Scott McVey

Alcohol Funny Car Driver, started drag racing at the Gimli Drag Strip in 1993 when he raced a 1974 Gremlin. Scott started out running his Gremlin with an e.t. of 14.7 to eventually 9.80’s. Scott got involved with drag racing because he “enjoyed fast cars” – so it didn’t take much for Scott to jump into an Alchol Funny Car in 2000 (e.t. of 6.40), which is where he’s been ever since (best e.t. of 5.89, approx. 230 m.p.h.). Scott describes his 1st run in the Funny Car as “way too much fun”. Scott’s racing season generally starts in early May in Topeka, Kanas and ends at Earlville, Iowa in late September. Scott competes in other various IHRA and NHRA races throughout Canada and the United States such as Chicago, Illinois; Douglas Wyoming; Edmonton, Alberta; Brainderd, Minnesota; Skribbner, Nebraska; Denver, Colarado, and Calgary Alberta. Scott has 4 – 5 crew members which assist him at disassembling the motor, inspecting bearings, springs, valves, etc. and assembling the engine back for each round made down the track. Scott is solely responsible for servicing the clutch. Scott is generally the 1st member to sign up for D.R.A.M. membership during any given season. Although Scott doesn’t compete in any of the classes at the Gimli Motorsports Park, he can be seen testing the Funny Car. Currently he has Lucas Oil Canada, Magnecomp Scoreboards, Freund’s Auto, and Federal-Mogul Canada as marketing partners on all three cars running for Mobile Motor Sports Inc. Monster Energy is an associate on the Junior Funny Car, and he supports MDA with signage on the TA/FC. Stop by and pick up a t-shirt at Scott’s Pit site ($15).

Lauren Krawchuk

Driver of a Super Comp. Lauren started drag racing in the Junior Dragster program in 1998 at the Gimli Race Track. She had the opportunity also to compete at the National Event in Indianapolis where a brake line malfunction forcing her to forfit in the quater-finals. Lauren raced in the JR Dragster category until 2001. The need for speed graduated her to a 1994 Spitzer Dragster which she is now competing in. Lauren got her licence in May 2006. Her father, Blaine Kraawchuk has been her crew chief since her 1st run in the JR. Dragster. Blaine was previously a drag racer himself and is instrumental in tuning and maintaining the dragster. Lauren’s best speed is 154 mph with an ET of 8.67 seconds. Lauren is the Manager of the Half Moon Drive Inn in Lockport and has been able to secure a sponsor with the Half Moon Drive Inn. Stop by the Krawchuk trailer and pick up a stylish Half Moon T-Shirt for only $10. Lauren Krawchuk and the Half Moon Drive Inn wish everyone a great race season!

Tim Richards

Tim started racing in 1990 with a 1984 Super Comp. Don Ness Dragster at Gimli. Tim has owned and raced several cars/dragsters – 2 different ‘83 Mustangs, 1990 Camero, 1997 Mullis Dragster, 27 Ford Roaster, 96 Spitzer, 2001 Mullis four-link Dragster and a 98 Davis four-link Dragster. Tim has always been interested in cars and was drawn to drag racing because of the competition, as well as the camaraderie amongst the racing community. Tim’s great moments in drag racing – are: Winning the Super Rod category at Souix Falls, SD IHRA Divisional in 2003 along with a Runner-up in Quick Rod. Tim was also the Super Gas Runner-up at the NHRA National Event in Brainderd, MN in 2001. Tim has raced at IHRA/NHRA Divisional and National events at various tracks across the U.S. – Brainderd, MN; Indianapolis, IN; Dallas, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Union Grove, WI; Grove Creek, MN; Fargo, ND; Skribbner NE; and Topeka, KS. Tim’s crew chief for many years was Jim Melin from Sauk Centre, MN. Tim is one of Gimli’s unique drag racers as he competes in both the Super-Pro and Pro-Et classes most times in at the same event in Gimli. Tim’s sponsors are Dr. Hook Towing, Dragmart, Scoops on Main, Fleet Autobody and Quakerstate. Tim doesn’t hesitate to help new drivers learn the sport.

Tony Bueckert

Tony and Jake’s racing started in 2003 with an 85 c10 that Tony received from his parents (Jake & Helen Bueckert) for graduation.

His parents knew that there where in trouble back when Tony has five and was sitting on Jake’s lap, in his 69 dodge Dart with a 340, continually asking him to go faster (Faster daddy FASTER). After two years of running his truck, pulling off a best run of 11:89 without NOS, an 11:02 with. They then ran a 75 nova, and after that a 75 vega. They had a couple of finals runs but never pulled off any great finishes.

