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Stratford Spectacular Report
Mark Ackert - July 20, 2008
 It seems it just wouldn't be the Stratford Spectacular if you didn't throw a little precipitation into the mix.
Like many other races this season, a quick moving system came into the Grand Bend area dumping a large quantity of water on the track resulting in a lengthy delay. Once the rain ceased, Grand Bend Motorplex staff was quick to get the track dried up and to get race action back underway.
Earhart Heating and Cooling sponsored Quick 8 had some impressive race cars in the mix. Tim Martin was one of those competitors as he was looking to put his Bad Ass Blown Altered in the winners circle. Fans got on their feet when Martin and the boys came to the line. Insane 300 foot burnout's annihilated the new Hoosier tires and got the crowd cheering for more. Darryl McMillen was ready to step it up and spray his beautiful 63 Corvette with a second stage of nitrous so he could take a shot at Quick 8. It wouldn't be quite enough to win Q8 but the numbers McMillen was laying down were encouraging for the team. Because of the rain, Quick 8 was run over both days so eliminations were run out on Sunday. Martin would go .007 red in the semi's giving Todd Hope and his RED the win advancing him to the finals. Hope, who hails from Norwich, ON, would meet up with Tottenham resident Ike Maier and his 69 Pro Mod Camaro. The staggered start between door cars and rails gives the slower vehicle more of a chance. In this case, Ike Maier ran a best time of 6.53 at 200mph so he would get a slight starting line advantage as Hope's best time of the weekend was 6.27. Maier cut a better light and ran another 6.53 on his way to the Q8 victory as Todd's 6.37 wasn't enough to take the win.
 The lanes were filled with some of the area's most impressive Top Sportsman cars. Doug Cadman had his incredible 55 Thunderbird running some very impressive numbers. Although he went out early in competition, a 7.16 during the last qualifier Sunday morning got Cadman that much closer to the 6 second zone that he is gunning for. Rob Williamson had his gorgeous black SN95 Mustang competing after finally working out some electrical issues that have been giving him problems with the new car. Darryl McMillen was doing double duty running T/S and Q8. McMillen would see better success in T/S getting to the finals but unfortunately his 7.262 was slightly off the mark of his 7.23 dial which gave the 87 Camaro of Les Sherwood the victory after running an 8.078 on his 8.06 dial.
Jade Atkinson from Bright's Grove, Ont, has been on a tear this season with her Ford powered rear engine dragster. Jade would carry on this trend in the finals against TJ Schippling as she cut down the tree with a .011 reaction and posted a .92 on her 7.91 dial. Schippling broke out on his 7.60 dial running 7.589.
(Mark Ackert Photos)
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