For more photo’s click on “Photo album”
A wet empty parking lot was what greeted racers in Kitimat, as the Dave Saunders Memorial Hill Climb was rained out on the weekend
Ed Evans Photo
By Ed Evans
The Northern View
July 6th 2011
You can’t drag race in the rain and proof of that was this weekend, as disappointed organizers of the Kitimat Hill Climb had to cancel both the race day and the rainout day because of inclement weather.
The event has been rained out for one day before, but there were always runs up the hill as weather cleared for the rainout day. This year Kitimat was socked in both days.
For drag racing fans there is nothing left to do but wait until August, as the Vanderhoof Drags were also cancelled earlier in the month. This race was scheduled for later in July.
August however, promises to be one of the best ever with “Hot August Nites” in Terrace, bringing in two Jet Funny cars July 31st and August 1st and the Houston Drags, August 19th-21st are bringing in ‘The NorthWest Doorslammers” and four six second ¼ mile cars.
For more information check out the websites: www.terracedrags.ca or www.houstondrags.ca
Pierre Amado has a hard launch in his Challenger. Amado outran Terry Frizzell in the finals to take home “King of the hill” last year
Ed Evans Photo
By Ed Evans
The Northern View
June 29,2011
This weekend racing reverts back to where racing began in B.C.’s Pacific Northwest, with “The Dave Saunders Memorial Hill Climb”.
This race is the third reincarnation of the “Kitimat Hill Climb”. The first race was a single lane, quarter mile race up Haisla hill in Kitimat in the late 70′s.
Ed Trudeau from Kitimat with his “Wild Canadian” Hemi Cuda made some breathtaking runs and Prince Rupert’s Hans Andeeson’s “Rupert Elephant”, set the track record of 12.00 seconds.
All of the cars raced up a highway hill, situated in a residential area.
It was scenic view, watching a free race on grass that was shaped like green bleachers sloping down to the track.
The “Kitimat hill climb” faced a big problem then that it still faces ……… Speed. Or rather the higher speed put on by the faster cars.
The cars of the time were getting faster and faster. Cars like Andreeson’s fire breathing Hemi Pinto put the speeds up over a hundred miles per hour, much too fast to go around the bend at the top of the hill on slicks.
The second version of the “Hill Climb”, in the late 80s, was a 1/8 mile run.
Cars came from Prince George to Prince Rupert to compete . A second race was put on to run against the four fastest entries for the “King Of the Hill”.
Again speeds the fast cars ran, were getting too high again. The last 1/8 mile version of the “Kitimat Hill Climb” was run in 2000.
This third version is dedicated to local Kitimat racing pioneer Dave Saunders.
The “Dave Saunders Memorial Hill Climb” brings racers back to kitimat to run one of the favourite races.
The speeds are still a looming problem so the race is run at 400 feet. This is over half the 1/8 mile race. But the request was brought up by the faster cars.
Race organizers remind us that “Dave” Saunders said that the hill was “Only good for 400 feet”.
The race is still a great fun run and also a great race to watch. You don’t get a view of the cars running at any track, like you will see at this race.
See you on the hill Saturday, July 2nd. Time Trials begin at 10:00 am Eliminations at 1:00 pm.
The ever popular Kitimat Show & Shine will be held Saturday July 1st in the Tamitik Arena. These are all great reasons to visit kitimat this weekend.
Missing Results
Last week’s Terrace “Summer classic” results did not include the Bike/Sled Class, so here are the winners:
1st – Shawn Enmark
2nd - Jim Braid
3rd – John Symes
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Photo copyright Ed Evans
Proud Parents Kham Shantz and Deanna Fouquet show off their new arrival Kohen Rhett Shantz Born May 26, 2011. He is shown here at his first race
Kohen arrived on his mothers birthday. A Great Birthday present!
Norm Swengler in his Mustang and Mike McNeice in his ’69 Camero yank their tires on a heads up run Sunday
Ed Evans Photo
By Ed Evans
The Northern View
June 22/2011
The skies were overcast both days as the second of four Drag races at the Terrace Regional Airport was run last weekend. It was billed as ‘The Summer Classic’ and the temperature was hot and muggy on Saturday as ‘King of the YXT’ and ‘Gamblers’ classes were run.
