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Grand Bend - Thunder By The Beach Highlights
Mark Ackert - September 9, 2007
Grand Bend Motorplex was on fire over the Labour Day weekend as fans filled the stands in anticipation of Nitro cars at the recent Teamsters Canada, Thunder by the Beach presented by Castrol.
Saturday night's “Night of Fire” highlighted the Nitro Funny Car of Dale Creasy Jr and the Top Fuel Dragster of Jack Ostrander. Give the first race to the Funny Car as the mot or popped in the dragster. The Ostrander crew thrashed to rebuild the motor so they could make it out for the second race of the night which would be under the lights.
 There were also Two Nostalgia Nitro Funnies on hand. The Nitro Pony Mustang and the Nitro Zombie Trans Am Funny Cars would do battle and bring the fans to their feet. The two cars would only see action once as they collided at half track resulting in extensive cosmetic damage to both vehicles which would not allow them to continue. Both drivers walked away unhurt after putting on this wild ride that delighted the fans. The insane Xtreme Machine Jet freightliner of Pepi Urban put on a wild fire display for the crowd running twice on Saturday and again on Sunday. A huge fireworks
display was also put on after the racing concluded Saturday night.
With the race season quickly coming to an end it was only fitting that the last big race of the summer would profile some of the quickest door slammer cars on the planet as the PMRA Pro Modified racers competed to see who would take the championship. With his Semi final win, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario would lock up the overall PMRA points Championship. He would however find himself lined up against the ever consistent Dodge Avenger of Smokin Joe Boniferro in the event finals. Boniferro’s consistency would pay off as his 6.62 at 216mph was enough to defeat Bolands 6.78 at 213mph. With that win Smokin Joe became the first in PMRA history to record a second event win having also won the event at GBM in 2006.
 Along with all the Pro Mod and Nitro action there was also a full weekend of Thunder Series racing as the track crowned its 2007 Champions with the last points race of the season. The Top Sportsman championship would be decided at the last race as the Grubb Racing crew would go into the event with their beautiful Cavalier in the # 1 position. Close behind was the Camaro of Mike Beska. Unfortunately Darrin Grubb, who pilots the Cavalier lost in the second round as Beska got a bye and eventually went on to the semi’s before losing. Going rounds solidified his championship quest taking the 2007 Top Sportsman Title. Steve Pym would go on to win the event defeating Michael Campolucci in the finals.
In Top Dragster action Jim McNorgan would put his cool 34 Chev Roadster into the finals against the dragster of Melanie Simmons. Both racers broke out but McNorgan was closer to his dial so he would take the win.
Other winners included:
Saturday-
Top- Rick Atkinson defeated Rob Holden
Mod-Steve Doornbosch defeated Chris Lozon
Street- Fernando Amorim defeated Tony Hunter
Bike/Sled- Josie Brooks defeated Mike Konopacki
Sunday-
Top- Kevin Knight defeated Jade Atkinson
Mod- Jim Moore defeated Shelley McInnis
Street- Tony Hunter defeated Steve Brown
Bike/Sled- Richard Donohue defeated Mike Lalande
Photos by Mark Ackert
Additional photos from this event can be viewed on the Mark Ackert Photo Gallery: HERE
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