Drag racing roars back to southern Ontario

Drag racing is on the schedule this weekend in Cayuga.

The Stock/Super Stock Shootout returns June 16, 17 and 18, to the Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga.

This year’s event, which includes two races, has a total purse of US$25,000 and is part of the PCRichard.com NHRA Northeast Division National Open Series.

Drivers from Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will compete in the Shootout.

“The positive feedback we received from last year’s edition encouraged us to increase the 2017 purse and make the event even bigger,” said sponsor John Scotti of Scotti Classic Cars/CDRHF.com. “Last year, 72 cars ran in the elimination on both days. This year, we already have over 100 racers registered. Fans of the sport will be blown away by the calibre and skill on display.”

Three NHRA national record holders will compete at the event. They are Yves Perigny and Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees Guy Desjardins and Ollie Stephan, who set national records at the Northeast Division One National Open in May, in Atco, N.J.

Desjardins set the national record for the SS/EA in his 1967 Big Block Camaro, while Ollie Stephan set both ends of the NHRA Super/Stock B/A with his 1971 Big Block Corvette.

Veteran Super Stock racer Perigny set the NHRA National record for Super Stock GT/FA in his 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier.

“I am excited to be taking part in this event at the Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga,” said Stephan, who is from Scarborough. “It will be fantastic to compete with other world-class drag racers in our own backyard.”

Dave Mohn, the NHRA Northeast Division Director, is pleased to see the Stock/Super Stock Shootout build a strong foundation for the growth of the series.

“The Shootout does a great job in establishing the NHRA brand of drag racing in Ontario,” Mohn said. “It also allows racers in this area of the continent to earn grade points toward NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and give them great exposure.”

Time trials and elimination will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 10 a.m. The track will be secured at 6 p.m.

Funds raised at the Stock/ Super Stock Shootout will benefit the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame, a registered nonprofit organization whose mission is to recognize the achievements and contributions of Canadians to the sport of drag racing.