Great out of the Gate! — Last weekend’s first PDRA event of the season (Summit East Coast Nationals) at Galot Motorsports Park (in NC) featured a couple of terrific season starts and event finishes for Canadian drivers. 
Melanie Salemi (above) who is originally from Orillia Ontario, but now resides in the Buffalo NY area with her husband Jon Salemi — was a marquee winner at this major event. Driving her supercharged Pontiac Firebird, Mel was totally convincing at Galot taking top honours in the Pro Boost class. After qualifying #1 for the 16-car field (28 entries) at 3.615 secs (low ET) she dominated her opponents including Lyle Barnett, Preston Tanner and Steve King to make the final round. Then in that showdown she delivered an awesome .001 RT to win a superb match over Johnny Camp by a 3.622 secs 206.24 to 3.628 secs 205.13 mph margin!
Within the Elite Top Dragster class (below) it was defending PDRA World Champion Kyle Harris (Burford ON) just missing the event win.  Harris, driving his uber fan favourite KHR supercharged Altered advanced to the final round before losing out in that 16-car class tournament to T/D powerhouse Steve Furr. Kyle, who had qualified his machine 5th (3.798 secs) did deliver a superior .018 RT in the final with his DFS Projects-sponsored machine, but then had issues downtrack (centreline violation) which assured Furr as winner.

Cool Classic Camaro! — Mike McMahon, who was formally from Chilliwack BC, will now be a regular racer at RAD Torque Raceway, after relocating to Edmonton.  With that, Mike will be bringing to the facility a fun to watch ’69 Camaro which he purchased from original owner and good friend, Chris Murphy. The Camaro, which features an “old school” set up including a signature Kinsler fuel injection system — employees a 498 CID motor with a powerglide — and is very capable of consistent mid 8-secs runs. Mike began racing this car in 2023 within Mission Raceway’s thriving locally produced D/S (Doorslammers) category and his best score to date was an Outlaw Shootout class win at Mission that season. His exact fit into RAD Torque Raceway class category is currently TBA.

Long Haul Dedication — This coming season’s Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) will include some Canadian participation within that 6-race series (all in the USA) schedule – from Richard Abbott. Abbott, plans to make a number of long haul ventures this year (from home in Thunder Bay ON) with his ’32 Bantom which can run in both NDRL Pro Gas but also in 7:50 Pro class index racing. Abbott has been working on this car’s craft and set up for about 4 years. The Bantom altered features Mopar power — a 340-based W9 motor (now 438 CID) by Ray Barton Race Engines. He also uses a 904 Automatic transmission. Abbott is thankful for the support he receives from his Canadian backers including, Hutch’s Transmission, Hupe Powder Coating, Breeny’s Auto Body, Apple Auto Glass and Speedwire. Fans should also watch for the car to be entered at some Toronto Motorsports Park events this summer.