Medicine hat national open pictures
 

here is pics of most of the cars ,the weather was great racing was great enjoy the slide show http://s694.photobucket.com/albums/v...%20hat%202009/

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Great pics! Anyone know who won?

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Bob Gullet winner and Chuck Porter r/up on saturday. sundays final had Phil Archibald and Norm Lapointe in his s/ser i dont know who won though

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Is that two years in a row for Phil? Just wondering, he's a friend of ours.

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Norm Lapointe GT/AA winner on Sunday,Phil Archibald A/SA R/U. Red light for Phil.

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Thank-you. He went red in Edmonton too!! But good job Phillip.

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I just wanted to thank everybody who came out to support this race. We had a better than expected turnout considering a significant number of our "Usual Suspects" weren't able to make it because of other commitments this weekend.

The Prairie Stock Super Stock Association race on Friday was won by Randy Hastings in his V/SA Volare. Bob Gullett was runner up in his G/S Nova.

Saturdays National Open winner was Bob Gullett and I was runner-up in " 'Ol Fugly" the Camaro (J/SA).

Sundays National Open WInner was Norm Lapointe in his GT/AA and Phil Archibald was runner-up in his A/SA Corvette.

Saturday evening there was a terrible wind storm that came through.It ate up some "easy-ups" etc. Thanks to those who lent a hand to secure our pro awning and preventing it from going airborne.

The MHDRA folks did an awesome job of putting on this race. Everybody I talked to said the Saturday Racers BBQ was excellent. Unfortunately I missed out on the beef once again and had to settle for a baked bean sandwich.LOL I told the ladies that put on the meal they should put a little beef aside and present the finalists a plate of food along with the Wally.

An interesting note: I was talking to the NHRA and MHDRA folks yesterday evening after the race and there were in excess of 1800 passes made during the 3 days of racing. There were only 2 incidents down track that caused a delay of less than a half hour total. There were no oil downs. Ya gotta love it!!

Thanks again everybody.

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Congrats to all the winners and runner-ups at the Hat!

Dion, thanks for continuing to provide coverage from behind the lens...

Chuck, good to hear you had a successful weekend and saved your awning/pop-up!

We raced in Edmonton due to our commitment to the TOP Eliminator points series.

For those of you who read my post earlier, I felt it was prudent to revise my post. I hope all who attended the event had an excellent weekend!

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

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Thanks Mike but i cant take all the credit for the photography as my sidekick and crewchief Michelle takes them when i am belted in. I think it is important to promote racing out on the west coast as it can be a downer just as easily. I also should thank Chuck Porter for he is in a big way the backbone of stock/super stock racing in Alberta, his and Sandy's efforts dont go unnoticed.

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xx

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Another thanks to Chuck and Sandy's efforts to make the race in MH enjoyable. Last time we were there was in 2007 we had just thrown the drivetrain in the car just to get through tech for the first time. It's didn't even run when we arrived. Chuck and his son Jason helped us work through electrical issues until 2 am when we finally got it fired up.
This year on Saturday in the middle of setting up the combo race, Chuck took the time to track the fuel guy down then drive me back to our pit in the back 40 with the jug in hand. Mnay thanks.
We met a number of S/SS racers for the first time and and swapped stories with the ones we already knew. The people operating the track were very helpful as well. It's the people in the sport that keep you coming back for more.
Cam

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Can anybody tell me what Randy Hastings was running?
Thanks

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Mike
Thanks for your comments. It’s good to know what people are thinking.

As far as the facility is concerned, I personally have watched the MHDRA grow from racing 1/8th mile on the street on Briar Park Road in the 80’s to a modern permanent facility with the racers interest in mind. The MHRDA have been VERY forward thinking in the development of this facility and continue to make improvements despite the economic downturn in this area.

As far as pavement is concerned, I know for a fact they are looking at options. In a perfect world the MHDRA would make a call and a paving crew would show up and pave 10+ acres of pits. Everybody wants that to happen, however it takes money – A LOT OF MONEY.
Will we see paved pits at Medicine Hat in the future? I’d bet money on it.

