Thanksgiving Weekend NOVEMBER 21-25, 2007

LVMS 07 Bkt Nats Countdown Clock

Click here for last month's posting from this page

A note from Tom Compton, President, NHRA

It is with a heavy heart that I send this note to the entire NHRA family regarding the passing of our founder, Wally Parks.

Everyone at NHRA was touched in some fashion by Wally Parks. Some of you had the chance to work with him side-by-side. Others might have had a chance to spend some time with him to talk about his favorite topics: NHRA, NHRA Drag Racing and the museum that bears his name, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Wally loved the people he worked with at NHRA. He never implied he did it all himself, and that is one of the many attributes that made Wally so special for so many of us.

Personally, I will forever cherish the time I spent with him working hand-in-hand to grow and build the company he founded and the sport he loved. He has left us in body and mind, but his spirit and vision will live on forever.

As we obtain further information on arrangements and planned events, I will keep you posted. In the meantime, let's celebrate Wally's life and the tremendous impact he had on everyone in the NHRA family.

Bremerton National Open & other race results from Sept. 22, 23

TCS Jacket Race
Nl'akapxm Eagle Motorplex, Ashcroft B.C.
Event page updated with Saturday and Sunday photos

There is more this night than 'the crash'
Fantastic TCS Jacket Race Race completed after rain out Saturday
Home late from Ashcroft after basically one day of big buck bracket racing racing ERA style. Together with some truly spectacular test n tuners, this was the best single day of drag racing I've seen here in years.

It was the Eagle of old with great air, and stick like the glory days of the 90s.

Trevor Mathis is the 2007 King of the Track, defeating Darrin Eby in the final.

Vicki Strell won the S/P cash getting by Brad Vinje is a great race.

Eby took the Pro grand, while Mathis also become one of the richest Sportsman winners British Columbia has maybe ever seen thanks to his $1000 prize.

Dave Copeland won Snow/Bike, and Michael Karr celebrated his 15th birthday with a second career win in his rookie season of Juniors.

Geno Reda went home to Kamloops the Sport Compact champ, wheeling an Alberta '03 RXS, and Brandon Grenkow from Williams Lake won High School.

Oh ya and Ken Orser did this three times (We'll show ya the other two real soon).

Scotty Manzuik's bottled Cuda did this twice (the other not quite as high, but it went way out there. Pics soon)

And Keith Vahle went to round three of Pro like this (ya...ya, we got more Blazer wheelie pics...soon)

Finally, Dal Sangha blew his own door off...and saved it...the run I mean. The door was dust:

Bremerton bits
"A guy who has not won an NHRA race since Battlestar Galactica was a hit, and the Bee Gees had a top selling single"
-Stevie Wong on Tory Lea's win in Super Comp at today's Bremerton National Open

Brad Plourd wins the race, but Sean Kennedy is the series Combo champ for 2007

Complete results Monday, plus an epic Eagle photo essay.

This weekend the dragsters return to Bremerton Raceway.
It starts Friday when the gates open at 3 pm for Street Legals and a Test &Tune for all vehicles. General admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for Active Duty Military. Tech cards are $25.00, car & driver.

Saturday, September 22, the gates open at 8 am for the rain delayed National Open from June 24, 2007 for the Sportsman, Pro and Junior Dragsters. Also included in the day's activities will be the NW Pro Street Meet #7, the Bremerton Car Club Challenge #8 and Super Comp Association #3.

Sunday the gates open at 7 am for the 11th Annual Canned Food Drive and Kitsap Muffler Fall Classic Race, Custom Car, Hot Harley and Bike Show. The rain delayed National Open from June 24, 2007 for Super Pro, Motorcycle, Super Street, Stock/Super Stock Combo, Super Gas, Super Comp and Top Comp. This will be the last points race of the 2007 season. Tech cards [car & driver] are $35.00 for Sportsman & Pro, $40.00 for Super Pro & Motorcycles, $25.00 for High School. The $10.00 gate admission includes the car show.

This truly is a weekend that everyone will enjoy.

We ask everyone to donate canned food which will benefit the Bremerton Food Line.

Wicked votes are in...and it looks like I made the right choice after all
By a score of four to one Wicked will remain what it was originally intended to be - the story of street legal drag racing on the west coast as seen through the HH camcorder since 1991.

