Top Dragster spot goes to Hinbest, Hyde takes number one Top Sportsman spot
GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (June 26, 2010) – With three rounds of qualifying completed, Michael Hinbest and Spencer Hyde lead the field for the second event in the 2010 Quick 32 Sportsman Series Presented by NAPA Auto Parts tour.
Hinbest, of Orangeville, Ontario, took number one spot in the Top Dragster class of the Series, while Hyde, of Stratford, Ontario will lead off in the Top Sportsman side when eliminations take place Sunday June 27 at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario during the RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend.Driving his supercharged ERD-powered Mike Bos dragster, Hinbest nailed down number one spot with a solid attempt, posting a 6.644-second, 212.01-mph lap. Hyde, who drove a Top Dragster last season, is now behind the wheel of a 2007 Chevy Cobalt Top Sportsman entry, a Jerry Bickel car with a nitrous-assisted 737-cubic inch engine, also from the engine shops of ERD. His lap of 6.933-seconds at 195.95-mph gave him the number one spot.
On the Top Dragster side, Scott Wildgust of Wartburg, Ontario, took second spot with a 6.763-second, 198.32-mph lap, followed by Melanie Simmons of Orillia, Ontario. The Simmons team has added a supercharger to its dragster for this season, and the change has so far paid off, as she qualified with a 6.863, 196.24 pass.
Rounding out the top five in dragster competition are Jim Rubino of Buffalo, New York, while Michael Kalin of Youngstown, New York holds down fifth spot in the 16-car field.
Reigning Quick 32 Sportsman Series Champion Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario qualified second in Top Sportsman with his 2006 Dodge Stratus, posting a 6.938, 196.93 attempt, and Steve Parkhurst of Belleville, Ontario is third with his 1955 Chevy notching a 7.119, 191.12.Darrin Grubb of Pine River, Ontario, is fourth with his 2004 Chevy Cavalier, and Bill Wilson, of Ingersoll, Ontario, rounds out the top five Top Sportsman entries with his 2002 Chevy Cavalier in the 16-car field.
Round one of eliminations is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. at Grand Bend for both the Top Dragster class, followed by the Top Sportsman class. The top eliminator in each class will race in a final to determine the overall Quick 32 Sportsman Series event champion.
After one event in 2010, the Top Dragster entry of Paolo Giust of Osgoode, Ontario leads the Championship Point Award Series standings with 339, followed by Top Sportsman driver Steve Corriveau of Fonthill, Ontario. Third is Wilson with 296 points, fourth is Wildgust with 279 points, and Jamie Tupper of Tillsonburg, Ontario is fifth with 276 points with his Top Dragster.
For information about the RPM Magazine Family PowerFest & Media Weekend at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.rpm-mag.com or www.grandbendmotorplex.com
