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Thursday August 28, 2008

I'll be in Calgary by noon today ready to take in the big Nitro Madness nostalgia event at Race City Speedway where we are certain to get some great video under the lights Friday and Saturday nights. It's going to be a spectacular event, so if you're in the area make sure you stop in and check it out especially Saturday evening for the big Cackle Fest. The complete event schedule is here.

Many more of our regular site visitors are probably already on the road themselves heading to the NHRA Division Six Summit ET Finals at Firebird Raceway in Boise Idaho. You'll find some pre-race info here and check DRC all weekend for complete results.

I won't be in e-mail or phone contact until I return next week, so may as well hold off until at least Tuesday as the day I get home is full up with work.

Wednesday August 27, 2008

This changes everything and I wonder how long it will take to be banned from national event starting lines.

and here

Tuesday August 26, 2008

Blast from the drag web past - Nobody will ever do Fuel Altereds online better than Jim Sorenson did Fuel Altereds almost a decade ago.

Bandoleros tested at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Vesatile ready-to-race cars may see straight-line action soon

LAS VEGAS – On Saturday, Aug. 23, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and INEX officials conducted a Bandolero test session at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to explore future drag racing applications. The Bandolero car, which is mass-produced by LVMS’s parent company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc., under the 600 Racing banner, is designed for competition by children 8 years and older and is primarily raced on ovals and road courses.

"We've received several requests from parents who have an interest in youth drag racing who want cars that can be purchased ready-to-race, have cost controls to keep the program economical, can be used for other racing applications, and self-starting that can be raced in a heads-up format," said Chris Blair, LVMS’s vice president of racing operations. "The 600 Racing Bandolero accomplishes all of these goals and fills one huge void, since it resembles a Funny Car, which today is the most popular class of drag racing today.

The car used in the test was a stock-from-the-showroom 600 Racing Bandolero from Las Vegas and used the basic set-up for the Bullring, LVMS’s 3/8-mile paved oval. The car made multiple runs on a 1/8-mile drag strip and reached a top speed of 57.85 mph (12.78 sec. E.T.). Officials predict that with a clutch spring adjustment, gear change and a change from new treaded tires to a cut tire, the cars should be able to break into the 10-sec. range and reach 1/8-mile speeds in excess of 70 mph.

"The great thing about these cars is that we can create a full-bodied, spec drag racing class where drivers may compete in a heads-up format so that the first one to the finish line wins," continued Blair. “That will encourage some parents who have fears of how to 'dial-in' a car for E.T. bracket racing to join the sport.

"Another great aspect of the 600 Racing Bandolero is that a complete car may be purchased for less than $8,000," said Blair. "There are some Jr. Dragster teams who have that much invested in their motors alone.”

Additional tests will be conducted at The Strip at LVMS and an exhibition event will be held in late 2008. Plans also are in place INEX to host a series of Bandolero and Legends Cars heads-up, 1/8- mile drag races at The Strip in 2009. There currently are more than 40 Bandoleros and 60 Legends Cars within a one-hour drive of the LVMS facility.

"Our ultimate goal is to host a day of racing here at LVMS known as the “Iron Legend”' and “Iron Bandolero,” Blair explained. “A driver would use the same car to drag race, road race and oval race all in a one-day format."

Rich Christensen's Arm Drop Live! at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway postponed to 2009
Thanksgiving eve event added to 2008 schedule

LAS VEGAS - Officials from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Arm Drop Live! Racing Association today announced that the Rich Christensen Arm Drop Live! TV show event originally scheduled for November 4-5, 2008, has been postponed due to the host's television filming schedule. The SPEED TV show series will kick off its 2009 season in Las Vegas on a date to be announced next month.
"Due to the immense popularity of Rich's other show, PINKS,SPEED has added more production dates for 2008 that would make it extremely difficult for us to have the Arm Drop Live! event in Las Vegas on Nov. 4-5," said Christensen. "The staff at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and I agreed that Las Vegas would be the perfect location to kick off the 2009 Arm Drop Live! season. Trust me, the two- month wait will be well worth it for our die-hard fans and racers."
The Strip has expanded the schedule for the seventh annual Las Vegas Bracket Nationals to include a new Thanksgiving Eve event to be known as "The Wildest Wednesday," on Nov. 26. The event will include a Super Quick competition, exhibition nostalgia drag racing, a motorcycle stunt team and match racing.

What you didn't see at MRP
It happened a couple of times and I'm not sure why, but one of the racers who didn't get a time slip Saturday night was Don Murray. To say he's frustrated is an understatement as his computer produced some pretty amazing numbers one of which was in the 220mph range...We sent him the video and though it's impossible to say for sure, certainly did look like a pretty decent pass. So what does he do? He does it again, which is what he plans on before the season is done.

Pro what?
On a related note Pro Street in the northwest really saw some major moves this past weekend at MRP when three new Ford guys (Tamez, Wolfe & Korecki) showed up for the first time, all of them doing well. It's coming down to the fact that while Top Sportsman and Doorslammer is cool, heads up for cars running well into the six second zone is a way of racing a number of these guys are very interested in, and in the Northwest that means Pro Street.

The fact is by next year there could be two dozen 'Pro Street' cars (and trucks) in the northwest, most of which will have the capability of running mid sixes or quicker. It's no secret high sixes won't cut it in this class, but that doesn't seem to worry too many of them. It's not Pro Mod, but it is blowers, turbos, and nitrous racers all in close competition. I don't need to exemplify the advantages and popularity of that alone.

Actually there are a few racers hoping to run low sixes at some point. What with the PSCA stars already into the 20s and teens just around the corner, at speeds approaching 230mph, you have a 'local' series that could well become something very big.

Call it what you will 'Pro Street', 'Doorslammer Extreme', 'Pro Door' 'Jr Pro Mod'...don't matter. Fact is locals will be meeting with PSCA officials later this year and you can just guess what 'may' come out of that. Regardless, it's all good news for a class that could well be the next big thing in the northwest.

Pacific Raceways has posted the winners and runner ups from the '1st Annual' Pacific Sportsman Nationals. Would have been nice to have numbers though...

