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Watch HEMI HEAVEN TRAILER This two DVD video set NOW available for immediate shipment Order HERE NEW FEATURE VIDEOS COMING SOON Wicked Street of the West - (tentative) May '06 Pacific Raceways 2005 highlights - May '06

STRIP starter to Middle East
If there's one thing that can make or break a drag strip it's the staff, and in particular the starter. HH has been very fortunate to be able to work behind some of the best in the biz including a guy who has helped make that little track down in Las Vegas so very good, Nick Heinrich.

We knew the USAF would be calling on him at some point so it came as a sweet surprise when our phone rang a couple of evenings ago. The voice of Chris Blair pounded out the usual "Hey Pfister!!" I knew where he was because of an afternoon e-mail, so it was pretty cool when he turned the phone over to Nick for a quick "see ya later" conversation direct from the Tanaya Creek Brewery in LV.

I don't need to go into any more detail other than the fact I (and maybe a lot of you) now actually know somebody who will be 'over there'. The respect I hold for such people is as big as it gets. Nick said he'd be back by the Nitro Blast Off, so you can bet we'll be there with the now traditional bottle of Kokanee.

And this Friday night is his big send-off at the Brew Pub in the Monte Carlo where everyone from the Speedway and The Air Force will be on hand for one bigtime gathering. Nick will be very much missed by a lot of people. We can't wait to see him back where he belongs. Take care buddy!

PHOTOS!! Please read
In my honest effort to try and perk up the MRP site (PS: no word yet on points), I've created a problem for myself that I'm really not sure how to solve. After posting a bunch of photos lately, a lot of requests have come in to purchase them for various uses. I don't quite know how best to say this, but I'm not into selling photos.

I'm old school in a lot of ways, but do try to stay current as best I can. Drag photographers today fit into a few different categories. Those who sell print versions and the digital shooters. Pros and amateurs. Prices range from a couple of bucks for a proof to a couple of bucks for a CD with dozens (or even hundreds) of images.

That's the problem. Figuring out how the hell to sell them for a profit. I spoke to one budding professional shooter recently who was working for free. Pretty hard to compete with that, and one big reason why many of the really good shooters have recently moved on from drag racing to greener pastures.

Many years ago I was the young, 'free' dude...and got set straight by one Phill Elliott very, VERY quickly.

Because of all this, plus the fact that many of the newer racers have spent their lives online where everything is either 'shared for free' or simply taken, and you begin to understand why I no longer do photos 'professionally'.

I can do videos OR photos. I cannot do both, so I think I had better put the ole still cam down for a while and get to doing what pays my bills and forget this little photo fantasy for awhile. I do need a break from video on occasion though...

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not pissed, just frustrated that I can't make it work. I love to shoot stills, and frankly they are much easier to work with than video, but I must get down to business here and do what needs to be done. I'm also getting word from people that if I have time to do all those damn photos "where the hell is the video I've been waiting months for?" Good point.

For the moment please enjoy the pics I've posted. You are welcome to print them off for your own uses, the only problem you will have is if one is used (especially in a commercial way) and my logo has been removed. That's about it, feel free re-post them on your sites, use them for avatars, screensavers, no problem. Just respect my wishes and don't remove the HH logo.

There are also many other shooters at all tracks who can probabaly sell you what you need.

Sorry I can't do more for yawl, but there's this lil street something video that's been ignored for a few days...

LP

B.C. Classic & Custom Car Show This Weekend
Vancouver, B.C., April 24, 2006 - It’s an annual rite of spring in the Lower Mainland, the beginning of all things people like to do with specialty vehicles. It’s the 10th Annual B.C. Classic & Custom Car Show presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Tradex in Abbotsford, and this year’s edition on April 29 and 30 will be the biggest yet.

Co-sponsored by Lucas Oil Products of Canada, Mission Raceway Park and Street & Strip Motorsports, the Show will feature hundreds of hot rods, muscle cars, race cars, street machines, and American and European classics, including John Fluevog’s wild custom 1965 Jaguar Mk. X.

A special attraction at the Show will be the return of Nitro Madness, with at least three restored nitro-fuelled race cars firing up outside the Show. Headlining the group will be the legendary “Northwest Terror,” Herm Petersen from Washington, with his gorgeous, 1969 slingshot dragster, Wayne King in his 1963 Bakersfield AA/FD along with the AA/FA Fiat of Randy Bradford.

If you have never heard a nitro-fuelled hemi running, you won’t believe three of them! The cars will be firing up at 2:00 and 8:30 pm on Saturday, and at 2:00 pm on Sunday. Just a little hint – in the Saturday night show at dusk, you should see the nitro flames dancing from the exhaust headers….

Back inside Tradex, you’ll find dozens of the top specialty automotive vendors in B.C., all ready to talk with you about your vehicle, and how their product or service can improve it.

Classic rock-and-roll group Hamilton Harvey will be playing, and Gabby’s Girls dance team will be kicking up a storm on stage.

Admission is only $10 at the door, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids under 6.

Get your motor revved up at the B.C. Classic & Custom Car Show this weekend. It’s not just a Car Show, it’s a happening!

