’s foremost Top Fuel dragster team to acquire his Top Fuel license. 

Maier, of Schomberg, Ontario, will be testing with the Paton Top Fuel Racing Team based in Paris, Ontario. The testing is to take place at the Strip at Las Vegas, Nevada in early November following the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals. 

Headed up by Barry Paton and tuned by veteran tuner Jimbo Ermalovich, Paton Racing has raced with Todd Paton behind the wheel of the Top Fueler, as well as Alberta’s Tim Boychuck in both the NHRA and the IHRA. The team most recently won the IHRA event in Grand Bend, Ontario with Todd at the controls. 

In the past few years Maier has raced competitively in the Pro Modified class with his 1963 Corvette in the PMRA, the IHRA, and the NHRA, and, if successful in obtaining his NHRA Top Fuel license, plans to compete in NHRA national events for 2011.

DRC’s Hemi He-Men Photo Gallery!

By:       Bruce Biegler

If there some things that can be said that are true about DragRaceCanada, it’s that we like our music loud and our cars Hemi-powered…. (continue reading…)