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Thank you
If anyone ever tells you the Internet is a bad thing, send them to me. After really wondering if I should have made yesterday's post, your replies have been...well words can't describe how it has helped us. It's going to be a long process, but after the response I wanted to begin the journey back to normalcy by working here. Like usual (man, that feels good to type) there's a bunch more stuff that has not been put up here yet, so c'mon back like you usually do as regular as possible (see, it's working).

Unfortunately there is more than my family that needs support right now as the first part of today's posting will tell you.

We regret to inform the drag racing community that we had a motorcycle
racer fatality at Saskatchewan International Raceway on Sunday May 26/02
during morning qualifying for our Season Opener.

Thank you.
Dave Schaffel

RESULTS
2002 Northwest National Open Series May 25-26
Nl’Akapxm Eagle Motorplex Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Top Comp
W- Scott Talyor St. Isidors, Alberta DI- 8.13 RT- .529 ET- 8.179
RU- Mark Campbell Stony Plain, Alberta DI- 7.75 RT- .524 ET- 7.814

Stock / Super Stock Combo
W- Shawn Kvaas Pitt Meadows, BC DI- 12.48 RT- .598 ET- 12.474
RU- James Quaan Sherwood Park, Alberta DI- 11.09 RT- .412 ET- 11.097

Super Comp
W- Tom Papp Surrey, BC DI- 9.01 RT- .404 ET- 9.029
RU- Scott Hearn Edmonton, AB DI- 9.01 RT- .428 ET- 9.077

Super Gas
W- Todd Sims Puyallup, WA DI- 10.02 RT- .456 ET- 10.019
RU- Lloyd Flatum Everett, WA DI- 10.02 RT- .453 ET- 9.995

Super Street
W- Al Hampton Surrey, BC DI- 11.04 RT- .687 ET- 11.088
RU- Dan Parsons Powell River, BC DI- 11.04 RT- DEEP ET- 11.111

Super Pro
W- Andy Scheu Calgary, AB DI- 9.45 RT- .635 ET- 9.450
RU- Rae Caswell Lower Nicola, BC DI- 10.50 RT- .557 ET- 10.591

Pro
W- John Korfiatis Richmond, BC DI- 11.63 RT- .543 ET- 11.676
RU- Marty Parsons Prince George, BC DI- 10.82 RT- .597 ET- 11.005

Sportsman
W- Kenny Burns Surrey, BC DI- 13.82 RT- .601 ET- 13.840
RU- Andrew Preston Quesnel, BC DI- 13.29 RT- .391 ET- 15.936

Snow / Bike
W- Dave Copeland Richmond, BC DI- 10.16 RT- .504 ET- 10.206
RU- Stewart Kienas Mission, BC DI- 11.37 RT- .515 ET- 11.406

Jr. Dragster Lightning
(Saturday)
W- Aaron Giroux Canyon Creek, AB DI- 9.48 RT- .609 ET- 9.504
RU- Darren Barton Langley, BC DI- 9.15 RT- .602 ET- 9.113
(Sunday)
W- Chad Bratt Olympia, WA DI- 9.21 RT- .542 ET- 9.363
RU- Darren Barton Langley, BC DI- 8.90 RT- .658 ET- 8.991

Jr. Dragster Thunder
Saturday
W- Emily Barnes Carbon, BC DI- 18.38 RT- .657 ET- 18.291
RU- Amelia Mackay-Smith Merritt, BC DI- 17.00 RT- .122 ET- 18.245
Sunday
W- Melissa Scheu Calgary, AB DI- 14.80 RT- .658 ET- 15.165
RU- Emily Barnes Carbon, BC DI- 17.60 RT- .411 ET- 18.069

High School
W- Colin Moore Chilliwack, BC DI- 13.62 RT- .668 ET- 13.669
RU- Chris Campbell Merritt, BC DI- 17.75 RT- .667 ET- 17.807

ANDY NEYER CHARGES TO TRACK RECORD 6.47 TO LEAD PRO MODS AT FAMED 26TH ANNUAL FOX HUNT IN THUNDER TOWN USA
The opening night of the 26th Annual Stinker Station Fox Hunt saw both ends of the Firebird Pro Modified track record fall on an absolutely gorgeous day and night of qualifying. Reigning West Coast Pro Mod points champ Andy Neyer eclipsed the one year old mark of 6.48 by Dennis Radford with a booming 6.47 at 217.39 in the second session. Leaving little to doubt, the Arizona Vette owned by former Boston Red Sox 3-time Allstar reliever Rod Beck (who was attending his first Firebird race) charged to a 6.48 under the lights in the final session to solidify his spot atop the qualifying ladder.

Dennis Radford and the "Poison Viper" team may have lost their e.t. track record, but definitely let their presence and intentions be known with a new speed track mark of 220.48 (old record of 218 mph) at 6.50 to claim the number two spot. Undefeated at Firebird in 2001, Radford tried to rotate the valley floor on his final attempt (with the night‚s quickest 60‚ number at 1.04), but veered to the wall at 150‚ mark, clicking it early on what could have been a real rocket shot.

There was plenty of drama throughout the three qualifying heats that included a terrific twelve car turnout, each of which were attempting to make a challening eight car cut. Easily the wildest moment of the evening, Montana‚s Pat Stoken went had one last shot to make the program following two aborted runs when his nitrous Camaro went dead right at the 100‚ on back to back laps. With only one opportunity to go alongside side of John Costello's '57 Chevy, Stoken went on another right hand adventure, only this time he tried to take it one step further. For the third successive run the car went right just past the 60' block, Pat pedaled it once and this time it went hard left in the direction of Costello followed by a spectacular "up on two wheels" right hand turn directly into the concrete retaining wall near the 350‚ concrete pad. No doubt dejected, but unhurt, Stoken crawled out his Camaro to a thunderous ovation from the huge Saturday night crowd. Fortunately enough the car for a split second was getting ready to roll over on its top, but good fortune was on his side, with damage limited to just the front end where it contacted the wall.

John Scialpi made two fine runs with is "Wappado" '57 Chevy as he charged to the #3 spot at 6.54 (and a 6.56) at 213.77. Race fans were thrilled to see the return of Wayne Torkelson Jr. and Sr. with their famed '55 Thunderbird. The Torkelson's came clear across the country after competing at the NHRA National Event in Englishtown last weekend. After a first attempt that was aborted following tire shake (and not enough power per Wayne Sr.), Jr. flew to a nice 6.66 and followed it up with a strong 6.63-212.01 in the final dash to take the number four slot.
The bottom half of the field included Lee Smith's Corvette at 6.65-212.01, Trevor Lowe at 6.66-212.36, Vern Mills 6.76-205. 43 (who made it on his final attempt of the evening) and Tim Wallace with his "Neighborhood Bully" Vette at 6.76-206.46. It was the quickest eight-car field in Firebird history.

