“Bogus Bob” to Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame!

Renowned and versatile Canadian drag racer Bob Elliott will be inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame this coming April….

By:  Jory Elliott

Bob Elliott is one of Canada’s most recognized drag racing personalities having competed and won at the highest levels of the sport for many years. He will be honoured for his accomplishments when he is inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, along with seven other inductees, April 23, 2011 at a gala ceremony in Toronto, Ontario.

Bob Elliott (in car) with John Rossitter (left) and Ken Veney

An Ontario resident his entire life, Bob Elliott shaped his legacy in motorsports throughout the 1980’s, while serving as the owner of several successful automotive related businesses in Cambridge, Ontario. He left the hustle and bustle of the growing city in 1990, moving his family to Huron County, where he still resides today. Over the course of the next three years he solidified his place in Canadian Motorsports history, padding his already impressive resume by ascending to the pinnacle of professional drag racing. Elliott entered his sixth decade of participation in the sport in 2010 and has served as a team owner and driver in many classes from Super Stock to fuel Funny Car over that time period, having experienced great success at every level.

The "Northern Force" Fuel-burning Daytona burns out at Indy

Highlighting his 47 years in the sport are several notable accomplishments. In 1989, behind the wheel of John Rossitter’s Alcohol Funny Car, he set the NHRA national speed record for the category at 233.40 miles per hour, making him the only Canadian to have ever held that distinction, an honour which he still holds today. His 15th place qualifying effort in the Fuel Funny Car field at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 1993 added him to a very short list of exclusive company, as one of only a few Canadians who have qualified and raced in the nitro categories on the biggest drag racing stage in the world.  Elliott also led the NHRA national point’s standings in the Alcohol Funny Car division during parts of both the 1982 and 1983 seasons, wheeling his Vanni Brothers and Elliott flopper to several divisional event championships along the way.

Elliott may be best remembered by his fans as “Bogus” Bob, driver of the Northern Force Jet Funny Car. He was the first Canadian in the history of drag racing to own and be licensed to drive a jet turbine powered Funny Car and for five years, from 1986 – 1991, he campaigned that car as one of the preeminent in the world, consistently taking part in the quickest and fastest side by side competitions in the history of the category, in the process setting 50 track records throughout North America.

Bob Elliott's extensive driving career included this jet-powered Funny Car

In 1993 it was thought by Todd Veney, a staff writer for the industries foremost publication National Dragster, that Elliott was one of only three known drag racing competitors in the world to have driven all three types of Funny Car in his career.

While he is well known for his driving accolades, Elliott is also an outgoing and recognizable personality within the drag racing community who, amongst other things, served as the public address announcer at Dragway Park in Cayuga, Ontario from 1983 to 1986.

Bob Elliott & car owner John Rossitter were serious runners in NHRA TAFC racing too.

His current involvement in the sport includes the ownership and tuning of a Super Stock A Modified driven by his son, Jory Elliott, in NHRA, IHRA and CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series competition.

Information regarding the induction ceremony, including how to purchase tickets, can be found by visiting www.cmhf.ca or by calling 905-852-6764.

More About Northern Force Racing

Northern Force Racing is a motorsports team steeped in history and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010 with the introduction of the teams brand new 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, Super Stock A Modified.

Bob Elliott

Having driven in several classes throughout his career, Team Owner Bob Elliott is best known for his prowess behind the wheel of Top Alcohol, Jet Turbine powered and Nitro Methane burning Funny Cars throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. For his accomplishments Elliott has been selected as a 2011 Inductee into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
In 2010 second generation driver Jory Elliott took over driving duties of the teams Super Stock entry, leading them to three straight first round victories to finish out the season.

2011 promises to be a rewarding year for this father and son duo as they hit the track with a completely overhauled drive train combination in the race car and an optimistic outlook towards success.

For more information visit www.northernforce.com

(Photos by:  Bruce Biegler)