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The 2009 home page is here with all 09 links
February 8, 2010 In all fairness to reporting, it was pointed out to me by ex Division 6 Director (current Div 7 director) Mike Rice today that the National Open Series was a Sportsman program with points that encompassed three Western Canadian tracks (along with Bremerton), Mission, the Eagle Motorplex and Medicine Hat. The new AHRA program is not the first one to organize a Sportsman series for Canada. A very good talk with Mike Rice on the phone, regarding all things drag racing, obviously the AHRA was in the discussion as well. Many wish he was still in charge up here, and if that was the case there may not be the current situation we see now. His wife Beth and the three girls are all doing fine. From the talk, I do hear Mike still having a fondness for the great North West. February 7, 2010 A cool for sale car in Calgary, 7 seconds @ over 170. Check it out. In front of the computer all day long. Super Bowl Sunday. Indy has always been my favorite team since the day of Johnny United, but I do like the New Orleans story. So as long as it is as good a game as most in the playoffs this year it will be okay whoever wins. 2010 drag racing calendars are now on sale....huge price drop. Go here for the details. February 6, 2010 A few comments in regarding the major announcement by the Eagle Motorplex, and all are positive. If the interior track needs this type of drastic change to have the success they desire then I say good on them. You know the NHRA is not going to give them a bone (ie a Divisional event), if this becomes a success then it opens up drag racing much more than the current status quo. While Mission's major events have been in large very good and quite successful, having three or four distinctly different feature classes at one event has major potential. The "Pro Stock" best of 2009 gallery is posted. Three more galleries to come over the next two days. February 5, 2010 It's official.....and it's huge news!!!! The American Hot Rod Association is extremely pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to utilize the Eagle Motorplex facility to host an AHRA Reunion Tour event in Western Canada on August 14-15. Eagle Motorplex is a ¼ mile dragstrip that is located in Ashcroft, British Columbia and has been in operation for 23 years. “ We’re very excited to have the opportunity to include Eagle Motorplex in the Tour for 2010. With major improvements being completed at the facility at this time, it has become an attractive opportunity for us to capture this market and bring Nitro Fuel cars to the area. The track is adding 6000 seats as well as resurfacing the dragstrip,” stated Troy Moe AHRA CEO. “On behalf of our racers and spectators, we are honored to have our track chosen to host one of the most exciting races in British Columbia for years. The Reunion Tour Event featuring the nitro funny cars has the making to be one of the best events ever to be held at Eagle,” stated Joe Sye Track Manager. My early misgivings about the AHRA are perhaps put to rest with this announcement. The big question is how will the NHRA react to this announcement. At this point the talk of the cars that will be at this event include, all the sportsman classes, as well as Jet Cars, Pro Mods, Possibly Top Alcohol Dragster and Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars. Maybe even Nitro Harleys. Whatever the decision is on the Pro Cars this WILL be THE biggest event to ever hit the Eagle Motorplex. The divisionals back in the 80's and Early 90's were very good, but this has the potential to blown them out of the water. Make plans to be there!!!!!! They also have plans to host two or three other AHRA events, one in July, the August race and one in September, called Sportsman Nationals essentially National Open type events. Here is that info: AHRA is pleased to announce the first ever organized Sportsmen series in Canada by a sanctioning body. This six race series will be held on an alternate basis between Eagle Motorplex , located in Ashcroft BC and Race City located in Calgary, Alberta. This will be a designated national point series with a “Big Buck” Sportsmen payout, at each race. The following dates will be run at Eagle Motorplex, Ashcroft BC, July 10-11, August 14-15 and September 25-26. The remaining three races will be held at Race City, Calgary, Alberta on June 19-20, August 28-29 and September 11-12.