Kerunsky extends points lead at IHRA Spring Nationals
Priddus, Alberta, Canada April 25, 2006 Western Canada’s Glen Kerunsky kept his final round streak alive with a runner-up finish in the final of the IHRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham, North Carolina. “ We ran consistent all weekend with the exception of the first qualifier and round # 2 when we shook the tire,” stated current IHRA Torco Pro Mod points leader Glen Kerunsky. We managed to run a nice and smooth 6.196 to make Sunday’s elimination by qualifying in the # 8 spot. Kerunsky defeated Matt Hagan, Mike Castellana and Jim Halsey on his way to his second consecutive IHRA final. During the burnout for the final the Kerunsky Racing 57 Chevy developed a fuel leak and the talented crew had to scramble to fix it in time to race Josh Hernandez. “We would have liked to give the fans a better race against Josh Hernandez in the final but we were happy with our weekend just the same” stated Glen. Josh was right on his game and we had to be on ours to beat him and today wasn’t our day. Each race we learn a little more and we have been working hard and going rounds while gaining those precious IHRA eMax Drag Racing Series

Kerunsky Racing finished up a test session Monday at the “Rock” before heading home to Canada for the Mopar Canadian Nationals. “We are going to take the car to Robbie Atchison’s race shop so we can freshen up our engines and blowers for the Canadian swing” stated Kerunsky. We are going to put some mileage on the hauler and plan on running the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals before going all the way to the West Coast and the Eaton Cutler Hammer Pro Mod Invitational at Mission, BC June 18-19. Then we are off to Edmonton and the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals at the newly named Castrol Raceway, June 23-25 before returning east and the IHRA Motor City Nationals.

This 2006 Kerunsky Racing Team consists of Crew Members Mike Gondziola, Mike Pople along with Glen’s wife Cindy Kerunsky. The new Kerunsky Racing website is nearly complete and scheduled for launch soon. The new website address will be www.kerunskyracing.com.

HH take: Hmmm? And we also hear that Distefano is considering being at the MRP race...and "we're going after a bunch of the IHRA guys". Yes it's been tried before, but this is shaping up to be a very special Pro Mod drag race at MRP...the same weekend as the Seattle Lucas........

Bucky Hess TOSSED from Hemi Series after DQ at Belle Rose!
Some of the wildest 'comments' have been here.

Click on pic for Powerama Photos

Attention Seattle Hemiholics
HH will be at this weekend's NHRA National Open at Pacific Raceways...and we will have a very few copies of Hemi Heaven. This is your only chance to get them in the U.S. Northwest this year without having to wait for the mail, and for this race only we'll be selling them for $30. See LP or Rich Carlson.

Also don't forget today's big Burnout party at Freddie's Casino at 3410 Pacific Hwy E Tacoma, WA in Fife. Note, this is an adults (over 21) only party. Click on the image above for a directions, and for more goto pacificraceways.com

Tomorrow on HH Powerama 22
Featuring photos by Todd Young

Zillions of new MRP pics are now linked from their homepage. Would be interested in what you may like more. Many uncaptioned pics like the way these pages were done...or maybe about a third or even a quarter as many with captions. No way I can do more than that. I can't decide so what's your call? E-mail me. As for photo sales, I'm still trying to figure out a fair (and simple) way to do it, so until I come up with something the online versions is all I can give ya right now.

We are still working to get the Mission points done and correct. It is currently out of my hands with MRP staff dealing with it. Once I have them I will post them.

Many asking about photos from the past few races. I guess I'll have to sit down and figure out how best to do this. Unfortunately it won't be anytime soon because of other work that must be finished first.

Will try my best to get some pics up here or on mrp site asap.

FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed Pro Street Team runs fastest speeds in history of the sport.

April 23, 2006 - The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Nevada

The FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed Pro Street drag racing team ran a string of 226 plus mile per hour runs en route to their runner up finish at the Pacific Street Car Association Las Vegas Nationals presented by Deeds Performance. The team and their Extreme Speed sponsored black 1957 Chevrolet bodied Twin Turbocharged monster, had reset their one race old speed record of 219 with a 222.99 mile per hour blast 2 days earlier during the make-up for the rain delayed PSCA Winternationals in February. During the first round of eliminations, the team caught a break when a problem with a turbo seal caused driver Ed Thornton, of Chino Hills, California to abort the run. Luckily, the driver in the other lane Randy Walker of Palm Desert, California had fouled handing the round win to Thornton.

“I saw Walker out on me and all the sudden smoke everywhere inside the car so I lifted,” explained Thornton. “I thought it must have blown up but the motor was still idling when I turned off the track. Then I found out he red-lit and the race was on to figure out what had happened.”

The team rallied and repaired the damaged turbo seal and reported promptly for round number 2 where they received a single run due to breakage by their opponent Gil Nevarez of Las Vegas, Nevada. It was during that run that the team laid down an impressive 6.56 elapsed time at over 226 miles per hour. At the time the run was over 3 miles per hour over the speed record they had set just 2 days earlier.

“We found a few things over the winter with our engine combination,” stated Shane Tecklenburg of Aliso Viejo, California who tunes the engine. “We changed the cam and some other things we were wondering about and they paid off in a big way but at the same time threw us a curveball on applying the power to the track. We have been waiting for the right conditions under which to show our hand and we were going to do that first round but then the shaft seal gave out and we had to shut off.”

The semi-final round pitted Thornton against Washington's Jeremy Devies. Neither car had enough traction and both cars skated around until about 300 feet where Thornton regained traction and sped away for the win 6.70 at 226.66 which was the new unofficial PSCA Pro Street Speed record. The 6.70 was enough to give Thornton his choice of lanes in the final against rival Steve Paulaskis of Phoenix, Arizona driver of the WFO Racing Nitrous Oxide assisted Chevy Cavalier.

