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The Inaugural “End of the World” PTRA event was originally slated for last Fall but Mother Nature had other idea’s so the event was cancelled. To give you an idea of what this organization is about, without a single round of elimination runs under their belt, competitors names were placed in a hat and a winner from each class was drawn and awarded the prize money. This time around the weather was mostly sunny and warm for the entire weekend.

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The event was a two day affair, with a seperate race each day for Open Comp and Pro Comp. To lure some fast street cars to the track a 4 foot tall trophy was put up for grabs in an East vs West grudge style heads up shootout. The East side was represented well as Paul Silva of PSP was on hand with several customers to take part in the shootout. Ray Griffin had his beautiful 62 Chevy II qualified #1 running 5.23 a best of in the 1/8th mile. Vince Melao had his nasty 1989 EZ Street Mustang qualified #2 with a 5.30. After a bye in Rd.,1, Griffin’s ProCharged entry would line up against the nitrous powered 2000 Camaro of Jeff Vance in Rd.,#2. Vance would take the win on a hole shot running 5.37 at 138mph to Griffins faster time of 5.25 at 135mph. With bumper dragging power, Vance’s Camaro made its way to the finals where he would take on the nitrous powered PSP prepped Mustang of Nick Kokkas. Kokkas nailed the tree but Vance would make up the starting line advantage and take the stripe first running 5.43 at 136mph to Kokkas’ 5.68 at 122 mph.

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Said best by announcer and co-founder of the PTRA, Kelly Cooper, a Pro tree adds to the excitement! Your adreneline builds as you anxiously await your turn down the track. You do your burnout and the adreneline builds. The Pro Tree keeps you on the edge. There’s no waiting once the staging lights are on. Yellow then Go!

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Performance Unlimited Pro Comp finals would see Otis Symon and his gorgeous M&M dragster defeat Dave Cooper and his flamed 76 Corvette.

Belmont Automotive Open Comp finals would have the beautiful 68 Chevelle of PTRA co-founder Glenn Tovey, piloted by his son Rick Tovey lining up against and defeating the 62 Chevy II of Jim Dunton.

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Performance Unlimited Pro Comp would again see the M&M dragster of Otis Symon in the finals, this time with son Dalton Symon behind the wheel. Dalton would however lose to the high flying 73 Vega of Doug Hoffman.

Belmont Automotive Open Comp would give a racer his first ever win as Darren Hazeleger of Ingersoll ON took the stripe in his convertible 2004 Mustang defeating Jim Dunton who would see action in his second final of the weekend.

Qualifying is based on reaction times and Drew Buchner proved he was on his game taking the WestSide Performance #1 qualifier in both classes on both days. Congratulations Drew.

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A nice feature of the PTRA is the winners of the losers. Losing competitors that didn’t make it to the money rounds have the chance to have their name drawn from a hat for a consolation prize. Performance Unlimited from London ON offered up a $75 gift certificate to their store which went to the Heather Ireland on Saturday and Dave Cooper on Sunday. Misener Performance out of Brantford ON offered a free dyno session won by Randy Mounce on Saturday and Hugh MacGuinnis on Sunday!

Griffin Autotek offered up cash for the best package award which went to Jim Dunton on Saturday and Doug Hoffman on Sunday.

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With even more hard working sponsors on board like Heather Ireland and Steve Schrans of Silverbird Towing and a list of other hopefuls, you know the PTRA is going to be a well run organization devoted to the racer because of those people involved. Events will run at St.Thomas Raceway Park with the next event being June 9th. Be sure to come out June 30th for your chance to win an NHRA Wally in each class. Along with Open Comp and Pro Comp June 30th’s PTRA race will include a true King of the Street heads up class. Some of the baddest street cars in Ontario are already slated to be there! You won’t want to miss this one!

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The series website will be introduced soon:  www.protree.ca

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In the meantime for more information check out:    http://www.sistersinspeed.com/ptra.html

& for photo highlights:   http://www.dragnden.com/

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