Those unable to make the cut included John Costello (6.84), Ross Hogenson with his Alberta based Camaro (6.86), Canadian Dan Vogt (6.96) and Stoken.

First round pairings match up like this: Neyer vs. Wallace; Torkelson vs. Smith; Radford vs. Mills; and Scialpi vs. Lowe. All we can say is, "Let's get ready to rumble!"

Both the "Warped Speed" and "Warhawk" made two exhibition runs along with Ed "the Outlaw" Jones Stage before the night came to a close just before 10:30 pm with a spectacular fireworks show.

A big field of nearly 250 cars battled it out throughout the night, too, in the Boise Muffler/Spangler Auto Body "Super Slam" Double Gold Cup Points race

Winning her first Super Pro title, Staci Phillips competed in her first race of the 2002 Season and has a perfect record to show for it. Driving her hard running Corvette, Phillips carded an 8.89-150.90 to defeat a redlighting David Martin in the final round dash.

In Pro, Ben Comer was another first time winner as he drove his nostalgia front-motored dragster to the Fox Hunt winner‚s circle at 10.52-123.72 in downing the Vette of Steve Maneck who ran 11.15-119.52.

Three other champions were crowned: Steve Pyburn (over Shayne Schaefer) in Nostalgia, Chris Kasel (over Rich Pedraza) in Pro Snow/Bike, and Andrea Douglas (over Jacob Stolworthy) in Sportsman.

I cannot recall for sure if she ever actually went to a drag race, but she supported my involvement in it, and every other single thing I have ever done so much. The loss of my mom Evelyn early Saturday morning after an extended bout with cancer has come as a shock. I will be spending a lot of time with dad for awhile, as being an only child it is what I want to and must do. LP

Contrary to popular belief HH has not become a 'weekly' web site...it just kinda seems that way. A slight case of early season burnout combined with attempts to learn some new software has resulted in a bit of a lapse around here.

Ashcroft NHRA National Open
Well it's the big one for the Plex Saturday and Sunday and we won't be there. It's a simple matter of money, time and the burnout thing, but mostly money. For more info please go to the Eagle Motorplex site and click on the National Open logo on the right side. Good luck to all the competitors, hopefully somebody will email us results.

Stuff
Sorry for a lack of coverage on last week's street legal event at MRP but there is a reason. Basically I discovered a bunch of totally and completely paranoid dudes in cool cars. It seemed like every time I pointed my camcorder at somebody's ride they would either turn it off or act like they had just been busted...really...ya it kinda freaked me out too. Since most of the guys acted in this way (do I really look like a cop or sumpthin?) I decided to save everyone the hassle and just not post any pics...or go to another one, as it very much struck me as these people do NOT want publicity. I know of a few Mustang 5.0 racers who feel otherwise, but I just lost a lot of interest in street legal racing after I obviously made a bunch of these guys feel very uncomfortable. I must say that in my 27 years of showcasing drag racing this was a first.

SportsmanReport.com done
Speaking of burnout, this came in recently proving once again that the web is a volatile place that is very difficult indeed to make ends meet and justify the amount of time and effort it takes.

Hello To Everyone,
This will be the last time that I write to all of you as the editor of SportsmanReport.com. In the next few days I will be shutting down the site that I created in 1998 to give all of you sportsman competitors the ink that you all so richly deserved. Unfortunately (or fortunately), times change, economies change and the internet has changed dramatically in the past five years. All of which have contributed to the demise of SportsmanReport. The lack of interest for internet advertising is largely to blame and a subscription-based site was not an option. I hope that I have served you well during this tenure. Thanks for the ride.

Hopefully, I will be back soon... maybe pulling up next to you in the staging lanes.

Thank You.

Nathan Varney
Nathan Varney Motorsports Photography
SportsmanReport.com

Doorslammers Feedback
Larry
In response to our posting on your website, in regards to the Doorslammer class "Fast" cars vs. "Slow" cars. As you know I took this class over at the end of last year in hopes to revive
what appeared to be a dying class. I changed it from a top or quick 16 field to a 8:99 to 7:00 sec. class. In doing this I had hoped to bring back the excitement to the class and try to encourage some of the racers to come out that had previously not entered due to there fear that they would notqualify. It has been my intensions from the beginning that once we have an established group of cars and some serious interest in the class, that we would gradually raise the slow ET to something a little quicker. Hoping that the slower cars would like the class so much that they too would want to grow quicker with the class. We try to encourage the "Fast" cars by giving the bye run to #1 qualifier when there is an odd number of cars, as well as issuing more qualifying points to the faster cars. We also pair the cars on the ladder with the closest to there ET so the opportunity of meeting a much faster or slower car does not come up until possibly the final round. Sowith that I feel that until we have a solid group of fast cars that comeout and race this class on a continuous regular basis, I can't close the ET window any further. I too would like to see this class grow into a much bigger and faster class and once it does then yes I will look into closing up the ET window.

Marcy Copley
marcyc@tcsproducts.com
Sales Rep.
TCS Products
1-800-960-1177

HH has followed the doorslammer class since it's inception many moons ago. It is a group of racers that have struggled through a number of changes and restructures. Currently this difficult to administer class is at an all time high. Much of this recent success goes directly to Marcy. HH will continue to support the class and now that we have their plans presented to us in this way, we feel much better that we'll get to see some of the best door car racing anywhere for a long time to come.

Quote of the week/Sign of the times:
When we asked a certain group of racers (not the doorslammers) who have expressed an interest in expanding why they don't try an event in the US: "Because most of our people can't get across the border any more".

Edmonton Charity Race
Hi Larry, Im the president of the Capital City Hot Rod Assn in Edmonton,AB.
We are holding a Big Bucks Bracket and Charity Race on June 29, 2002. The race is open to everyone, and will be run in 4 different classes. Electronics, Non-electronics, Bikes, and Jr. Dragsters.

Prizes are as follows:

• Electronics - $5000 to win
  
• Non-electronics - $2000 to win
  
• Bikes - $1500 to win
  
• Jr. Dragsters - $1000 GIC to win
  

We will also be paying back to the 1/4's. We will be having buy backs in the first round only. To qualify for the free entry fee of $0 for competitors and spectators, all competitors must be a member in good standing with CCHRA (memberships are $40 single / $50 family) buy June 9.
Anyone can e-mail me before this and I will put them on a list to pay their membership at the gate, otherwise entry is $100 non-electronics, bikes, and Jr.'s, and $150 for electronics. Spectators and crew still get free entry with a donation to STARS and the Food Bank.

Mike Wynnyk

More Drag Racing in the news
A couple of people sent us info regarding a recent street racing incident in Washington state. It seems the Seattle news media has not received the lambasting the Vancouver BC media has.

