Editor's Extra

Can-Am Stock/SS Round #8

Eastern Canada's Can-Am Stock/Super Stock season series rolled into Cayuga Dragway last weekend with a planned double header affair. Rain and high wind knocked out the Saturday program however Sunday's racing was completed on a 1/8th mile basis.

A record 51 cars (!) signed in to race and eliminations opened with 48 cars answering the call first round.

After 6 rounds of racing, the final round came down to two Stockers, Tony Valerio and Steve McGrath. With almost identical reaction times, Ontario's Tony Valerio's E/CM '68 Camaro bested the H/SA '73 Dart of Rochester NY's Steve McGrath.

Tony also won the Vince Vanni memorial trophy (sponsored by Source Cable) for the most points for the weekend. As well, he wins an embroidered leather jacket from Dan Velenosi and Queenston Group Insurance and Investments for the member with the most points.

(Tony Valerio and Steve McGrath) - Photo by Rob Potter

Turbo Camaro Makes Progress

One of the cooler new cars emerging on the Canadian drag racing scene comes courtesy of Mike Digby from Sterling Ontario.

Mike has been making very steady progress within the Q32 Top Sportsman series driving his twin-turbo powered '68 Camaro and is fast becoming one of the cars to watch within the popular Eastern Canadian circuit.

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

Success - Right Out of the Box!

Chatham Ontario's Al Lozon had an extremely impressive weekend at Cayuga driving his very recently acquired new Super Stock Camaro.

Running in GT/DA trim, Lozon's 2002 model prevailed in it's first race ever within the Can-Am Stock/SS circuit which ran off last Saturday during the CSCN event. Lozon beat Glen Baker's Super Stock Buick in that final.

Then on Sunday Lozon prevailed over all CSCN category winners in a much anticipated special shootout. He scored another huge win in the event's "Super Bowl Shootout" . By running the closest to his dial-in overall (Al ran 10.091 secs on a (10.09) he picked himself up an ultra cool Matco Tools toolbox valued at $7G....

Nice stuff!

Bruce Biegler Photo

Gutsy Effort from Mageau Racing

Edmonton's Mageau Racing had gutsy effort during Wednesday nights annual "Hot August Night" held at Castrol Raceway.

The team overcame some initial significant mechanical barriers to eventually record their career best times of 6.11 @ 234 mph with their "Prospector" nitro-burning Corvette FC. That came during a featured match race versus Andy Beauchim an the "Tachman" Mustang.

"It was great to put the best numbers of the night on the board in front of our home town and our friends, family, sponsors, and competitors," said Mageau after the effort. "We worked hard and the crew went home holding their heads high."

(Photo by Sheryl Ogonoski)

Birthday Boy!

DragRaceCanada on behalf of all drag racing fans wishes influential Canadian drag racer enterprenuer and proponent Ron Hodgson a very Happy Birthday!

Apparently he just turned 65 -- but you really would not know it!

Flying Ford Dragster!

Jeff and Rick Chatterson made quite the impression with their all new Top Dragster during the IHRA's Mopar Canadian Nitro Jam event. Powered by a very unique and home built supercharged 377 CID Ford engine -- Jeff drove the Spitzer chassied machine to the pole in T/D with a stout 6.203 secs at 219.36 mph.

Jeff, who is from Brantford ON, was to face off against Michael Hinbest (Orangeville) in the Elite 8 TD final on Sunday but that highly anticipated showdown unfortunately never happened when rain moved in.

(Rick and Jeff Chatterson's new Ford-powered TD)

Harrison Grabs Comp Pole at Seattle

North Vancouver's Rob Harrison qualified #1 in Competition eliminator during the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Seattle.

Rob took his I/A Chevy Cavalier to a run of 7.645 secs to grab the pole position (-.685). In the photo below Rob is shown along side Alberta's Garth Giroux who ran a career best 7.010 secs (-.610) with his B/AA Cavalier during the event.

Photo by Gerry Frechette

Nagy Wins Latest Can-Am S/SS Round

Chuck Nagy -- from Niagara Falls -- won the latest round of the Smith Performance Can-Am Stock/Super Stock series.

During last weekend's Canadian Nitro Nationals at Cayuga he wheeled his Chevy S-10 past 18 other competitors on Sunday. In the final Chuck hit a 9.99 secs to run down the Super Stock Chevy Camaro of Bob Park who ran a 10.17 secs.

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

Best Engineered at Woodburn LODRS

Congrats to Langley BC's Howie Stevens who's absolutely awesome new C/A Ford Mustang was deservingly voted "Best Engineered" vehicle during the recent NHRA Division Six LODRS held at Woodburn OR.

Photo by: Rich Carlson

Welcome Back Raymond!

After taking a few weeks off following the untimely passing of his father -- Toronto's Raymond Commisso bounced back very strong during last weekend's NHRA Supernationals in New Jersey.

Driving the R2B2 Racing Chevy Camaro tuned by Al Billes -- Commisso was credited with a #1 qualifying effort and both low ET (5.815 secs) and top speed (250.64 mph) in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series. Ray went on to a superb semi-final round finish.

Bruce Biegler Photo

Al Kenny R/UP At Englishtown

Veteran Canadian drag racer Al Kenny just missed winning in Super Comp during the NHRA's rain delayed conclusion to the Super Nationals at Englishtown NJ today.

Kenny, who is from Kingston ON ran a too quick 8.89 secs at 183.27 mph which came up 2nd best to winner Brad Plourd who ran a winning 8.94 secs at 155.17 mph.

Al Kenny, who is father to budding Canadian drag racers Jason and Samantha, had won six rounds in competition prior to the final round.

(Bruce Biegler Photo)

Best Engineered at Mission LODRS

Congrats to Ricky Distefano whose all new '70 1/2 Camaro Pro Mod was voted Best Engineered vehicle during the recent rain plagued LODRS event a Mission. Distefano's Calgary-based beauty is "all Canadian" featuring a chassis, body and engine program from north of the 49th.

Photo By Rich Carlson

Best Appearing At Las Vegas

The fast improving Alberta-based Gilmour Motorsports Top Alcohol Dragster racing team received some special recognition during last weekend's NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas. The team was selected as the "Best Appearing" overall for the event which drew in some 500 race cars.

Team driver Ashley Bart qualified #7 in Top Alcohol Dragster class racing (5.444 secs) and won her first round ever at the national event level, over Larry Miersch. Ashley lost a close 2nd round decision to eventual runner-up Joey Severence.

Photo courtesy of Rich Carlson

Comeback Trail...

The Red Deer-Alberta based Synoil-sponsored TAFC team owned by Geoff Goodwin had a solid comeback during NHRA's Summit Nationals last weekend at Las Vegas. It was the first race back for the popular team who suffered a rather "expensive" top end incident last November at Pomona's NHRA Finals.

The team's rebuilt and great looking Chevy Monte Carlo, ably driven by Ken Webster, ran a couple of 5.75 secs laps and qualified 10th. They did however lose out in round one to Steve Gasparrelli.

Photo by: Rich Carlson

Arend to R/UP @ Houston

Transplanted Canadian driver Jeff Arend appeared in his 4th career NHRA FC final round during last weekend's O'Reilly Spring Nationals near Houston.

Arend missed his third career win when Matt Hagen beat him to the stripe. Jeff had qualified 6th for the event and took out Jim Head, Robert Hight and former teammate Del Worsham while advancing to the final.

(Photo by: Randy Anderson)