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Canada's Newest Top Fuel Driver!
Bruce Biegler - February 25, 2005
 Exciting news from the heart of Western Canada has the planned Top Fuel class debut this season for Alberta's Rory Christianson....
Rory Christianson will be the latest Canadian driver to try his hand in the demanding Top Fuel category. Christianson, who is from Stettler, AB, and who raced Alcohol Funny Cars for eight seasons, has confirmed the acquisition of a complete Top Fuel operation from Utah's Michael Strasburg. Rory will license in the car in May and is targeting a competition debut during the 3rd Annual IHRA Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals at Edmonton in June.
"It was a move I have always wanted to make," said Christianson. "Mike (Strasburg) and I have been friends and business associates for a while. He had his operation up for sale and just by coincidence I was able to sell my Funny Car to a racer in Australia. Everything just seemed to fall into place in a span of two months over the winter. I felt if I didn't do this now there may not be a better opportunity."
Christianson's machine features a Brad Hadman chassis, a TFX motor and state of the art components. With the car, Strasburg ran a best of 4.62 secs at 322 mph.
"The car comes with a tune-up and all the data," Rory continued. "Mike's team is going to hold our hand through this process. We are already attending events with them to help them out and to learn the ropes."
 Christianson advised that his team will be comprised of reputed Canadian tuners Bob Reynolds (Calgary) and Bill Moore (Vancouver). Bob Noice and Les Davenport will also be race team consultants.
"Year one for us will be a challenge for sure," he added. "We are on a budget but we also want to perform well. Conservatively if we can run our first "four" and "300-mph" this season I would be a pretty happy camper."
Christianson will retain his valuable sponsorship from the Reese candy company and also from Valvoline. An announcement concerning a third new major associate sponsor is forthcoming.
If things go according to plans, Christianson hopes to also race at the IHRA national event at Cayuga, ON (ACDelco Nationals) as well as make his NHRA class debut during Seattle's Carquest Auto Parts Northwest Nationals, later in the summer.
For more background information on Rory Christianson -- check out his team profile in DragRaceCanada's Northern Exposure subsection and visit his
websites at: www.christiansonmotorsports.com or www.peanutbutterblaster.com
Photo by : Bruce Biegler - Rendering courtesy: Greg Ozubko
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