Acknowledgement to some more significant Canadian drag racing circuit champions from 2024!…
Western Warfare! — Paul Stretch (from Duncan BC – Vancouver Island) emerged as season champion for Mission Raceway’s historically very ferocious and homegrown Canada West Doorslammers class product in 2024.
Racing a 2002 model RJ Racecars Top Sportsman class configuration Chevy Cavalier, Stretch collected his 2nd track championship (after winning it at Mission in 2022) and also placing R/UP in 2023.
Stretch’s all naturally aspirated machine features a 638 CID motor with 12 degree heads and which produces 1240 HP. It’s best ET to date is 7.18 secs @ 193 mph.
“I do my own engine program but with a lot of help from Mid Island Engines,” stated Paul. “I’ve competed with the Canada West Doorslammers since 2012 but with this car since 2019.
Paul Stretch emerged as season champion for Mission Raceway’s Canada West Doorslammers class for a 2nd time in 2024.
While race events were limited during the COVID period, the past 3 seasons have built back the class both in reputation and competitiveness.
“I have to give the credit to the car — it has been flawless,” Paul added. “I haven’t changed but the car is deadly consistent and very easy to drive. I couldn’t do it without the support of my good friend and crew chief Howard Hilborn and my better half, Kirsten.”
Stretch confirms his plan to run again for the 2025 season and try to defend his title.
Far Eastern First — Veteran racer Mike Ingram from Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia, continued his impressive reputation for racing within the Atlantic Canadian Stock/Super Stock Association — taking that season title again in 2024. That accomplishment in fact marked the 6th time in the past 7 seasons that Ingram has finished either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the ACSSA points chase. In 2019 & 2023 he was ACSSA season champion.
In addition, in 2020 he was declared as “Covid Cup” champ in that abbreviated no points series season during which 3 non-ACSSA Stock/SS combo races were held at the Cape Breton Dragway.
Mike Ingram has been drag racing for over 20 years. He first began competing in Stock in 2014 when he debuted at an ACSSA race. Mike is a 2nd Generation drag racer, his father Ray also raced in Stock.
Mike’s event participation often includes “double dips” (very successfully) by competing with his car in both ACSSA and either the Pro or No Box bracket class at most races.
Mike Ingram enjoyed another highly successful season racing his Chevelle within Canada’s Maritimes Provinces in 2024.
His car is a 1968 Chevelle SS with a 396/325HP engine rated by NHRA at 316 horsepower. It fits in F/SA, G/SA, and H/SA.
In 2024 his season was marked by 11 weekends of racing: 13 final rounds, 2 National Open/ACSSA runner ups, 1 ACSSA win, 3 bracket Wally’s, Atlantic Canadian Stock SuperStock Association Champ, Atlantic Drag Racing Association Pro Champ.
2024 Season Top 5 Final Points (Atlantic Canadian Stock SuperStock Association): Champion – Mike Ingram, 2nd Place – John Armstrong, 3rd Place – Kale Johnson, 4th Place – Bill Sheppard, 5th Place – Cory Sprague
Canada Heads Up Clout! – Ontario’s thriving Canada Heads Up Shootout Series presented by Speedwire Systems, Nash Competition Engines, Headrush Tattoo and Apparel & Cynergy Composites — presented their strongest series season ever in 2024.
Car counts and spectator counts were both up despite being affected by rain and the elements at many events this past season.
The CHU showcase Super Street and EZ Street classes were run during the 5-race series held exclusively at Toronto Motorsport Park in Cayuga Ontario, and are part of the Ian Hill Racing Productions schedule of summer racing events.
Both Super Street and EZ Street are true heads-up classes that offer many power to weight options for forced induction, nitrous and naturally aspirated based combinations.
The VP Racing Fuels-presented Super Street class was dominated by Heads Up racing new comer – Ralph Aulicino.
Aulicino, ran his newly acquired 1967 Camaro in the quickest class overall for CHU competition. Ralph finished the season hitting two number 1 qualifying spots, two #2 spots and topping it off with two event wins, helping him achieve a strong 5 round lead over Emilio Catalano Piselli who held the number two spot.
The CHU VP Racing Fuels-presented Super Street class was dominated by a class new comer – Ralph Aulicino
Ralph’s 1967 Camaro features body panels from series supporter Joe Van O. The 33×10.5 tires are turned by a combination of a large displacement 768 cubic inch, 5” bore space chevy engine force fed by multiple nitrous fogger systems and a 3-speed transmission. Engine work is provided by another series supporter, Nash Competition Engines.
Ralph and his team have laid down numerous 4.2x passes in qualifying and eliminations, but their best pass registered as 4.25 secs 171 mph on the 1/8th mile score boards.
The fast progressing CHU Crosstown Engines EZ Street class saw half a dozen racers surpass the 4.49 record set in 2023 by Rob Orofiamma.
Team Dircam (Orofiamma) continued to lead the class, setting new records at three events. Rob drove the wheels off the Team’s Mustang securing four number 1 qualifying spots and two event wins to take him to a seven-round lead over second place Jeff Misra in the points championship chase.
Rob Orofiamma collected big time in 2024 with his Team Dircam Ford Mustang EZ Street machine.
The Team Dircam fox body Mustang is setup to run run radial tires and shows lots of rear suspension separation going down the track. Horsepower is sent to the ground through a BTR 532 CID engine and Hutch’s Transmission 2 speed.
The Canada Heads Up will celebrate its 2024 season and champions during a banquet on January 25th at Markham ON.
For more information visit: www.ianhillracing.com
Posted with files by Bruce Biegler, Jeff Kempton & Ian Hill
Photos by Blake Farnan — Les Puchala – Fraser Royal
