By Ed Evans

The third weekend in August has been a great weekend for Drag racers and fans in the Northwest for the past 13 years. The Houston Drags run on the third weekend of August and from the first year it was the place to be.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

There has always excitement at the Houston Drags, the first year we had Paul Soares in his Blown Small block Grande Prix.

The car sent up a roar that echoed off of the surrounding mountains, sounding like some rampaging beast.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

In other years we have seen lots of huge air, due to the concrete launch pad. Gord Hidber and his Altered, Ryan MacDonald’s ’34 Ford Coupe, Lee Thompson’s Beamont, Kham Shantz and his 34 Ford Roadster and Prince George’s “Nitrous Boss” Doug MacKenzie and his ’55 to name a few.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Local Northwest racers brought some great rides. J.L. and his Top alcohol Rail or his Pro-Mod Nova , Monty’s Blown Alcohol Altered, Racers such as Roger Manson and his Blown four cylinder 9 second Jeep have all added to the excitement.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

There have been some exciting feature cars, Rob Murphy and his Pro Mod, his wheel-stander “Wheely Fun”, coincidentally, it was driven by “Nitro Mike Kuntz”. Kuntz was the feature last year with his wheel-standing PT Cruiser “ Walking Tall”.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

This year will prove to be no exception as the Feature Act this year will be “Smokin’ Gun”, Canada’s fastest ¼ mile Diesel Semi. This 1968 Kenworth has run a best time of 11.98 seconds and a best ¼ mile speed of 120.70 MPH.

Photo courtesy website: www.smokingunracing.com

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Cars have come from all over to race at Houston. Beside all of the Northwest racers, cars have been noted from PG , Alberta,  Ft St John, Chetwynd, Whitehorse, Mission and Ashcroft to name a few.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Photo copyright Ed Evans

Now a 1/8 mile race for the fast “Pro Outlaw” class and a full ¼ mile for all of the other classes, Houston offers something for everybody. Don’t miss this weekend of fun, as it still says on the side of “Walking Tall”….. “Houston Rocks”.

Photo copyright Ed Evans

If you want to see more about the Houston Drags, click on the ‘ Houston Drags’ link. If you would like to see more pics of previous year’s click on ‘pictures’. See ya in Houston!