Steve Lachner brought his 1955 Chevy Belair from Kelowna to line up against Oroville, WA’s Ernie Bartelson in his 1951 Chevy 2-door at Richter Pass Motorplex recently. Photo by Dan Hodson
The first day of the 2016 drag racing season is now in the record books, where it belongs.
The Wine Country Racing Association (WCRA) recently put on the show to a crowd of fans like no season-opener has ever seen. More than 61 drivers flocked to the track from all over British Columbia and Washington State.
Here are the trophy winners:
Street Bracket – Riley Martin from Oliver won the Mustang showdown against Osoyoos’ Tim Hiebert. Both gentlemen ripped up the track in Ford Mustangs. Martin: 1980 Heibert: 1990
Pro Bracket: Paul Fode (Kelowna) raced his 1970 Plymouth Cuda past Chip Sabyan (Oliver) in his 1984 Olds Cutless.
Super Pro: Brad Baxendale (Osoyoos) and his 1969 Beaumont zipped by Kayle Shaw (Penticton) and his 1972 Chevy Vega.
Bike/Sled: Art Raymond (Grand Forks) took the first place trophy on his 2001 Suzuki Katana by beating out Chase Cranna (Kamloops) and his 2003 Suzuki.
Reaction time: Two perfect .500 lights were picked up. Trophies were given to Riley Martin (Oliver) and Neil Ericson (Osoyoos).
The spring segment of drag racing will continue at RPM with back-to-back weekends on May 29 and June 5.
The gates will open at 9 a.m. Racing will begin at 10 a.m. Final elimination rounds will start at 1 p.m.
By Shana Cachola