The 'wild only' votes were few, but rest assured the next video after Wicked will be exactly what you guys are looking for. More on that in 2008.

Work will continue on Wicked with the hope of "in time for Xmas 2007" the goal.

Thank you all for taking the time to send in your thoughts, the vast majority of which were right in line with what I've been trying to do all along.

HH to cover First Annual TCS Performance Products Fall Jacket Race
I will be at the Eagle Motorplex this weekend for the big $1000 to win (Super Pro, Pro & Sportsman) Race. I'll be shooting mostly photos as my video plate is rather full at the moment. Anybody looking for pics at the Plex let me know and I'll shoot as many of ya as I can. For more info on what should be a great event check the track site here.

Lost at MRP at the Bike Drags
A Lens shade for my Canon lens that may have fallen off the seat of my golf cart in the pits. Please let em know if you found it. Thank you! LP

Magic Monday at MRP...maybe
It doesn't happen very often, and it's never happened like this before. Tomorrow morning bout 10ish the air will come alive with the sound, the smell, the sensation of nitromethane.

Not a race bike turned a tire today at Mission Raceway Park, so tomorrow the CMDRA tries one final time to end their 2007 season. That's right folks, tomorrow we host a full pull of drag bikes on a day you can bet will be sparsely attended. Then again, if there was EVER a time to call in for a Monday off, this is most definitely it.

Should the weather come back (and it's supposed to) , this will be a flat awesome show.

How about Sherwood Park's Andy Beauchemin, qualifying in both Top Fuel (8th) and Pro Fuel on two nitro bikes. I'm not sure that's ever been done in the CMDRA. He'll face Rob Smith in round one, who, if he falters, there's no better guy to be playin' catch up than Crazy Andy on that seemingly one wheel Fueler. Smith however looked stout with some nice hits Saturday, culminating in his 6.438/217.70mph number one effort and personal best.

Houniet, who at 6.47 is number two, is here to win. Even more, he wants 'his' track record that Jason Arkinstall still holds at 6.41. He'll race Kevin Boyer first, the Edmonton rider having his best year ever. Should be a great race - look for Houniet to just get it down there clean and quick.

Mike Scott has returned in 2007 to the place he crashed badly exactly one year ago. His effortless 6.67/216 shows forty potential and was a thing of beauty. Scott will race the impressive Damian Cownden on the Steve Drane bike outta Victoria. Don't count out the kid, but don't be surprised if Scott lays down a number. The Fort St. John Core Pipeline company owner has come back from a horrible injury and made 2007 a banner year for the big guy, both on the track and off. There flat don't be a harder working backer of drag bikes on the west coast than Mike Scott. You cannot imagine how bad he wants to win tomorrow.

Brian Hall and Ken Kent will round out the opening stanza in a race that will see the new CMDRA champion Kent take up where he left off way back in 1995. For he was the last rider to win a CMDRA Top Fuel championship before Houniet's amazing eleven year run. He has earned it with his trademark consistency. Ken Kent is proof this is an extreme motorsport you can do for a long time if you do it right. Come out and see a living legend of Canadian drag racing take back his title after eleven years of trying.

They've completed one round of Destroyer, Super Bike, Super Gas, and two of Street, which is a big help in case it starts late. With the CMDRA banquet tomorrow night as well, this thing could not possibly go much past six at the very latest. A 10:30 start could have it done in four hours, give or take one.

One final thing to consider as you ponder missing work tomorrow. If we wake up to sun and low humidity, this place will be a mine shaft.

LP

Peck family debuts 'Long Time Comin' Top Dragster slingshot!
After nearly seven years of hard work Mike Peck and family debuted this spectacular new front motored dragster at MRP Friday aptly named 'Long Time Comin'. Powered by a 490+ inch alloy KB Chevy, the detail on this is simply awesome. Note the very unique nose piece. They're not looking for anything spectacular just yet, but watch out sports fans as this comes to an NHRA strip near you in 2008! They'll be testing here all weekend as part of the CMDRA Bike Drags...as will Don Murray's new turbo Corvette and a bunch more. Houniet flew to a personal best 6.42/215 yesterday so look for some awesome runs today and tomorrow.

Hoerner debuts in Pro Stock this weekend at Memphis!
Best wishes go out to Spokane's Todd Hoerner who gets to live a lifelong dream this weekend when he enters his familiar red GTO into Pro Stock at the NHRA National Event. He's also entered into a few more races this year...Go Todd GO!