Which brings us to last year’s purchase of Don Goodfellow’s 80 Monza, where our three years worth of racing finally started to work out for us with a second place overall finish, and some great 9.44 passes. 2008 marks our fifth year of racing at gimli drag way. This year we are running the same 80 Monza, now with a new motor!

We started the season with some early success and our quickest pass of a 9.12 at 148.99mph. Our sponsors are Velocity Motorsports, Stir-it-up, Morden Reality, Diamond auto body, Sun valley RV and Napa auto parts. So if you ever need help with your car or just to talk don’t hesitate to come see us. Tony and Jake wish everyone a fun and safe season!

Barry Lovegrove

I have been involved in drag racing since 1997. A few of my friends had  started racing and encouraged me to do the same. My first day of racing out  at the track was the spring of 1997 with my 1969 Z28 Camaro and I had a  blast, even though I did two reverse burnouts (or attempted to a burnout  with the car still in reverse)  Anyway, the car ran a best of 14.07 @ 100  MPH and sealed my fate…I was hooked. In the spring of 1997 I bought my  1980 Malibu with a BBC in Maple Ridge, B.C. and later that fall I raced it  for the first time. I joined the BFG/Castrol racing series with a number of  my friends and enjoyed that series while it lasted. I have 3 great kids and  a granddaughter, so time and money have limited my racing over the years. I  have raced almost every vehicle that I have or had owned over the last 11  years. In the recent past I have raced my stock 1986 Buick Grand National  last summer several times, while my son raced my 1988 Chevy Sportside and  my 1981 Malibu Classic with a 355 SBC this year with my 19 year old son  doing most of the driving.  My son and I race in Trophy class when we  attend, to keep it affordable and fun for both of us. It has been a great  experience in general with some frustrations here and there and I have met  many terrific people and made some new friends. I’m missing my pal Wayne  Wedge when I come to race, hope the fishing is good this year Wayne!

August 19th….. In late July I was out on the Saturday Test & Tune day  with my black 1980 Malibu Sport Coupe and had major traction issues with my  new drag radials. When I swapped my slicks back on my car ran a best of  12.03 @ 112 + MPH still spinning a wee bit with a 1.67 sixty foot.

BTW I have two cars that I race…my son drives my 1981 Malibu Sport Coupe  with a 355 SBC (blue in color) best ET was 14.09 @ 99.51 MPH this last May  and I drive my 1980 Malibu Sport Coupe (black in color) which has run a  best of 11.74 @ 113.78 MPH with a 1.63 sixty foot.

Grant Pozernick

Racing out of Clandeboye, Manitoba, Grant has been making passes at Gimli  over the last 14 years.  Grant’s first car was a 1969 Dodge Dart GTS with a  340 which he and his dad (Ron ) built.  Many fun filled years and a few Pro  ET wins were had racing the Dart with a best E.T. of 11.30.  Grant’s need  for speed forced the sale of the Dart and began the quest for something  quicker.  Grant and his dad were in the process of building a Chris Alston  tube chassis Dodge Daytona, when Grant found his current Daytona in turn- key form down in Flint, Michigan.  A quick trip to the bank and a short 32  hour round-trip, netted a new race car in 2003.  The car had originally  come with a 500 cubic inch big block Dodge motor which propelled the  Daytona to 9.20 E.T.’s at 148 mph and a couple of Super Pro wins.  This  made Grant very happy….but what made him even happier was meeting  Laurie!!  In Grant’s words, “not only is she beautiful, but she loves race  cars….a perfect combination”!
2009 may see the addition of a second car to the Pozernick Racing stable, as Laurie has the bug to go racing.
Our crew consists of: Grant, Laurie, Ron, Lynn, Tony & Marla with new  addition and future racer, Spencer.  Without a great supportive family,  going racing would be very difficult and not as much fun…thank you to you  all.
We would also like to thank our sponsors: Ryerson Metals and Koch Stainless  Products and would like to send out a big thank you to Brian Wheatley.
Stop by and check out our web-site www.pozernickracing.com for updates and  results.

In the words of a great racer “Go fast and have fun”!