In a recent National Dragster editoria,l that HH only scanned through quickly, it was made clear that officials cannot (or will not) do what the lowly racer can do...attack the mainstream media. About all I can say is it has, for the most part, worked here in Canada's third largest city. 'Street Racing' is now the recognized term used in nearly every media report.

I urge racers everywhere to do whatever you feel you have to do if the use of the term 'drag racing' to describe 'street racing' bothers you. Despite the fact some people in Glendora feel it's not that big a deal.

And for the people who feel it may hurt any future chances of real coverage of the sport let me give you just this story. One of the local papers we ragged on BIGTIME recently was approached by a drag racer who had done well at a big race. He ended up sending them both a story and photo which they printed. Their response to this racer who sent it: "We love this stuff....but never get anything sent to us". Geez, not like this site has ever posted something like that before eh?

Have fun this weekend and stay safe eh...LP

Harding HOT at Mission...Thompson Beats Bucky...They're Racin' in Cow Town and Duane Shields Storms Englishtown.

Those are just some of the hilights from drag racing around the northwest today. A great weekend began on Friday for us, as Braid and Murray put on some kinda show under the lights at MRP. Murray testing a new motor without the benefit of nitrous managed a super 7.80, and some of the longest baddest burnouts we've ever seen from this car. Braid was...well Braid. He wheelied, he went sideways, he ran HARD. HH will be sending both dudes video from this weekend that they will hopefully have up very soon, so check their sites for more on their respective weekends, and listen to ROCK101.com tomorrow morning to see if Glen makes the Bro Sho.

We'll be entering in all the MRP info from the sheets in the next while, so in the meantime we present our 'Video of the Day' with a short explanation:

Over the years HH has been able to build a reputation without showing a lot of blatantly ugly wrecks. We definitely thought about this one before posting it, but feel since there was no injury, and well...oh you decide.

Harding tops MRP S/Pro field of Twenty Five
Surrey, BC driver Laird Harding solidified his place atop the Super Pro bracket at Mission Raceway Park today with a final round win. This result after two semi final appearances at the other two Mission races has him over five rounds ahead of his nearest competitor. In today's final round the white 1980 Sunbird ran a .588/10.691 on a .67 to defeat Dan Parsons, driving the same '70 Duster he once did at the original track, who went .586/11.371 on a .33 Semi finalists included that (once but not now) wheelstanding roadster we showcased a few weeks ago of Ken Orser and Joe Mura who had his Super Gas National-Event-Winning '63 Nova dialed at 9.90 all day.

54 Pro cars answered the call for round one, that in the sixth set of pairings saw Dwayne Neuman take an automatic win in his '71 Vega panel when Lee Kent of Sardis BC fouled. Don Wilson and Brian Ritchie were the other semifinalists.

The 26 car Sportsman show came down to Bills Wells and Ed Richards where another Vega panel, Wells' '74, ran a .551/13.101 on a 13.10 to get by the '56 Mustang's .593/15.31 breakout of a .34

Eight two wheelers showed today with Anita Cunningham on uncle AJ's Suzuki defeating Kevin Brennan .427/9.829/9.82 to a .473/9.00/9.01 breakout. Cunningham advanced to the finals by defeating Miles Hauer in a double breakout semi which in the other pairing saw Brennan move on when Stewart Kienas fouled.

Snowmobiles were all (3) Chad Rebec's as the Kelowna rocket flew to a 9.14 first round win over Bryce Connor, before posting a 9.017 on an 8.98 dial victory over Bill Bourdon.

In Junior Dragster Jullanne Mellof made it two-for-two in ladies finals today when she got a gift as three time, and defending track champion Michael Peck hauled off a .459 red. "It felt like good light" the champ told HH after the final, while the entire Mellof clan was on hand to celebrate her win in the 17 car program.

Canada West Doorslammer action saw defending series champion Larry Hatch of Bothell WA took his sano '57 Chevy to the win when opponent Terry Spargo fouled. Twenty cars were on hand to see the 'slow' car win. Talk is out there that a few of the 'fast' cars are not exactly liking running the 'slow' cars. It will be interesting to see what this result has on those drivers and owners.

Super Shifter is another class where talk of 'slow' cars is constantly heard, so it was cool to see a couple of FAST cars in the final today. The bad ass beetle of Terry Hoogstins ran tens like clockwork all day before meeting up with Pat Byron's clean, but fouling, street licensed Chevrolet.

The Canadian Pro Street Association rounded out a great three way feature today as Roy Mosnik and Bill Hitchcock squared off in Pro Street. The only two cars entered in the class ran great with Moznik's 8.02/168 in his '55 Chevy getting by the Hemi Duster which slowed with problems.

Campbell River's Steve Rommel was the class of the six car Real Street class running a (rumored) record 9.89/139.03 in the final against Mark Kreutz who went 10.07/135.

Dal Sangha won Super Street (not that Super Street...but the CPSA class) with only 8.40s in the low 170s. Jeremy Davies Chevelle at 8.72/159 was easily as spectacular as Dal making a good two car show.

In the 10.50 CPSA class, you may have already seen the video we posted above of Delta BC's Jason Gibson. He lost control in round one of the three car class, crossed from the right lane directly behind the '69 Nova of eventual winner Duane Aaron from Marysville WA. Our video clearly shows Gibson's ten second 302 powered cherry '66 Notchback making hard contact with the left front corner on the left wall. It slides to a stop back in the original lane facing about forty five degrees to the right. Duane jumps out to turn off the switch and remove his own helmet (not shown on the video). The Ford took a big hit and looks bad, hopefully Duane can come back from this ok. In the final Bryan McDonald fouled giving the victory to Aaron.

RACE CITY MOTORSPORT PARK
Calgary, Alberta, Canada For immediate release – May 19, 2002
SPRING IGNITOR JET CAR SHOW RESULTS
Notes: Jett Field of Pocatello, ID, made the quickest pass of this weekend’s Spring Ignitor Jet Car Show in his ‘Jett Force’ dragster. Field covered Race City’s quarter mile dragstrip in 6.19 seconds at a top speed of 230.76 mph. Serge Dion’s Top Alcohol Dragster, despite only having a quarter of Field’s 12,000 horsepower, managed a best pass of 6.20 seconds and 215.62 mph.