The final round was a rematch of the semi-final round from the makeup race which took place 2 days earlier. That matchup saw the FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed team take the win in by a very narrow margin 6.57 to 6.58.

All eyes were on the starting line as the drivers staged their cars. At the green, Paulaskis took the advantage by .003 seconds with a .020 reaction to Thornton’s trailing .023. At the 60 foot mark the WFO machine pulled out to a .07 second lead but by the halfway point the margin had been closed down to .05 seconds and as they approached the stripes and the numbers were revealed both teams let out cheers of admiration for the awesome race which had unfolded in front of them. Paulaskis emerged the victor when his 6.515 at 217.11 miles per hour reached the finish a mere 4 inches ahead (.0014 seconds) of Thornton’s 6.513 at 228.73 miles per hour. The cheers turned to hand shakes and high fives from both teams as they realized they had just been part of drag racing history. The Quickest and Fastest side by side race in Hughes Performance Pro Street history and the Fastest speed ever recorded by any legal pro street car in the world.

Said Thornton of the run " I was pounding on the steering wheel thinking I had him as we crossed the stripe but then I noticed the win light was on in the wrong lane. It was an awesome race and I am just happy to represent Extreme Speed for this historical race."

The FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed racing team would like to extend recognition to their sponsors without which their race effort would not be possible.
Extreme Speed, Red Line Oil Company, ROSS Pistons, Precision Turbo and Engine, BEP Performance, Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, JEffCo Transmissions, The Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Jeff Johnston's Billet Fabrication and Hogans Intake Manifolds.

The next race on the PSCA Tour is scheduled for May 19th – 21st at the California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Van Isle drivers dominate RJ Enterprises/VP Fuels Doorslammers
Three of the six cars running in the quarter finals of today's RJ Enterprises/VP Fuels Canada West Doorslammer event at Mission Raceway Park were from Vancouver Island with two going to the final round where Sidney's Craig Donaldson took the win over Denn Woods of Duncan.

Twenty three cars came to play with 19 running first round. Top qualifier (7.306/192.63) Terry Spargo from Langley had a single in round one that he used to hammer out the best run of the weekend, a stellar 7.19/193.79, but he was unable to make the call for round two.

Results

RJ Enterprises/VP Fuels Canada West Doorslammers
W - Craig Donaldson, Sidney, B.C. '97 Firebird .022/7.47/7.642/156.11
RU - Denn Woods, Duncan, B.C. '66 Nova .039/8.2/8.820/150.12

Pro
W - John Korfiatis, Richmond, B.C. '70 Nova .003/11.54/11.566/114.48
RU - Zach 'Piston' Liston, Mt. Vernon WA, '55 Chev foul -.012/955/9.567/138.39

Bike
W - Kevin Brennan, Chilliwack, B.C. '92 Suzuki .037/8.97/8.952/133.98
RU - Stewart Kienas, Mission, B.C. .051/11.13/11.069/117.47

Super Pro
W - Stefan Kondolay, Chilliwack, B.C. '67 Camaro .023/10.90/10.030/138.44
RU - Fred Hoffman, Seattle, WA, '67 Camaro .019/10.87/10.963/129.98

Sportsman
W - Steve Adams, SeatTac, WA, 'Olds Wagon .017/14.83/14.895/86.11
RU - Gerald Patzer, Abbotsford, B.C. '03 Pontiac .047/15.25/15.323/87.09

Super Shifters
W - Eric Rowlett, Maple Ridge, B.C. '83 capri .063/12.72/12.942/106.66
RU - Will Zoric, Langley, B.C. '62 Chev foul -.117/10.92/112.537/78.71

Junior Dragster
W - Holly Clark, Rosedale, B.C. '06 Creative .085/8.90/8.928/71.00
RU - Cydney DeFrang, Auburn, WA, '04 Motiv .039/7.93/7.903/75.03

Lordco Super Combo
W - Dan Parsons, Powell River, B.C. Duster .067/10.90/10.949/131.09
RU - Dan Scheffler, Lynwood, WA, foul -.012/10.90/10.931/130.89

NOTE: MRP points will be posted Monday...later.

WFO wins Vegas...Thornton 228mph!!!

Mission Results...MacKenzie again in S/P...Doorslammers WOW with over two dozen entries!!

Phil Davis is just one of the wild n crazy doorslammers who will have one more qualifier Sunday morning before moving into eliminations.

Together with Super Shifters...dot 90 Combo...High School...a bunch of excellent bracket racers...and some wild Test n Tuners all on the most perfect April day you can imagine at MRP.

WFO/Thorton WAR continues at LVMS...Not since the days of Braid and Murray has the left coast seen a pair of bad boyz go at it like this.

Ronnie Sox R.I.P...

Our most fearless prediction is easly the one about the MRP Webmaster...tonight it's really late, we have the results but don't even want the points until tomorrow night.