The other big news comes from Mission and that is there will be a Scotty Richsrdson Drag Racing School September 16, 17th (Thursday evening, Friday) at MRP. THursday will be a theory classroom session around 304 hrs. and Friday will be hitting the track hard and heavy. Go here for the details and the info to book your spot. First come first serve February 4, 2010 TAD, TAFC, TF and FC 2009 ."best of". galleries are posted. (Captions will be added to the individual car galleries over the next couple days). February 3, 2010 Click on the links below to see the various galleries. Check back over the next couple days as we add more. There are a total of 16 galleries when we are complete. Just before the opening NHRA National event coming up in 10 Days SpeedZone Magazine brings you a some of the best shots of 2009 courtesy SpeedZone Magazine Photographers Bill Jeffery, Paul Grant, Robert Hunter, David Smith Mark King and even a few of my own. Here is the first batch (the next week we will have 10-15 different gallerys preceeding the 50th Winternationals). Doorslammer, Nostalgia, Pro Mod, Stock/Super Stock, and Dragsters February 1, 2010 A weekend IHRA gallery from Palm Beach is posted. January 31, 2010 Race one in the new IHRA is complete, and first impressions are telling......The crowd was ..........(more) Pit notes from a number of the teams as SpeedZone correspondant Pat Welsh had a chance to talk to the drivers and teams, very insighful. January 30, 2010 Day one is complete at Palm Beach for the IHRA's Nitro Jam. Results and photos are here. January 29, 2010 The IHRA opens its season this weekend at Palm Beach Florida. SpeedZone is there to report on the new IHRA version of what drag racing should be, how it will work and how the spectators will respond. The final days of pre-season testing in the NHRA is get underway at Las Vegas this weekend. Pro Stocks will be there, and likely a few pro teams. Testing there will likely go on for the next 12 days right up to the Tuesday before the 50th Winternationals which get underway Feb 11th.
January 28, 2009 A major sad announcement as far as SpeedZone goes, as very good friends Ray and Jan Bobrowski, owners of RJ Enterprises have decided to retire from the the Fuel business. "It's time, said Jan on the phone today, it was just too time consuming. We want to enjoy the races as well, and it is tough to do when we are working at the track during every race weekend. At this time there is no replacement at the track, and we will service our customers until a replacement is found, or until our home is sold in Coquitlam. The warehouse we were in is not available anymore and the cost of leasing a new one is too expensive. Until the track or another business takes over the deal, Ray and Jan will sell fuel bulk, so if you want to pre order by the barrel (50 gallon), or in the five gallon drums, contact them at 604 936 1946. We will have more information as we hear it, from both Mission and Ray and Jan. January 26, 2010 A report sent to me a few days ago had incorrect information about the death of a racer at Palm Beach. 18 year old Casey Bicknell did NOT die from his injuries at Palm Beach Drag Strip, he is still is serious condition. It was another driver, Jerry Baxter who died from a crash there. I apologise to Casey and his family, and my condolences to Jerry's family. Either way a very tough couple weeks at Palm Beach. On a more positive note, the IHRA is going to be there (PBIR) this weekend for their opening Nitro Jam race of 2010. Top Fuel, the new A/Fuel (Pro Fuel moniker), Pro Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car, and other exhibition classes will be showcased. SpeedZone has a photographer there. January 25, 2010
Mark King photos. Most of the teams were still out Monday, as the Force trio were flat out fast, numbers that were sea level like. The results are here.
A Monday Firebird gallery is here. The second Firebird Napa Time Trials Sunday gallery is posted. The newest Funny Car assoc and web site are now live. The Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Car assoc. is up and running.
Western Canada has a new group of racers called ......................(more) January 24, 2010........... 8:30pm update
The 'Bird' was heating up Sunday, Go here for two great sequences from Firebird. Best numbers from Sunday are posted as well. A 100 picture Sunday gallery is here. January 24, 2010.............. Noon update A very cool poll is up at NHRA.com. Pick your top 10 Rivalries, Drivers, Crew chiefs, Sportsman drivers and a few other topics. Go here to send in your picks. Sad news out of Florida at Palm Beach dragstrip. A young driver died of his injuries after his Corvette crashed January 6. Casey Bicknell died two weeks after his car left the end of track. Condolences to his family. An update to the weather in the Arizona state from the last few days.The race track was not the only motorsport facility affected by the crazy weather. The wind affected one of the large collector car auctions in the area and a few Canadian sellers. Nostalgia Funny Car partners Tim Boychuk and Ron Hodgeson, had large dollar cars in the Russo-Steel Auction in Scottsdale. Boychuk had four big dollar hot rods and Hodgeson had a $400,000 hot rod under the tent that got blown away in the storm, many cars were damaged by the tent tarps and poles and the owners were not allowed to go salvage their jewels for over 24 hrs. whil;e they secured the area. Hopefully insurance was up to date and accurate. A good day weather wise for the Napa Time trials as Firebird today Sunday, but it does not look like there are more cars in the pits then yesterday. We likely will see a few more runs from each team and more full pulls. The Bernstein principles had a mock strategy session in the pit lanes that many photogs including SpeedZone shooter Bob Snyder were shooed away from. If you got an exclusive deal happening during an open test, do it in your own pit area, not out in front of everyone boyz.