A nice report with numbers and photos from the Portland Open here

George Evans Portland report
Well I choked on second round Sunday against Mura, I left at the first sight of yellow, it just happened to be his second stage bulb.

Oh well, I feel very lucky to have had the equipment provided by John and Darlene Evans to even be able to compete let alone win a Wally in my first year in a new car.

Also it would never have been possible without my crew chief and car chief. Thanks to Rick 'Dr Z' Zimoch and Glen 'Mr Clean' Worden and Mike 'The Storyteller' Moore.

As for Mr. Mura, my hat is off to him as he won the championship not without his own grief, blown motor day one at Medicine Hat and trans before first round Sunday at Portland. Congrats Joe!!!

As one of only a few teams having to deal with the noise issue at Portland we ended up going to the local auto parts store on Friday to buy a set of '55 Chev headers and installed them upside down choking off the super charged small block. Only effected the et by 4 hundredths.

Most importantly we thoroughly enjoyed the Portland facility and Peter and Cindy and all the track personnel were stellar in their positions of track managers. All division six racers should prepare their cars with mufflers if needed so we can return next year and many years after. - 1/8th miles is a lot of fun. We fully intend to return with the Lucas Oil/Evans Racing Team!!!

Monday August 25, 2008

NEW MRP HD video of Saturday night Aug. 23 300mph jet car run, wheelstanders, pro street, outlaw and doorslammer low ET runs. You'll need a newer computer and a good connection speed to view. You may also have to let it play all the way thru once before the stutters stop.

Sunday August 24, 2008

Portland unofficial results
They rained out today, but here are the unofficial winners and runner ups from Saturday:

Top Comp: W - Paul Nero, RU - Gene Heaton, Series - Joe Mura

Stock Super Stock Combo: W - Tommy Gaynor, RU - Brian Thompson

Super Comp: W - Howard Johnson, RU - Ross Souza

Super Gas: W - Rod Lee, RU - Ross Childers

Super Street: W - Tony Hernandez, (also wins series) RU - Gary Erickson

Super Pro: W - Randy Johnson, RU - Tony Hernandez, Series - Jason Gibson

Pro: W - Carl Meining, RU - Harry Col, Series - Chris Stone

Sportsman: W - Steve Kelly, RU - Tony Bilodeaux

Snow/Bike: W - Don Vangehey, RU - Jay Vangehey (son)

High School: W - 'Chargin' Charlie Tiller, RU - Kevin Dowers

Jr Thunder: W - Brooks Ellingsen, RU - Jeremy Howe, Series Justin Gibson

Jr Lightning: W - Billy King, RU - Forrest Schiffman

We're working on the MRP video featuring top runs in Pro Street, Doorslammer and Outlaw 10.5 PLUS the entire night session of wheelstanders and jets - that we shot from 3/4 rear, giving a view you will not believe.

Unofficial word from Portland has National Open Series titles going to Joe Mura in Top Comp, Jason Gibson in Super Pro along with son Justin taking Junior Lightning. In Pro Chris Stone takes the title followed by David Rastad in second and Ray Bollinger third. Rastad was also third in Stock/SS Combo in the Shawn Kvaas Firebird. More results if we get em.

Mission last night was simply awesome. The loudest fans BY FAR I have ever heard at this place saw seven different door cars in the sixes, wheelstanders like locals have not seen in decades including Mission shoe 'Nitro' Mike Kunz who proved he can run with the best of 'em.

Oh ya did I forgot to mention a 300mph flame show? Wait'll ya see the video...

Today was a total wash, but yesterday and last night at MRP was a truly an experience people will talk about for a long time.

Friday August 22, 2008

Wednesday August 19, 2008

Rose City Update 2
Ok, since this is getting so much damn attention right now we hafta build up the actual race. Though we really don't know who's all gonna be there, here's a bit of a splash to lead into the final two Opens of the year in D6:

Top Comp
Joe Mura's on top with 314 points to George Evans 283, whose third place brother John is out for the year with a toasted mouse. It's Mura and Evans for the quickest and fastest Open title.

Combo
Dave Rastad is tops now with 304 points followed by Brian Thompson at 284. It'll take a miracle for the Firebird to go out early, but hey, the Ford guy is tough and goin fer it.

Super Comp
Will Alberta drivers Cody Sheu (286 pts), Glenn Davis (265), Francesca Plaizier (244), Mike Pople (211) and Daryl Baker (201) come west to run Seekins (197) and Gresham (190)??

Super Gas
Dave Archambault (250) leads Chris Cannon (239), but Jerry Erp, Gary Culp and Al Phee could make it interesting.

Super Street
Air Traffic Controller Tony Hernandez leads former Mayor Ray Carlson 292 to 281, while Casey Plaizier has 265, Gerry Epp 238, Brad Criag and Nikki Cannon sit at 228 each.

Super Pro
'Gas man' Jason Gibson leads Hat's Mike Williams 331 to 267, so that one could be done, but Mike Colvin has 245.

Pro
MRP dudes Chris Stone is ahead of Rastad 334 to 296, so I guess we'll just have to see who shows.

Sportsman
Brian Thompson goes for a possible double as he leads Worm 320 to 261. Both will be here.

Snow/Bike
'Snow is for skiing' Jim Sibley is atop 'bike' with 309 to Chris McKinght's 213. It's dun, Sib wins another.

Jr Lightning
With Boise coming next week it's a big dollar deal to hit both. Amanda Bollinger (283) leads her buddy Holly Clarke by one point and we hear both are going to Boise together so...Not sure if Kayla Allen in third with 201 can do it.

Jr Thunder
Justin Gibson has it wrapped up.

Rose City update
Boy oh boy did we open a can O worms this morning. Check this - the e-mails began to fly between Vancouver BC, Carson City Nevada, Sefner Florida and Portland OR over a matter of who really ran the first northwest five.

First it was the Flyin one himself stating: "Reading that PR about the Portland event, it says Beck ran Portland's first five. I'm almost certain it was Don Garlits in a Wednesday night match race at PIR -- not only the first NW five but what got him into the Cragar club. From memory of course."

