Veteran “Good Guy” Racer Gets His Due

One of Canada’s most veteran Sportsman drag racing names has claimed the highly prestigious Eastern Canadian based Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series title for 2011….

Bob Park, from Dundas Ontario, was declared the overall season champion based on points following the rainout of the series’ final scheduled event at Cayuga Dragway last weekend.  

Park won the title by a scant single point edging out Al Lozon and Victoria Smith in one of the closest title chases in Can-Am Stock/SS series history.

Bob Park is one of Canada's longest running Sportsman drag racers

“Once the event was called – I was named the champion,” said the 69-year old Park whose name has been rather synonymous with Canadian drag racing since first coming on the scene in 1963. 

The overall Champion for the Can-Am Stock/SS circuit is determined by the best finish in 5 races over a 10-race event schedule held across various drag strips in Ontario.  Many of those events this season featured between 40 and 50 cars entered.

“I won the Labour Day event at Cayuga and was runner-up at St. Thomas,” Park confirmed.  “That combined with going 3 and 4 rounds at some other events was the difference.  I really can’t believe how consistent my car was – I have to thank my good friend Frank Gallant who set the car up and helped maintain it.  I had trouble free season.”

Park races a SS/GTE 1986 Camaro.  2011 was his second year out with the Pete Z-built car.  The 3100 lbs car features a low compression 255 HP 350 engine program.

Bob’s 2011 Can-Am title was the first overall of his career and that was complimented by a big victory on the NHRA Northeast Division 1 trail this summer – winning with the car during the LODRS race held at Lebanon Valley NY.

2011 – Can-Am Stock/SS Final Points Standings 

Bob Park used great consistency to win Eastern Canada's Can-Am Stock/SS Championship

Bob and other Can-Am racers will receive their much deserved season accolades during the Can-Am Awards Brunch which will be held at the Ruthven Park Coach House (Cayuga ON) — Sunday Nov 13 at 9:00 am.

Photos by:  Bruce Biegler