IN-LINE TOWING SUNDAY DRAG SERIES RESULTS
Win/r/u Name, hometown Car Make Dial-In ET MPH

Super Pro
Win Dave Leslie, Calgary ’71 Ford Maverick 10.65 10.68 123.13
R/U John Graham, Calgary ’90 Pontiac Trans Am 9.14 9.19 146.86
Semis: Tony Osredkar, Drayton Valley (’84 Ford Ranger); Rick Grey, Strathmore (’80 Plymouth Volare)

Pro
Win Trevor Bueckert, Calgary ’66 Mercury Comet 12.82 12.84 102.65
R/U Rod Havens, Airdrie ’71 Dodge Charger foul
Semis: Shelley Steffensen, Calgary (’80 Chevrolet Monza), Tony Raimondi, Calgary (’78 Olds Cutlass)

Sportsman
Win Larry Hewitt, Chestermere ’71 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 14.40 14.39 86.99
R/U Ted Bazunis, Ft. Macleod ’74 Chevrolet Cheyenne 14.99 14.94 91.37
Semis: Bruce Crow, Calgary (’87 Buick Grand National), bye.

Motorcycle
Win Harry Kopijewski, Caglary ’85 Suzuki 9.85 9.90 130.51
R/U R. Morken, Columbia Falls ’96 Suzuki 9.08 9.14 142.45
Semis: Tim Ryerson, Carstairs (’75 Kawasaki); Don Fergin, Calgary (’78 Suzuki)

Junior Dragster
Win Aaron Giroux, Canyon Creek dragster 9.60 9.72 64.18
R/U David Offord, DeWinton ’02 Cosby 11.85 11.91 50.89
Semis: Evan Sluchinski, Carvel (’00 Cosby); Ashley Bart, High River (’01 Cosby)

Thanks to Robert Rooney

WOODBURN DRAGSTRIP, WOODBURN, OREGON, MAY 19, 2002
Results from Woodburn Dragstrip's 29th Annual Season Opener presented by Baxter Auto Parts, Bud Light and KWJJ, with driver's name, hometown, year and make of car, ET and mph:

Top Alcohol Funny Car
Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, OR, '97 Camaro, 6.06, 213.77 def. Bucky Austin, Fife, WA, '02 Firebird, 6.02, 185.33

Stock/Super Stock
Tim Lisson, Canby, OR, '72 Camaro, 11.44, 115.20 def. Mary Ann Method, Kennewick, WA, '70 Nova, 10.60, 122.88

Super Comp
Jim Morris, Olympia, WA, '00 Mullis, 8.94, 169.07 def. Don Pettie, Olympia, WA, Dragster, foul

Super Gas
Don Sefton, Port Orchard, WA, '27 Ford, 9.92, 146.43 def. Ken Heard, Ridgefield, WA, '86 Mustang, 9.91, 137.71

Super Street
Jason Heard, Vancouver, WA, '70 Maverick, 10.91, 135.11 def. Gary Ericksen, Portland, OR, '71 Astre, foul

Super Pro
Gene Heaton, Vancouver, WA, '27 Ford, 10.68, 108.25 def. David Chun Jr., Vancouver, WA, '96 Soran, 9.31, 95.62

Pro
Bill Prince, Keizer, OR, '58 Del Ray, 11.20, 118.63 def. Fred Nicholas, Canby, OR, '56 Chevy, 13.04, 100.34

Sportsman
Rodney Hohlt, Portland, OR, '99 Dakota, 15.17, 83.79 def. Dave Wilson, Vancouver, WA, '71 Chevelle, 14.09, 95.71

Motorcycle
Mark Kosler, Keizer, OR, '84 Suzuki, 9.75, 133.33 def. Roger Wolff, Dundee, OR, '97 Yamaha, foul

Reported by Jonathan Adams

8:30 p.m. Have just arrived home from a long day at MRP. Will be posting results of today's racing from not only Mission but Woodburn and Race City in a couple of hours. We'll feature a bunch of cool pics along with a rather spectacular video clip that is compressing as you read this. See ya back here about 10 or so. LP

Mission Saturday falls to rain.......again. See y'all tomorrow.....hopefully.

New Stock/Super Stock Video
It has been decided to wait until the end of the season to produce a video tape featuring the Mission Hemi Shootout. Due to the rain delays we did not get enough on-track footage to produce a product worthy of what you have come to expect from HH. We could probably make one now and sell a bunch of 'em, but that's not they way we do things around here. A couple of reasons, other than the rain problems, helped make our decision.

One, we very much want to do something a little bit different than Four Days in May, the sheer drama of which will probably never be duplicated. To do a tape just to do one is not an option, especially because of the already delayed HHY2K+1, which has been sitting on a hard drive half done for months. The second is that we sincerely want to showcase much more than last year. The next S/SS vid will now feature action from every Div. 6 Lucas race PLUS highlights from the Las Vegas event in October. This means we'll get to show you more cars, including some new west coast Hemi rides which are slated to be at THE STRIP for what will surely be one of the largest races ever on the left coast.

We made a cool tape in 2001. We're gonna blow your socks off with what we'll do in time for Xmas 2002!

Thanks much for your input, we assure you the wait will be worth it. LP

Woodburn Dragstrip set for Season Opener
The Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Oregon, will officially kick off the 2002 season with the 29th Annual Season Opener presented by Baxter Auto Parts and Bud Light. More than 300 racers are expected to attend the event, including ten Top Alcohol Funny Cars, four Top Alcohol Dragsters and two Jet Cars.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Bucky Austin, the "Northwest Hitter", is one of the favorites. Austin is currently in the top 10 in the national Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points standings. Expected to challenge Austin is former Northwest Nationals champ Randy Parker, as well as Matt Goss, and Clint Thompson, among others. Steve Federlin, who won Top Alcohol Dragster at the Winternationals and like Bucky Austin is in the top 10 in the national points standings, will take on Kim Parker's B/AD and the injected nitro entries of Gregg Lawrence and Mitch Myers.

Other classes competing at the event include: Stock/Super Stock; Super Comp; Super Gas; Super Street; Super Pro; Pro; Sportsman; and Motorcycle. Gates open both days at 8 am. On Saturday, time trials begin at 9 am, with a Cash Bash for all classes at 2 pm. The Funny Cars and Dragsters run at 1 pm and 4 pm. On Sunday, time trials get underway at 9 am. First round of eliminations is at 12 noon. For more information go to www.woodburndragstrip.com or call (503) 982-4461.

Contributed by Jonathan Adams, Woodburn Dragstrip.
jonadams@woodburndragstrip.com

HH at Mission this weekend
HH will be on site Friday to Sunday, so if you would like a video of your ride email Larry or see him at the track. Tomorrow is the big High School day with streeters in the evening. The weekend will see the Doorslammers, Canadian Pro Streeters, Super Shifters and the regular Bracket program. http://www.missionraceway.com

Revised Vegas Pro Mod results
LAS VEGAS -- Andy Neyer won the Pro Modified finale Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Flame Fest 2002. Neyer, the 2001 West Coast Pro Modified Association champion, was the night's number one qualifier and faced Canada's Dan Vogt in the final round. Neyer's Corvette experienced tire shake while Vogt's Corvette headed for the wall. Neyer backpedaled the car to record a 6.48 sec. E.T. and win the race, the first event of the WCPMA's 2002 season. In the semi's Vogt defeated Dennis Radford while Neyer got by Trevor Lowe.

