Canadian racer inclusion within the realm of IHRA’s new emerging comeback — happening this summer!….
Some pretty cool news in July includes the reincarnation of the once fabled IHRA – which offered up the first two (of five scheduled) national event caliber events — after a very long time! The races – held at newly named Darana Dragway facilities near Columbus OH and Detroit MI — did attract a Canadian racer contingent.
The highly potent Sipos & Davenport team (based from Victoria BC) scored a resounding victory for the TAFC class category – winning the IHRA’s Outlaw Nitro Series opener in Ohio (at former National Trail Raceway). After qualifying #4 (5.635 secs) Stan Sipos defeated Sean Bellemeur and Kyle Smith in the first two rounds before racing off against Phil Esz (a car also tuned by Canadian Hall of Famer – Les Davenport). In that dash, Stan left first to take a razor thin 5.505 secs 264.03 mph to 5.496 secs 262.28 mph – rather historic win light.
Canada’s Les Davenport led the way for TAFC class racing at IHRA’s 2025 season opener. Both cars he tunes went to the final round.
With the IHRA now back — Ontario’s Tony Pontieri & John Konigshofer have found nice places to race their MMPS cars again. Pontieri, with his Quality Plus Compressors-backed machine was in the mix at both the Columbus & Detroit area races qualifying #5 and #2 respectively. Tony lost out in round #1 at the first race but did have a very strong semi-final placing at Milan while notching a strong 4.118 secs best. The Konigshofer Brothers Mustang was entered for the race at Milan where after qualifying #12, John did prevail over John Montecalvo in round one – before the car experienced tire shake in the second frame versus Dillon Voss.
Dedicated Ontario-based driver names Paul Noakes and Jeff Chatterson both gave these initial IHRA national event efforts their team support. Noakes was a sub driver for Ryan Stack in Larry Dobbs’ TAFC at the Columbus race and Jeff entered his very potent Chatterson Racing injected nitro car (from Brantford) at both, qualifying 5th at Milan. While neither driver advanced past round one these particular times out – their presence reinforced again the word “international” in IHRA.
IHRA’s Pro-Am Sportsman racing (included at their Outlaw Nitro Series races) did produce a Canadian winner at the Darana Dragway Michigan event. Chris Lozon, from Chatham Ontario, who is always a reputed runner within Ontario’s Can-Am Stock/SS circuit — prevailed with his GT/FA Oldsmobile – topping a 21 car field.
Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Robert Richard/BME Photography & DragRaceCanada file photo Dave DeAngelis