Hogs n more at MRP this weekend
Just one bike race at Mission this year and it's this weekend. Look for the usual wild show along with a number of cool cars out to lay some rubber down.

The Handlers' Racing Association, Inc., dba Bremerton Raceway, plan another 3-day event this weekend.

The gates open Friday at 3 pm for Street Legals and a Test and Tune. Racing will begin at 4 pm. Tech cards are $25.00 for car and driver. Gate admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for active duty military and children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, September 15th, will be the 10th Annual Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Drags & Car Show, sponsored by Hiatt Pontiac, GMC Truck Center, Truck Town's Junior Dragster Series #11 and the Car Club Challenge #7. The gates open at 8 am, racing starts at 9 am. Car show registration will be from 8 am until 11 am, voting will then take place until 1 pm. Winners will be announced to all participants at 1:30 pm with a parade of winners at 2:00 pm. Qualifying for Truck Town's Junior Dragster Series #11 will start at noon. Tech cards are $35.00, car and driver. Gate admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for active duty military and children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Car Show admission is when with a paid gate admission.

Sunday the gates open at 7 am for a Bremerton Points Race. This will be the rescheduled rained out Day Fire Nationals, guaranteed $8,000.00 purse. Tech cards are $55.00, car and driver for Sportsman and Pro, $25.00 for High School bracket. Super Pro and Motorcycle fees are $65.00 per car and driver. Gate admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for Active Duty Military and children under 12 are admitted free if they are accompanied by an adult. Tech cards purchased for August 19th will be honored for the race Sunday, September 16, 2007 only.

The Handlers will be accepting nonperishable food items to be given to the Bremerton Food Line.

Russell returns
Also on hand this weekend at Bremerton will be our friends from Freeway Trailer, who will be kinda reintroducing an old/new staffer. Russell Stevenson, former Pacific Raceway manager is back in his old position at the Fife Washington company. He will be at the Bremerton race representing Freeway and is looking forward to seeing all his old friends.

TEAM WOODBURN LEADS WINNERS AT NHRA NORTHWEST DIVISION SUMMIT RACING SERIES FINALS

WOODBURN, Ore. – Nearly 700 of the best racers from across NHRA’s Northwest division converged on Woodburn Dragstrip this weekend for the NHRA Summit Racing Series Division Finals. The top points-earning drivers from participating tracks came seeking individual and team honors and a chance at a share of the $11,300 purse. In the end, the team from Woodburn Dragstrip took home the team title.

The Super Pro final was a battle between Vancouver, Wash., residents. Devon Hilton wheeled his ’76 Vega to the win over the dragster-driving Jeremy McGhee. In Pro, Bremerton, Wash., racer Sean Kennedy drove his ’69 El Camino around Buhl, Idaho’s Larry Hale in his ’60 Studebaker. Sportsman class winner Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., was behind the wheel of his ’79 Malibu when he earned the win over Dustin Ward, Renton, Wash., in a ’67 Dart. In the Motorcycle/Sled final, two motorcycles squared off. Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., rode his ’97 ZX7 to the win against Jan Cook of Kamloops, B.C., aboard a ’75 Kawasaki.

For the first time, the NHRA Northwest division had a Sport Compact class compete at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Division Finals. T.J. Hooker of Bend, Ore., wheeled his ’81 VW to the win over Dan Bullis, Vancouver, Wash., in an ’04 VW.

Saturday’s action included the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the best of the best run off in head-to-head competition. In the Super Pro Race of Champions, Tim Schroedl of Bremerton, Wash., got the win over Wade Hall of Butte, Mont. The Pro Race of Champions winner, Ken Stevens, Springfield, Ore., beat out Nicholas Shepherd of Tigard, Ore. Justin Saxe, Oregon City, Ore., scored the Race of Champions win in Sportsman. He earned the win over Phillip Marvetz of Bellingham, Wash. Mark Canty, scored the Race of Champions win as he rode past Jim Funderburg, Burien, Wash., in the final.

Winners of the Race of Champions will compete at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., for a national championship. They will run for a winner-take-all payday of $5,000. Each racer will also receive $3,500 for competing at the NHRA Finals.