More West Coast Hemi Shootout pics
Vicki Strell emailed to give the url for her pics from the big Mission event now up at http://www.teammission.com/photos/ssandhemishootout2002/index.htm

New Canadian drag bike site
We recently became aware of an all new Canadian drag bike site operated by Graeme Jones. Check it out at http://www.gofast.ca/dragbikecanada.htm

More racer sites
If you thought those turbo Gallina cars were cool have a boo at their site http://www.fastbuicks.com/

Three pages of CMDRA action now posted HERE.

The Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Assc. has some updates now posted HERE.

Larry:
I'll forward you a picture from this weekend of Greg Hunter test and tune at Medicine Hat the numbers weren't spectacular ,but the "Crower clutch" experience was needed and appreciated. Will send more if better pic shows up.
Ian Gellately
Maddhatter Racing/Crew Shotgun Racing

Dale Carlson drives George Swann's AA/FD Quicktime Broadband Video

We should go to the moto cross more often...also today at Mission Raceway. Same requirements as above.

Fuller Hot at Firebird
"Amazingly enough, the streak continues for the wicked Mustang of Dennis Fuller. Fuller has now put together a string of nineteen round wins in four outings, including three victories in Super Pro." Goto http://www.firebirdonline for more.

O'Hara wins Mission Top Fuel

"I'm not sure if it's the very first time" said a jubilant Dave O'Hara today after winning the opening race of the 2001 CMDRA Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel series. "But it's definitely the first time in a long time!" This in reference to his win over six time CMDRA title holder Ron Houneit in today's final round race.

The money run saw the top two qualifiers square off in a great race. O'Hara's .496 was better than Houneit's .539 with the winning time of 6.920/198.23 ahead of the defending champ's 6.953/199.68. In round one Houneit had Low ET with a 6.892. Top speed honors went to Edmonton's Ken Kent with runs of 202.83 in round one followed by a 203.43 loss to O'Hara's 6.95.

Steve Heidner won Pro Fuel over the rear engine machine of Chris Gartman, while in Pro Dragster it was Steve Cromb victorious over Al Miles.

It was all Len Darnell in the heads-up Import class Pro Modified. Limited to a 10 inch tire and weight the Vancouver WA rider's nitrous Suzuki won with a new CMDRA record 7.403/175.06. Runner up was Buff Kobs here from Coeurd'Alene Idaho. Top speed in this smokin class was a 181.15mph blast from Gord Smith. Of note was how very, very cool this class was. With the move to a ten inch tire this class ROCKS! Look for elapsed times to drop when these guys get a track without the heat of today.

Speaking of which was 127F on the line at mid afternoon.

Lee Uhrich won Pro Stock over Toni Froeling, Modified went to Stephen Graf over Mike Downey, Bryan Bell defeated Ralph Gerow in the final of Super Gas. Darnell Doubled up with a win in Super Bike over Mike Sheehan, while Dave Galbiati won Street and Tyrone Wiens our Trophy winner today.

LOTS more comin yur way tonight as we prep some pics and some AWESOME video featuring Dale Carlson running 7.24 197mph in George Swann's AA/FD today!!!

Stone wins $1200 at Ashcroft.
Speedzone magazine publisher Dean Murdoch called HH to tell us Chris Stone won the non-electronics bracket at the Eagle Motorplex today over Jake Martens while Randy Hearn won the Electronic bracket over Ray Caswell.

John Scialpi is Flame Fest 2002 Pro Mod victor;
Landram wins first Pro division finale at The Strip at LVMS

LAS VEGAS -- John Scialpi of West Covina, Calif., won the Pro Modified finale Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Flame Fest 2002 -- an event which also featured jet cars and Ed "Outlaw" Jones' stagecoach wheelstander. Scialpi's radical 1957 Chevrolet Pro Modified (sporting a superchaged 526 cu. in. Chevrolet engine) ran 219.36 mph to defeat Meridian, Idaho's Tim Wallace, who posted a top speed of 193.18 mph in his 1963 Corvette. Scialpi also set low E.T. (elapsed time) of the meet with a pass of 6.373 sec. down The Strip's quarter mile.

Becky Landram of Las Vegas moved up from the Sportsman to Pro ranks for the 2002 season and won her first Pro final round by defeating Buffalo, N.Y., area native Jerry Mock. Landram and fiance John Phlegar both campaign 1972 Chevelles sponsored by Marie Callender's in The Strip's Pro division. Phlegar was the Pro division's No. 1 Qaulifier Saturday.

Landram's father, Ron, is a veteran of The Strip's Pro wars. Becky's mother, Grace Creason, is a regular competitor in the Sportsman ranks and earned No. 1 Qualifier status Saturday night.

Scott Horsley ("Class of '55" 1955 Chevrolet) also scored his first victory of the 2002 season by outrunning Scott Macahael in the Sportsman ranks.
Kahea Woods topped points leader Leo Shaver in the Motorcycle class. Rick Rogers won Nostalgia Outlaw over Las Vegas' Chiney Mangru and John Irving lit the win light in the Street class. Ty LeBaron defeated Shaun Anderson for High School honors.

Lynn Farnum earned No. 1 Qualifer status in the Street division and Bill Wayne of Bullhead City, Ariz., was the Nostalgia Outlaw class' No. 1 Qualifier.

Jerry's Nugget Casino Reaction Time Bonus Awards (for the best reaction time on a winning run in the first round) were won by Mark Piel (Pro), Phil Doughty (Sportsman), Mike Benefico (Sportsman) and Leo Shaver (Motorcycle).

Big Kahuna Awards, sponsored by Surf City Bar & Grill, were claimed by Bob Wong (Street), T.J. Fogarty (Sportsman) and Brad Chapman (Pro).
The Strip at LVMS will host the B&M Racers Appreciation Series May 17-19, with $10,000-to-win each day.

