PTRA Wraps Up 2013 Season
Canada’s PTRA (Pro Street Racing Association) concluded it’s 2013 season of racing when it invaded St. Thomas Dragway….
An increase in car counts and a hard hooking track had PTRA founder’s Glenn Tovey and Kelly Cooper excited for the last event of the year. Along with Open Comp and Pro Comp, a second instalment of the East vs. West Shootout was slated to be held on this weekend.
Although only a light field of cars would take part, Jeff Vance was one of the competitors that had his eye on the 6′ tall trophy being offered up to the Champion. Hard wheels up launches and a best of 5.11 in the 1/8 would have Vance in the #1 qualifying position until AJ Donaldson made an appearance for the third and final qualifier. Donaldson’s nitrous powered Fox bodied Mustang would leap to #1 running 4.79 at 147mph. Eric Webber would be the underdog going into eliminations on Sunday but a never give up attitude would help him pull out the upset win as he defeated Jeff Vance in the first round after Vance’s nitrous powered Camaro stumbled off the line and couldn’t recover in time. Webber would take to the line against Donaldson in the final but his luck would run out as he could only watch as AJ pulled away running a 4.94 to his own 6.74.
AJ Donaldson from Windsor took the East vs West Shootout
Heather Ireland has been on a roll as of late and would qualify her gorgeous 95 Cutlass Supreme in the #1 spot in Pro Comp. Taking on Doug Hoffman in the Semi’s, Heather would roll through the line giving Hoffman the win and sending him through to the finals where he would take on the flamed Corvette of Dave Cooper. Hoffman was on a mission and ran a 52 on his 6.52 dial as Cooper broke out running 6.36 on his 6.39 dial.
Open Comp would again see the 62 Chevy II of Jim Dunton in the finals as he took on PTRA new comer Eric Webber. A bumper to bumper final would have Dunton victorious as he ran right on his dial of 6.85 and Webber broke out with a 6.80 on his 6.82 dial.
Sundays racing action would see some new faces making it to the winners circle. In Pro Comp, the Reapers Realm, Fat Dog fabricating sponsored Firebird of Sue Cooper would qualify #1 then make it to the semi’s where she would take on her Uncle, Rob Vandermeer. Cooper would run well under her dial as Vandermeer ran 6.79 on his 6.75 dial to put himself into the finals against another Cooper, but this time Dave Cooper. Making his second Pro Comp final of the weekend, Cooper would cross the line first taking the win running 6.40 on his 6.36 dial to Vandermeer’s 6.83 on his 6.77 dial.
Dave Cooper takes the Pro Comp win on Sunday
In Open Comp Eric Webber would do what so few have done this season and knocked off Jim Dunton in the semi’s. With that win Webber would take to the line against the beautiful 68 Chevelle of Glenn Tovey, driven by his son Rick. After a win for his Father in Open Comp during the first weekend of the 2013 PTRA season, Rick would end the season like his Father started and would take the Open Comp victory after Webber left early turning on the red light.
Zack Cudizio would take the win and the cheque for $800 in the Limited Street class put on by Misener Motorsports and New Generation Racing Engines.
Jeff Vance proves that St.Thomas Raceway Park is hooking hard again!
PTRA would like to thank DragRaceCanada for its continued coverage and is already looking forward to the 2014 season. Sponsors are already contacting them to jump on board for the 2014 season so you can be assured the series will continue grow as it looks to the future.
Photos and posting by: Mark Ackert
