A late October edition capturing just some of Canadian drag racing’s most recent news makers….

At zMax Dragway’s NHRA NTK Nationals – Quebec’s Daniel Mercier continued his rather torrid recent pace. Mercier, who clocked in Canada’s all time quickest TAD ET just prior to the event (5.120 secs), continued that fast momentum at Concord with some more “teens” and a superb “final four” finish on Sunday.

zMax’s E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod NHRA show included the second stint for Mission BC’s Justin Bond driving one of Rickie Smith’s team cars. Justin roared to reportedly a career best 5.752 secs in the turbocharged Mustang to qualify way up there — 2nd! But then his team experienced some severe motor problems while winning round #1 from which they could not bounce back in time from.

Hats off again to one of Canada’s most colourful drivers – wily Smax Smith (from Ayr Ontario). Smax – driving a car leased from Michigan’s Bob Leverich – continued to make progress — at Concord he ran a career quick in that car at 3.938 secs to qualify #14. Smax however lost out in round one to Brittany Force.

PEI-based dragster driver Brett Ramsay has earned the distinction of becoming the very first season champion for a TS/TD series which is run off in the Maritimes. Racing his Cressman-chassis dragster – the former Junior Dragster driver, prevailed in that 4-race/tough points battle this season for the aspiring new circuit. Brett’s title came in his first year racing the dragster and in the TD class and did include a best time of 7.81 secs.

While his son Casey was off winning the S/G title at the NHRA AAA Texas Fall Nationals — Eddy Plaizier — did come close to duplicating that — in Super Street at the same race. Plaizier (from Alberta) won four rounds in his Pontiac Firebird — and barely lost out (.002 breakout) to event winner John Leibner in the event’s semi-final round.

Canada’s favorite son driver – Jeff Arend – had another stint driving the “international effort” Australian-owned nitro FC of Peter and Helen Russo during the NHRA AAA Texas Fall Nationals. Jeff (a native of Toronto) ran a solid 4.112 secs at 297.94 mph to qualify the car (which we understand was the quickest it has run so far). Jeff faced off against John Force in round one — but came away second in that match-up.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Steve Embling – Roger Richards – Gerard Bryden – Bruce Biegler