PRO MODIFIED
Winner: John Scialpi (West Covina, Calif.) '57 Chevrolet 6.481 sec./219.36 mph
Runner-up: Tim Wallace (Meridian, Idaho) '63 Corvette 7.789 sec./198.13 mph

PRO
Winner: Becky Landram (Las Vegas) '72 Chevelle 11.665 sec./86.75 mph
Runner-up: Jerry Mock (Las Vegas) '70 Nova 15.659 sec./70.71 mph

SPORTSMAN
Winner: Scott Horsley (Las Vegas) '55 Chevrolet 12.762 sec./101.38 mph
Runner-up: Scott Machael (Las Vegas) '63 Dodge 12.652 sec./103.53 mph

MOTORCYCLE
Winner: Kahea Woods (Las Vegas) '95 Suzuki 8.922 sec./130.15 mph
Runner-up: Leo Shaver (Las Vegas) '87 Kawaski 10.615 sec./129.01 mph

STREET
Winner: John Irving (Boulder City) '99 Corvette 13.607 sec./97.62 mph
Runner-up: Lynn Farnum (N. Las Vegas) '98 Camaro Z-28 13.543 sec./102.63 mph

HIGH SCHOOL
Winner: Ty LeBaron (Las Vegas) '02 Dodge Stratus 17.370 sec./80.21 mph
Runner-up: Shaun Anderson (Las Vegas) '96 Chevrolet S-10 16.636 sec./78.53 mph

NOSTALGIA OUTLAW
Winner: Rick Rogers '69 Mark Williams dragster 8.544 sec./146.64 mph
Runner-up: Chiney Mangru (Las Vegas) '67 Chevelle 9.013 sec./151.02 mph

Houniet leads Top Fuel qualifying at MRP

Defending Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Assc. Top Fuel champ Ron Houniet from Maple Ridge, BC (far lane in photo) leads after three rounds of qualifying at today's CMDRA season opener at Mission Raceway Park. His 6.907/201.61 came beside Dave O'Hara's (near lane in photo) number two qualifer, a fine 7.022/193.38.

In Pro Fuel Steve Heidner is number one with a 7.34/167, while in Pro Mod, Len Darnell leads a stellar field with a 7.403/171 on his nitrous Suzuki from Vancouver WA. Lee Urich is tops in Pro Stock at 8.11/152.51, and Stephan Graff leads Modified with an 8.87/145.44. Darnell also holds top position in Super Bike with a .408 reaction time. His 8.26/156 is also low et and top speed of the class. Bryan Bell is number one in Super Gas with a 10.26/122 as Dave Galbiati is first in Street with a .434 rt and Christian Mericier tops Trophy class with a .449.

Action tomorrow gets under way at 9:45 a.m.

More video notes: I am still getting a few people saying they cannot view the videos, in one case they can see some but not others. From my stats I know that thousands of you are viewing this stuff every day so all I can suggest is to try it at a time when it's not so busy such as early morning or very late night. Trying it between 8pm -11pm is the worst time. Also be aware that all recent Quicktime videos are for people who have a broadband connection such as cable or DSL. If you have dial-up it could take a LONG time to show anything on the screen. We have the latest state-of-the-art video compression software on order that should help. We hope to be able to get about twice the quality we have now at half the bandwidth. As well, it should allow us to produce online videos that automatically switch the viewer to whatever hookup you have from 56k to T1. It's all coming asap, so please hang in there.

Racing this weekend:

Ashcroft Track Manager Bill Kraus called to let us know there will be a Test and Tune 'class' duiring this weekend's Big Buck Bracket Bash as in two weeks at the National Open there will NOT be a test day as in past years. Also this weekend the Plex will serve up an Electronic and Non-Electronic Brackets, as well as Juniors and an all new Street Legal class. If you are looking for a room check out the Cache Creek Motor Inn 1-800-694-8819 Tell 'em we sent ya!

Bremerton Raceway hosts a couple of events: Saturday May 11 sees a Test & Tune/NW Fast Bracket Association Shoot Out ($4000 PAYOUT) Non-Electronics Shootout ($2000 PAYOUT)/Car Club Challenge & NW Super Comp Association, while May 12 is their 10th Annual MOTHER’S DAY NATIONALS – Special Ladies Bracket/NW Super Comp Association

Mission has the big CMDRA Season Opener featuring some of the quickest and fastest bikes on the west coast. HH will be on site all weekend to bring you nightly updates.

Woodburn Dragstrip bracket races Saturday May 11 in their VP Racing Fuels Presented by Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants ET Racing Series, then Sunday May 12 they feature the Les Schwab Tire Centers • Toyo Tires
IMPORT & SPORT COMPACT CHALLENGE

Pacific Raceways Night Bracket racing starts at 3pm Saturday only

Firebird Raceway in Boise runs Saturday only with the 16th Annual SPRING MOTORCYCLE & SNOWMOBILE DRAGS by Woody’s Outdoor Power/Carl’s Cycles/All-Terrain Sports/Indian Motorcycle/Big Twin-Gold Cup Points (Open: Noon, Race: 5 pm)

And don't forget Sunday is Mother's Day!

Mission Lucas Rain Date Schedule
The Mission Raceway Park Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event that was rained out this past weekend has been rescheduled for Saturday June 22. All LODRS fields are set and closed (NO NEW ENTRIES). Friday Test and Tune available (operated exclusively by Mission Raceway Park) for $50 (Canadian funds). All LODRS competitors will get one time trial Saturday morning and then commence eliminations. Sunday will be the rain date.

Originally scheduled for that weekend is the Pro Mod/Pro Street Challenge. Qualifying and time trials for that event will be intermixed with Saturday eliminations for the LODRS competitors.

Following is a schedule of the June 21-23 weekend.

Thursday June 20
Parking 12PM

Friday June 21
Gates open 7AM
Test and Tune 9AM-6PM

Saturday June 22
Gates open 7AM
Time Trials 8:30AM
Eliminations 12PM

Sunday June 23
Rain date for LODRS and the Mission Raceway Park Pro Mod/Pro Street Challenge featuring the West Coast Pro Modified Association, the International Street Car Association, and the Canada West Doorslammer Series.

A couple of new racer sites to tell you about:

MarkHentges.com

JoeDelehay.com

Mission videos now posted HERE

Jerry Jenkins Low ET Video...featuring Mike Booker. Quicktime 5 Player required.

HH EXCLUSIVE: Agent triple w snaps pic of new Stocker for Jim Waldo!

"The car is the new Waldo Stocker. It was purchased off an used car lot in So. Cal., one owner lady driven PONTIAC Firebird. Then it was taken to Weibe Race Cars to become a true Stocker. This was the day that the car was delivered from WRC to the proud owners." Click on the thumbnail here for a full size image.

Sunday Mission pics HERE and HERE

More coming soon.

Comp and Super Stock Records at MRP

The following records were officially completed this past weekend.

