Weekend drag race event retains its local roots after 17 years

Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts continues to be a community effort with many racers from the Stratford area

STRATFORD, ONTARIO (July 28, 2011) – The drag race series known fondly as "The Stratford Days" began as collaboration between racers and businesses in this Southwestern Ontario community to promote the sport.

Offering free tickets through local merchants in the Stratford area, the Stratford Days race has brought a lot of fans into the stands for the annual event, and this year's program, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex August 4-7 will be its 17th anniversary.

While many of the 500-plus competitors are from areas other than Stratford, including the rest of Ontario, Quebec, and the states of New York and Michigan, there is a strong Stratford-area contingent which makes up a large part of the event.

Many of these local teams compete in the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, and they will all be racing next weekend at Grand Bend in the fourth round of the 2011 season. 

Teams such as K&K Racing of Stratford, with two-time Quick 32 Sportsman Series Champion and Top Sportsman driver Kevin Wicke. The two-car team of Hyde Racing of Stratford, which fields a Top Sportsman car driven by Spencer Hyde and a Top Dragster car driven by Sydnie Hyde, overseen by Peter and Lisa Hyde.

Another Stratford-area two car team in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series is White and Wild Racing, with both Bill White and Scott Wildgust driving Top Dragster entries.

The Top Dragster entry of Dordan Motorsports with Travis Gueguen driving comes from nearby Shakespeare. Just south of Stratford in Granton is Quick 32 Sportsman Series leader Phil Sampson with his Top Sportsman car, and Jeff Gable, another Quick 32 Sportsman Series Top Sportsman racer, is from Stratford.

There are several PMRA teams within close distance of Stratford, including Rob Atchison of London, and the Al Hinds entry from Waterloo with Gary Irving behind the wheel. The Pro Modified of Jeff Roth is also based in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

Present PBSS points leader Randy Hope and his Pro Bike are from London. Another PBSS Pro Bike contestant, Dan Cryderman, is from Thamesville, and Bill Anderson and his Pro Sled are from Seaforth.

But no matter where the competitors make their home, the Stratford Days event will be one of the highlights of the racing season, with a weekend of not only drag racing, but four days of fan-racer interaction, socializing, and off-track events in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.

There will be full, points-meet events in the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series. The weekend will also feature Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Ike Maier in the Paton Racing Top Fueler, wheelstander and jet car action, and two top Alcohol Funny Cars, the Larry Dobb's car and Cassandra Simonton driving the Kon Rodz Racing entry of Spiro Kontos.

Thursday, August 4 the weekend gets underway with a Fan Fest Party hosted by Boston Pizza in Stratford. On Friday August 5 there will be a Test & Tune session beginning at 11 am, and the first qualifying round in the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the PBSS takes place at 7:15 pm, followed by entertainment presented by Ideal Supply in the NAPA tent.

The Vendor Midway opens at 9 am Saturday August 6 to start the day. After Time Trial sessions for Bracket racers in the afternoon, qualifying continues at 4 pm for the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the PBSS, as well as round one for the Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Alcohol Funny Cars, Ike Maier Top Fuel Dragster, Wheelstander and Jet Dragster. At 7 pm qualifying and the show cars return, and the evening closes with fireworks and entertainment.

At 11:15 am Sunday August 7 eliminations begin along with a return of the Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Alcohol Funny Cars, Ike Maier Top Fuel Dragster, Wheelstander and Jet Funny Car. Eliminations for the PMRA, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the PBSS will continue through the day, with the final rounds scheduled for 5 pm.

Complimentary spectator event tickets will still be available at Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts locations across Ontario, at businesses in Stratford, by contacting the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Pro Bike & Sled Series or download a printable E-Ticket at www.stratfordspectacular.com

General parking is $20 per car load and weekend camping is available. 

For information about the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223, visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com or www.stratfordspectacular.com