Ryan Jaenicke

 

Hailing from Roseau, Minnesota, the 421X car of Ryan Jaenicke’s has been a regular at Gimli Dragway since 2006. Ryan pilots a 1976 Dodge Aspen which was given to him by his grandfather in 1994. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated 423 cubic inch small block Dodge engine. The car’s best ET is 10.25 @ 132 mph with a 1.40 sixty foot time. He races it in full street trim on a 10.5″ slick and through the mufflers.We’ve made alot of friends over the last few years at Gimli Dragway and can’t wait for the upcoming season!!!

Ryan had a great 2009 season ending up being the Sportsman Track Champion with three first place finishes, one being the Ironman Classic.

Ryan’s pit crew includes his wife Kim, and his two boys Zachary & Owen.

The 421X Racing crew would like to thank their sponsors Northland Tire, Inc out of Roseau, Minnesota www.northlandtire.com and P&J Turkey’s, Inc. out of Greenbush, Minnesota. We couldn’t do it without you!!!

Bloody Fingers Racing

Bernie, Ed and Pat LeBlanc, along with their families formed Bloody Fingers Racing about 2 years ago. The name comes from an incident involving Pat, Bernie a drill and the need to install a bolt for the Falcon’s drivers seat (need we say more).

Bernie (the fabricator) always had a passion for cars, but in his youth was heavily involved in the music industry and then family. While his children were growing up he spent a lot of time building car models always putting his own touch on each one. About 7 or 8 years ago he bought a1966 Ford Falcon which he started to rebuild and prepare for the track, that is until he came across the 65 Ford Falcon Keystone Drag ways era Gasser in a garage.  Finally in June 2007 after much fabrication and attention to detail to make the car period correct he brought it to Gimli to make his first run and the rest is history. We believe the Falcon to have the longest tenure in Drag racing today in Manitoba. This car carries a great deal of history as it is an original Johnny K car. (THE TROUBLE FALCON.) Believe it or not a straight axle and it handles great. (Best time to date 11.69 @ 113mph.)

Ed (the mechanic) got his first car at 13 and started racing at Bison Drag ways when he was only a young lad of 16 and stopped only briefly to raise a family (just a short 28 year break). He’s always had something in the garage to work on , starting and unfortunately never finishing. Well 3 1/2 years ago along comes long time friend Al Bedard with an offer Ed couldn’t refuse, the 1987   Cutlass (it too comes with a great history) but it must return to the track or no deal. Now with a real good rolling chassis, Bernie, along with Dale Loewen (Sandale Fabrications) convince Ed to build a big block instead of small block  (well it’s only his money). On the August long weekend 2007 he made his triumphant return. (Best time to date 10.19 @ 133mph).

Pat (the Muscle) has always been involved in every kind of sport known to man,hockey, soccer,  baseball and whatever he was passionate about. he was also good at all of them. Well when you’ve got 2 brothers building cars and you find your always helping with one or the other as well as being the crew chief for both, you know it was bound to happen. Pat could always be seen pushing the cars while his brothers sat comfortably behind the seats. Pat has found himself a 1979 Lemans 2 dr coupe which he’ll install a potent little small block into with the aid of his brothers and a lot of bandages He has every hope of joining his brothers for their first run in the 2009 season. (Best time to be determined)

When at the track you can find them surrounded by their individual motorhomes as well as tents campers and a large group of family and friends who’ve come to enjoy the day.

The brothers hope to have some of their children eventually join the team.

Our Motto is simple lets have fun out there and so far it’s been a blast.

Rod Nagam

 
I have been around the race track since the early seventies going to Keystone then Bison Dragways with my brother  Gary with the many cars that he raced there over the years.Then Bison closed and Gimli opened and my brother  continued to be a regular with myself and other friends and family supporting him until his car was destroyed in  a horrific roll over in which no one was hurt.I then stayed away from the track until 1991-92 returning with my  good friend Tim Purcell with his 67 Rambler American with a small block chevy running 11.50’s. This was fun for a  couple of years as we shared the driving then rear halfing the car and a complete facelift and a big block with a  671 blower..man that was fun. Being at the track racing the Rambler was fun then in 96 I bought the Duece  completing my dream of owning my own race car which I always wanted from the time I was a kid going to the track  with my brother Gary.The first few years with the car running 11.50’s and Tim had another big block with a 871  BDS blower. We never went alot of rounds but we always had the most fun.
 
My car has since recieved a Ford nine inch with 35 spline Strange axels and 4:56 gears and a 383 small block on  methanol with a best 9.97 @ 136 MPH. The last two years have been the  most successful for me as far as winning  goes and I hope for more to come. I know I would not be in the position I am in right now without the support  from my wife Shana and my friend Brad Joel. Brad not only builds my motors, he taught me how to be a winner at  drag racing.Drag racing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and will be for as long as I am  able…so..lets go fast and have F.U.N. fun.