The following are the final round results for the NHRA Northwest Division Summit Racing Series Finals:

SUPER PRO
Devon Hilton, Vancouver, Wash., ’76 Vega, 9.841 seconds, 134.18 mph def. Jeremy McGhee, Vancouver, Wash., dragster, 7.890, 167.41

PRO
Sean Kennedy, Bremerton, Ore., ’69 El Camino, 11.977, 109.40 def. Larry Hale, Buhl, Idaho, ’60 Studebaker

SPORTSMAN
Jody Lang, Puyallup, Wash., ’79 Malibu, 13.981, 97.50 def. Dustin Ward, Renton, Wash., ’67 Dart, 12.869, 107.16

MOTORCYCLE/SLED
Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., ’97 ZX7, 8.647, 148.09 def. Jan Cook, Kamloops, B.C., ’75 Kawasaki, 8.991, 135.07

SPORT COMPACT
T.J. Hooker, Bend, Ore., ’81 VW, 13.704, 94.97 def. Dan Bullis, Vancouver, Wash., ’04 VW, 14.377, 89.65

All Out in Las Vegas
We opened the gates at 1 p.m. and by 4 p.m. just over 300 cars had parked and completed tech. Right now 316 cars are on the ground and making runs.

Started time trials at 5 p.m. and are now starting round #3 of testing. Not bad to crank through 316 cars 2 times in just over 3 hours!

Lots of interesting cars for this one. 75% of the cars are guys you will see at the Bracket Nationals, PSCA or other Vegas events. However, the other 25% are something else.

Cars from all over and everyone is here for one reason…to have fun.

Another 109 cars are slated to roll in tomorrow morning and we will get underway at 11 a.m. In addition to the PINKS All Out show we also have freestyle stunt bikes, The Riders of Thunderdome in the the Globe of Death, 4 jet cars, altereds, dragsters, funny cars and a spectacular laser show by our good buddy Tony Adams (who skipped his first Division 6 E.T. Finals in more than 30 years to be here). I'm still trying to find something for Rod Fuller to drive…he really wants to run PINKS All Out.

Fox is inviting a bunch of executives and celebrities out for this one since we are only 3 hours from Hollywood (and the MTV awards are in town). It will be the most interesting episode ever of this TV show and it is truly a unique event. I keep telling everyone that this isn't a race, it's a TV show - don't confuse the two.
- Chris Blair

Wicked what?
The response to our 'Wicked' question (see Sept. 5 posting just under this one) is showing a clear cut leader. Keep sending them in and we'll post the results, and a few of the great comments, next week.

Looking like a great weekend of bracket bashin' in Woodburn. The weather is near perfect, and the pits are jammed full of hundreds of the best the northwest has to offer as we near the end of the D6 season. The race of Champions goes Saturday to determine who goes to Pomona to represent the Leaders, while the team race runs Sunday. Results on dragracecentral.com

Look for a few D6 racers in Bakersfield this weekend for the last D7 Lucas of the year. With the Vegas race changed for 2007, this may be the final chance for many to gain those valuable points. Hopefully after this weekend we'll know a lot more on who will be crowned champion at the banquet in Seattle December 15.

As for the National Open title runs, they will come to a conclusion Sept. 22 & 23 when Bremerton hosts a double header from the rained out June race.

Tomorrow is a big day at THE STRIP at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Pinks All Out makes their first trip west...well actually second as they ran in Phoenix last year. Look for some wild stuff including a few of those zany PSCA guys who will likely show off in the wild style you rarely see up here. We know of at least one local who will be racing there, Tyson Wells and Norm Wilson from Agassiz in their rat motored '65 Bug. Good luck to them, hopefully the beetle makes it to air.

At Mission we'll see the second running of a Fomoco fest when Brown Brothers Ford sponsors the Mega Ford Weekend. This was tried a couple of years ago with not a major turnout, so hopefully this time around the place'll be full of fast Fords. Features include a nostalgia super stock class that will include west coast standouts Phil Featherstone and Jim Gonia (in the former Van Cleve Fairlane).

Also tonight and tomorrow is the Langley Good Times Cruise In and with good weather there should be a giant turnout. Look for 'John Law' to be out in force for the Friday night Langley Nationals burnout bash...which goes all over town till late...though it's been toned down a lot in recent years.

