Larry Dobbs  (Jessie Sharpe photo)

NDRA at Grand Bend, Canada

Dobbs and Deeks set the pace

Words by Dale Hickey
Photos by Ian Sprague and Jessie Sharpe

The first of the four-event series for Canada’s National Drag Racing Association (NDRA) wound up at Grand Bend Motorplex’s “Spring Blowout” presented by RPM Magazine and Lucas Oil on Sunday, May 19, with a successful start for 2013.

Saturday’s qualifying resulted in some satisfying numbers for both the NDRA Alcohol Funny Cars presented by Ohsweken Speedway and Pro Doorslammers. Last year’s NDRA AFC champion, Larry Dobbs of Welland, Onario, took the top qualifying spot with a 5.89 at 246 mph. Dylan Hache of London, Ont., wheeled in for second position in the battle of the Funny Car “Birds”.

On the Pro Doorslammer side, London, Ontario’s Trevor Deeks and his Comprehensive Mechanical-backed 2005 Grand Am finished number one in the qualifying rounds with Jack Brohman chasing him with a close second place in his supercharged Nazca Racing ’69 Camaro.

Jack Brohman  (Jessie Sharpe photo)

Although a stiff head-wind challenged the racers all day, ETs and speeds were good and the entertainment was great.

Eliminations on Sunday afternoon were run under completely different climatic conditions, but the competition levels remained consistent with Saturday’s finishes.

In a pre-event interview, Larry Dobbs indicated that he was determined to keep his 2012 NDRA AFC championship intact and he certainly accomplished that in this, his first time in the seat for this year’s series. He piloted his Sportz Tent-sponsored ’02 Trans Am to a 5.81-second at 241.02-mph win over Dylan Hache’s 6.10/219.08 pass in his ’02 For Wheels Auto Care Firebird. In the same run, he took the day’s low ET and top speed.

Trevor Deeks  (Ian Sprague photo)

Although, Pro Doorslammer Trevor Deeks’ ET in the final round was a little slower than his 6.58 quickest of the weekend, it was enough for his 6.65/211.81 mph victory. NDRA newcomer, Dan Aitken Jr. of Belle River, Ont., had to settle for runner up with a 7.09 at 193.79 in his ’95 Ford Mustang.