Junior Dragster
W -Brandon Rachel, Surrey, B.C. '03 B&R .051/9.30/9.302/70.06 mph
RU Cydney DeFrang, Auburn WA, '04 Motiv .071/7.93/7.952/72.76 mph

High School
W - Spencer Doucet, Surrey, B.C. '78 Camaro .091/13.36/13.478/96.52 mph
RU - Sharissa Murphey, Earl Marriott Sec. '82 Jaguar .190/15.80/15.698/86.41 mph

Super Shifters
Terry Hoogstins, Maple Ridge, B.C. '57 VW .074/10.78/10.799/115.13
RU - Rory McNeil, Surrey, B.C. '85 Mustang, .099/12.31/12.321/106.97 mph

Lordco Super Combo
W - Mike Scheffler
RU - Herman Chan

Bike
W- Kevin Brennen, B.C. '92 Suzuki 1394cc .005 8.98/9.011/131.77 mph
RU - Doug Rathburn, Oak Harbour, WA '74 Kawasaki 900 Kawi .071/9.31/9.375/134.64 mph

Sportsman
W - Rob Broderick, Princeton, B.C. '82 Cutlass 350 Chev .096/13.89/13.894/96.44 mph
RU - Floyd Baker, Brackendale, B.C. '75 Nova 327 Chev foul -.059/13.10/13.143/101.27 mph

Pro
W - John Korfiatis, Richmond, B.C. '70 Nova .043/11.54/11.623/109.23 mph
RU - Curtis Munson, Sechelt, B.C. '81 Malibu .179/11.09/11.147/119.77 mph

Super Pro
W - Ron MacKenzie, New Westminster, B.C. '74 Vega .011/10.85/10.841/133.78 mph
RU - Al Quigley, Aldergrove, B.C. '93 Mustang foul -.008 10.56/10.530/125.31 mph

It's Powerama time in Edmonchuck. The 22nd annual affair this weekend is said to feature Bonin and one of his old floppers. We hope to have some Todd Young pics to post early next week.

Oh to be a sign painter for the local track...
More Edmonton news includes a new name for the race track. Since it opened in 1991 the place has been dubbed Capital City Raceway Park, Capital Raceway, Labatt Raceway, Budweiser Motorsport Park, and now it's Castrol Raceway...just a year after Force was in town...hmmm?

The IHRA Rockys have also been extended to 2010 with an option extending to 2016. Wonder how many good ole IHRA boys have passports?

It looks like they got themselves a hemi race down in Bell Rose. Also word of a big new three race Hemi Challenge.

FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed Pro Street Drag Racing Wins Vegas With A Royal Flush
April 21, 2006 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - It took the FASTMotorsports/Extreme Speed Pro Street drag racing team no more than 6.60 seconds to prove why they are the 3 time champions in the Pacific Street Car Association Hughes Performance Pro Street Category. During the make-up for the rain delayed February event, team driver Ed Thornton made very consistent runs of 6.59 221.60 mph, 6.60 222.25 mph, 6.57 222.99 mph and 6.53 220.62 miles per hour to take the win and reset his one race old PSCA Pro Street "Extreme Speed" record of 219 which he set at the last event in Phoenix in March. The victory was overshadowed however when good friend and nemesis Clint Hairston and his Patriot Exhaust systems sponsored twin turbo camaro narrowly escaped injury as his car veered violently into Thornton's lane making contact with the guardwall during the final round.

"That kinda takes the thrill out of winning to have Clint crash against us. We have run some of the best final rounds in PSCA together and we want to have many more," said Thornton.
"Luckily Clint was okay and I think they can even fix the car for tomorrow. I'm proud for our major sponsor Extreme Speed and our newest partner Red Line Oil company that we could put this car in the winners circle. Once again my crew Shane Tecklenburg, Doug Stewart, Tom Esbri, Larry Kennedy and my longtime friend Derek Luedtka gave me the best car and I can't say enough about them."

In what will certainly go down as the one of the best matchups of the season if not all time in PSCA racing, the semi-final round against newcomer Steve Paulaskis proved to be a wild race. Paulaskis and his white hot WFO Racing Team Cavalier is the most recent winner on the PSCA tour and was qualified in the number one slot in the February race before the rain delay. After the burnouts were completed not a person on the premises was sitting down for the much anticipated race. At the green, Thornton reacted with a slight advantage .026 to Paulaskis' .033 a margin which Paulaskis quickly made up by the 60 foot clock. Thornton trailed the WFO machine all the way to the 1000 foot mark before his Twin Turbocharged 57 Chevy made a huge top end charge and barely edged out the nitrous aided machine, 6.575 222.99 to an oh so close 6.584 215, which stands currently as the quickest and fastest side by side drag race in the history of PSCA Pro Street.

"Those boys over at WFO have had our number all year and they basically spanked us in Phoenix last race," explained Shane Tecklenburg the engine tuner on Thornton's car. "We didn't want to give to give the race away but we also know what they are capable of running over there. So we made the safest choice, add power on the top end and hope we have enough."

"After looking at the MoTeC Data, I figured a little less clutch would be just the ticket in the semi-final," added clutch expert Doug Stewart. "Turns out we got it right when we needed to so hopefully we can continue this trend the rest of the weekend," he said.

On behalf of our sponsors, Steve and Karen Murray at Extreme Speed, Red Line Oil Company, Mickey Thompson Tires, JEffCo Tranmissions, Four Queens Hotel and Casino, MoTeC Fuel Injection, Brodix Cylinder heads, Jeff Johnston Billet Fabrication, BEP Performance Center, Hogan's Manifolds and Ross Pistons the FASTMotorsports Racing Team would like to dedicate this win to the memory of LVMS employee Nik "Little Nicky" Bezwerchyj who was tragically lost on April 9th in a car accident and we send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

Best Regards,
Shane Tecklenburg
Technical Consultant
ST Consulting

5:50 pm Pro Street Final
Hairston crashes. Hit both walls, stayed upright, he is ok.
Thornton 6.53 at 220.62

5:00 p.m.
3rd run 6.57 at 222.99

3:45pm
6.559 at 222.25 for Ed in round 2.

