Editor's Extra

Ray Commisso

Tony Pontieri

Canadian Pro Mod star racers Tony Pontieri and Raymond Commisso were back in action last weekend during NHRA's Lucas Oil Super Nationals at Englishtown NJ.

Raymond Commissio, driving the ProCare RX Firebird qualified #1 for the quick 16-car field with a 5.989 secs run.  It was Ray's 2nd pole qualifying effort of the season within the Jegs Pro Mod Challenge series.

Tony Pontieri padded his overall points lead with a strong semi-final round placing.  He beat Joe Baker in round one before taking an impressive come-from-behind win over Commisso in round two -- running a winning 6.109 secs.

Pontieri, driver of Rob Sporring's Quality Compressors '57 Chevy, lost out to eventual winner Josh Hernandez - 6.021 secs to 6.185 secs.

(Bruce Biegler Photos)

Welland Ontario's Larry Dobbs notched what was reportedly the fastest terminal speed ever seen in IHRA alcohol Funny Car class racing during last weekend's Torco Presidents Cup Nationals in Maryland.   Dobbs opened qualifying with a very impressive lap of 5.791 secs at a booming 254.14 mph driving his Sportz Tents-sponsored Corvette.  That was the first trip over 250 mph in Larry's impressive racing career.

Larry Dobbs

Larry needed to run a back-up of 251.60 mph to make it an official speed record.  He was not able to do that this time however the car does seem to have national speed record potential for future IHRA national event dates.

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

Here is an early preview of a new Ford Roadster nearing completion for Calgary's Mike Ferstl.  The Super Rod car will have graphics applied just prior to the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals event.

"We have not raced in 2008 as of yet but we will debut the car in Calgary on Canada Day and then travel to Edmonton 2 days later for the Rockies," reports Ferstl.  "The car will be a looker as we redid everything -- and I mean everything!"

Ferstl Roadster

Ray at ADRL Michigan

Raymond Commisso's first ever ADRL event, held at US 131 Dragway in Michigan last weekend, was one he would like to forget.  On his second qualifying attempt, his '68 Camaro developed serious tire shake and Raymond hit the wall hard and then spun out.

Thankfully Ray was OK but the Camaro did suffer significant front end and right rear quarter damage and will be taken back to G-Force Race Cars for evaluation. 

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

Cowie Qualifies #1

British Columbia's Shawn Cowie achieved another career first when he qualified #1 during NHRA's national event at Topeka KS last weekend.  Shawn sped to a spectacular 5.335 secs which was the quickest for the TAD breed over the entire weekend.  Cowie went on to a strong semi-final round event finish. 

Bruce Biegler Photo

Hot Coffee!

Todd Paton's major league starting line explosion at IHRA Milan last weekend is yet another example of the perils of going Top Fuel racing.  Thankfully neither Todd or any nearby pedestrians were injured however the Paton Racing budget did take a rather significant hit.

(Photo By: Steve Embling)

Career Quick for Noakes

Paul Noakes -- new driver for Terry McMillian's popular InstiGator AFC -- went for the quickest rides of his career during last weekends' IHRA Motor City Nationals near Detroit.  Noakes claimed Friday's provisional pole after his crew chief Les Mellows coaxed the Dodge Avenger to a run of 5.791 secs at 244.03 mph.  That earned Paul the "Last Man Standing" Award for that evening.

The team improved to an even quicker 5.754 et at 245.36 mph on Saturday which qualified them 2nd overall behind Dale Brand.   Noakes however lost out in round one to crosstown London rival Robbie Atchison.

Bruce Biegler Photo

John Konigshofer along with his brothers Joe and Frank reclaimed their stake as Canada's all time quickest Pro Stock car following their 6.371 secs qualifying effort at IHRA Milan last weekend.  That bettered the previous Canadian ET record held by Larry O'Brien (6.393 secs) set at Grand Bend last summer.

Bruce Biegler Photo

The PMRA opener at TMP yesterday included a serious crash for up-and-coming Pro Mod class driver Scott Wildgust.

Wildgust was piloting the Torco Race Fuels/Wild Boar Gear ’67 Pro Mod Camaro which was owned by Kirk Silbermann and had just completed a 1/8th mile run of 4.12 secs when his car heavily collected both guard walls.  Rescue crews were forced to cut Scott from the car and he was taken to Hamilton General Hospital for observation but otherwise did not receive any major injury.  Silbermann’s recently acquired Chevy Camaro (the ex Carl Spiering car) was however destroyed in the crash.   The incident had come after Wildgust had made a  rather spectacular “save” during an earlier qualifying attempt. 

Round One Save!

Unfortunate Aftermath

(Photos by: Bruce Biegler & Rob Potter)

Here are some photos of the newest addition to Atchison Racing. 

Congratulations to Rob and Julie on the birth of their new son May 6th  -- Wyatt Robert -- and also to proud grandparents Bob and Maxine. 

Wyatt, Robbie & Julie

Wyatt Robert - 1 day old!

The newest crew member rolled over the scales 8 lbs. 3 oz!  

Al Hines PM Vette (2)

Al Hinds PM Vette

We will be doing an feature on DragRaceCanada Hotzone shortly -- but here is a sneak preview of a photo shoot we did of Al Hinds absolutely awesome new Corvette Pro Mod.   Sponsored by Q-HorsePower and Jiffy Lube -- the car (based from Waterloo ON) will run select PMRA and IHRA events this season.

Bruce Biegler Photos

Toronto's Raymond Commisso was the quickest and fastest Pro Mod car once again during the Jegs Pro Mod Challenge event at NHRA Atlanta last weekend.  Driving his new Vanishing Point-built, Al Billes powered '68 Firebird, Ray set both low ET and top speed of the meet while qualifying #1 at 5.957 secs at 244.87 mph.

Ray won his first round match over Rick Stivers but then had the car shake hard while losing to his teamate Roger Burgess in the 2nd round.

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

PM Pole at NHRA Atlanta!

Ontario's Konigshofer Brothers debuted their all new Jerry Haas built Mustang (right out of the box) at IHRA Rockingham last weekend.   The cars very first "hit" was the first qualifier on Friday.  Despite extreme new car blues -- they did manage a very respectable 6.483 secs at 215.13 mph on Saturday -- but hurt the motor doing it. 

(Bruce Biegler Photos)

Johnny K's new ride!

Claude Lavoie -- driver of Canada's fastest front-motored dragster -- won the A/Fuel dragster eliminator during round #2 of NHRA's all new Hot Rod Heritage Series -- held at Fontana CA last weekend.

Claude Lavoie - A/FD

Claude qualified 6th and beat Jeremy Sullivan and Darrell Waters to make the final round.  In the final he beat Nick Norton with his best run of the weekend -- 6.386 secs at 220.01 mph.

Lavoie is from Sherwood Park, AB.   (Bruce Biegler Photo)