I answered with a "no way, it was Beck who told me he did it at the Van Isle Reunion back in 2002. An I checked - that July date in '73 was a Saturday." followed by a return "Nope. Garlits. Portland. The Cragar deal had to be a legit track, not an NHRA national event. And, according to the official list (link below)"
Garlits ran a five before Beck did...

Which had me then say "ya first for Garlits, but not first in the Northwest" which led to this amazing e-mail exchange between Phil and The Man himself:

> Hey Don,
> Didn't your first five come at Portland at a Wednesday night match race
> (also the first five in the northwest)??
> Phil

The reply came back a simple:
Phil.
Yes,
Don

So if it was a Wednesday, it wasn't in '73 as the official NHRA site says... A bit of mystery remains.

Then yet another comes in from Portland dude and local track historian Greg Rollin of Supercars Unlimited in Beaverton OR:

"My guess is that it was Garlits who ran the first 5 at Portland. I know it was at PIR where he ran his first - which put him in the Cragar 5 Second Club.
He ran a pair of 5.95's at the Rainier Race of Champions event on July 7th, 1973, but I would think that event would have been on a weekend......."

As a minor note, if you are to make a correction to the first five, the last "Big" event at PIR was in 1985 rather than in 86.

Then to top that off and ad to this weekend's excitement, current Top Comp second place runner George Evans sends this lil diddy to toss the salad with points leader, and 'rushing-in-a-town-west-of-Langley' Joey Mura:

...by the way, blown small block vs big block at Portland in Top Comp. Maybe Mr Mura should know that I already have a victory on the straightaway at PIR about eight years ago when I was part owner of a Northwest Tour car that we rented to Mark Martin and Valvoline for the NASCAR road race and which I was front tire changer. We won the race on a great pit stop and his great driving. Live ESPN as well!!!!! So I would like to think it may be my lucky track!!!
I know I will need all the luck I can get, but hey a little pre-race rivalry is still fun."

No kidding folks...man, makes me wanna be at PIR this weekend, should be a freekin blast! Full Natl Open points are here ifin ya have Office installed on dat Mac...

Really people, where else but HH could you get, or even comprehend, half the crap we've posted today...

Put a smile on yer face an made ya think tho didn't it...

NHRA returns to Portland for first major race in two decades this weekend
It was once the quickest strip in the northwest...no really it was. Portland was where Gary Beck ran the first northwest 'five', and regularly during the summer Funny Car tour the Portland numbers were always a tick quicker than those at Seattle a week later.

So it is, for the first time since 1986, the NHRA returns to PIR for a major - no make that two major drag racing events. It truly is a big deal despite the fact the National Open double header will be contested on the 1/8th mile and the fact that noise here is still a bit of an issue.

While the track operators and local competitors can't wait for this, who knows how many will show up to run 'half track' for not-so-valuable National Open points. It's no secret a lot of people aren't traveling as much this year, and it's also no secret that if yur not 'in the points' by now, chances are slim many will travel. Then again there are many racers in the area what with Woodburn just down the freeway, and hopefully some will go just to be able to say they were there and get a new northwest drag racing experience.

Regardless it'll be very interesting as drag strip length is a very hot topic right now, 1/8th mile national records will be up for grabs, and for this sport in this region to actually get a 'new' venue to race is a most positive move.

I hope it works out as all my Portland memories from the seventies are great ones, and reading some e-mails from the locals know they are really pumped up about this. Check out the track site here.

And click the photo above for a very rare look at PIR from Vol. 1 No. 2 (April 25, 1980) of Phil Elliott's Drag Racing NW magazine.

Just a thought
What if somebody could do this to drag racing news, as it's been done for mainstream news...

Tuesday August 18, 2008

Video customer update
Am working on Mission and Ashcroft July vids this week, next week Hat Open and CMDRA. After that those who are waiting for vids from all those races plus a couple more.

No Nats Numbers
While there are a few snippets of who won around, HH has been unable to get any official results with numbers of the Pac Sport Nats this past weekend at Seattle. We have tried, but so far nothing has come back to us.

HH to attend Nitro Madness in Calgary August 29-31
It has the potential to be the biggest nostalgia drag race in northwest history. While Woodburn remains the hot bed of NW nostalgia racing, Boise has their modern version at the Nightfires and and a bunch of tracks host 'oldies' drags, there has never been an event such as what will go down at Race City Speedway in just two weeks.

The line up of people and vehicles sounds like a 1970s radio ad: 'Double A' Dale Armstrong, '240' Gordie Bonin, Terry Capp, 'The Northwest Terror' Herm Petersen, Jerry 'The King' Ruth, Jim Green, Wayne King, Frank Rupert (who will be reunited with the original Eagle Electric dragster out of Spokane - the first car to go over 200 mph in Alberta and just restored by Stan Carter), Cherry Baby A/FD, the John Wiebe AA/FD of Don Love & Lynne Bruchs, Al Weich with Gene Snow's original Rambuctious Charger, Jack Williams Syndicate Scuderia A/GD, Cross King & Mann Jr Fueler, Hugh Tucker's amazing blown roadster, and five Fuel Altereds including Rat Trap, Nanook, Randy Bradford, Jay Mageau and Canada's only 1960s AA/FA - Brent Seaman's just restored Outcast 1 Fiat! It's a true nostalgia lineup no other northwest event can even come close to.

HH will be there all three days covering the action from static displays downtown to a Saturday night cackle fest the likes of which not only the northwest but all of Canada has ever seen before...not to mention a number of rumored unofficial burnouts from some of the old cars. It'll be the next best thing to 'The Reunion' and who knows, in some ways, maybe even better.

Bottom line is other than the Bracket Finals in Bosie, there's not much goin on at local strips the Labor Day long weekend so why not take a moment and consider making plans to be here. Oh ya, did I forget to mention a silent auction with some amazing items donated by some of the celebs, a giant Stock/Super Stock Shoot-out that has a 50 car minimum ten grand payout?!? Pro Comp, Brackets and fireworks! WO BABY!

Info will be posted on www.racecity.com and for more information, please call RACE CITY @ 403-272-7223 or if anyone would like to sponsor the CACKLEFEST, please call Dave Inglis @ 403-250-2845 or 403-282-8289.