1:45 pm
Thornton runs 6.59/221 at LVMS

Jeggy leads Hemis after one round in Belle Rose.

So much stuff being sent into us, it's really hard to keep up. Here's as much as we can handle at the moment. Tons o racing this weekend from regular stuff at Mission to PSCA at Vegas. HH'll be out at MRP probably just Sunday. Wicked is major time consuming. We're now up to 1998 and with the really large amount of files still to come. Completion time is still at least a month.

Gas prices worldwide (US $/US gal/regular unleaded):

Sony 'dream cam' coming soon?
While we dream of the 'perfect' camera, Sony is hinting that something close to it may be on the way soon with what appears to be a combo video/still camera sensor that if true could take drag racing photography to an entirely new level.

Foam ON
Remember that video of the Talon fire nobody could put out at a certain unnamed drag strip? Well somebody found a solution and tested it just outside Philly this past weekend. Found this whilst cruisin thru a rather decent forum site for Hondaholics called vancouvercivics.com.

Attack of the Giant Wheelstand
Well known PSCA racer Roger Renfrow wheels one of the most popular cars in the country, but after a near-disaterous incident at Las Vegas back in February he's been forced to put everything for sale on racingjunk.com. " I don't want to quit racing I just can't afford to do this by myself anymore. I have had e-mails
from all over the US and Canada about that wheelie and when I will be back. Its sucks I don't think I will
and I can't believe all the fans I have of my car."

Roger sent us links to a couple of videos including one of the wheelstand. Make sure you also check this one of a great 7.60 run as well. We here at HH sincerely hope we have not seen the last of Roger and his awesome Camaro. If you can help him out check his site. And if you have any issues with the video, sorry it's not ours, we can't help.

NSCA live video this weekend
On the heals of the history making webcast event of the recently completed Fun Ford Weekend at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce Georgia, the cameras of Your Way Network have set their sites on the National Street Car Associations season opener at the historic Atco Raceway April 22-23 in Atco, New Jersey.

"Our success in Atlanta was unbelievable," stated Biggs. "We couldn't have asked for anymore from the racers, crews, fans and staff at that pristine facility. Our hats are off to all the folks that made this event possible. Especially my crew, I can't thank them enough!" (Mark Walter, Dick MacKenzie, Ray Jermyn and Matt Walter rounded out the YWN line-up in Atlanta.)

Biggs told us they saw a 130% increase in viewership from the first "test" event at the Pacific Street Car Association race in February. Plus they added 4 more cameras to the mix for a unprecedented 5 camera shoot. "We where told our stuff looked as good as anything folks have seen on TV," reported Biggs. "I'm just happy it all came together. We've learned so much on the first 2 events and will add even more to the mix from those lesson when we hit the track next weekend in Atco."

This is literally the beginning for the live action of YWN. When asked what's after Atco Biggs told us this, "The phones and emails have been non stop since we returned home. We already have 7 more events schedule with 4 or 5 more in the wings. Look for us at more Fun Ford Weekend, National Street Car Association, Ontario Street Car Association, Ram Racing Naturally Aspirated Shootout and the Canadian Fastest Street Car Shootout events. We've also been approached by a major player in the motorsports entertainment business to stream an event that's been around for nearly 100 years, look for a press release on this breaking news in the near future."

Your Way Homepage portal to live feed

Pickett Bruds ready for a couple dozen more before return to strip
"We're bustin our ass in MO building 24 more trucks... no racin for now, but next year we'll have some serious shit for them!!!!"

Obviously Trick My Truck is a hit as are the Marysville WA brothers Rod & Kevin Pickett. They sent us a pic from promodsource.com (but their gallery is down so we can't link to it) showing them and the Speedtech boys at the ADRL event at St. Louis. All HH can ad is that if the brothers and the kings of nitrous are getting together...well serious shit will be an understatement.

New Pro Streeter almost ready
Thanks to Troy Cafaro for sending us a cool vid featuring an update of his twin turbo '63 Corvette that will be out soon. It's been a long time since the devastating wreck at Fontana that totaled both his Vette and Jim Basko's Oldsmobile. We look forward to seeing it in person if we ever are able to make it back to see a PSCA race.

John Heida
Finally today we touch on a very touchy subject, the sentencing of the young woman who was driving the car that took John Heida from us. HH has received some e-mails on the subject, one of which is posted below. After viewing a number of television news clips of the sentencing we have very mixed emotions on this so will not comment at the moment.

We attended the sentencing for Felicia Mitchell in the death of John Heida today.
Here are the results

She had a blood alcohol level of .178. (This was taken at the hospital 2 hours after the crash)
The speedo of the car was stuck at 93 kilometers per hour.
She pled guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
The judge awarded everything the crown asked for.

She was sentenced to:
-2 years less a day Conditional Sentence
-1 year house arrest. (only allowed to leave for work or when allowed by the courts or medical emergency)
-1 year 11 pm - 6 am curfew (with allowance for work time during the week when she works until 11:30pm)
-240 hours community service
-No alcohol or nonprescription drugs
-Not to be found in the drivers seat of a car
-2 years probation after the 2 year sentence
-Must remain in jurisdiction
-Must receive counseling
-6 year driver suspension
-Provide a sample of DNA

John Heida Project

ATTN STREETFIREites...

