NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals - Northwest Div. Ashcroft B.C. Saturday results
NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES – NORTHWEST DIVISION FINALS NL’AKAPXM EAGLE MOTORPLEX ASHCROFT, B.C. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2003 SUMMIT RACING WINNERS ADVANCE TO NHRA FINALS ASHCROFT, B.C. – In today’s Summit Racing Finals Race of Champions held in Ashcroft, four drivers earned the right to compete in the prestigious NHRA Finals, which will take place in Pomona, Calif. in November. Competition was intense, but Rod Langley, John Korfiatis, Jerry Weber and Greg Westling advanced to the Finals in their respective categories. Richmond, B.C. resident, John Korfiatis, took top honors in the Pro class, and will take his ‘70 Chevy Nova to the Finals. Korfiatis was the 2002 Northwest Division Sportsman Racer of the Year, and said, “We came so close the past few years and couldn’t get to the Finals but this had to be the year. Thanks to everyone on my crew who helped me get here.” Greg Westling, who traveled from Calgary, Alta., won the Motorcycle/Snowmobile class. “This is our first time here at the Summit Finals, and we didn’t expect to do anything like this. It’s unreal,” said Westling of his win. Rod Langley, of Boise, Idaho, ran 7.354 seconds at 167.50 mph in his Dragster, to earn the Finals berth in the Super Pro category. In the winner’s circle, Langley said, “This is the biggest thing I’ve won. I’m really excited, and looking forward to Pomona. I’m very happy to be representing the division.” Jerry Weber, of Albany, Ore., defeated Joe Adams, of Woodburn, Ore., in the final round of the Sportsman class. Weber described today’s competition, “It’s hard to stay focused when you know how much is at stake, but I am very excited and will do the best I can to represent the Northwest Division in Pomona.” The NHRA Finals will be held in Pomona, Calif., on Nov. 6-9, 2003. The winners from each of the seven divisions will compete for a national title and a purse of $5,000. Top racers from 18 racetracks across the Northwest division participated in today’s Race of Champions. The event also featured Jr. Dragster categories and a High School competition. Mike George won the trophy in the Jr. Thunder category, while Benjamin Hilton took the victory in Jr. Lightning. Adam Durham prevailed in the High School category. Racing in Ashcroft continues tomorrow at 9 a.m. Nl’Akapxm Eagle Motorplex is located fourteen kilometers south of Cache Creek, on TransCanada Highway 1. For more information, contact the track at (250) 453-9310. The following are final results from the NHRA Northwest Division Summit Racing Finals “Race of Champions”: SUPER PRO Rod Langley, Boise, Idaho, Dragster, 7.354 seconds, 167.50 mph def. Gary Ericksen, Portland, Ore., ’74 Pontiac, 11.222, 120.96 PRO John Korfiatis, Richmond, B.C., ’70 Nova, 11.670, 109.44 def. John Schwaller, North Bend, Wash., ’70 El Camino, 11.116, 116.08 SPORTSMAN Jerry Weber, Albany, Ore., ’82 S-10, 14.959, 88.14 def. Joe Adams, Woodburn, Ore., ’99 Accord, 18.159, 76.21 MOTORCYCLE/SNOWMOBILE Greg Westling, Calgary, Alta., ’96 Kopijewski, 10.007, 127.35 def. Bill Bourdon, Chilliwack, B.C., ’02 Polaris, 9.966, 126.40 JR. THUNDER Mike George, Portland, Ore., 11.209, 55.46 def. Courtney Alley, Eagle, Idaho, 12.072, 33.33 JR. LIGHNING Benjamin Hilton, Vancouver, Wash., 8.973, 71.82 def. Chad Bratt, Olympia, Wash., 9.092, 71.20 HIGH SCHOOL Adam Durham, Tacoma, Wash., ’72 Chevelle, 14.095, 85.68 def. Traci Merritt, Oregon City, Ore., ’66 Nova, 13.071, 103.06