HH flamed
Hi Larry, No traction= no load on motor= no flames= Next time. John Shoemaker
(This in regards to our posting that the nostalgia nitro cars flamed out at MRP)

Rat Trap wrecks at Race City

Saturday Sept. 1 results
Rat Trap vs Bradfords-Rat Trap does a Bakersfield, but this time the car met the wall, Bradford drove into the opposite lane to avoid hitting Hope.

Nanook vs Sudden Impact nostalgia Top Fueler. Nanook left first but smoked the tires at 300 ft-went 7.20 at 205, Mason smoked at 400 ft went 7.02 at 199.

Round 2

Nanook vs Bradford, Nanook left hard, went up in smoke and ran another 7.20 at 223. Bradford went 8.21. Sudden Impact made a single at 6.98 at 201

Sunday Sept. 2 results
Nanook vs Bradford .Nanook was all over the track went 7.19 at 179, Bradford went 8.23 at 145

Sudden Impact vs Gravity Storm jet dragster. Mason on a single (jet failed to fire) went 6.77 at 209 (lots of clutch dust and hard on the brake)

Round 2
Bradford vs Sudden Impact -Bradford went a low eight at 168, Mason went 6.66 at 214

Nanook vs Jet- Jet left on Nanook, which didn't matter as Nanook crossed centre line. Gravity Storm went 5.98 at 268.

By the way , Rat Trap is on its way to Vegas to be repaired, and will be at Bakersfield for the F/A show, and the CHHR

Thanks to Vern Scholz for sending this 'unofficial' report and great pics. He also sent us a bunch of images of an AAFA he's helping restore. Looks cool!

IMPORTANT Feedback needed on Wicked Street of the West video

What would you rather see:

1. A documentary story of the history of street legal racing as HH has seen it over the 15 years with detailed info, clips of 'the 'little guy racers' not just the big guns, record runs, extensive interviews, road trips, along with all those wild n crazy wheelstands, crashes, burnouts, squirrly runs.

or

2. Just the wild stuff.

Please email your preference asap to larryp@horsepowerheaven.com. All you have to say is 1 or 2 and any notes you wish to ad. I would particularly like to hear from people outside my immediate area on the west coast. Thank you!

US Nats frame capture from Jim Jannard's revolutionary new Red One video cam proving the day of dedicated still cams is gradually coming to and end.

Results for PSCA Labor Day Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
PACIFIC STREET CAR ASSOCIATION Labor Day Nationals - Sunday, Sept. 2

Pro Street: Ed Thornton (Chino Hills, Calif.) defeated John Scialpi (West Covina, Calif.) 6.512 sec./220.73 mph to 6.689 sec./204.94 mph.

Outlaw Street: Rich Zehring defeated Slim "Assad" Zenaty.
X-Treeme Street: Roger Holder defeated Richard Morris.
Real Street: Rich Hoyle defeated Anthony Dickson.
Hot Street: Adrian Duron defeated Anthony Valentio.
True Street: George Raygoza defeated Terry Barkley.
Wild Street: David Bowman defeated Paul Bartlett.
Limited Street: Gary Brandt defeated Craig Williams.
Mean Street: Mark Rapp defeated Alfred Sweeting (Las Vegas).
Open Comp: Mike Matranga defeated Dan Reaume.
Trophy: Doug Carter (Henderson) defeated Randy Hadtrath.
Bracket 1: John Phlegar (Las Vegas) defeated Jason Dawson (Las Vegas).
Super Street: Scott Loomis defeated Steve Fulgham.
Quick Street: Cal Hunter defeated Mike Nossett.

Lowe wins Billings, Delehay repeats as West Coast Pro Mod champion
This weekend the West Coast Pro Mods rocked Billings, Montana as an amazing crowd saw the crowning of the 2007 West Coast Pro Mod Champion Joe Delehay, while runner up in the points chase Trevor Lowe win the event.

The back-to-back West Coast Pro Mod Champion Joe Delehay had his fair share of problems this weekend as he took the WCPMA Championship for the second year in-a-row, "We found out that our fly wheel was cracked after qualifying" said Delehay, "fortunately for us Byron Mackey let us use his clutch and flywheel so that we could run in eliminations", "If it wasn't for Mackey we wouldn't be the '07 Champs".

