Rain almost on hold for the final race

Ed Evans

The Daily News

One way to describe the final weekend of Northwest drag racing:

It was the best of times, It was the worst of times.

Weather-wise, the forecast had called for a 80% chance of rain, and it was a problem for the car count.

Racers had to be phoned to come out to the track, as it was raining in Terrace, but not the Airport. The weather held through the two days, but the finals Sunday were rained out.

Individually, after missing most of the Northwest racing season, Prince Rupert’s Terry Frizzell found himself in the finals Saturday for “Pro Class”. Frizzell and his 1966 slingshot dragster had spent his summer holiday’s checking out the racing in the North Peace.

Taking in races in Chetwynd and Drag wars in Grande Prairie Alberta, Frizzell was traveling in the area his car was built . Originally a twin engined rail, with two 300 cubic inch motors, the car was famous in the North Peace area. After twin engines were outlawed by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the car was re-motored to it’s present state.

The car, under several owners, won a Canadian championship and even the Kitimat Hill Climb. Since owning the ride Frizzell has two second place wins in Ashcroft and Houston, but the big first place, always seemed out of reach.

Saturday in Terrace, it all came together for Frizzell as he climbed past the pack to take home his first “First Place” in “Pro”.

After the heady win Saturday, Frizzell’s luck reversed again Sunday, as he dropped a valve in the elimination round.

The NHRA rules state that during eliminations you cannot run a car that has run down the track that day, but you could run a car that has not run.

Frizzell borrowed Harald Daumont’s tow vehicle and lined up on the track. With no time trials and no way of knowing what the truck will race, Frizzell ran his slowest run ever, going down the track looking like he was finding a parking spot. Frizzell lost the race, but still had the first place trophy for his weekend troubles.

Saturday results

Super Pro Class
1st: Chris Bie 
2nd: Dave Saunders
3rd:  Bruce Daum

Pro Class
1st: Terry Frizzell
2nd: Craig Baker
3rd: John Gryba

Junior Dragster Class
1st: Brady Champoux
2nd: Tyler Moore
3rd: Brianna Ray

Sunday results

Super Pro Class
1st: Chris Bie and Mike McNeice (Tie for First due to Rain)
3rd: Russ Geutnecht

Pro Class
1st: Lissa Bie and Harley Bell (Tie for First due to Rain)
3rd: Neil Boutilier

Junior Dragster Class
1st: Tyler Moore
2nd: Alaina Archibald
3rd: Sean Parker

Houston Makeup finals
Chriss Barnett got a perfect light in the semi-finals for Houston on
Saturday, Chriss also won the Houston super pro class

The junior class from Houston was won by Tyler Moore

	It was a great season of Drag racing and hats should go off to all of the organizers and volunteers for all the hard work. You can view photo's on the websites www.princerupertautoclub.com or www.terracedrags.ca . 

Photo : Prince Rupert's Gord Mclean  yanks his tires on Sunday
							Ed Evans Photo