CMDRA Kicks Off '05 in Ashcroft

Not Qualified.
Thirteen top fuel bikes tried to make the eight bike field, with Ron Houniet joining the non-qualified group for the first time that anyone could remember. Brian Hall, 2nd in points overall last year, hung on to the 8th
and last qualifying position with a 7.549. Other riders not making the bump where Mick Cawthorn, Mike Scott, Ross Cuthbertson and Lyle Newton.

No Pro Fuel in Ashcroft.
Chris Gartman and Andy Beauchemin where both there, but not running in Pro Fuel. Both riders joined to Top Fuel ranks with Gartman going to the final against Jon Tenebein.

Not In Attendance.
Missing was George Welch in Top Fuel. Terry Schweigert and Walter Dwelsdorf in Pro Mod. Al Miles and John Black in Pro Dragster. Black was there but without his bike. He did go home with one though after buying a bike from John Breckenridge on Saturday. Also missing was last years number 1 plate holder in Modified, Doug Ainsworth. Ainsworth and his crew where there but only to watch and help out. He plans to only run his bike in the states this
year after partnering with a American rider who will trailer his bike to each race.

The second race in our 7 race series is coming up on June 11-12th at Budweiser Motorsports Park in Edmonton, Alberta. Ron Houniet will be back with something to prove. George Welch, Al Miles, John Black and Walter Dwelsdorf should all be there in front if their hometown fans. Dave Galbiati and Tom Tourand both plan to have new head gaskets in there 300 plus horse power street bikes. Gerald Beatch also hopes to have
his turbo’ed GS1100 ready for the Street Shootout Class. It's going to be an exciting race weekend that you will not want to miss!

A WEIRD Weekend of Drag Racing
by Larry Pfister, HorsepowerHeaven.com

"HUGE CMDRA news as Houniet fails to qualify for the first time ever and Mission's Jon Tenenben wins historic Canadian Top Fuel final that featured Chris Gartman's rear engine piece! Could have called this one the 'Smokers Meet' as nitro tires were roasting in spectacular fashion at the Plex today.

Darnell rules Pro Mod winning over Gord Smith and setting Low ET at 7.442, but it was a pair of big speeds that really got our attention...

HH did not check with officials to see if Clint Rabb's 7.629/202.11mph charge in a round two Pro Mod loss to Darnell was a legit speed. The Medicine Hat Alberta '78 Kawi was truckin' down at the big end, but not sure it was that fast. Then again, in the previous round he carded a 7.75/189.51.

Another reason to possibly question that speed was Gartman's Earth-shattering round one win over Rob Smith when the Langley British Columbia front-ridered rocket hung a big 7.59/210.03 on the finish line boards! He later went 7.35/186 and 7.44/184.

Both fast runs came in the right lane. It could happen...I guess, but neither were backed up for official records, so will most likely go down in history as runs we'll all talk about for a long, long time...or until Mission the first weekend in June."

Thanks for the report Larry! Check out more West Coast drag news at HorsepowerHeaven.com