As far as weather is concerned. How do you control that? The same storm that hit Medicine Hat Saturday night originated northwest of Edmonton. It hit Spruce Grove and Stony Plain which is a few minutes away from the Edmonton track. Look what happened at Camrose and Calgary. They all got hit as well. I was at Castrol yesterday and there was plenty of mud and water laying around so I have to presume the weather affected the Edmonton race as well. As far as oppressive heat. The heat is just as oppressive in Edmonton when its hot. If it’s a 100 degrees in Edmonton and a 100 degrees in Medicine Hat it’s still 100 degrees except there’s likely more humidity in Edmonton.

Medicine Hat is located in a prairie desert region. Trees don’t grow there naturally. The rule of thumb is “if there’s a tree - somebody put it there”. What would be your suggestion for a functional wind break at the MH track Mike? (And I’m not being sarcastic here.) Calgary had dust and plenty of mud when it rained. Edmonton can be dusty when the wind comes across the spectator parking lot. Ashcroft is high desert with similar problems to the “Hat”, Saskatoon is sand based. So that leaves us with Mission which is located in a rain forest region, on the other side of the Rocky mountains. No comparison there.

The great part of this sport is as racers we can choose to participate or choose not to. It is evident from your comments that you nor your super class brethren (whom you speak for) choose to support the MHDRA. That Is your choice. Perhaps sometime in the future the Medicine Hat facility will meet with your standards and you can once again join us at this race – where the “racer comes first”.

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Xx

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Joe
Randy was running a V/SA Volare - 6 cylinder. Sorry but I don't know what year.

Chuck

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Bob, Dion and Chuck thank you for your candid feedback! I will try to respond to each of your posts.

Dion, thank Michelle for all her efforts and to both of you keep it coming. We truly enjoy them!

Bob, again congrats on your Wally and thanks for the reply! You and I have talked considerably over the years and I truly value your judgement. My earleir post may have been perceived as harsh and therefore have edited my "thoughts."

My apologies to the MHDRA, it's members and all of those who truly enjoyed the event. I will address any issues with Mike Williams, president of the MHDRA.

Cheers!

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

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Bob,

Thanks for making the adjustments as we discussed on the phone.

Good luck in your racing adventures and looking forward to wherever our paths will cross again on the divisional or national event front.

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

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Joe, I race a 1980 Dodge Aspen in V/SA. 225 super six (2BRL) Car is named Necessary Evil.

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Hi Blair,

Great shot of Cam's new ride!

Sorry we missed you at the Hat as well as Mission and the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals this year.

Hope all is well!

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

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Thanks Randy, your in the stats now!

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It was great to put a face to the name Blair thanx for the additional pictures they look great. Being im a racer i cant get the 'wheels up' action, and my wife is a little shy of cars screaming past at big rpm's.

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Next!

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After the comment I read by Mike,I had to reply.We take pride in our organization and what we have completed,I would hope you would come and look before judging us for last year-when you got out of shape last year(as I did as well)it was after a half day rain delay,cooler than normal weather and the groove on the track was extremely narrow from all the weather involved.I personally went down track after your incident and we found nothing to stop the race,there was a few cars of high horsepower that were bent out of shape(could be set-up,throttle stop coming off etc)but the other 200+cars had no issue getting down the track.As far as the pavement in the pits, we have already this year spent a great deal of money with ashphalt millings and oil to create a solution to any dust and it has effectively dropped it by 80%,I take it as a slam when you criticize us for what happened last year when we had little to no control over the events.We all remember the unfortunate situation in Edmonton years back with the calcium in the pits,6" of rain and tow trucks to tow people in and out of the facility,I personally have no issue with Edmonton and hold no grudge,it was unfortunate it happened,they tryed to do right to control the dust and made a bad decision and I hold no grudge.I was also sent a letter after attending the first event stating that if we paid in advance(6 months prior)that we would get prefered parking etc,when we showed up we were herded into a line up and parked in a calcium covered area with no cover from anything after arriving 3 days prior to the event begginning.I welcome you and any racers to our humble track,you treat us with respect,we will treat you the same,anything you need we will attempt to do.The only way any facility improves is with support and I welcome your comments personally as I have all racers,we have a limited budget and most improvements are via racer and sponsorship support,instead of boycotting us why not try to help us address these issues you have so that we can all have a better facility to go to?I personally haven't raced in Edmonton for a few years as I have been racing at other tracks in the NHRA and haven't had the time to do so,I look forward to doing so again in the future.I would hope if you have any comments you would direct them at the people that could make the change instead of creating a negative attitude-remember this track was built by racers for racers and is run by racers.I look forward to your comments
Mike Williams-President MHDRA