If you were or know someone who was a competitor at Shepard Raceway in Calgary in the 60's or 70's please get in touch with Dave Inglis regarding the RACER'S REUNION being held on conjunction with this weekend.

HH would like to thank Inglis, Vern Christy and Rome Awde of Race City for helping make this trip one of the most anticipated of the year for HH. After our very warm welcome at The Hat a few weeks ago, we look forward to another Alberta road trip before our annual southwest tour begins in the Fall. We'll be shooting video and stills of all the action and maybe even produce an event video. Check here again for more updates and info on Nitro Madness!

Monday August 17, 2008

Trailer thieves get million-dollar drag race car in Vancouver WA

Many responses to our piece last week regarding the posting of crashes, some of which are here. We'll keep an eye on this and respond as we can. Thanks to the many who sent in very detailed e-mails, we'll maybe post a few comments as this subject is one that is not only of interest to racers and fans but of great interest to people like me who often deal with decisions such as these.

About the only thing I will ad at this point is one issue that, so far, nobody else has brought up. This is the matter of crashed racers taking legal action. It happens all the time, a lot more than many are aware. Tracks get sued, track operators, sanctioning bodies, even other racers.

This reason alone is why many crash photos and videos never see the light of day. Both sides can potentially use such imagery to better their case, and even bring the photographers into the action. To those who ever wondered why an 'official' photographer is always asked to shoot the aftermath of an incident, big or small, is mainly for this reason. They are not down there chasing the action for publishing, but are shooting chassis tags, helmet tags, and basically trying to document the scene before the cleanup crews go to work for possible use in the event legal action is taken.

On a somewhat related note is that the Troy Critchley incident last year has resulted in numerous civil cases that one report states now involves every single company who had a sticker or decal on the car.

BREMERTON RACEWAY 14th Annual Nostalgia Drags and Car Show 5th Annual Northwest Hot Rod Reunion & Cackle Fest August 16, 2008

HOT ROD 1: WINNER: Bob Smyth, 6401, Renton, WA, 64 Chevelle, .056/10.58/0.612/126.63 mph
RUNNER UP: Dave Robbins, J624, Bothell, WA, 27 Model T, -.001/9.25/9.271/142.20 mph
SEMI: Mike Wiess, 6965, Port Orchard, WA, Ford Vicky, .046/10.12/10.290/131.36 mph

HOT ROD 2: WINNER: Ted Sailly, 6966, Gig Harbor, WA, 69 Nova, .068/10.48/10.553/119.56 mph
RUNNER UP: Gary Wood, W663, Port Orchard, WA, 68 Nova, 2.242/11.34/11.341/118.87 mph
SEMI: Corey Zamzow, U613, Shelton, WA, 66 Malibu, -.020/13.13/3.112/102.59 mph
SEMI: Scott Randle, R671, Tacoma, WA, 70 Nova, .054/10.96/10.922/120.59 mph.

CAR SHOW WINNERS: Chuck & Jane Barker, Jack Coombe,Gary Dinwiddie, Richard Hotchkiss, Doug Miller, Lee Olson, Steve Pritchard, Gary Schryver, Doug Thumma, Rick Watson

14th Annual Nostalgia Drags August 17, 2008

HOTROD 2
WINNER: Steve Matheson, 119, Port Orchard, WA , 69 Camaro, .077/13.82/13.844/98.51 mph
RUNNER UP: Jeremy Sears, J629, Port Orchard, WA, Chevy Malibu, .067/11.40/11.326/119.07 mph
SEMI: Dave Barcelon, 626, Belfair, WA, .06065/113.62/112.652/112.30 mph
SEMI: Mark Zamzow, 6556, Shelton, WA, 79 Malibu, .052/12.35/12.331/119.076 mph

HOT ROD 1
WINNER: DJ Hoem, 603D, Port Orchard, WA , 73 Duster, .076/10.17/10.195/120.83 mph
RUNNER UP: Andrew Schweigert, A664, Bremerton, WA, Monza, .082/10.57/10.629/123.98mh
SEMI: Russell Lopeman, G683, Tacoma, WA , Camaro, -.009/10.75/10.688/125.036 mph
SEMI: Dave Carman, 3853, Lake Stevens, WA, Mustang, 118/10.62/10.639/126.79 mph

PRO NOSTALGIA: WINNER: Todd Miller, 6570, Fairview, OR, 23 T, .103/6.94/6.949/194.42 mph
RUNNER UP: Mike Boertje, 618, Corvallis, WA, 23 T Altered, -.171/6.84/6.841/196.343mph
SEMI: Ron Jackson, 6630, Oregon City, WA , 48 Fiat, .213/7.59/7.598/177.58 mph
SEMI: Rick New, 6345, Sandy, OR, 05 FED, .062/7.15/7.079/171.62 mph

AA SUPERGASSERS:
Scott White, 627, Seaside, OR, 41 Willys, 6.883/202.42 mph
Mike Molea, 6768, Grants Pass, OR, 33 Willys, 7.227/190.07 mph
Dave Thompson, 618, Medford, OR, 41 Willys, 7.468/184.57 mph
Scott Wyke, 456, Bend, OR, 41 Willys, 8.171/160.34 mph

NEXT EVENT: August 22, 2008 Street Legals, Test & Tune,
Jr. Dragster Test & Tune, Sport Compact

August 23, 2008 Test & Tune, Non-Electronics Shootout, NW Fast Bracket Association Shootout
Truck Town's Jr. Dragster Series #11, Jr. Drag League Challenge, NPSA Meet #6, BC Super Shifters Race #1, NW Drag Bike Association

August 24, 2008 15th Annual Day Fire Nationals (guaranteed $8000 payout), Land of the Leaders Challenge #4, BC Shifters Race #2. Gates open: Friday at 3 pm, Saturday at 8 am, Sunday at 7 am

Saturday August 16, 2008

Great turnout at MRP, special thanks to all the Volkswagen people who made this a very special night! Photos and results on MRP site here

At last night's Street Legal we were treated to THE most amazing sunset I have ever seen here.

