Mission Raceway’s annual late summer feature bash plays to perfection…
“The Park” once again did their best to provide the most entertainment value with the annual Smoke, Fire and Thunder extravaganza last weekend — we were NOT disappointed!
The weather was 100% sun and with EXTREMELY hot temperatures, which might have actually dampened the spectator count somewhat, but much better than most other events so far this year.
That was evident as nightfall happened, the stands were packed, especially the thousands that were at the final night on Saturday. Pro Mods, accompanied with a few stars of the No Prep Kings television show/Speed Outlaws were in attendance, Jet cars, Fuel Altered cars, Top Fuel Nitro Bikes, X275 and many other classes plus a less advertised surprise or 2 over the 4 days.
Let’s start off with one of the main attractions of the event, and that was definitely the Pro Mod class which included for the first time, Speed Outlaws circuit — a tour including Oklahoma state’s Ryan Martin (Fireball Camaro), Shawn Ellington (Murdernova) and Canada’s own, Albertan Chevy Reeves (The Yeti).
All in all, we saw 10 in Friday qualifying, and as expected Ryan Martin was top in Qualifying in the 1/8 mile racing with (3.6536/205.29mph) with 2nd qualifying Shawn Ellington at 3.6580 / 209.21 mph.
Speed Outlaws circuit star Ryan Martin – set a track record while winning the Smoke – Fire – Thunder Pro Mod event crown.
Saturday was eliminations with Ryan Martin mid afternoon doing a solo Quarter final run, (Keith Korecki didn’t make the call to the line) and recorded a whooping 3.659/217.50 — crushing Pro Mod records at Mission Raceway.
For the semi final, Ryan Martin ended up (3.6936/214.29mph) defeating Chevy Reeves (3.7287/199.82mph) which sets up a showdown in the final against Ellington. At 10:16pm that night — it was ultimately Ryan Martin (3.6621/216.24) defeating the overly anxious {Murdernova} on a red light to take Pro Mod top honours for the Smoke, Fire and Thunder event.
Canada’s Chevy Reeves campaigned “The Yeti” for the first time at Mission Raceway Park.
X275 had a very healthy field of 18 cars on the property, with 16 spots for qualifying. This X275 bracket had some early surprise exits with Tyler Stamler, Daniel Rodrigue, and Jordan Brandon out in the first round. By the time late evening rolled around, it was another thrilling X275 final with Chilliwack’s Justin Gallant’s Mustang (4.2932/170.84mph) outpacing Washington’s Zachary Cain’s Camaro (4.3874/166.48mph).
Justin has been dominant at Mission this year, as he also won at Door Wars earlier this summer.
Chilliwack’s Justin Gallant – continued his ownership for X275 class racing at Mission Raceway.
Limit Street Final we saw the two Mustangs of Brad Thomas and Max Nielson, with Brad Thomas (4.9878/146.06) taking that final round over Nielson’s (5.0778/142.05mph)
Another big draw at Smoke, Fire, Thunder were fuel altereds and jet cars. This is more of an exhibition than an actual competition but needless to say, it’s always fun to watch these vehicles added to the mix. We saw Randy Bradford out of Camano Island Washington in the nitro flavoured ‘Hot Stuff’ running speeds at 6.26 and 231mph. We also saw another pair with Tom Padilla in the ‘Mob’ and Jason Pettit in ‘Hellfire II’ running closer to 228mph and around 6.06 to 6.14 timeframe. 
Jet Cars and AA/FA machines were part of Saturday night’s entertaining event spectacle.
The event’s two attending jet cars were the USA-based machines of Richard Smith’s “Pyromaniac” and Derek Snelson’s “Tomahawk” reaching speeds of 261+ mph and in the 6.07 secs time frame.
Doorslammers had 41 (!) vehicles in the field with Rod Leclaire behing the top qualifier from Saturday. That carried over to the final Sunday with Jordan Almaas in 68’ Barracuda versus Mark Thompson’s ’54 Studebaker. Jordan, vaulted all the way up from the #28 qualifying slot for the win on this class, when Thompson red lighted in the final.
Jordan Almaas in his 68’ Barracuda — prevailed over another very tough D/S class program.
Top Fuel Nitro bikes were also in attendance at Smoke, Fire, Thunder as well. There was a smaller than expected field of only 4 bikes but they never fail to bring the competition and excitement. Saturday night proved that as we saw a surprise with the heavily favoured Austin Christopher out-qualified by Damien Cownden’s spectacular run (6.2831/220.70) with flames shooting high out of both pipes that brought fans to their feet with excitement. However, the final was not until Sunday, which saw these 2 nitro warriors battle it out again, but this time Austin Christopher’s Fast Lane team got the bike figured out and won over (6.6517/210.48mph) over Cownden (138.08mph/7.4793).
Austin Christoper won the Top Fuel Nitro Bike feature final round but also tested his incredible new Pro Mod class motorcycle (bottom photo).
This also solidified a 1st first place points standing for Austin within the Western Canadian Nitro Bike Series. Speaking of Austin Christopher, he has really been gardening huge attention lately with his green Pro Mod Motorcycle. One of the pleasant surprises this year and on the Friday did a test pass at 6.1539 and 232.92 MPH. Saturday’s test pass they might of pushed the motor a little too hard and had significant engine damage. Christopher is likely the fastest Pro Mod Bike from Canada at the moment — earlier this year hitting 6.08 secs!
Non Electronics – this class had Brian Jennen ‘ Wild Poncho’ Camaro outgunned (10.961/100.74mph) Darryl Tippe (11.637/115.80mph)
Electronics – We had Lorenz Schwarz’s Chevy slowly cruise to victory (17.796/53.25) after seeing Craig Johnson’s wagon red light
Top Comp – class had Kade Scherk’s dragster (with his first victory) over Scott Robinson’s Chevy Beretta in the final round.
Kade Scherk earned his first win for Mission Raceway’s Top Comp category.
Super Shifters – Rich Graves El Camino vs Jamie Roth in the Comet, with Jamie taking the win (10.175/122.08mph)
Super Combo – We witnessed Martin Rachel winning (10.940/126.33mph) over Curtis Munson (10.938/126.40)
Non time Index – Tyler Smith conquered Bobby Ehlers to win this new class that has been run at Mission for the 2nd time now.
Jr Street – Had Sophia Getz winning in her Dodge truck (80.59/9.4452) vs Tyler Smith (11.182/62.32mph
Jr Street racing was won by Sophia Getz in her diesel-powered Dodge.
Jr Thunder – Cadence Rodrigue vs Ashton Katinic. In this one Ashton won this one on the tree. (9.3189/67.45)
Ashton Katinic – delivered a win in Junior Thunder class racing.
Jr Lightning – Nick Duda’s daughter, Adalyn Duda vs Justin Bond’s son, Nick Bond! Adalyn gets the job done and took the win (8.0648/79.06mph) over Nick (8.0470/76.52).
Posted by Les Puchala
Photos by Les Puchala
Link to more images from this event within our LMLC Media Mission Raceway season photo gallery: HERE
