IHRA Nitro Jam at Grand Bend, Ontario

Rupert continues winning streak

Photos by Brad Turk

Each season the International Hot Rod Association justifies the International in its name with a couple of events in Canada beginning with a race at the resort area of Grand Bend, Ontario, followed by an event at Edmonton, Alberta, in western Canada. The Canadian events are unique on the IHRA tour as both add a pair of Top Fuel cars and a 16-car Pro Mod class.

The tour may have moved to another country but in the Nitro Funny Car class the same Funny Car racer who has dominated the racing is the USA, Jason Rupert, continued that act in Canada.

Joining Rupert in the finals of Nitro Jam on Sunday were Nate Gagnon (Nitro Harley), Rob Atchison (Pro Mod), Ron Maroney (Nitro Altered), Ike Maier (Top Fuel), Elaine Larsen (Jet Dragster) and Anthony Paone (Pro Stock).

Rupert, the reigning NHRA Heritage series national champ and a near lock to win his first IHRA World Championship, qualified number one for the sixth time this season and then added his fourth IHRA Ironman by thrashing longtime rival Mark Sanders in an all-Pacific Coast final. Rupert dominated his opponent in the final with a 5.895/242.06 clocking that easily covered Sanders’ troubled 6.441 at 184.01.

The PMRA series made an appearance with the Nitro Jam. Former Alky Funny Car racer Rob Atchison, a veteran IHRA racer with three Alcohol Funny Car IHRA World Championships on his resume, claimed his first career national event win in a Pro Modified besting Jeff Roth in an all-Ontario final. Jumping into the Pro Mod ranks three years ago, Atchison got his first career win at the same facility where he won his first Alcohol Funny Car race.

In the finals Atchison drove his beautiful supercharged '63 Corvette to a 6.070, 236.28 lap right down the center of his lane while the ’41 Willys of Roth, New Hambyre, Ont., coasted to a 10.544, 90.00. Roth ran into trouble and had to click it off early.

Atchison had wins over Paolo Giust and Mike Yedgarian on his way to the win.

After the race Atchison said, "The difference between a Funny Car and a Pro Mod is night and day. The Funny Car has no suspension, it has a clutch, and the Pro Mod car is an automatic with a full suspension. The car is also heavier and doesn't react as quickly and I really had to learn to finesse it.

"Plus, I have never owned a car this pretty. A Funny Car is amazing to look at, but you take the body off and it is just a bunch of pipes. This car has floor mats, a nice carbon fiber dash, this is like a real car. When we finally got it all together, I didn't know if I wanted to race it or just look at it. But we have enjoyed running this car and we are super glad to finally get a win with it."

Bad weather and excessive oil-downs caused some delays at the event but the Canadian fans who filled the stands Saturday night endured and saw great racing and came back for bonus pro racing on Sunday.