Lucrative VP Racing Fuels Payout to Stawicki

By:  Mark Ackert

If Pro Mods are your thing then you were probably in the stands at Grandbend Motorplex this past weekend as 20 plus Pro Mods would take to the track in hopes of taking home the $10,000 grand prize that was up for grabs in the VP Racing Fuels Ultimate Pro Mod Showdown. 

The inaugural RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend presented Lucas Oil Products was designed to give the fans the total experience with some of the fastest door slammers on the planet as well as live bands, interactive displays and demonstrations and even a motorcycle stunt team to entertain when there was down time. At only $35 to get through the gate for a family of 4, it was definately the best bang for you buck entertainment around. 

Mike Stawicki Collected a cool $10G for his win.

Along with the Wild outlaw style Pro Mods the Quick 32 Sportsman Series sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts was also on hand for the event.  The Grand Bend Thunder Series classes were also competing with a seperate on Saturday as well as on Sunday.

The Pro Mod field was a who’s who of Canadian Pro Modified racers but several US racers decided to come to this side of the border in hopes of taking home $10,000 big ones as well.  Steve Legare from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec also made the journey running his gorgeous 1968 nitrous powered Camaro.  Vito Montesano from Maple, Ontario was running his ERD powered 68 Camaro for the first time and was able to qualify in the #8 spot with a stout 4.19 at 168mph.  Gary Mater had an unfortunate accident after crossing the 1/8 mile when his beautiful 37 Chev Coupe started towards the middle of the track then made a hard left into the wall resulting in extensive damage to the car.  Gary however walked away from the wreck virtually unscathed. 
Mike Stawicki from Medina, NY qualified his wild 69 Firebird in the number one spot and would find himself in the finals lining up with the 63 Corvette of Tim Martin which is now being piloted by veteran Funny Car driver, Paul Noakes.  Noakes’ driving skills were proven time after time on his way to the final but unfortunately the car would get a little too far out of shape on the $10,000 pass allowing Stawicki to motor on through to the win after stopping the clocks in 3.91 seconds at 193mph as Noakes coasted through at 5.58 at 86mph.

Paul Noakes drove the Martin Racing PM Vette

The NAPA sponsored Quick 32 program was running well with some stout times being put on the boards but unfortunately rain would put a halt to the racing action on Sunday.  The remaining portion of the race will be held at Toronto Motorsports Park on July 2-4 where the Top Dragster side of the ladder will feature Scott Wildgust of Wartburg, Ontario taking on Melanie Simmons who will be tough to beat with her newly supercharged rail that was running consistent 6.8’s.  On the doorslammer side of the ladder Kevin Wicke will have his 2006 Dodge Stratus taking on the 55 Chevy of Steve Parkhurst from Belleville Ontario.
The regular Grandbend Thunder Series had a large number of cars in action on Saturday but unfortunately with the rain on Sunday the event was called late in the rounds so it was decided to split the prize money between the competitors still in competition. 
Saturdays winner included:
TOP Champion- Rob Holden                       R/U- Corey Faubert
MOD Champion- Steve Doornbosch        R/U- Sue Cooper
Street Champion- Kayden Wicke              R/U- Greg Marsh
Bike/Sed Champion- Jim Bernier             R/U- Jon Allin
Jr 8-12 Champion- Cassidy Carvell         R/U- Victoria Paquette
Jr13-17 Champion- Ryan Atkinson        R/U- Sarah Grennan
(Mark Ackert Photos)