JC's Seattle report
Down here at Seattle racing at the big bracket race. Not sure on winners and such, but wanted to report great first day of racing here with a really good atmosphere and a lot of enthusiasm. Car count is pretty darn good I would say and heard figures of around 200 or so entries and dollars generated above the 50K mark.

Canadians in attendance include myself (3rd rd today), Vicky Strell (2nd rd, I think), Stefan Kondolay (few rds I think), and then AB folks like Scott Taylor and Garnet Rose. I also saw Mission regular Phil Marvetz go quite a few rds.

Tomorrow we go for 4K in Pro and 10K for the Super Pro Folks. It looks like another hot one...our weather station almost touched 97 F today!

- Jamie Clerf

Action Underway at Yellowstone Drag Strip

ACTON, MT. – The Summer Championships at Yellowstone Drag Strip commenced under grey skies that made way for sunshine later in the afternoon. In the first rounds of qualifying, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Richard Putz, from Earlville, IA., and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Clint Thompson, of Klamath Falls, OR., took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.

Thompson's top spot was a result of his '06 Chevrolet running to a time of 5.736 seconds at a top speed of 247.79 mph. In the runner up spot was Terry Ruckman from Grand Junction, CO., who will look to claim the top spot for him-self later on this weekend. Putz time of 5.493 seconds down the quarter mile was second to none, during which he hit a top speed of 257.53 mph. Jim Whiteley of Grand Junction, CO., took the No. 2 qualifying spot with a time of 5.514 seconds.

In Comp Eliminator action Wheatridge, CO., resident Lou Ficco sits atop the qualifying ladder with a time of 7.474 seconds in his '04 Cavalier. The '05 Cavelier of Rob Harrison from Vancouver, BC., sits in the No. 2 spot with the clock reading 8.107 seconds. Peter Boslovitch, who hails from Lockport, MB., set a time of 11.946 seconds, good enough for the pole position in the Stock Eliminator class.

Sean Cour of Brush Prairie, WA., piloted his brand new '08 Cobalt to the No.1 spot in Super Stock with a time of 9.497 seconds. Home town hopeful Gaby Collazo from Billings slipped into the No.4 qualifying position on his 05' Suzuki while Miles Hauer of Seattle, WA., topped the sheet with an impressive .007 reaction time.

In the fast and furious Top Sportsman class Dave Slatten of Ft Collins, CO., kept his Chevrolet right down broadway hitting a top speed of 194.02 mph landing him with a class best time of 7.108 seconds. Yellowstone Drag Strips own Ron Omo of Billings, MT., sits in the No. 3 spot in Top Dragster with a time of 6.823 seconds. Ahead of him was Steve Cook of Rexburg, ID., and the best time in the class was laid down by Clif Bakx of Grunthal, AB., with a blistering top speed of 205.35 mph.

Racing continues Saturday and Sunday at Yellowstone Drag Strip. The gates open at 8 a.m., and tickets are 25$ on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call Yellowstone Drag Strip at 406-861-RACE or visit them on the web at www.yellowstonedragstrip.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northwest
Division 5th Annual Summer Championships at Yellowstone Dragstrip:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 5.493 seconds, 257.53 mph
2) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.514, 261.78
3) Joey Severance, Spanaway, Wash., 5.585, 252.57
4) Shawn Cowie, Richmond, B.C., 5.615, 255.53
5) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., 5.711, 245.27
6) Greg Tacke, Great Falls, Mont., 5.749, 244.65
7) Kevin Wayman, South Jordan, Utah, 6.157, 168.39

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, Ore., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.736 seconds, 247.79 mph
2) Terry Ruckman, Grand Junction, Colo., '01 Firebird, 5.760, 246.98
3) Paul Anderson, Erie, Colo., '07 Charger, 5.785, 247.61
4) Brian Hough, Junction City, Ore., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.846, 246.62
5) Sean O'Bannon, Ontario, Calif., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.857, 246.71
6) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '02 Firebird, 5.913, 240.55
7) Hank Coolidge, Sunbrst, Mont., '02 Firebird, 5.993, 231.12
8) Robert Kanenwisher, Conifer, Colo., '02 Camaro, 6.374, 212.56

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Lou Ficco Jr., Wheat Ridge, Colo., '04 Cavalier, B/AP, 7.474 seconds, -0.696 (under index)
2) Rob Harrison, N. Vancouver, B.C., '05 Cavalier, J/A, 8.107, -0.603
3) Dale Giroux, Canyon Creek, Alb., '05 Cavalier, B/AA, 7.369, -0.551
4) Bruce Schmiedl, Regina, Sask., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.704, -0.486
5) Casey Plaizer, Edmonton, Alb., '04 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.758, -0.432
6) Clint Neff, Arvada, Colo., '23 roadster, K/A, (no time)

SUPER STOCK
1) Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash., '08 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.497 seconds, -1.393 (under index)
2) Jim Beuthel, Castle Rock, Colo., '91 Cutlass, GT/CA, 9.909, -1.301
3) Alan Falcone, Seattle, Wash., '91 Calais, GT/CA, 9.946, -1.264
4) Ron Parness, Conifer, Colo., '67 Chevy II, SS/HA, 10.152, -1.258
5) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '08 Cobalt, SS/BS, 9.268, -1.152
6) Rob Youngblood, Nampa, Idaho, '76 Corvette, SS/J, 10.483, -1.137
7) Rick Paton, Edmonton, Alb., '02 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.361, -1.059
8) Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., '91 Calais, GT/CA, 10.170, -1.040
9) Paul Klein, Minot, N.D., '66 Chevy II, SS/MA, 11.686, -1.034
10) Norm Lapointe, Edmonton, Alb., '06 Cobalt, GT/BA, 10.060, -0.990

