Jr Dragster day at MRP

The whole Chief Dan George Middle School Drag team class including Teacher Kerry Sakia (far right), Parent Scott McCarthy (second from left) and sponsor Dan Provost (second from right). All the drivers and crew including Rae Ann (middle), Brittany (beside Rae Ann) the newest driver Shelby (all pink). The rest of the team (in no particular order) includes Simon, Michael, Nick, Sam, Ben, Cole, Darien and Jamon.

The final weekend at Mission Raceway was a huge weekend for most regular classes at the track. Points battles in all the bracket classes were to be decided on Saturday and Sunday, and the High School program points were to be determined on Friday. Also on tap Friday was a unique school program designed around kids not old enough to drive a real car, but are hooked on racing and want to do it. Chief Dan George Middle school in Abbotsford got involved and thought that the Jr. Dragster program would be an ideal introduction to High School racing . The team started out with one car, but of course it is hard to compete against other kids when there is only one car. Then through the P.A.C. at the Middle school, they bought another one. They also had support from a few sponsors including Dan Provost, President and CEO of RAD Torque systems. Dan donated his Jr. Dragster for the school to use as well as financial assistance for repairs parts etc. So now they had three cars in the program and a bunch of kids who love to rip down the 1/4 mike.

This year, Mouat Secondary bought a Jr. for their younger students, not old enough for the regular High School racing program. So now, Chief Dan George has another school to compete against.

This is a very viable program that other schools should seriously look at. Since the new graduated drivers license came into effect, a lot of kids were left out of racing because of the time it takes to get their license. The Jrs. fill the gap and the costs are substantially less than a full size race car.

This year's championship came down to the final day (this past Friday), and in the end, Rae Ann McCarthy (below) earned the championship.

After the race was complete Shelby got her chance to go down the track thanks to Dan Provost and teacher Kerry Sakia. The kids were all great teaching Shelby the ins and outs of Jr. Dragster racing. She helped out all day long all the while her dad (me) was nervous as all get out, waiting in anticipation. When her time came right near the end of the day, she got all rigged up, got strapped in and waited for the call. The call came and the car was fired up by one of the kids. Shelby drove it into her lane (with a little help from me , and the car stalled. She then got real nervous and said she did not think she could do it. A reassured her and the car was fired back up and she started to roll up to the staging beams. Shelby got staged and when she saw the last yellow, in her words, she stomped on the loud pedal. (a .4 rt). When she got about 200 feet down the track, she let off the gas and then she stomped on it again. She did this for the entire 660 feet, finally crossing the finish line in 20 seconds at 21 mph. I did manage to one picture in and then watched her go down the track instead of shooting more frames. I think I have done that before.

All I know, is that in the end it is going to cost me a bunch of money for the next few years.

Any potential sponsors out there.................

13 year old Rae-Anne McCarthy wound up the series champion out of the 12 different drivers this year.

Ben Pearson (in car) and Simon Thorogood

Simon Thorogood

Rae Ann McCarthy (in car)

Nick Volcano

Miss Shelby in the Jr. on the return run after one of the students finished their run.

Mouat Jr. and Chief Dan George battle it out in the final round.

Two other drivers battle it out in the conselation round.

Shelby suited up for the first time Friday afternoon. She looks pretty focused on her task.

Here she is just leaving the starting line. Like a proud father and also one who did not do his job, I forgot to take more than one photo of her run, and did not video it as well. Next year, I will make sure I am on the ball.

Shelby had this to say about her first time down the track: " It's in my blood now so I'm hoping to do it next year. Daddy (Dean Murdoch) gave me a 8.4 out of 10. I almost hit the Mission raceway safety guy (I dont know his name) when I was turning off the end of the track. I think it would of hurt! That's why I got 1.6 points taken away.

I can't wait for next year.

 

 

Shelby looks pretty happy after her run.