January 23, 2010 6:00pm update
A large gallery from the day at Phoenix is here.
No real huge numbers today but the Force trio but lay down solid numbers . The new Bernstein Top Fueler struggled (or planned) in the new colors. The weather that has been reported far and wide in the South East surely kept a good number of the teams away. Beside the pro classes, the Nostalgia contingent was expected to be out in force with a good number of big old time drag races on the docket in the early months. Numbers and photos are here................. A short highlight gallery from Saturday is here Testing is underway at Phoenix, only a dozen or so nitro cars today. Three Force cars, Bernstein, Miller, Wilkerson, Cruz and the Doug Foley car without new driver Jesse Harris in the seat. The Dote Racing/Foley/Harris team was set to start the season together, but according to team sources the Harris financial commitment is absent, so Doug is in the car. According to Jessie's myspace page she is right pissed. intersting to see how this will play out. photos and results later in the day. A couple nostalgia floppers (Mike Adamas for sure), the Gorilla Fuel altered and one or two AA/FD's. The newest Nostalgia Funny Car assoc web site will be launched in the next day or so. Stay tuned. January 21, 2010 Rain is hitting Phoenix at this moment, which likely will affect Pre season testing this weekend. SpeedZone has two photo/journalist there throughout the weekend, and into early next week, as the season is only a couple weeks away. But the storm there is nothing compared to the anouncement by NHRA this morning. Z-Max dragway in North Corolina will see all four professional classes compete four wide throughout the event including eliminations. Three rounds of racing with the final round seeing four lanes and four cars. The name of the event is "Inugural Four Wide Nationals" All the details courtesy media.NHRA.com
David Smith photos The inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is scheduled for March 25-28 at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C. NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition will be conducted in the traditional two-lane format, running some classes in the left two lanes and others in the right two lanes to assist with lane preparation and consistency. The announcement comes just four months after NHRA
conducted its first-ever four-lane exhibition at a national event,
where nearly 30,000 horsepower blasted off at zMAX Dragway during
the September running of the NHRA Carolinas Nationals. In separate
runs, four Top Fuel dragsters and four Funny Cars competed in the
four-wide event with everyone standing on their feet to witness
the most spectacular five-seconds in "We had so much positive feedback from our fans and drivers after the four-lane exhibition last September that we were comfortable adding this unique twist to an official NHRA national event," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. "Once again, NHRA will be making history at zMAX Dragway. With all four of our Full Throttle Series categories competing in four-wide racing it will certainly be a spectacular event to see." "Watching these nitro cars thunder four-wide
down the world's only four-lane concrete strip is exactly what we
had in mind when we built zMAX Dragway," said Bruton Smith,
chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports and
creator of zMAX Dragway. "We're making history with horsepower
at the Bellagio of drag strips and race fans will be treated to
a competition unlike any thing that's ever been seen
The rules for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX
Dragway will be as * Qualifying will be conducted using four lanes
* The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the four first rounds of eliminations will advance to the second round * The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the two second rounds of eliminations will advance to the final round * Each final round will feature four drivers in each category, and the single driver to cross the finish line first in the final will be declared the winner of the race, the second runner-up and so on. The NHRA Carolinas Nationals, Sept. 16-19, the second of six races in NHRA's Countdown to 1 playoffs, will continue to be conducted using only two lanes at zMAX Dragway. Tickets for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals are available
by calling (800) 455-3267 or by visiting www.charlottemotorspeedway.com
on the Web. The inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is the fourth
of 17 races in the NHRA Countdown to 10, NHRA's regular season.
ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing
Series event.