SS/CM Jeff Lane, North Bend, WA 8.91 149.75
SS/AX John Gallina, Las Vegas, NV 8.36 167.84
SS/PA Jim Johnston, Ladner, BC 11.71

C/EA Phil Cocuzza, Acton, CA 7.88 170.13
K/AA David From, Pilot Butte, SK 8.12 159.51
C/EA Jimmy DeFran,k Tarzana, CA 8.27 163.36
G/AA Maureen Jondahl, Battle Ground, WA 8.55 157.04
F/SM Adam Bowdish, West Linn, OR 8.90 152.61

Weekend Feedback:

Larry,
After having travelled to Mission with a couple of Super class cars for the Lucas Divisional, it was a disappointment to see we could not get the event in due to the inclement weather. But who cares because the Hemi cars rocked!!!!
Hess' 8.71 pass just blew us away! Wheels in the air for what seemed like an eternity and a nice straight pass made the West Virginian Hemi a racecar we won't soon forget.
Having moved to Alberta only 5 years ago from Ontario, we saw Hess, Aluise, McCallum, the West Virginia Smith clan and many more with regularity in Division 1. To see the "yellow" flamed car of Bucky's on the West Coast, was like beauty to our eyes. I can't forget the gorgeous Californian red car of Holton/Ogburn and Allyn Lee's black beauty, but the Hess car absolutely did not disappoint.
Long live Hemi Super Stock A cars and I look forward to June 21!
Mike Ferstl
Calgary, Alberta

Hi Larry

This past weekend at the Lordco Auto Parts sponsored BC Nationals at Mission, I was reminded once again that there is more to drag racing than getting down the track faster than the competition. Its well known that drag racers help each other out, but their fans should also know that they also contribute to many off track causes, and this time its the San Cobble/Van Isle Reunion's silent auction that will raise funds for kids suffering from cancer.
Ray Barton of Barton Racing Engines, along with Twig Zeigler and Mitch Meyer of the EPHA Hose Protection Products Top Alcohol Dragster donated t-shirts for our auction. The good folks from Holton Super Stock Hemi's promised to send us some stuff and we are hoping to hear from the Power Punch bunch.
These guys spend a lot of time away from their race cars talking to their fans and as evidenced here, contributing to a local charity. On behalf of the San Cobble/Van Isle Reunion Committee I would like to thank them for contributing to a worthwhile charity, the Canadian Cancer Society's Cops for Cancer "Tour de Rock". 100% of the proceeds from the Reunion will be donated to this charity.

Rick Gonder

11:30 p.m. Mission Gets Second Lucas...sorta
"It'll be almost like having a second Lucas" one person joked to HH. Actually today's 4:30 p.m. rain-out of the Lucas/Lordco at MRP has set us up for one of the greatest weekends this track has ever seen. A full tilt West Coast Pro Mod show Sunday proceded by a one day Lucas with some of the best cars in the world Saturday. "We'll be back" Tree Shields (Duane Shields' mom) told HH tonight. That news will make the weekend (plus a test and tune Friday....that for sure some of the Pro Mod teams will LOVE!) of June 21, 22, 23 one to mark on your calendars right now.

The race to 270
Hentges mentioned to us he would love to be the first blown car over 270. Those Las Vegans may have something to say about that. This mark will fall here in June.

The tale-of-the-top-end is currently:
Shields 268.97mph to Hentges 267.32mph

Those Darn Hemis
"The fast guys are all here" one who should know told us. It had never actually come to mind, that could well be true. Ogburn/Holton/Mandella, Jerry Jenkins, Bucky Hess, Dave Barton, the Lee Bros. When all other names were brought up, the same person repeated "are all HERE!"

Speaking of the Red Deer gang. This was the first time that big black eh stick piece had run since....this race last year!

Indy's bigger, but once asked if Mission is better to a man they all said yes.

We have Bucky Hess on tape stating this is the best track he runs on. No question.
Rather large statement indeed, but one you will see and hear in the coming days.

The first ever UBS PaineWebber Super Stock Hemi Shootout truly did live up to expectations performance wise. The late Friday session was without a doubt the greatest Super Stock horsepower display EVER seen ANYWHERE. And we have it all.

Another video? Maybe. Hopefully. The story line this time around was far different, with the Hemi cars ruling amid a powerstanding air show.

The shootout was full of odd controversies. The apparent burndown of Barton by Aluise resulted in track officials saying to HH that Joe Jr had never run with an autostart system in place. Whatever caused it, Barton toasted a tranny and converter and we understand words were exchanged. Track prep also came up from a couple.

Regardless, it was a show like nobody but us will probably get to see again for another year. HH had much talk with all the teams and officials. This will continue. Despite talk of a west coast version of Indy, probably at Pomona, this race at this track has some long legs me thinks.

A second Hemi Shootout is all but assured. The main man behind much of it was Dean Murdoch of Speedzone Magazine. He learned a LOT of shit this weekend. Few locals have ever gone into a deal of this stature and had it turn out so well. We didn't see too many people whining about too much at all. In fact most of 'em had major smiles on their faces as they packed up between the early evening showers.

Much discussion this weekend was with people wondering why this track keeps this date. "Since the old track first opened, we have always run a big race this weekend" Ron Farmer told us today. Past records showed little or no rain on the first weekend in May. "The weather patterns have definitely changed" added the former track manager.

There are a number of reasons why the track keeps this date. One is performance. BCCCA feels very strongly about being the quickest and fastest track. You need to be here in May (or October) to get primo go fast conditions. Few if any Northwest operator would want to change dates, as most are tied in with a tradition of their particular date corresponding to a long history of 'big' races at their facility. Such as this one is with Mission.

There is a lot involved with changing a date like this. Could it happen though? I guess maybe, but it would surprise the heck outta this writer if it ever did.

On a scale of one to ten HH gives this past weekend a nine. If ten is perfect this is second. The rain just killed any momentum other than Friday, but that was one impressive day of drag racing.

We have some nice photos coming soon. Our traffic is way up over normal, so we're continuing on this MRP blitz that will see us spend most waking hours the next two days on this site. Thank you to everyone who supported HH this weekend at our home track. The Racers, officials and many friends who made this weekend an unforgettable one.

Pics soon. LP

Top Comp Top Ten

1. Shawn Cowie, Mundies Towing BAD 6.729/205.57
2. Todd Hoerner, Miller Genuine Draft dragster 6.870/196.33
3. Rod Langley, Boise Idaho 7.166/185.83
4. Jeff Devey (who will be back to take on Glen Braid) 7.294/184.65
5. Jerry Durant Sr. BAD 7.308/184.99
6. Brent Murray, Untamed Racing Fiat Topolino, 7.349/186.29
7. Dennis Fuller, Nitrous '97 Mustang, 7.391/186.18
8. Tom Elliott, the Champ is in with a 7.408/178.00
9. Ken Nelson 7.432/183.15
10. Craig Donaldson, Lumpy ROCKS to a 7.464/185.56

Four hours of sleep Friday night caught up to me last night when I got home at about 9:00 p.m. and basically fell asleep in my office. Not much to tell other than the Super Stockers went down the track once. We got a lot of work and visiting done however amid the showers.

This morning it's more of the same, so I have serious doubts this one will get done. Hope to have more pics, vids etc later tonight along with a rain date we hear is rumored for July.