Final Qualifying
1. Joe Delehay - 6.362 @ 221.82 mph
2. Trevor Lowe - 6.370 @ 223.91 mph
3. Dan Vogt - 6.616 @ 208.46 mph
4. Vern Mills - 6.656 @ 210.57 mph
5.Bryon Mackey - 6.832 @ 206.04 mph
6. Tom Meheden - 6.902 @ 198.41 mph
7. Derek Menholt - 6.912 @ 201.79 mph
8. Roy Trees - 7.341 @ 187.94 mph

Event winner Trevor Lowe showed everyone that he was a threat to be reckoned with during eliminations when he ripped a track record smashing 6.338 during the semifinals which was already reset during qualifying when Delehay ran a 6.362.

Summary of Eliminations
Round 1
Delehay (6.53 @ 220.69 mph) defeated Trees (11.732 @ 76.04 mph)
Mills (6.629 @ 211.13 mph) defeated Mackey (broke)
Lowe (6.44 @ 219.36 mph) defeated Menholt (7.215 @191.67 mph)
Vogt (6.766 @ 203.89 mph) defeated Meheden (6.830 @ 201.28 mph)

Semi-Finals
Delehay (6.476 @ 224.47 mph) defeated Mills (broke)
Lowe (6.338 @ 223.91) defeated Vogt (broke)

Final Round
Lowe (6.355 @ 223.69) defeated Delehay (6.561 @ 220.08 mph)

Even though Lowe had won the race he couldn't catch Delehay who went into the event in the number one position after taking the top spot from Lowe with his win in Calgary, Alberta.

Top Ten 2007 WCPMA Points Summary
1 Joe Delehay 4401
2 Trevor Lowe 4244
3 Dan Vogt 3830
4 Tom Meheden 2417
5 Keith Korecki 1509
6 Tim Vogt 1216
7 Glen Kerunsky 1116
8 Kirk Kuhns 1014
9 Vern Mills 910
10 Bryon Mackey 907

2008 already looks promising for the West Coast Pro Mod Association as more teams and tracks are already in talks for the 2008 season.

The West Coast Pro Mod Association would like to thank all of their supporters of the 2007 race season and hopes to continue relations in the 2008 season.

For all of the WCPMA off season information and event photos from Billings, Montana, make sure to check out www.wcpromods.com

Another tardy, rambling posting...

Boise Nightfire photos

Jay Syvertsen Vegas PSCA interview on Streetlegal TV

Camera nuts take note that all kinds of new models are being announced right now and more should be in the coming weeks. Other than live view and a few flip screens nothing much is really new other than this little toy. Obviously something that could make drag racing image capture pretty cool, but lets wait until we can see the actual image quality. FYI Sony has had a slow motion setup on the HD vid cams for a while now that captures video at 250 frames-per-second. I tried it, and it sucks for quality, but it's nice to know that not long from now we'll all be able to shoot like those super slo mo TV dudes. Hopefully not too long.

The jets were a huge hit with the fans last weekend. Ya, the rain played havoc once again, but the fans who were there responded with as much enthusiasm to Derek Snelson in the Warhawk and Kyle Skidgel driver of the Nighthawk as anything this writer has ever witnessed at the facility. Far more than any nitro car I've ever seen there and I've seen them all.

Bottom line is they put on a show, a show mainstream fans can relate to much more so than Pro Mods, Nitro Nostalgia, or anything else this track has ever brought in. You had to be there to see the fans SWARM the jet car pit after they ran. It was impressive, and you can bet jets will be back at Mission.

As for the nitro nostalgia dragsters. Unlike the floppers earlier this year, and much like they have in previous appearances here, they struggled. And when the final ran in the near darkness the point was clearly made that these cars do not produce big enough flames to wow the average spectator. With rumor strong that a nostalgia series is coming from the corporation in the near future, events in the northwest are a near certainty.

A pair of local diggers helped to fill the field here and Victoria's Phil Ruzowski responded with a fine 7.119/211.31 in his small-block powered fueler. White Rock's Mike Pawluk was in another small block powered slingshot, this one on alcohol, and he came through with his first ever six second pass (6.97/193.84) as they test before heading south the CHRR. Congrats to both teams for a great showing under difficult conditions.