January 19, 2010
Big Bob photo Steve Nichols, driver of the world's quickest Chevy powered Nostalgia Flopper, is making the switch to a hemi for the 2010 season. The trusty 5.96/238 mph Chevy bullet will still be in the trailer, but crew chief Ray Zeller has a couple other clients with the hemi, and Steve really wants to be competitive (ie: the top dog) in the IHRA deal this year. Look for the debut in 10 days at Palm Beach Florida Also in the nostalgia arena, Todd Lesenko will have one of the all new Nostalgia rear engined TF dragster. with the current funny car bullet in the rails, they should top 260 in the 5.40 range. More info on the project in the coming weeks. One of SpeedZone's favorites is back...........In N Out Burger is back in Drag Racing
Drag racing star Troxel returns to Funny Car with In-N-Out Burger support IRVINE, Calif. (Jan. 19) -- Drag racing superstar Melanie Troxel will return to the Funny Car ranks in 2010 behind the wheel of the In-N-Out Burger Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car. Troxel will banner the landmark restaurant at the eight NHRA national events that take place in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. The agreement resurrects a successful partnering between Troxel and In-N-Out Burger from the late 1990s that was highlighted by Troxel's second-place finish in the 1999 Top Alcohol Dragster national standings. In two seasons, Troxel won six races for In-N-Out Burger and claimed the '99 Division 6 title and '98 Division 5 runner-up honors. "I am so excited that In-N-Out Burger is back in drag racing," said Lynsi Martinez of In-N-Out Burger. "My father (H. Guy Snyder) had a passion for drag racing and that passion lives in me. Drag racing has played a big role in In-N-Out's history and it is also an important part of my family history. "It's great to be reunited with Melanie. She is the perfect representative for us and she's an exceptional driver. We are looking forward to a great season. It should be very exciting for both our In-N-Out family and our customers!" Troxel's early triumphs with In-N-Out led to her ascension to the professional ranks midway through the 2000 season when she was selected by mega-team owner Don Schumacher to pilot the Exide Batteries Top Fuel dragster vacated by his son Tony Schumacher, who was moving over to the newly-formed U.S. Army group. Wasting little time in impressing her peers, Troxel quickly raced to a runner-up result in Dallas and was steady enough in just 10 races to be named the Auto Club Road to the Future award winner. The accolade, now saluting the sport's top rookie, was given to Troxel as a racer "who had the best chance to make a mark in the sport of drag racing." She's been living up to that billing ever since, racing Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Mod with great success. In her brief career, Troxel has raced her various hot rods to seven national event victories in 16 final-round showings. She also has four Low Qualifier awards to her credit and is known throughout the motorsports world as the quickest and fastest female racer. "It's very exciting to be back with In-N-Out Burger and to be racing a Funny Car again," said Troxel, who will be tuned by veterans Lance Larson and Robb Hauser. "We had big plans with In-N-Out a decade ago and now the circumstances have come together for us to continue our partnership and move forward. "I feel a real bond with Lynsi and her staff at In-N-Out and I really want to do well for them, both on and off the racetrack. Our team owner, Roger Burgess, has given us all the equipment we need to be successful and I think we can jump right back in the mix at Pomona. We're all very excited to get started." Troxel won the Pomona race in 2006 to kick-off a record string of five straight final-round showings to start a season. The victory made her just the eighth female since 1951 to win an NHRA national event and the sixth female ever to win in the Top Fuel class. Her incredible season ended with Troxel being named Sportswoman of the Year by the Billie Jean King Foundation and her nomination for two ESPY awards (best driver and best female athlete). Switching to Funny Car in 2008, Troxel proved just as lethal, winning the Bristol event to become just the second female in history to claim a trophy in the class. Last year, Troxel drove a Pro Mod car for Burgess and managed to post the third quickest quarter-mile pass in history, a 5.829-second blast. She will still compete in the Pro Mod class in 2010, driving the In-N-Out Burger '63 Corvette at all 10 events in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. In 1948, the first In-N-Out Burger was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, Calif. The basic menu of burgers, fries, and drinks is still the same one customers have enjoyed since the company's inception 62 years ago. Everything is still made fresh to order and there are no microwaves or freezers in use. Through careful and deliberate expansion, In-N-Out Burger now features restaurants throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. In-N-Out Burger remains privately owned and the Snyder family has no plans to take the company public or franchise any units. January 18, 2010 The best of 2009 photo spectacular is almost complete. Check back by the weekend for what has to be some of the best shots anywhere of the year. Testing is just around the corner at both Phoenix and Las Vegas, as the NHRA Full Throttle season get underway in three weeks. Hope to have coverage from both venues prior to SpeedZone extensive coverage at the 50th Winternationals. January 15, 2010 Don the "Shoe" Hudson is the new driver of the "Pizza Haven" flopper owned by Twig Zeigler. Congrat's dude, will be a cool ride for ya. January 14, 2010 Just a reminder that the Canadian awards nominations according to Drag Race Canada, for top drivers, rookies, crew chiefs, etc. are now up at DRC. Finally they have a few West Coast racers in the nominations. Have had one or two in the past, but more this year. Sportsman drivers, crew chief, up and coming and Pro categories have great West Coast based teams nominated. Vote here. January 11, 2010 A typo with regards to the Langley cruise-in cancellation. I for some unknown reason called the event the "Langley Loafers Cruise-in". It is NOT a Langley Loafers Car Club venture. It is an event run by a commitee from the city of Langley. Sorry for the confusion.
