Grand Bend sets stage for MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals
Eastern Canada's biggest drag race returns to picturesque track for 12th year
GRAND BEND, Ontario (July 10, 2012)
– Race fans looking for the ultimate drag racing getaway need look no
further than the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario.
Located
just a few miles from the picturesque resort town on the shores of Lake
Huron, the Grand Bend Motorplex offers all the amenities race fans
could ever want – from good food to great racing – all on display during
one of Canada's premier motorsports events July 21-22 at the IHRA Mopar
Nitro Jam Nationals.
The 12th annual MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals return to Grand Bend July 21-22
Grand
Bend always features one of the biggest drag racing events in all of
Canada, bringing thousands of fans from across North America to the
campgrounds and grandstands at the Motorplex.
This
year's event will feature a full contingent of sportsman competition
plus an exciting lineup of nitro classes – from 320 mph Top Fuel
Dragsters to Prostalgia Nitro Funny Cars, Nitro Harleys and Nostalgia
Fuel Altereds – plus the stars of the Pro Mod Racing Association, the
two-wheel daredevils of Harley Destroys along with a huge show featuring
the 30,000 horsepower Shockwave jet semi, the PT Cruiser wheelstander
and much more.
And it will all take place on the grand stage set by Grand Bend.
In
the professional ranks four nitro classes will fill the lanes at Grand
Bend highlighted by the return of Top Fuel and another great showdown in
AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car. After last year's incredible race,
the stars of the new hit class return to Grand Bend to battle it out for
bragging rights and a huge win.
The
event will also feature the return of wild and out-of-control Fuel
Altered class as these famous machines try to keep the front end
pointing straight in 1,320 feet of real estate. This once outlawed class
features short wheelbases and high-horsepower engines producing some
truly wild runs making this one of the most exciting classes in drag
racing.
Canadian Nitro Jam tour features return of Top Fuel Dragsters
And
with so many legendary nostalgia machines filling the lanes, it will be
a scene straight out of the glory days of the track.
As for those fans wanting something a little more modern, Nitro Jam has you covered as well.
Returning
to the Ontario track this season will be the stars of Top Fuel Dragster
class as former champions Bobby Lagana Jr. and Bruce Litton join a
quartet of 320 mph machines facing off on the quarter-mile.
Rounding
out the nitro classes are the stars of Nitro Harley as the one of the
most extreme classes in the sport return for four exciting rounds of
racing. Nitro Harley will feature four of the fastest racers on two
wheels doing battle at over 220 miles per hour all from the back of a
motorcycle.
All
four nitro-burning classes will compete Saturday night under the lights
and on championship Sunday using the Nitro Jam racing format that
features two rounds of racing with the quickest winners from round one
meeting up in the finals to determine a champion.
The
exhibition portion of the event will feature the return of the 30,000
horsepower, fire-breathing Shockwave jet semi and the PT Cruiser
Wheelstander. Hardcore racing fans will also be excited to once again
enjoy the wild 200 mph PMRA summer showdown on the shores of Lake
Huron.
AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car will feature another exciting lineup
In
sportsman competition all seven IHRA classes will be featured as the
stars of Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod,
Super Rod and Hot Rod battle for a spot in the year-end Summit Racing
Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL. And what a
collection of racers Grand Bend always manages to produce. Nearly all of
last year's winners went on to perform well at the Tournament of
Champions including one world champion and five additional top 10
finishes emerging from last year's Grand Bend winners.
Last
year's winners at Grand Bend were Bill Wilson (TS), Ed Smith (TD), Pete
D'Agnolo (SS), Craig Marshall (ST), Barry Ryan (QR), Dave Klomps (SR)
and Andrew Stirk (HR). Other sportsman winners included Dave Elrod
(Top), Will Steckly (Mod), Sarah Grennan (Juniors 13-18) and Luke
Schwemier (Juniors 8-12).
Always
a tough field in Grand Bend, 2011 Quick Rod winner Barry Ryan went on
to win the QR World Championship and Bill Wilson, Ed Smith, Pete
D'Agnolo, Dave Klomps and Andrew Stirk all finished in the top eight in
their respective category at the year-end championship tournament.
That
is by far the most top 10 championship finishes from one race than any
other on the schedule. This year's sportsman competition will also count
as a Summit Pro-Am claim in Division 3.
In
addition to all the on track action, new in 2012 will be a revamped
FanFest pit party beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
The FanFest pit party will feature driver autographs and various
activities for racers and fans of all ages prior to the start of the
Nitro Jam professional rounds.
Nitro Jam racing will get underway at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Don't miss Ontario's biggest nitro extravaganza July 21-22 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
