Buddy Forrest wins round four in Quick 32 Sportsman Series competition

New York-based dragster team first to win multiple events in drag race series

CAYUGA, ONTARIO (July 4, 2010) – The fourth event of the 2010 Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts came down to the Top Dragster of Buddy Forrest of Rochester, New York versus the Top Sportsman entry of Wilson and Gray with Rob Gray of Ingersoll, Ontario in the 2002 Chevy Cavalier at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park Sunday.

And at the end of the day, Forrest took the Morgan and Forrest dragster to the win by the slimmest of margins, recording a 7.18, 185 pass against Gray's 7.35, 196 for a .0023 margin of victory.

"We had a great day," said Forrest after the race. The car was good and everything worked.

"I want to thank my sponsor Precise Tool and Manufacturing, Inc., along with the crew, Doug Morgan and Allen and Chad Forrest ," he continued. "I also want to thank my wife Jeanette and the children."

Forrest took out Jamie Tupper of Tillsonburg, Ontario in the Top Dragster final, while Gray eliminated Tom Orr of Shawville, Quebec in the Top Sportsman final.

In the semi-finals, Spencer Hyde of Stratford, Ontario had some problems with his 2007 Chevy Cobalt, losing to Orr on the Top Sportsman side, while last year's Quick 32 champion, Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario, fell victim to Gray.

Jamie Bridge of Napanee, Ontario, red-lit in his Top Dragster semi, giving Tupper the win. Scott Wildgust of Wartburg, Ontario, and Forrest both did a break-out in their semi, but Forrest was declared the victor with the lowest break-out time.

Second round Top Sportsman racing saw Orr win over Paul Martin of Breslau, Ontario, Gray win over Steve Parkhurst of Belleville, Ontario, Wicke take out previous series winner Darrin Grubb of Pine River, Ontario, and Hyde took his bye run.

In second round Top Dragster action, top Marydel Qualifier Michael Hinbest of Orangeville, Ontario, was bested by Tupper, Bridge advanced with a win over Bill Moloughney of Shawville, Quebec, Wildgust took out Michael Kalin of Youngstown, New York in a double-breakout match, and Tony Positano of Toronto, Ontario lost to Forrest.

In first round TD racing, Steve Jones of North Gower, Ontario, lost to Hinbest, number three qualifier Melanie Simmons of Orillia, Ontario, lost to Moloughney, previous TD class winner Sam Christian of Kenmore, New York, red-lit in his race against Wildgust, as did another former winner, Paulo Giust of Osgoode, Ontario, who red-lit against Positano. Peter Hyde of Stratford, Ontario fell victim to Kalin, Forrest took out Gary Basaraba of Sudbury, Ontario, Tom Bene of Smithville, Ontario, fell victim to Tupper, and Bridge sent John Hipwell of Saint Catharines on the trailer.

On the TS side, Steve Corriveau of Fonthill, Ontario, broke out and lost against Parkhurst, Phil Sampson of Granton, Ontario, went down to Orr, previous winner Grubb took out Ben Grevers of Paris, Ontario, former series winner Dan Aitken Jr. of Belle River, Ontario lost to Martin, and Darryl McMillen of Goderich, Ontario, lost to Wicke. Both Hyde and Gray had bye rounds. 

Leading the Championship Point Award Series is Wildgust with 839, with Parkhurst in second with 812 points. Third is Grubb with 811 points, and fourth is the team of Wilson and Gray with 807.

Next event in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts is during the Stratford Days at the Grand Bend Motorplex.