Coming Tantam(ount) Attraction! « DragRaceCanada.com

Coming Tantam(ount) Attraction!

by editor on May.26, 2022, under Hotzone

BC-based drag racing fans are in for a very big treat – coming soon – this summer…..

The upcoming 10th Anniversary version for Mission Raceway’s infamous “Doorwarz” event (June 30-July 3rd) will include a very special dimension — with the revelation that two of NHRA drag racing’s biggest name FuelTech Pro Modified Series class drivers – will participate.

We can confirm that two cars from within the multi-car “Bahrain 1 Racing” team be at this prestigious Mission Raceway event – with both hometown hero Justin Bond and his race stable mate Khalid Al Balooshi (from Bahrain), on the entry list.

Bond will be driving his uber potent pro-charger ’69 Camaro while Al Balooshi (while currently awaiting Canadian Visa entry approval) is scheduled to be at the controls of his supercharged 2022 Camaro.

“Since we first started our association together a couple years ago – I’ve wanted to do this,” confirmed Justin Bond. “But because of COVID those plans had to be put on hold until now. But I was able to twist Khalid’s arm and now we’re going to do this! Right after the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals (at Norwalk OH) – we will be putting both our cars into my trailer and our team truck will drive direct to Mission BC for the event the following weekend.”

Two of NHRA’s FuelTech Pro Mod Drag Racing series top ranked drivers — Justin Bond & Khalid Al Balooshi — will bring their “star power” to Mission Raceway this summer!

Justin confirmed that both the “Bahrain 1 Racing” machines will be entered for competition within the West Coast Pro Mod eliminator portion of the event – it is not just exhibition.

“We will run our cars on a 1/8th mile basis – but stay with our legal NHRA trim.” he affirmed.

For Justin Bond the opportunity will meld both a homecoming of sorts as well as a very important business opportunity.

“I’m a resident of Mission and my business (JBS Equipment) is based there too,” he reaffirmed. “So in addition to being able to race in front of family and many friends, there will be business partners, so it will be a celebration with our many sponsors. I wanted to help support the track itself and this 10th anniversary event, as well as do my part to spread some awareness for NHRA FuelTech Pro Mod class racing product in Canada.”

Justin Bond’s Camaro (top) is pro-charger assisted while Khalid Al Balooshi’s late model Camaro is supercharged.

As of 2022 – Justin Bond’s Pro Mod class racing career has risen to its highest level of prominence — so far. After coming off a strong 4th place finish in final NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Pro Mod season championship points last year – he is highly rated for continued major success again this season.

“I do like my story getting to the high level where I am now,” he added. “It all started first as a Pro Mod team co-owner (with Shane Molineri) for a few years — where we actually did quite well.”

Justin Bond’s previous experience within Pro Mod racing included being part owner and driver of this potent turbocharged Firebird.

Bond’s association with Khalid Al Balooshi first began in 2019 while he was leasing a nitrous-injected Camaro from Rickie Smith.

“While doing that — Khalid and I became good friends,” he revealed. “I went over to the middle east during one winter and helped him race his car there. Khalid wanted to try a new team layout so we started to mould things all together. Our portion of the overall race team (which also includes Pro Mod drivers Steve Jackson and Jeffery Barker) is now based from Calhoon, Georgia. We have signed an extended lease for our facility which fits with our plans for a long term deal together.”

“I do feel that I sowed my oats and met a lot of the right people along the way,” he added. “Because I worked on these cars so extensively and took the time to fully understand them – I think that not only makes me a better driver but also gave me the the insight to what it takes to race at the level properly.”