YA, we shot that Mustang Dyno vid. NO we didn't post it OR title it....we love ALL highPO cars, and DO NOT dis imports!!! We will admit this clip will be on 'Wicked' along with much more detail...as well az other equally awesome shit, but give us a break. Until you see the final production video PLEASE realize that ALOT of our video is 'out there' and may show up in various ways and means. Our REEL deal iz coming...soon. eh

FYI this WAS the vid that shut down our server a year or so ago. We had to pull it for that reason only. It was just TOO FREEKIN POPULAR. An hey, wit how many TOWSAND views in just 24 hours...alls we can ad rit now is when u see what we give ya on big screen DVD (Wicked Street of the West)...well hang on.

An wen it cums rite down 2 it...itz all cool. dis2

OK, now toss thu lil BB, trow in a Top Fuel engine, replace the treds with slick ones. Bring it to Vegas. I think I can get Blair to give you a run or 2. An ya. I'll video dat, but fer now, it's sorta neat.

Neerly a millun vews cant b rong...F nazcar...this roks.

PSCA racers make difficult decision
After the bad fire in Arizona recently, the noted PSCA Griffith Racing Team is calling it quits. You can read the difficult announcement here on the PSCA message board. Knowing how competitive and successful these guys were...well to simply say they will be missed is a huge understatement. You will see the many responses from their competitors and fans how much they were respected and liked. HH was honored to be able to point our camcorder at them many times and wish the entire crew nothing but the best in whatever the future holds for them.

Can I call you Tom?
Last week HH referred to it as a 'dead horse', but on Friday an editorial by Jeff Wolfe slipped past most people's radar proving once again that just cause the horse is old, it might not be ready for the glue factory yet. "Bruton Smith is having one of his lieutenants, Bristol Motor Speedway president Jeff Byrd, develop a proposal to buy NHRA."

Ya ok

Three big buck custom cars ripped off in Brockton Ontario last week includes $450,000 SEMA winner.

More

HH pics on this page, scroll down.

Mission Friday Night Apr. 7 pics

BJ Auction - all that it's cracked up to be?
Confusion on the big bus deal at Barrett-Jackson invites some interesting comments on the Hemmings Blog (scroll down and make sure to read the comments too). Then over on the television network forum flamers love to hate is this interesting entry.

Future drag racer in the making!
Proud Papa Jim Bradley, son of BCCCA's Ken Bradley, and wife Leeann are happy to announce the arrival of our baby boy Noah James. He was born Thursday morning April 6,weighing in at 7 lbs 9oz., in Edmonton, AB. Big fiveyear old sister Sarah finally has her new brother. Nitroused Jr. digger in the works? Hmm Maybe.

Sites of interest
Don't forget our ole friends over at draglist.com for not only lots of Vegas coverage, but lot's of other interesting stuff as well. And while we're at it, here's a totally blatant plug for an honest drag racing web veteran, Michael Beard. His Staging Light site was one of the very first dedicated to drag racing and now even though his present job of webmaster at Competition Plus keeps him very busy, Michael still manages to keep the light on with his own site. Ad to this an active racing lifestyle and frankly we don't know how the heck he does it all.

Another new site from another 'old'...really old friend Don Ewald. The nitro slingshot keeper of the flame has set up a cool new site dedicated to the art of the Cacklefest. Once we get a few other things done, HH will pass along some of our own cool cack video.

Video updates
We continue with a completely full slate of feature video work for a good while yet. Sales of Hemi have dropped off, so if you're thinking of buying, please do! We continue on a heavy promotional campaign for Hemi with Car Craft Magazine contacting us recently to help plug it.

Wicked is not going to be completed this month, and at this time about all we can say is May. We are currently assembling many hours of old video from a number of sources to go along with our recent footage. We've located some real gems we either didn't even know existed or forgot about. We will keep you posted on how this is going as the situation warrants. And NO, we are not taking pre-orders as of yet. We most likely will once we get closer to the release date. You can however count on this being a two disc deal.

Despite continuing requests, ALL of our individual work is on hold indefinitely. We just can't make a financial go of those, so have no choice but to continue on with our feature video plans. Once we get a couple of more features done (later this year) we will go back to the individual thing, but only for last year's unfinished stuff. HH is NOT doing individual videos in 2006.

STRIP employee will be missed
We begin today's postings on a very sad note due to the passing of a popular employee of the Strip at LVMS. Nik Bezwerchy was killed in an auto accident Sunday.

I got to know Nik Bezwerchy from his tireless work on the starting line. A quite unassuming twenty year old, Nik was one of those people you couldn't miss...and it wasn't because of his many piercings, and 'unique' hairstyle. No, Nik was one of those people who no matter what, always had a smile on his face. He didn't talk much, but worked his ass off all the time. I searched today for a picture of Nik, but could only find a couple of him from behind, so if anybody has one please feel free to pass it along.

Late last year Nik and I were talking about videos and he mentioned he had some stuff I might like. I told him I'd love to see it and within a few days both a DVD and a video data file disc were in my mail box. It was a short music video of a PSCA race. It was so good I mentioned to Sr. Director of Drag Racing Operations Chris Blair that he should have Nik doing videos there more often. I asked Nik if I could use some of it and he was thrilled. In fact it is Nik's footage in the Wicked trailer taken from the stands of the nitrous explosion. He really liked that clip and laughed at the reactions of all his buddies on the the line in the background. Notice when you watch it he didn't flinch at all, holding the camcorder steady. He was good, and yes he will be greatly missed as Chris Blair ads:

"I really don't know what to say other than that I hope you will put Nik's family and friends in your prayers tonight. As we find out ways to offer our support and help them through this difficult time I will pass it along.

