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Canadian IHRA Pro racers entrenched themselves well into their respective fields during last weekend's abbreviated IHRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. London's Robbie Atchison starred in the Alcohol Funny Car category when he rode out the quickest pass of his life, hitting a 5.831 secs at 238.47 mph to earn the pole driving his Pontiac Firebird. Rob's pole was the second of his IHRA racing career. "I knew the car was ready after we went 197 mph to the 1/8th mile on our first attempt," said Atchison.
In Pro Mod and Pro Stock, Ontario-based racers Al Billes and John Konigshofer are also sitting pretty. Billes, who has two semi final round finishes in his first two starts this season qualified his Hemi-powered '53 Studebacker 2nd in Pro Mod at 6.190 secs and 225.48 mph. Otterville's "Johnny K" is 7th entering Pro Stock eliminations after recording a 6.593 secs at 210.11 mph on only his 2nd lap of the '03 season driving his Kaase-powered Mercury Cougar.
But unfortunately for all involved it will be a long time before it will be known if these strong efforts in qualifying will translate to victory. Heavy rain and cold weather bombed the event's schedule on Sunday and forced IHRA officials into a unique decision to facilitate completion. Because Rockingham Dragway hosts a second event in the IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series later this year, officials have opted to create a special four-day "super event" next fall. That will consist of the uncompleted
Spring Nationals (Oct. 16) immediately followed by the IHRA World Finals (Oct. 17-19th).
Want to know more about Atchison, Billes and Konigshofer? Just go to DragRaceCanada's media subsection -- they are all profiled there.
(Bruce Biegler photos)
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