Pro Street was the best we've seen in a while with some serious contenders going after Rash Dhaliwal's Procharged Mustang. The TPR boys are looking very strong in their new Silverado with six sixties and more just around the corner. Dhaliwal ran well at 6.65 and a 217 mph charge from Dal Sangha proved the Mustang guys are on track. Ad in Don Murray's new ride along with Brian Lane's new Corvette and Jay Syvertsen in the former Danny Rowe Pro Mod Chevy and northwest Pro Street is as strong as it's ever been. Funny thing is no nitrous cars, and with some of the numbers we're seeing out of the southwest bottle boyz, you have to wonder why. PS - it's PSCA time at LVMS this weekend, check the results on their site.

And speaking of Murray, the dude was ready for that race, but weather made his one and only pass a round one 'test'. The new turbo Vette ran great though, look for him to try and make it out again before the season ends later this month.

Other streeter news includes personal bests for Dale Pedersen in the Buick/Chevy now in the 7.40s over 180, and a great 7.293/192.22 Outlaw pass out of the Moznik ten five Camino. Good to see Ken Sihota out wheelstanding his Malibu to a big win too.

So it appears the CPSA is coming back, and coming back strong. Going to the PSCA rules was a smart move with the Open Comp class is a benefit to the bracket type street legal racers. In that class Lorne Dufour won, in a car he drives, EVERYWHERE, and Keith Vahle has his Blazer on the bumper every chance he gets...woo hoo! Look for one final street car showdown in Seattle, along with the Doorslammers, Sept. 15 & 16. Should be a great show.

It's Indy weekend, but for purists it's over as the west coast takes the Hemi Shootout in spectacular fashion, Rick Houser bumper-bashin' his way to a rather spectacular win.

Yesterday they finally finished the rain-delayed Seattle Lucas. Winners are here. Champion info is coming soon.

As for those NHRA Divisional Champions from California to Canada, plans are to make both the D6 & D7 banquets something really special this time around. For years now we've enjoyed putting together the banquet videos for D6, but in 2007 a change is coming.

This year, thanks to Ryan Warter, George and Karen Adams of Woodburn we hope to cover both Divisions for their respective banquets like never before. Next weekend Warter will be in Bakersfield to shoot the last D7 Lucas and the Adams will be covering the D6 Bracket Finals at their home track Woodburn Dragstrip. I will be at the D7 bracket finals at Las Vegas in October.

Thanks to the hard work and support of many, many people the entire west coast NHRA divisional scene will be covered so that the champs, their friends, families and sponsors will be able to enjoy a pair of banquets that promise to be among the best ever. I'm really looking forward to taking a step back and seeing what the other very talented people can do for us as well as moving the program forward to include Division Seven.

PS: Congrats to Ryan Warter on his first ever win, in Super Shifter, at Bremerton last weekend!

Team on a Mission
Mission points are coming down to the wire with bracket finalists done and the track championships right around the corner. Looks like MRP'll have the distinction of sending two former world champs to the ROC in Woodburn. Martin Rachel leads Super Pro with a few close including '07 world champ Brad Vinje.

In Pro, last year's champ Chris Stone continues to roll along leading Josh Schaper by just eight points, Crawford and Miller are close. Phil Marvets leads by a good margin in Sportsman as do defending track champs Kevin Brennan in Bike and Holly Clarke in Junior. Chris VanderMeer and Joe Barrett will defend our High School title.

Thank you...
Finally you may notice that the banner (and the site) for the John Heida Project has been taken down. It was a great effort that proved to be much more difficult than could ever be imagined. Thanks to Bob Behnke (who will continue the fight), and Glenn Miller who made it all possible. Speaking of which,Glenn is moving on to a new gig. His SuperWebHost.com company being sold later this month.

I know I've said it before but cannot thank him enough for his support of drag racing on the web in Division Six (and beyond). He took care of many of us far better than we could have ever asked. Glenn Miller will be missed BIGTIME by all of us webmasters, but his new agenda includes much more family time, something mom and the twins will most certainly enjoy. Good luck Glenn and we hope to see you all soon...at the drags!

The season is on the downhill side, but work continues on tons of many fronts including Wicked. I'm sorry I can't answer all the photo requests, but that just didn't work out, and there are tons of other shooters out there selling photos...which reminds me welcome home to the Carlsons. A week in repair, damage and more repairs in beautiful downtown Billings left Rich, Elaine and Spencer longing for the house in Everett. They will be at Woodburn, sans motorhome, so buy lots pics eh!

I'm back to it, have a great long weekend everybody!