An update regarding the Rocky Mountian Nostalgia Funny Car series, they are scheduled to be at the Langley Loafers event at the Eagle Motorplex in June. Both Eagle's and the RMNFC schedules will be posted soon. January 10, 2010 Working on the new site for the Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Car Assoc. the next week or so. Also had some interest for another doorcar calendar which we will confirm in the next few days. Also will get CWDS Christmas banquet/ party photos posted as well as their schedule for 2010. January 9, 2010 The 2010 Olympics and Drag racing come together January 8, 2010 Lots of motorsport news locally and in the big show. The biggest announcement is, the "SNAKE" is done. Don the "Snake" Prudhomme announced his retirement for drag racing this week after a 47 year career that included a total of 112 national event wins as both a driver (47) and owner (63). The full story is here. Locally expect a huge announcement from a local track on some big plans in 2010. On another note locally, Mission Raceway has their schedule posted. Put in the category as a surprise (at least to me), the Langley Loafers Cruise-in has been canceled for 2010. burnout according to HH is the reason. A huge boost to the Langley downtown economy for that weekend in September. Five SpeedZone calendars are now ready for shipping. The cars are great, the pictures are fantastic and the price is the best in a half decade.Go here to purchase and see samples. Pre season testing is just around the corner down south as the next four weeks will be busy. Starting next week in Florida, where the Schumacher clan, the Kalitta cars as well as a few others (Tasca for sure), likely a number of Pro Stock teams as well. SpeedZone will have a photog there. The week after all hell breaks loose in Phoenix for the Napa Time trials at Firebird in Chandler Arizona. We also will have coverage there. The week after in Vegas for final testing and then the 50th Winternationals (the largest promoted race in the NHRA since the 50th US nationals almost a decade ago) the second weekend in February, SpeedZone will also be represented there. Back on the East Coast, the newly transmogrified IHRA starts off the last weekend of January at Palm Beach International Raceway. We also should have pics and results from there courtesy our newest contributor. Phoenix, Gaiinesville and the huge March Meet (with a 32 car Funny Car field will also have SpeedZone coverage. Local coverage will be extensive as well here at SpeedZone. Mission of course will see every drag race weekend covered on the net and likely more coverage at the 'Plex. I am going to be helping them with marketing, sponsorship and PR this year, at least in the first half of the season. It also looks like the no lead issues that have threatened Canadian racing will finally be put to rest as Environment Canada proposes the same rules as the US are going by. In other words, when they decide NO LEAD is mandatory, then Canada will follow suit. Not confirmed yet, but it should be shortly. January 5, 2010 Another big announcement this week, and this one proves that Nostalgia Funny Cars are the fastest growing group of drag racers."The Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Cars" are ready to rip up the tracks in BC, Alberta, Saskachewan, Washington and other N.W. US states. This exciting bunch of pre 1984 floppers will be live with their new web site, and all the news in the next week to 10 days. January 4, 2010 Big News in the North West Drag racing front as one track looks to buck the normal drag racing trend, at least on the West Coast (an announcement in the next ten days). January 1, 2010 Happy New Year to every gearhead out there. Have lots of good stuff planned for the next couple weeks here at SpeedZone. For a great "what the ..................,this can't be real, check out this epic fail!!!
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25, 2009