Nik came to us a couple of years ago through his Uncle Danny Morales. Danny started bringing Nik to the races and he worked his way onto our crew. Over time Nik learned just about every job at the track and was a tremendous help to all of us. Nik won me over two years ago when he rode a bus to the front gate of Nellis Air Force Base and then walked the rest of the distance to work. It was more than 100 degrees, but Nik wanted to be a part of our family so bad that he walked the rest of the way to be with us. He immediately earned my respect and I don't think I could ever ask of anything more from an individual.

Week in and week out Nik was there to help. He would do any job that we asked and he always had a smile, he was a team player and he epitomized dedication. He gave us everything he could possibly give, he had a big heart and he touched all of us. I really don't know what else to say except that he meant so much to me and he became a big part of this family that we've assembled. He was loved, he was appreciated and he will be missed.

As the funeral arrangements are made and as more information comes along we will pass it along to you. Again, please keep Nik's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."

In respect to this we will do our other planned postings tomorrow. -LP

Mainstream Media screws with race fans

Your Way Network to broadcast LIVE digital TV from 16th Annual Peach State Fun Ford Weekend
New Castle, Del. - Not tape delayed, not edited, but LIVE. After several successful tests of their live webcasting abilities, the cameras of Jimmy Biggs' Your Way Network streaming video production company will make their way to the 16th Annual Peach State Fun Ford Weekend at the world class Atlanta Dragway facility in Commerce, GA on April 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2006. "The response to our live broadcast of the PSCA Winternationals from Las Vegas last month was incredible! The show received over 250,000 hits through the weekend, from all 50 states and 33 countries around the world." stated Jimmy Biggs. And this broadcast was for a regional event with limited promotion.

"Having the opportunity to partner with a world class national organization like Fun Ford Weekend is a natural for YWN", continued Jimmy Biggs. "We will bring you every round of qualifying and eliminations, right down to interviews with the drivers during the event and in the Winner's Circle, plus we will spice up the weekend with car show coverage. That's why we will be using three cameras and three complete camera crews at Atlanta."

The FFW Atlanta event will be highlighting the Pro teams, with a special guaranteed purse. The Pro class winner will be awarded $30,000, the runner-up, $10,000, plus $1,000 for the Semis and $500 for the quarter finalists.

To tune in to all the action, log in to www.yourwaynetwork.com.

Pacific Raceways to Start Off 2006 NHRA Division Six Northwest National Open Series with Fire, Smoke & Thunder April 27, 28, 29, 30 (UPDATE)
Coming off the success of their biggest season opener in decades last year, Pacific Raceways will go with a very similar package for 2006. Both the Double A Gas Supercharged cars and the jets remain as feature attractions plus Ed 'The Outlaw' Jones will be on hand with his wheelie fire truck. The Open will see competition in all the regular NHRA Divisional Classes and brackets.

Gates open at 10:00 a.m. Thursday April 27 with a Test & Tune going from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Qualifying starts Friday at 9:00 a.m. after the gates open at 7:30 a.m. There are no feature cars running Friday. Gates open same time both Saturday and Sunday. For more info click here for the PDF file of the event flyer.

All new for 2006 is a Burnout party at Freddie's Casino at 3410 Pacific Hwy E Tacoma, WA in Fife. Note, this is an adults (over 21) only deal, and sounds like fun. Click on the image above for a directions, and for more goto pacificraceways.com

More NHRA D6 Info
A number of recent updates at the D6 site includes a pre-entry form for the Firebird Lucas May 12, 13, 14 and a cool new page that will keep somebody very busy updating the out-of-division results of D6 racers. Also new is a pdf copy of the Eagle Motorplex National Open flyer. Check it all out here.

Mission to go again this weekend
Between our silly schedule here at HH (that changes about twice daily) and some early-season gremlins in the tower at MRP, work is still behind on results, points, etc. We're all working on it so please be patient.

Chilliwack Kid Wins Pomona

More on Lowes Pomona win

Vegas baby
The drag racing world will have all eyes on 'America's Greatest Dragstrip' this weekend when the big Spring show comes to town. Many locals will be competing, you know the weather will be fine, Zone and every other 'regular' site will be posting their brains out all weekend long, but perhaps the most underwhelming story going into the weekend is that of the now legendary question. Is NHRA for sale? Though the latest rumors have all but died down completely, if there is anything left in this ole horse story, this would be the perfect time to either update it or put it out to pasture...or in the case of the locale...dump it in the desert.

And finally...
Talk in border towns across Canada is all about coming changes to crossing that border. At this time (and we say that with a wink, nod, but no grin), starting for air travel on January 1 2007 (a year later for ground) you will need more than just a driver's license and birth certificate. By 2008 it gets stricter. Will this effect racing? DUH!! We still have to wait and see how this all pans out, but bottom line is it's coming, there ain't no changing it, and if anything, it will get even more stringent than the still rather vague (click on Troy Reeb link on this page for video) info we have on it now. More

Lots of local stuff to bring you, but we must begin with MRP results and points. Computer problems resulted in a couple of BCCCA boys staying up late last night doing them by hand. Once they are into electronic form (i.e. one I don't have to type up) they will be posted on the MRP site. Mission Bracket Opener Photos We had the choice of putting up a few with captions or a bunch images alone...we chose the latter. Better to keep almost everyone half happy than a few real happy...I guess.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Trevor Lowe and Co. on their big win at Super Chevy in Pomona yesterday and to Dal Sangha and team for the feature ond cover shot in the recent ish of RPM magazine.