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Peter Boslovitch, Lockport, Manit., '80 Malibu, K/SA, 11.946 seconds, -1.614 (under index)
2) Brad Burton, Golden, Colo., '72 Formula, E/SA, 11.135, -1.435
3) Scott Burton, Golden, Colo., '71 Formula, D/SA, 11.004, -1.406
4) Wesley Libby, Mead, Wash., '71 Challenger, A/SA, 10.493, -1.337
5) Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '96 Corvette, C/SA, 10.914, -1.336
6) Stephen Hagberg, Berthoud, Colo., '64 Savoy, A/SA, 10.515, -1.315
7) Bob Gullett, Calgary, Alb., '68 Nova, G/S, 11.501, -1.279
8) Dic Geary, Broomfield, Colo., '72 Camaro, H/SA, 11.780, -1.260
9) Glenn Person, Mesa, Ariz., '70 Challenger, C/SA, 11.181, -1.069
10) Charlene Gullett, Calgary, Alb., '80 Malibu, L/SA, 12.552, -1.058

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Miles Hauer, Seattle, Wash., '81 Suzuki, SMC, 0.007 seconds reaction time
2) Leeland King, Shelton, Wash., '90 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.023
3) Doug Rathbun, Oak Harbor, Wash., '74 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.024
4) Gaby Collazo, Billings, Mont., '05 Suzuki, SMC, 0.029
5) Gary Moreno, La Verne, Calif., '06 H-D, SMC, 0.030
6) R.J. McAnulty, Billings, Mont., '05 Suzuki, SMC, 0.035
7) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '06 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.038
8) Pete Loomis, Billings, Mont., '02 Kawasaki, SMC, 0.039
9) Ron Gledhill, Taylorsville, Utah, '07 Suzuki, SMC, 0.039
10) Shane Farnsworth, Billings, Mont., '06 H-D, SMC, 0.056

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Dave Slatten, Fort Collins, Colo., '05 Grand Am, 7.108 seconds, 194.02 mph
2) Jamie Schwartzkopf, Torrington, Wyo., '63 Corvette, 7.125, 191.59
3) J.J. Hebor, Centennial, Colo., '06 Mustang, 7.224, 189.50
4) Roy Trees, Riverton, Wyo., '03 Grand Am, 7.403, 188.31
5) Brian Steif, Billings, Mont., '63 Corvette, 7.528, 183.07
6) Todd Litton, Billings, Mont., '04 Cavalier, 7.601, 175.46
7) Todd Fleck, Medicine Hat, Alb., '06 GTO, 7.719, 177.86
8) Jake Neibauer, Billings, Mont., '63 Corvette, 7.732, 176.28
9) Robert Matthews, Gig Harbor, Wash., '67 Nova, 8.049, 169.40
10) Karley Trees, Riverton, Wyo., '94 Lumina, 8.058, 169.81

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Clif Bakx, Grunthal, Manit., dragster, 6.515 seconds, 205.35 mph
2) Steve Cook, Rexburg, Idaho, dragster, 6.756, 197.19
3) Ron Omo, Billings, Mont., dragster, 6.823, 197.62
4) Sarah Smith, Worland, Wyo., dragster, 7.219, 185.77
5) Rick Mickelson, Smithfield, Utah, dragster, 7.269, 182.80
6) Les Feist, Clearwater, Minn., dragster, 7.287, 184.12
7) Denny Menholt, Billings, Mont., dragster, 7.314, 183.74
8) Eddy Plaizier, Edmonton, Alb., dragster, 7.326, 184.55
9) John Baker, Grand Junction, Colo., '32 Bantam, 7.427, 182.95
10) Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., '32 Bantam, 7.540, 181.72

Friday August 15, 2008

Video customers update
At the moment video customer production is our main, number one job. We are just about to start Ashcroft Open jobs, followed by Mission Open then the Hat Open. Those getting videos from all the Opens will be done as we go so won't be complete until the Hat stuff is done - probably in 2-3 weeks. Sorry for the delay, but I did take a couple of days off this week then ran into some computer issues again. At this point if you ask now, and not previously, expect to wait upwards of a monthor more to get your video.

More management moves at Pacific Raceways
Just weeks after Pacific Raceways General Manager Doug Greenfield vacated his Kent office, word comes to HH of another management move that has seen control of this weekend's Pacific Sportsman Nationals at Pacific Raceways shift from three racers to the track itself.

Two sources informed HH that Dale Green, Stan Leerkamp and Chris Martin are no longer involved with the running of the event. "The track is in complete control".

HH requested a statement from PR management but did not receive a reply.

Whatever happens from here HH would like to thank Green, Leerkamp and Martin for putting so much into this event. Here's hoping a couple of 'em win some of that cash, the track does good, everybody has a fun race and plans are made for another in 2009.

Gates open at 8am Fri, Sat and Sun... no motors to run til 9... There will be a drivers meeting Friday morning before the first runs. We hear there's upwards of $70k in pre-registered racers, and the weather looks great.

Censoring crash images & video?
An event forum string of people looking for photos/videos of Dal Sangha's wreck last weekend at Port Alberni has curiously disappeared. Added recently is another string from the event video producers stating that footage of the crash "will not be used on the DVD, nor will it be released publicly".

Being this is the second car-destroying crash at Port Alberni in as many years (third in eight race history of this event) we have to assume that somebody does not want this kind of thing seen. Be it the racer, the race organizers, sponsors...whatever, and it's not too difficult to understand. Then again, is it censorship and does it somehow ease the racer's pain or protect the event for only a select few to see this stuff?

I once had a lengthy and spirited online discussion on this very subject with a number of racers wanting to have such footage and images released so they could basically see what happened to the other guy so they could perhaps pick up something that could make their own race car or driving style safer. A pretty good argument that I had no answer for.

So has it come to a time when we should stop posting crash pics and videos? Will all those 'Thrills n Spills' type productions become 80s nostalgia? I'm sitting on a ton of this stuff going back years. People are always asking me when I'll release it all, very often they are the drivers of those crashed vehicles. Some drag race video production companies make a very good living of just this kind of thing. It's something HH has looked at but never really followed up on.

Are the crash n burn days gone? Is not releasing images of a crash such as Sangha's a good or bad idea? How does one choose what and what not to publish? Does it matter who it involves? For instance, was the Mitch Chaimberlain crash at Mission ok to post, but not Sangha's at Alberni because it was more serious? Where does one draw the line, and when does this become possible censorship?

