Photo Copyright Ed Evans

By Ed Evans

The only smoke came from the burnouts as the 2010 Houston Drags ran at the Houston Airport last weekend. Fires were rampant in the area with two of them burning in the Houston region. The Friday night burnout contest did however, press home the seriousness of the whole situation when a Helicopter was vectored in to the airport to check out all of the smoke after Chris wood’s burnout. Chris did not win the “Burnout Contest” however he was hot all weekend, taking home a second in “King of the Hill” and a First in “Pro” Sunday.

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

The “Feature vehicle” was “Smokin’ Gun” a 12 second 1968 Kenworth which is Canada’s first and fastest Diesel Drag Semi. Powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V92, Twin Turbo, Supercharged, and Inter-Charged with a 1200 hp shot of Nitrous Oxide. “Smokin’ Gun” makes 3100 hp to move 9500 lbs down the 1/4 mile in less than 12.5 seconds, and through the traps at over 120 mph!

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Belching black smoke as the turbo’s spooled up and running a full 1/8 mile burnout, this monster ran at over 100 MPH each run down the quarter mile track. A huge crowd pleaser, “Smokin’ Gun” had all of the racers in the pit’s watching each run too.

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

The “Pro Outlaw” class pits Saturday’s winner against Sunday’s winner in the 1/8 mile race. Local Houston racer Nuno Deteves was hoping to repeat last year, where he took “Pro Outlaw” Saturday and won the final on Sunday. Deteves did his part taking Saturday “Pro Outlaw” but could not stop the hard charging Paul Soares, who met Lee Thompson and his 63 Corvette in the Sunday finals. Soares and his Grande Prix, powered around Thompson in the most exciting final in years.

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Sunday the Saturday winners of “King of the hill” Bikes and “King of the hill” Car/Truck met in a winner take all final and surprise, the car won. Mike Wienhardt of Vanderhoof took out Leyland Hoveland and his Bike.

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

“Bikes and sleds” winner was…..who else Shawn Enmark and his slippery sled.

Other winners were not available when this column was posted.

A thank you goes out to the organizers, sponsors and especially the volunteers, A great time was had by all who attended and we cannot wait for next year.

Photo Copyright Ed Evans

Next Up:

Bike wars this weekend August 28, 29 at the Terrace Airport featuring Jeff Knowles and his Nitro Harley. Watch for a Preview Friday