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Great pictures Blair. Was also nice meeting you in the Hat.

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Just read this, Bob...
You beat'm with your stick car ? !

OH YEAH !!!!!

CONGRATS, man !
WEll done !

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Just curious, was NHRA checking weights or fuel for stock / SS?

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Yes they were scaling and a fuel check was done.

Great photos Dion and Blair next year maybe I can get mine working better and join in the wheels up fun or just bring the other car.

I would like to thank Chuck and Sandy for doing a great job of organizing the combo and Sandy ensuring the scale was looked after, as one of the Combo race sponsors your work is appreciated. As well I think MHDRA did a excellent job as the event went well and they deserve the recognition.

Darcy Clarke
6254 STK A/SA, F/SA, G/SA, H/SA

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weight was being done ,but no fuel on sunday at least

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Mike Williams,

Congrats on your success with this past weekend's race! You and the MHDRA have worked hard to take the track to where it is today.

For that you should be commended!

As for my comments regarding last year, well let's talk over the phone and resolve any differences of opinion. I would have hoped we would have crossed paths prior to this year's event. It appears too many people have taken things way out of context.

I can be reached at (403) 510-6465 any time.

Mike Ferstl

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Anyone else notice that SS/BS car getting a complete motor change in about 3 hours in the heat on Saturday.

Was it two or three guys carrying a complete motor off the box of a half ton?

And then go to the line and complete a full out pass!

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Thanks Mike,People probably don't realize the amount of work and cash we(the racers)put into this place.15 years ago it was an 1/8 mile track with dirt pits and lumps of prairie grass,it is now getting to be one of the more modern facilities in the area with large improvements done yearly.I will be in Acton in a couple weeks for the divisional and we can talk there.

Mike

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Thanks Mike for all yours and the MHDRA's efforts i always look forward to coming out to that track, and will probably be coming more in light of calgary's impending closure.

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Mike,

Thanks for your reply!

We are heavy into the TOP Eliminator (8.90 dial and quicker) class points at Castrol Raceway and we have Acton on the schedule but I was recently told a make-up/rain date race may take place that weekend.

If so, I will contact you and we can plan a chance to chat. Please provide your cell number or another alternative number where we it may be best for me to get a hold of you.

Until then, good luck at the Hat and with your racing ventures.

Cheers!

Mike Ferstl
SG SR 6091

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As a spectator thanks to all the staff in Medicine Hat for putting on a great show. It can be brutal being out in the hot sun for three days just so others can race their cars. It takes a huge effort by many to make it all happen.

I plan on returning next year only this time as a competitor and look forward to racing at your facility.

Allan

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Cam photo of your Camaro looks great......love the wheelstands!

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Dion,

Did that video of Ashcroft work I forgot to ask at the HAT.

Darcy Clarke
6254 STK A/SA, F/SA, G/SA, H/SA

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i havent tried yet we need to add an application, i cant wait to see me beating that ss/ah car, it looked great in my rearview mirror haha

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Blair
I've said it to you many times. You are one of the best drag race photographers AND also general subject photographers that I've seen in a long time.
Thanks for sharing your gallery.

Happy trails pal!