All of the classes had great final runs with Harley Bell taking down Chris Bie in the ‘King of the YXT’ final. In the ‘Gamblers’ class final, Doug Mcphadyn in his ’55 Chevy outran Brandon Roth in his S10 pickup truck. The ‘Jr. King of the YXT’ final race was an all Kitimat final with Lou Ribero winning over Tanner Daum.
Sunday was a different day with the weather turning cold. It felt like it was the ‘Winter-nationals’ not ‘The Summer Classic’ as the rain threatened to come down several times in the day.
‘Sportsman’ class was an all female final, as Dana Amado outran Ivy Sorensen, to take the win. Ed Hall in his van put in a good effort and took home third place.
Branden Roth ran his s-10 pickup past Craig Baker in ‘Pro Class’, to bring home his second trophy for the weekend. Roth was running his first race in the pickup truck. A First and a Second place finish on the weekend, pretty good for the first time in a new ride. Shane Calkins in his Monte Carlo blew his transmission Saturday and replaced it at the campsite Saturday night and made off with a Third place finish in the ‘Pro’ class.
The large ‘Super Pro’ Class came down to Kris Barnett
taking on Saturday’s ‘King of the YXT’ winner Harley Bell. Barnett’s little yellow ‘Altered’ outran Bell and his Plymouth Valiant in the final.
Norm Swengler in his wheel-standing Mustang took home the third and final spot in ‘Super Pro’.
In the ‘Junior dragster’ class Lou Ribero and Tanner Daum once again met in the finals and Ribero again took down Daum in a close contest. Chris Cook brought home the third place win.
Saturday Winners
King Of The YXT – Harley Bell
Jr. King of th YXT – Lou Ribero
Gamblers – Doug Mcphadyn
Sunday Winners
Sportsman
1st – Dana Amado
2nd – Ivy Sorensen
3rd – Ed Hall
Pro
1st – Brandon Roth
2nd – Craig Baker
3rd – Shane Calkins
Super Pro
1st – Kris Barnett
2nd – Harley Bell
3rd – Norm Swengler
Bike/Sled
1st – Shawn Enmark
2nd – Jim Braid
3rd – John Symes
Junior Dragster
1st – Lou Ribero
2nd – Tanner Daum
3rd – Chris Cook
A great weekend of racing was had by all. The Sunday race had an additional perk. After the Show & Shine at Canadian Tire there was a cruise up to the track and the cars lined up on the track as spectators and racers were invited out to check out the rides. The TDRA handed out plaques for a winner and a runner up. A great Show, special thanks to all of the Volunteers who worked hard to make it happen.
Next up
The Kitimat Hill Climb and Show and Shine is next up. The Show & Sine is on Friday, July 1st and the the ‘Hill Climb’ is Saturday July 2nd .
For more information or to check out the photo’s , check out the websites www.prautoclub.com or www.terracedrags.ca .
A star is born !
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
Ready for a day of racing
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
Don’t squeeze him too hard Harley
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
I think we better move the cars through faster, Ernie is falling asleep!
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
I think my contact was dropped right here
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
We gotta go way down there?
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
Way too cool ambulance
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
You can park right here dad
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
See what happens when you race a Chevy!
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
I think you left your sled too close to your quad
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour…you’re gonna see some serious shit
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
For his next trick Les will walk on his hands
Photo’s Copyright Ed Evans
Kris Barnett yanks the tires against Paul Soares at the May 28-29th races in Terrace
Ed Evans Photo
By Ed Evans
The Northern View
June 15/2011
With the wrap up of the “Seafest Show and Shine”, our attention now turns towards Terrace this weekend. This will be the place to be for all motor heads with the Skeena Valley Cruizers annual ‘Fathers day Show and Shine’ at Canadian Tire, Sunday June 19th 10am to 3pm. This is one of the bigger Show & Shines in the Northwest and attracts cars from all over the region.
This weekend also marks the second of four Drag racing weekends at the Terrace Regional Airport, Saturday June 18th and Sunday June 19th. Racing begins daily at 10am and Eliminations will begin at 1pm. An added attraction will be a car show at the strip. Cars from the Fathers Day Show & Shine, will cruise out to the airport line up along the track and hold another Show& Shine, with awards presented by the Terrace Drag Racing Association.
It’s a great weekend for Dads, so make the drive to Terrace, take in the events and have a great time.
For more information check out the websites: www.prautoclub.com , www.terracedrags.ca or www.skeenavalleycruizers.com