In this age of YouTube, does it mean that some person with a cell phone cam who gets a crash image should be careful what they do with it or is it open season and good luck dealing with all the others who shoot it? NHRA went well out of their way dealing with online images and video of the Kalitta death. Does a small local track even have the resources to do that should something that serious happen around here?

It's a matter that has more questions than answers, and one that we surely will have to deal with again and again. I invite your feedback.

Lots happening this weekend
Mission - The first Friday Night Street Legal in a month could be huge, or will it be weak like most other such events so far this season? Has the excitement worn off this deal? Tonight will go a long ways in determining that.

Seattle - Pacific Sportsman Nats big buck bracket race is the first serious effort to do such a thing in this area in a long time. Hope it works, the bracket bashers deserve it.

Ashcroft - Another night race in the blazing heat of the BC interior. Blown alky race #2, Doorslammers and more will make this race a good one.

Bremerton - 14th Annual Nostalgia Drags & Car Show & 5th Annual Northwest Hot Rod Reunion & Cackle Fest will see lots of oldies action at the little track that does.

Acton, Montana - D6 Lucas event is so far east it seems like D5, but with that said most who go say this is perhaps the nicest track in the division.

Vancouver - Ok, so it's not drag racing but HH will be out for the giant Gastown Bike Show Sunday as the official show photographer. It's a great free event, see ya there.

Cloverdale - Downtown car show Saturday featuring special guest Mike Lavallee of Killer Paint - ya that flame guy will be here. It goes all day and into the night and is free.

More event listings here

Next week we announce our latest road trip, look at the return of bigtime NHRA drag racing to Portland - a race that could well be the biggest 1/8th mile event the NW has ever seen, an a lot more!

It's difficult sorting and reporting this sport, especially when it comes to bad news. I continue to look at myself not as a journalist or a blogger, but as a professional spectator. It may not always come off like that, but that's really all I am.

The ups and downs this past week have been huge, and I feel a need to write about some of them before one memory overpowers another.

One week ago as I write this I was sitting in the Calgary airport reviewing and making notes of video from the Medicine Hat National Open. I must say that my first trip to Alberta in about two decades was wonderful.

It was at the 2007 NHRA Banquet in Seattle that Mike and his wife Darlene Williams got on me about coming to their Open. This was actually the third time we'd had this very conversation, so then and there I promised to seriously try in '08. It was a tough call that would see me miss the Old-time Drags at Mission, but it was a call I felt could be a very positive one. I was not let down. And ya - the Loafers race was said to be maybe the best ever.

The hospitality at 'The Hat' was second to none. They had a golf cart for me courtesy of racer Ken Goldade of D& D Oilfield Rentals, were serving food every night from Thur - Sun, and everywhere people had smiles on their faces from the beer barn to the tower to the beautiful children's playground right behind the main stands.

I got to see some very cool new rides, made a bunch of new friends, and would come back in a heartbeat. Plans are to make an event video sometime before the end of their season.

I met Mike & Nancy Colvin from Orting WA who come here a few times a year and love the country, cowboy atmosphere that's so far removed from west coast strips it's hard to believe it's even in the same division.

I met Gerry Eide a local meat guy who drives a very quick Top Comp dragster...Vince Ghazar who ran his street legal Mustang to a speed approaching 200mph...I got to know Top Comp racer Darren O'Connor and family from Ft St John after he won the first two Wallys of his career this very weekend...and I met some guys and girls I can't even remember the names of, but I do remember all the smiles and the good feeling of being around so many people all trying to make the race a success.

Even so, some had their hardships from running out of fuel on the way here to disagreeing on fees, but that's just life at a dragstrip. For me it was all good, and I am really looking forward to a return trip someday.

The middle of the week was dominated by the loss of Bill Kost and I recently heard that his funeral was very well attended and went on for a good long time. Fitting for one of his stature.

Then this past weekend I return to my home track to hang out with all my biker friends, yet another fun-filled weekend. Unfortunately the CMDRA has a cloud hanging over their heads...literally. After perhaps the most intense five minute downpour in the history of this place Houniet crew chief Ross McLellan said it best:

"If you know of a place having a drought, build a drag strip there, then invite the CMDRA"!

Yes, after years of being rained on in Sept. and late August the group convinced the track to change their date for '08 to the same one as the Abbotsford Air Show. Traditionally the weekend it never rains...so much for history. Then again I heard it poured here Sunday, but not at the air show...

Though the bike count was down, they put on a spectacular show with the nitro bikes, Pro Mods and Pro Streeters.

Then came the news of a crash in Port Alberni.(photos)

(Event coverage & more photos)

Once it was determined Dal Sangha was not badly injured, talk went in all kinds of directions, none of which I wish to pursue at this time. I'm glad my friend is ok, but have this uncomfortable feeling that it never should have happened.

With that I must get back to my individual video work that is about a month behind. I look to cut that time frame in half over the next couple of weeks.

This coming weekend sees another night race in Ashcroft, the big Bracket Bash at Seattle, Lucas Division Six action in Acton Montana, and the first Friday night street legal at MRP in over a month...wow.

Look for another major HH road trip announcement very soon, and it's been confirmed that at MRP August 23/24 they will have two 300mph capable jet dragsters, three wheelstanders, Pro Street, Outlaw 10.5, Doorslammers and the final bracket bash before The Finals. Just more great races week-after-week as we begin to wind down a year we'll never forget.

Saturday August 9, 2008

Bad news from Alberni & MRP gets a bit in
HH has heard a number of different secondhand reports that Dal Sangha wrecked his new Mustang racing at the Port Alberni Airport today. We cannot officially confirm anything but to the best of our knowledge Dal is ok, but the car is bad after rolling over more than once. We don't want to say anything more than that until we hear some official news. Alberni Forum

Boise Nightfire results and HERE

Meanwhile at Mission, the CMDRA folks managed a round and a bit of qualifying before heavy rains totally soaked the place. Houneit leads a dozen Fuelers with a 6.56/213.37, while in Pro Fuel John Breckenridge stunned em with a spectacular 6.54/203.85. Gord Smith went 7.23/194 42 to lead a good Pro Mod field that saw a lot of new American runners.

Qualifying continues at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning with racing scheduled to begin at noon.