Lowe Quote: "I will have some pics in a day or two. Car is working real good Larry, we were running low 6.30's all weekend. when I get it in high gear it really hauls ass. (second full pass in the car 6.31 et 225mph) (6.33 et 225mph) (6.35et 225mph)."

Langley Speedway needs your help NOW!
We have created an online petition to support HERITAGE DESIGNATION for Langley Speedway. Read it carefully. If you agree with the things that are said, please add your name. You will be asked to confirm your
email address, but this is to avoid spammers. Sorry for any inconvenience. This is your time to speak. Let's all try to save a peice of our past. Please sign our petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/langleyspeedway
Thank you:

Teri Temperton
Director
Langley Speedway Historical Society


Northwest Stock / SuperStock Series – 2006 Schedule Announced
Vancouver Community College, British Columbia’s Number One College, has extended its commitment for the 2006 Northwest Stock / SuperStock drag race series at Mission Raceway Park.

This series, featuring NHRA class-legal Stock and SuperStock drag cars is as follows:

In addition to guaranteed minimum payouts and trophies, the series will feature a year-end bonus to be shared among the three top racers.

Vancouver Community College and its Centre for Transportation Trades is a major provider of trades and apprenticeship training. The College, which is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, features programs in Automotive Technician, Heavy Duty and Diesel Mechanics, and Automotive Collision repair and refinishing.

Mission Raceway Park is renowned for its well prepared track surface and “good air” and has been the site of many record setting runs.

Competitors are advised to confirm with the track or with the Northwest Stock / SuperStock Association before finalizing travel plans. Further information may be obtained from the following:

Northwest Stock SuperStock Association
Jim Isherwood, President

Vancouver Community College

FASTMotorsports Extreme Speed racing tuner Shane Tecklenburg tuned the worlds fastest Dodge Viper to a record of 219.461 mph at the Hot Rod Magazine Standing Mile event Saturday April 1, 2006.
The Viper which is a true street car weighing 3900 lbs with the driver is driven by Ron Misjak Jr. and his father Ron Misjak Sr. who own Super Viper Systems Inc in West Chicago, Illinois.

"We ran 219 with the motor backed down as far as it would go'" said a gleeful Ron Misjak Jr. "We can turn the boost up and see what its really capable of tomorrow."

The car which the announcer of the event stated sounded like a street grocery getter ran an easy 219 mph which is coincidental as the tuner Shane Tecklenburg of ST Consulting tuned Pro Street racer Ed Thornton to a similar speed record last weekend at the Pacific Street Car Association event at the Speedworld Dragway in Surprise, Arizona.

"I tuned the car from my california offices on wednesday over the internet," explained Tecklenburg. "I was surprised when the boys called me as told me how good it ran. Apparently I have a 219 mph tune up," joked Tecklenburg.

The SVSI Team has the opportunity on Sunday April 2, to better their speed from Saturday. And if their luck holds up - they may be able to parlay their success into a new speed record which they hope will be up in the 220 range.

MASSIVE BALL O FIRE SEEN EAST OF MRP HH World Exclusive

Trailers seen heading east from Vancouver, also north from border and even west from...Hope! What does this mean? Is it a sign? This is FOR REAL...April Fools was yesterday...We are packing our camera and also going east to see what the hell this is. Photos tonight.

Let's see those message board boyz top this scoop...

This is scary.

219 cars and great spectator turnout make 2006 Friday Night Street Legal a big one at MRP
Civics in the twelve ohs...nitrous purges, sideways runs, big burnouts and much more made for a great first Friday Night Street legal at MRP. Photos are now up.

MRP to introduce Winter Drag Series in 2007
Mission Raceway Park has won a North America wide competition to be the host track of an exciting new drag racing series for street legal vehicles. "We'll have the first Winter Race on New Years day 2007" an official told HH during last night's street legal opener. "And yes, it will go rain or shine".

This stunning revelation has come about due to the efforts of many, specifically a major tire manufacturer who will use the series to introduce a state-of-the art rain tire for the street to the North American market.

"This will be a street car only series, be run 1/8th mile with no timers involved" HH has was told. "They've been drag racing in the rain for decades in Japan, and with the import scene so big here, it had to come to North America eventually."

With no timers involved the insurance companies can deal with it. "Just like they do at race schools that allow you to use your own car". Because the cars are not timed, street insurance will cover most any accident. With no timers it is assumed most of the spectators will gather not at the start, but the finish line. "Just like they do on the road course and oval track 'strips' of Japan".

The New Years day event will be first of a five race series that will run in the snow if conditions demand it. "We've worked with the ice racing guys and they are all for it." It is hoped however that this be a rain series, not an ice one.

To say this will be interesting is an understatement and when HH asked if it could progress to more than just street cars the answer was a positive one. "They race 1000hp rear drive Supras in the rain in Japan with grooved sprint car tires." The tire company involved has said they will bring in a pair of these cars to match racing in the initial series."

Mission was chosen for a number of reasons. One being the 'consistency' of the winter weather with much rain and little ice and snow, but was hard-pressed by another northwest track in the USA. "The Canadian dollar plus the big Asian population here on the lower mainland were the deciding factors."

HH has been involved with this since the start nearly six months ago, and will become the official site of the series. Another reason why we've been sorta 'slack' the past few months. For now stay tuned to HH and we'll keep you posted. In the meantime here is a link to the biggest drag race site in Japan that has links to their rain racing series.

Click here for last month's posting from this page