Gar McConkey

Driver of a 1979 Chevrolet Nova. This is a new team team called “Garter Racing” with Terri McConkey as the crew chief. This team is looking for people to help out with the car as well. They advise that they must be D.R.A.M. member, and have good knowledge of race cars. The Nova is powered by a 327 cid and is sponsored by Don’s Auto Parts of Stonewall, Stonewall Taxi, Marion Auto Body and Warren Tire of Warren.

George & Helmut Harder

Both brothers compete at the Gimli Motorsports Park. They started racing at Gimli in 1998 and have been D.R.A.M. members since that period. The brothers did extremely well in drag racing their 1st year and won the Rookie of The Year Award. The Harder brothers, who had never experience drag racing before, liked the thought of fast cars and had an opportunity to purchase their GTO from Darryl Forrest. Both brothers run the car as a team and both maintain the car and alternate driving the car. Both of the brothers are self-taught in fixing and maintaining the car, as well as, tuning and dialing-in the car. The fastest e.t. in the car has been 10.88 at 121 m.p.h. George and Helmut see their most memorial moments when they went to the Quarter Finals in 2000 at the D.R.A.M. Bracket Race and won the NHRA Wally in 2004. The Harder brothers are tough competitors and have attended races in Fargo. George and Helmut were Track Championships in 2004, and were runner-up to the Track Championship in 1998, 2001 and 2002. The team placed third overall in 2003. The Harder Brothers sponsors are: Kitchen Kraft & Cabinetry, Fleet Auto-body, Chirotec, Madison Ave. Ventures, Canadian Business Advertisement Products, Spicer, Wix Filters and Motion. The Harder Race team is certainly a family affair. Rochelle Harder is active in contributing her time to D.R.A.M. as Treasurer and can be seen helping out in the pits.
 

Lacey Jay Timchuk

TEAM PEREGRINE – BIRD GONE WILD

I’m the driver of this 70 ½ Ford Falcon.  I have always loved muscle cars & have been cruising in hot muscle cars for over six years now, thanks to my boyfriend.

I started drag racing, July 12, 2008, my crew chief, Frank Safonovs, taught me how to drive my car down the ¼ mile.  My first pass I managed a 14 second run, later that day I ran a successful 11-second pass.  Then September Long, 2008, my best friend, Monique, was racing a sled next to me on the track, when Sunday morning, we shocked everyone, including ourselves, reaching a 9.90 pass.  It was the most thrilling experience of our lives….shortly there after we got our 9-second IHRA license.

This year, 2009, I joined Pro E/T, and began using the electronics in my car, I was skeptical at first, wondering how I would adjust, first race day out, I made it into the semi finals.  Later throughout the race season, I would go rounds, & be the semifinalist & runner up twice.  Ending this year #3 in points.

My hot falcon is equipped with 4 link bars, a 2-speed power glide, Dana rear end, a 570 ci big block ford & updated electronics (delay box, throttle stop & start line enhancer).  My quickest ET was a 9.46 @ 138 mph….Next year & I’m going to run my car all out, I’m sure I’ll run in the low 9’s.. We’ll see what happens in summer of 2010.

I would like to thank my sponsors:

ABM CONCRETE LTD – THE PERFORMANCE COMPANY

BUILDING PRODUCTS – CONCRETE SUPPLY LTD

GLP FENCING & DECKS

SAFONOVS RESTORATIONS

HTTP: //204EBIZ.COM

WARREN TIRE

AUTOTRENDS

Matt Feniuk

 

I just stared racing last year with my 1984 Chevy S10, I started off the year very slow and progressively went faster and faster until I drove my dads Camaro for my last pass of the season. In my little truck I went a best time of 12.50 @ 107 mph. This year I know I will go faster. I have to thank all the people that have been so much help to me along the way.  First off, Tracy my supportive soon to be wife, and my Dad Doug Feniuk who has helped me every step of the way.  With out him none of what I am doing would be possible. My Mom Darlene Feniuk who like my Dad and Tracy have been there helping me from the start of all of this. The Auto Parts Center, Boots and Jason who are always there to help me find what I need. Last but not least Kevin Mills who built me a great engine and given me a lot of very helpful advice along the way. With out any of these people I could not be part of drag racing in Manitoba.  And thanks to all of the racers who week in and week out support Gimli Dragway, and DRAM, with out you there would be no drag racing here.