FUNNY CAR
A local racer from London, Ontario and two-time World Champion
of the class, Rob Atchison put his Firebird in the No. 1
spot with a 5.844 at 238.98. His teammate for this event
was not that lucky. John Evanchuk could only run a 6.460
and missed making the field. Fred Tigges was No. 2 with
a 5.887 while fan favorite Mark Thomas was in fifth place
with a 5.943. Terry McMillen rounded out the field of eight
with his Instigator running 6.089.
Can you say "Upsets!" Both Mark Thomas and Rob
Atchison were out in the first round. Atchison lost to McMillen
and Thomas was beaten in what was the closest race of the
weekend by Jim Sickles.
Jim Sickles' reaction time in the first
round was .072, running a 5.913 at 238.76 which beat Mark
Thomas' reaction time .of 073 running a 5.931 at 238.43.
The margin of victory works out to about 7 feet.
Sickles went on to beat Fred Tigges in the final but nothing
was more exciting than the first round. Atchison maintained
his point lead over Sickles.
PRO STOCK
Robert Patrick was the No. 1 qualifier, putting his Ford
Cobra at the top with a 6.506 at 213.54 mph. Former Champ
John Nobile was No. 9 with a 6.564 and Dwayne Rice had the
final spot with a 6.672.
Doug Kirk, who hadn't made an IHRA final round appearance
since 1995, got to the final beating Jerry Haas in round
one, Steve Spiess in the second and then won on a hole shot
in the semi's against Daniel Seamon, running a 6.585 beating
Seamon's 6.573. Robert Patrick took out Dwayne Rice, Pete
Berner and won a close one against Tony Gillig in the semis,
running a 6.521 and barely edging Gillig's 6.527.
It was a battle of Mustangs for the final in Pro Stock,
with the win going to Patrick who beat Kirk with a 6.495
at 213 to Kirk's 6.573. Patrick took the points lead away
from Spiess in the process.