It is quite simply the Holy Grail of rulebooks. The first I have ever seen on ebay.
An 'impossible-to-find' 1957 NHRA.

Friday August 8, 2008

Turned out the computer problem was 'user error' so we're all back to normal after a trip to my guy.

Working so well we figured it's time to try something new. How bout some streaming HD video? How bout some Medicine Hat streaming HD video? You'll need a healthy system, and let it play all the way through the stutters one time, then start again and it should play fine. This is wut I'm talkin about!

Thursday August 7, 2008

Video computer update ALL CUSTOMERS WAITING FOR VIDEOS PLEASE READ
Good news is no files were lost, bad news is it'll have to go into 'my guy' to be repaired. More sorta good news is that next week is a relatively 'easy' weekend with just one day at the Gastown show, giving me lots of time to get caught up - something that just hasn't been happening after almost two months straight of three day work weeks and four day race/travel weeks.

VIDEO COMPUTER HORROR SHOW STILL ONGOING
My near new video computer crashed early yesterday and am still trying to save all my files. Looks ok so far, but not out of the woods yet. Obviously all video work has come to a stop and I do not expect to be able to get back working again until next week at the earliest - that's if this current problem can be sorted out. I'm hoping my (damn expensive) backup system has worked, but not sure just yet.

Consequently I may not be at the TnT at MRP tomorrow, but will be out Sat & Sun for the CMDRA race. Full details of which are here.

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Today we welcome or latest sponsor - MARKS Automotive Repairs Kerrisdale Speed.
We've known owner Mark Boutilier for going on 20 years and are well versed in his quality workmanship and integrity. He started his own business in Surrey in 1986, then in 2005 bought out Bud Bennett and the legendary Kerrisdale Speed name, moving to #3-2345 Windsor Street in Abbotsford. Commonly known as 'Bog', Mark is one of the sport's good guys and shares a common bond here at HH with a particular love of stick cars. Do HH a favor, and check out his site at http://www.marksauto.ca and see some of the work he's done, the products he sells and the services he offers. Thanks to Mark for supporting us with a paying ad, it's the kind of thing that will ensure HH is able to work hard at giving all the northwest little guy n gal racers plenty of quality web coverage.

Medicine Hat Lucas Oil NHRA National Open Photos now posted here

MRP Oldtimers
From the little I've heard so far, it sounds like the Mission Oldtime Drags saw just a bit of carnage and clean up time. Once again my thanks and respect goes out to all the guys and girls who have to clean up after everything, sorry to see this happen at such a usually great race. Thanks also goes to the crew over at Speedzone who posted the winners names and a host of photos. Of note the spectacular sequence by Bill Jeffery of the Mitch Chamberlin incident, nice work.

Tuesday August 5, 2008

Funeral for Bill Kost will be this Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Maple Valley Presbyterian Church, 22659 Sweeney Rd SE Maple Valley, WA (map)

This day (and maybe tomorrow) will be spent getting all the late video/photo orders from the Yakima Nitro Nights and Ashcroft National Open in the mail.

Medicine Hat National Open results now posted, photos and video coming soon.

Pacific $50k Sportsman Nats at Seattle a GO! Pre-entry deadline extended to August 10.
There have been some rumors going around lately that this huge bracket bash may be canceled, but HH can confirm those are totally incorrect.

Dale Green, Stan Leerkamp, and Chris Martin have been busting their butts to makes this race come together and it's still scheduled to happen Fri, Sat, and Sun, Aug 15th, 16th, and 17th. Everyone needs to get their pre-race entries in ASAP. These can forms can be printed right off the Pacific Raceways website.

Still gonna be a $50k Payout!!! The pre-entry deadline has been extended to Aug.10th. Well over $20K in entries have come in... probably upwards of $30k.... This race is a huge one - Please support Pacific Raceways, Dale, Stan and Chris. They all want drag racing to flourish here in the Northwest and see this track grow to its full potential. This race is a great way to show your support.

Golf Cart Races and a huge BBQ are among other events that will make this a fun weekend. Unfortunately HH will not be able to make this event as we committed to the Gastown Bike Show well before this race was announced, but hopefully somebody down there will be able to send us results and maybe even photos.

Monday August 4, 2008

Another northwest legend gone
Just in from a wonderful time at the Lucas Oil NHRA National Open in Medicine Hat Alberta. Sadly, with all that happened over the weekend one single item takes precedent over all the rest - the loss this past Saturday of northwest drag racing veteran Bill Kost.

It was during a rain delay yesterday that I learned of Bill's passing after an emergency trip to hospital the night before where his heart finally failed.

As I sat in my rental car watching the rain drops fall on the windshield, I could not help but feel that these were tears from above to the drag racers assembled at this northwest division race, many of whom were already mourning his loss. Nearing midnight last evening as the final few pairs of cars went down the track I had a strong feeling that Bill had given us a moment to pause this day before finishing the race. I don't know, but I just felt something.

Many are aware of the heart attack he suffered during the Lucas race in Boise earlier this season, and when he showed up at the Mission event a short time later a mere shadow of himself, many quickly realized Bill had dodged a major bullet. He went on to race again as recently as the Seattle National event where he qualified third in Stock.

Among his peers Bill was not just 'The Man', but 'The Hit Man' as painted on the side of his big red Oldsmobile.

My condolences to the Kost entire family, and his many, many friends and associates. If there is interest and family support for a memorial page here on HH, I will gladly create one.

For now, here is a thread from Class Racer and a pdf of a recent article sent to us thanks to Joe Elias

From nhra.com: Division 6 Stock veteran Kost dies: Longtime Division 6 Stock racer Bill Kost died unexpectedly Aug. 2. He was 67. Kost, known for a series of strong-running Oldsmobile entries, won more than 40 races, including three NHRA national events: the 1996 NHRA Finals in Pomona, 1989 Fallnationals in Phoenix, and 1988 Seafair Nationals in Seattle. He also earned two national event runner-ups.

Kost, a longtime car dealer and most recently a restaurateur, also was a former national record holder and raced with his brother, Pete, and nephew, Dino.

Kost is survived by his wife, Vicki, and their four daughters.

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