Getting ready to race

A pair of junior dragsters were in the walkways of Northgate Square getting onlookers revved up for the racing season. Photo by Lucas Punkari.

Story by Lucas Punkari

While North Bay was having to deal with the return on snow this past weekend, the smell of burning rubber was in the minds of many at the Northgate Mall as cars from the upcoming King Of The Hill Dragway event were on display.

"The whole event has been really well-received so far," North Bay Motorsports member Bruce Etches said on Saturday, as the event moves towards his sixth year.

"We’ve seen the car count go up to 325 vehicles last year, and we’ve had drivers coming from all across Ontario and even the United States. The crowd’s for the weekend have been around 8,000 spectators, so we’re really excited for what’s in store this year."

The event, which is co-promoted along with the Rotary Club of Nipissing, will be taking place from Friday June 20th to Sunday June 22nd at the Jack Garland Airport, with on-track action going during all three days.

The weekend will also mark the first race on the 2008 Show Me The Money Tour, which travels to six tracks in Ontario and Quebec. North Bay is one of two Northern Ontario events, the other taking place in Elliott Lake from July 18th to the 20th.

While fans familiar with seeing the action of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) will find the event different from the 330 miles per hour cars they’re used to on televison, there are some similarities between the two events.

"This event is sanctioned by the NHRA, so all of the rules and each class will fall under those guidelines," Etches explained.

"One of the main differences is that the strip is an 1/8 of a mile in length, as opposed to the 1/4 mile you see on television, but the classes that you’ll see here in June will be similar to those that you would see when at a national event."

More information on the upcoming event, including ticket information, can be found at www.kingofthehilldragway.ca or by calling 495-9048.