I think northernthunder has updates, and for you starving Top Comp people, we will make sure we get a sheet today and post info for you. It was not included in the one we got Friday and we didn't realize nobody posted any qualifying.

I slept in today, it's almost 7:30, so am outta here.

MISSION RACEWAY PARK The baddest sportsman track on this planet had a day like even it has never before seen. Six of the top eight qualifiers are Hemi cars. Number one is simply a mind-numbing quickest run in Super Stock history. The highest tech, highest powered car to ever paint an SS on the side is more than officially a Buick. John Gallina's 8.028/172.11 was numbing. We understand Joey Severence, the number one qaulifier in TAD may be done with a broken motor and no parts. Many people have thoughts on why Pat Austin is not here. But it is the images we present to you now. Exclusive video frames caps of racing today from Mission Raceway Park at the Lordco/Lucas Oil Series NHRA Division Six Points Race. White Wall Willie Photo ©

Hess has Mission figured with spectacular 8.717

FRIDAY MISSION

It's 11pm, we just got home. Should we go to bed? Yes. Will we before we update? NOOOOOOOO. Hang in there. Won't do a lot tonite, but will do enuf to cause you some...uh rather intense pleasure. Gimme an hour.

Told ya. 7:00 a.m. and this is said to be the best day of the next three. Rememebr the Mission webcam and dragracecentral.com it'll be an interesting day I'm sure. Little more to say other than LET'S RACE!

Later. LP

10:00 p.m. Tonight the wind blows. In the morning we race. "Hopefully around 8:30" was one unofficial time we heard. Gawd I hope so! This place is so depressing it's sick. All these cars and all these clouds...Pits had something over 200 cars when we left about 6:30. Weather has scared away mostly locals as many already here are out-of-division cars.

No cars went down the track today. Very few even made it out of their boxes.

The Hemis are here. The Hemis are here. Both Lee brothers, Hess, Barton, Ogburn, Jenkins, Raybourn, but no Chuck Rayburn. Only thing we heard was "broke on dyno". Again unofficial.

We have already learned of one major 'headache' within the ranks of the Super Stockers...bad boyz indeed.

Hess car out was out in the rain. Parked next to the Metro rig it arrived in. It's still an absolute rush to see this car at this track. To see it sittin' out covered in droplets...the sun sorta peeking out of the clouds for the first time today...

Earlier this week HH was witness to a Hemi Heaven. Click HERE for an image of three 1966 Hemi Belvederes. Jim Isherwood's Super Stocker can be seen at the rear in blue, then a 60,000 original mile unrestored 4 speed car, while front and center is a totally restored auto. Can you say Mr. Kite? Look for it out there this weekend.

Aliuse Super Stocker appears to have a different paint job than what we saw here a few years ago.

If you show up in a Hemi door car this weekend as a spectator and can prove it with a picture or video, HH will put your name in for a draw for an early copy of HHY2K+1...Whose production schedule is resting heavily on this weekend and if we can get enuf tape to do a video. Send pic or video (not longer than 15 seconds) here.

We hear a certain banged up biker and his lady are in Whistler. Hang in there buddy, wish you two were here.

Cory Thompson's new drive is gorgeous. The Firebird Stocker is ready. Pics fer sure coming soon.

Alky rigs we recognized include Meyers, Clough, Federlin, Hentges, Johnson, Severence, Bucky, Tim Nemeth and a whack more.

Reports are mixed, but general consensus is maybe ok tomorrow, ugly Saturday, maybe ok on Sunday. This can be done in two days. One, I doubt.

Great to see Phil Cocuzza here again. Local legends Perkin Bros. pulled in tonight. DeFranks are here for the first time in a while. Rumor is with Comp car too.

Seems the infamous Mission Tech Crew has found a bunch of stuff. With a number of locals and not-so-local veterans sent back to fix something.

"Nitro apparently goes berserk" –Line of the night from an alky crew guy who was listening to a nitro crew guy regarding the report of a high of 48 degrees on Saturday.

12 noon Nothing has changed other than it's wetter now than it was at eight. It's one of those dreary rainforest days with the wet stuff falling as mist. About the only conciliation is that I'm still at home working on stuff that otherwise would have been done late, so I suppose it's not all bad. Fear not however as I will journey out to the track this afternoon with my shiny clean Blazer. Getting it filthy dirty is my best attempt for a nice day tomorrow.

8:00 a.m. Trying to stay as optimistic as possible, it's not actually precipitating at the track, but the ground is wet. It is very cold and the reports call for a windy, damp day with possible clearing "about dinner time". The long term is not good, as this is supposed to hang on until well into next week. When they predict nice weather it's too often a crap shoot. Their record for ugly weather is unfortunately much better. I'm thinking good thoughts however, and will be calling 'War Wagon' Dwayne later for as my native friend told me a couple of weeks ago on another MRP rainout that he "got a bit too tipsy last night, stumbled out of his motorhome in the pits and by accident did a rain dance". We'll replace his Kokanee with Powerade. Then again I take the blame. I washed my truck yesterday.

This pits are crowded already. Names like Duane Shields, Mitch Meyer, Harry Holton, Dave Raybourn, Lee Bros, Robert Pond, Don Little, Eric Bell, Gary McGlasson, and BUNCH of A/SA cars including Dick Painter.

Tomorrow's Test n Tune should be a good one. Not exactly certain, but for all you web cam junkies I think we begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time.

Speaking of the famous Mission Webcam, all kinds of people are talking about the first car down the track today, the Pontiac Super Gasser of Mike Ferderer. Seems he has this thing for long, smoky burnouts on occasion. Well today Ferd baked 'em out to about 100 ft in the left lane before it went completely sideways coming to a rest about 200 feet out, inches from the right side wall! About the only other lil diddy we came up with was a certain southern California Stock record holder who had a few too many rather substantial glass bottles of spirits when he crossed into our fair country. True to form our border Nazis did what they do best and kidnapped all the extras they could carry....into their office. Those of you coming through tomorrow will probably have to deal with a bunch of hung over nastys, so be nice and always....and I mean ALWAYS, play dumb. Leave that Yankee ego in check and just smile through it all. Ok. Right.

We will not be updating from the track, but Mike Jex of dragracecentral.com will be from Friday on, and Bobby Wilson of Northern Thunder will attempt a few daily postings. Your faithful companion from HH will go home each night with more good stuff than you can imagine. So check out all the 'results' guys each day, then come back here each night, say around elevenish, for the real meat.

Victoria's Peter Wille is here with his all new SS/A Hemi Cuda. Gerry Frechette sent us a pic from last weekend's test session where it ran a best of 9.11. "We need laps" he told HH after making one run today. "This thing has only been down the track four times". It's a gorgeous ride, check it out this weekend.

The weather report is changing by the hour, so keep your toes crossed eh. Tomorrow we ROCK. LP

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