More good stuff from Canadian circuit racers during a busy month of September…..

Tip of the Top! –-Grand Bend Motorplex held its final Top Dragster and Top Sportsman class car race over the Labour Day Weekend. Toronto’s Joe McCormick – racing his ex Konigshofer Bros Pro Stock Ford Mustang was a very convincing winner in T/S. Joe defeated a very tough 16-car qualified field when he combined a brilliant .003 RT with a run of 7.192 secs (7.18 dial in) at 189.43 mph to top Steve Corriveau in the final round. The T/D title went to London’s Trevor Deeks – who won for the 2nd time at GBM this season racing his all new dragster which debuted this year. Deeks also prevailed over a 16-car qualified field — running a pretty much spot on 7.446 secs (7.44 dial in) to defeat Dustin Gabel in the final.
Kennys On The Prowl! — The Canadian father and son racing duo of Al Kenny and Jason Kenny (natives of Kingston ON) both had big scores this month — winning major titles within NHRA national event level racing. Al Kenny claimed a marquee Top Dragster title during the 2021 JEGS Allstars event held during the U.S. Nationals at Indy – his second career win for that prestigious event. Al qualified #1 and won a razor thin and exciting 6.118 to 6.112 secs championship final over Al Peavler. One week later – it was Jason winning Super Gas during the Mopar Express Lane Nationals at Maple Grove PA. Jason’s win driving his ultra consistent topless Corvette earned him his 5th career NHRA national event “Wally”. The final at Reading was a double break out affair — with Jason’s 9.899 secs prevailing over Bill Nuzzo’s 9.882. And oh we should mention too that at the Maple Grove Race – Al Kenny just missed joining his son in post race victory lane — placing runner-up with his Top Dragster!
Some Winning Wades! –— WCPM racing series featured two events during the month of September with races in both Rimby and then Medicine Hat Alberta tracks – both of which featured upset winners. At Rimby (Sept 5th) Edmonton’s Wade Sjostrom, one of Western Canada’s most veteran class drivers won driving his supercharged ’57 Chevy. Sjostrom defeated 11 other cars entered in the 1/8th mile feature running both the quickest and fastest times during eliminations (4.016 secs and 188.89. mph). Wade’s final round 4.016 secs defeated Calgary’s Joe Delehay who ran 4.203 secs. Delehay had been the event’s #1 qualifier at 4.001 secs. At Medicine Hat Drag Strip (Sept 12th) the WCPM produced a first time circuit winner with Regina’s Wade Bulych prevailing. Bulych, driving his Pro-charger assisted 2004 C5 pulled off a big upset in the final round when he topped WCPM points leader and defending circuit champion Dean Bettenson. Wade edged out Dean by a 4.906 secs to 4.927 secs count. The WCPM circuit has one more event before wrapping up it’s 2021 season – at Mission Raceway Oct 2-3.
A Valiant Effort! — Kudos to Paul DeBree Jr., who has wrapped up a first place finish in the final points tally for Mission Raceway’s truly excellent and “home brewed” eliminator product – Canada West Door Slammers. DeBree, who is from Shawnigan Lake BC, enjoyed a very consistent season racing his family team’s totally unique ’66 Valiant – easily one of the most fan favourite cars at Mission Raceway. The 6-race CWDS season was a wrap last weekend and Paul edged out Brian Ritchie (Port Coquitlam) in final season points.

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Bruce Biegler – Gerry Frechette – Brennan Shortall – Blake Farnam – Bernie Frey – Dave DeAngelis – Steve Embling