Some more newsworthy tidbits featuring some of the latest developments and happenings within Canadian drag racing….

First to the stripe at “the Strip” — After coming up just a bit short the previous weekend during the NHRA’s 4-Wide nationals at Las Vegas — BC’s super talented Mundies Towing TAD team got back to their winning ways last Sunday. Driver Shawn Cowie earned his 24th career score within NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division/Regional level — following yet another convincing team victory. Shawn won the NHRA’s Pacific Regional race there when he beat Garrett Bateman in the championship round. Bateman moved first but the Cowie Racing’s potent Norm Grimes tune-up soon took over to win by a 5.284 secs 274.72 mph to 5.374 secs 268.38 mph margin. Cowie had qualified #2 for the 12 cars entered and he beat Norway’s Fred Hanssen and Kim Parker in earlier competition.

A Rebirth of Sorts! — One of the more famous cars in all of Canadian drag racing is getting a new lease on life. The 1989 model Firebird, which Edmonton’s Ken Reich had taken to much greatness over many years within NHRA Competition eliminator is back on the trail — courtesy of Edmonton’s Plaizier Racing. Recently team patriarch Eddy Plaizier brought the car back and debuted it during NHRA racing at Las Vegas. The Firebird now has a 582 CID motor built by Canadian Ryan Bell (FPS) which was the engine formally used in Plaizier Racing’s S-10 Top Sportsman truck. With Eddy driving this — the team will now have two S/ST (10.90 index) cars going forward including daughter Frankie’s already national event winning Camaro.

Great New Look — One of Quebec’s most dedicated drag racers has unveiled a great new look for the upcoming 2019 drag racing season. Jérôme Beaulieu – who is the driving force behind both highly reputed DragRaceQuebec.com and the province of Quebec’s “Bracket Super Tour” ET Series has given his own car – a 2010 American chassis dragster – some nice upgrades. The versatile machine, which has a 632 CID motor (built by Jay’s father Claude), can compete in both Super Pro and Super Comp, and which is sponsored by Napa Auto Parts and Valvoline — now has as stunning new scheme featuring paint by Pascal Emond (Carstar Collision) and wrap by Paul Plamondon (Enseignes RDL). Jérôme and his racing partner Kevin Poitras, plan to target a “full Monty” Super Tour schedule this summer and then hit some of those “high dollar” ET races in the USA later in the year.

Ace at Arizona! — Canada’s premier Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car team collected an early season victory last weekend while racing at the season opening Good Vibrations UNFC Championship Series race held near Tuscon Arizona. The extremely formidable Hodgson/Papernick “Pacemaker” Racing team, won a marquee final round battle which featured the two most recent World Champions from the NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Series – head to head. For more details on all that – link to our all nitro Funny Car dedicated site (presented by Oceanus Resources): HERE

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos courtesy of Bob Johnson, DragRaceQuebec.com and Resul Kurbedin