“Alberta Jewel” Roadster

Canada truly has some terrific looking Sportsman drag race cars, but the 34 Chevy Roadster campaigned by Mike and Tracy Ferstl is seemingly a cut above….

During 2011 the husband and wife duo, which are based fromCalgary, have campaigned their spectacular and meticulously prepared machine within a variety of classes including Super Gas, Super Comp and Top ET. 

The Ferstl Racing 34 Chevy is one of the top show-stopping Sportsman creations in Canada

It was in fact the 5^th season that they have been racing the machine – something which is hard to believe upon close examination of the car which continues to appear almost “brand new”.

For 2011 the team did a number of important upgrades with one very clear intention – increased speed.  So to accomplish that, a big block 565 CID motor was installed to meet that end objective.

Mike Ferstl

“With our previous small block program I found out that I was one of the slower cars in my category,” stated Mike Ferstl, who is a marketing executive for Canadian Tire stores.  “Our new engine program – while still relatively small in cubic inches in today’s terms – did give us another 225 HP or so to work with.  That has equated to about 170 mph capability.  We have found that in the categories we race having a faster car gives the driver an advantage.  You are watching your opponent versus worrying about him coming up behind you.  Now I am more of a mid-pack car so I do a lot more of the chasing.   I think that tilts the outcome of the race more into my hands.”

Overall Mike and Tracy’s machine now produces about 1000 HP.  They also reported that the upgrade to a Big Block motor was relatively seamless because when they first acquired the car from the U.S. a few years ago (Advanced Chassis chrome molly car) it did come with the mid-plate and headers for that bigger motor application.

Much to the appreciation of the racing public – the Ferstl’s work just as hard making the Roadster look as good as it runs.  It is basically of “show quality”.

“Tracy and I are a bit anal about the way we prepare the car and its looks,” Mike admitted.  “We feel it’s really a representation of the both of us personally and we always want to look our best for potential sponsors out there.”

Bruce Biegler Photos