BELLE RIVER, ONTARIO (October 15, 2010) – While his year did not start off on a positive note, Dan Aitken Jr, who placed fourth in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, did have a stellar end to his year, winning back-to-back events in the popular drag racing series."We were pleasantly surprised with our last two events as nothing went our way for the first four races," noted Aitken, who scored 1154 points in the six-race Championship Point Award Series. "Things were going our way."
Aitken said that consistency played an important part of the team's season, adding there were no mechanical or electrical gremlins for the year, just some driver adjustments which paid off later in the year.
Aitken qualified for all races, and was a second-round finalist in two events, and a first-round finalist in another two events before going the distance to win not only the Top Sportsman class but the overall event title as well in the last two races.
Cars in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series are comprised of two classes, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. The 16 qualified cars of each class are paired in eliminations, and the winner of each class meets up in a final for top spot in the race.
Powered by a 619-cubic inch big-block Ford from Holbrook Racing Engines, Aitken said he did not have to use the nitrous in the 1995 Mustang Top Sportsman entry at all this season, but thinks there may be need for it in 2011 as the competition gets tougher."Our main work over the coming winter will be maintenance and fine tweaking the nitrous," noted the secondary school teacher. "It's a good motor; it was making just over 1300 horsepower."
Sitting behind the big Ford engine is a Reid Powerglide by Powerglide Services transmission. The Tim McAmis Race Cars product also sports a MagnaFuel Racing fuel system and an Edelbrock Direct Port nitrous system.
While Aitken wanted to thank his wife Monique and three-year old son Xandre, mother Louise Aitken, along with other family members Michelle, Adam and Maddie Beck, he was especially thankful for the help of his father Dan Aitken, who is also the team's crew chief.
Aitken Sr handed over the reins of the family racing to his son three years ago, but is with his son on every pass.
"More than anything I want to thank my Dad," said Aitken. "He's not only my crew chief and my mentor; he gave me a chance to drive fulltime. I promised him some wins, but never imagine we could be this fortunate so soon."
Aitken also wanted to thank the involvement of the team's sponsors, Waddick Fuels, Roffelsen Jewellers Ltd., Howell Welding and Tank Mfg Inc., Dependable Truck & Tank Ltd. and RJ Fiberglass Repairs. Aitken said he was pleased with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series and plans to continue in 2011. His wife is due with their second child in only a few weeks, and this may slow down the team's effort.
"Next year our plan is to be there, but we're not sure what's going to happen," he said about the upcoming addition to his family.
The PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series Championship Point Award Series winners will be honored at the "Night of Champions" on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at The Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
