Cruzin’ Canadian Camaros!
By: Bruce Biegler
Canada’s “Bowtie Brigade” certainly left some marks last weekend with some big wins by Ontario-based Chevy Camaro drivers….
During the Canadian Street Car Nationals at Cayuga, the Smith Performance Specialties Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series hosted two different events, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Chatham Ontario’s Al Lozon had a simply remarkable weekend driving his very recently acquired and very stunning looking 2002 Camaro. Running in GT/DA, Lozon bested 38 other competitors to earn his first ever circuit win.
In the Saturday evening final round, Lozon overcame a better RT from opponent Glen Baker (.009) and ran him down with a winning 10.06 secs at 131.54 mph. Baker’s SS/KA Buick ran a losing 11.12 secs at 116.55 mph.
The next day Lozon prevailed over all other CSCN category winners in a much anticipated special shootout. He emerged on top for the event’s “Super Bowl Shootout” by running the closest to his dial-in overall. Al ran 10.091 secs (10.09 dial in) and with that picked himself up an ultra cool Matco Tools toolbox valued at $7000 (!)
Sunday’s Can-Am Stock/SS eliminator saw defending series champion Rob Becker (Port Colborne ON) win for the first time this season. Rob topped a 32-car field when his final round 10.04 secs at 132.90 mph caught Bob Park’s Chevy Camaro which ran 10.40 secs at 130.07 mph.
With the completion of last weekend’s two events, the popular Canadian series has now moved into its 2nd half for the 2010 season.
At parallel with the Cayuga wins this weekend was a big score stateside by Port Perry’s Bryan Clayton. Driving his GT/DA Chevy Camaro, Clayton, who is a regular on the Can-Am Stock/SS circuit, knocked them all down during the IHRA Nitro Jam held at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Western Michigan.
After qualifying 15th for that 30-car field, Clayton defeated multi-time IHRA Champion Slate Cummings in the Championship final. Clayton ran 10.11 secs (10.10 dial in) at 130.57 mph to earn his first career IHRA Ironman.
Clayton’s impressive victory included a perfect .000 RT in round one while taking out recent IHRA Mopar Canadian Nitro Jam winner Michael Lyons.
Photos by: Bruce Biegler & Chris Simmons