STRATFORD, ONTARIO (March 24, 2011) – Quick 32 Sportsman Series racer Spencer Hyde switched his ride from a Top Dragster to a Top Sportsman entry last season, and for 2011 believes he will be ready to take on the competition.
"I feel comfortable now in the Cobalt," Hyde noted. "Last year was a learning curve, and this year our focus will be on winning some rounds."
After competing with a Top Dragster in the first year of Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, Hyde got behind the wheel of a 2007 Chevy Cobalt Top Sportsman in 2010, and was a quick study in learning the differences between a rear-engined dragster and the front-engined Cobalt.
"It took a while to get used to," he said. "The car reacts a lot differently. It's been a big learning curve, but Carl (Spiering) has coached me and things have gotten much better."
The Hyde Racing Cobalt, owned by Spencer's parents Peter and Lisa Hyde, is a Jerry Bickel Race Cars product, and is powered by a 740-cubic inch ERD (Engine Research & Development) powerplant, from the shops or Spiering's ERD. With a Coan Engineering Mega Glide transmission, and a fuel system courtesy of Speedtech Nitrous and ERD, the flamed Cobalt has recorded a best run of 6.580-seconds at 210.67-miles per hour to date.
The Top Dragster, which was driven by Spencer's father, Peter Hyde in Quick 32 Sportsman Series competition last season, will be driven by Spencer's sister Sydnie Hyde detuned format for 2011 as the former Junior Dragster driver gets her experience with the larger car.
Crew chiefing for the team is Ron Hyde, and other team members include Jack Hyde, Murray Hyde, Peter Hyde, Dominique Bushfield.
The effort is sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, Ideal Supply, Hyde Construction, Transit Petroleum, Hyde Electric, Dordan Mechanical Contractors, Ronnoco Sales, NA Engineering Associates, Wilhelm Concrete, Steve Smith Construction, Sutton Group (Paul Graham) and Orr Insurance.With Junior Dragster driving experience before stepping up, and a graduate of the Frank Hawley School of Drag Racing, Hyde is especially appreciative of the help and guidance of his parents Peter and Lisa, and Carl Spiering. He has also spent the past three months working at ERD as part of his co-op work term and internship from Georgian College.
Hyde expressed his thanks to Tim MacDonald of Ideal Supply and NAPA Auto Parts for their continued support, and for the racing fans that come out to see him and the rest of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series racers for each event.
And he believes that the Quick 32 Sportsman Series is a good series, no matter if he is behind the wheel of a dragster or a door car.
"I've been on both sides of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and both sides have been awesome," he said. "This series is made up of a great bunch of guys and girls, and it's the best thing around."
