Canadian Drag Racing Update

By Bruce Biegler
PRN Drag Racing Editor

Last Hurrah?

It’s a shame, but it appears that the strong showing at the NHRA U.S. Nationals by the Eastern Canadian-based Fuel Funny Car team of Bob Elliott and John Rossitter will likely be its last.

After having trouble on his first three passes, Elliott qualified Rossitter’s Northern Force Dodge Daytona 15th for drag racings showcase annual event, hitting a solid 5.31 secs. at 276.32 mph.

Elliott then ran a respectable 5.36 secs. 274.05 mph in Round 1, but lost to “Speedy” Freddie Neely’s 5.20 secs. at 290.69 mph.

But immediately after the event Rossitter confirmed that without corporate Canadian sponsorship he would not be able to continue and his car and all components would be liquidated. Rossitter also confirmed that he will be moving to Florida, and expanding his Hard Core Racing Parts business south of the border.

“Im frustrated that it has to come to this,” said Rossitter. “But the sponsorship disinterest in Canada in supporting a racing venture like ours has forced me to look elsewhere.”

For Elliott, the U.S. Nationals placing was a sacrifice in more ways than one. The determined driver from Londesborough, Ont. actually took out a second mortgage on his house to ensure that the team would have enough necessary funds to allow a realistic shot at qualifying.

Participating in the U.S. Nationals Fuel Funny Car show had been a lifelong dream for Elliott, making his fourth (and last) qualifying attempt pressure-packed.

“We had so much optimism going into the event, but when it comes down to your last shot at qualifying, you kind of resign yourself to accept whatever you get,” said Elliott. “We had some trouble on the first three runs, but we also knew that we had a good tune-up and were capable of qualifying, if I did a good job driving.

“I talked with Al Segrini and some other guys before the run and I slowed down my pace. I took my time backing up and really concentrated on where I was on the track so I wouldn’t have to make any last second corrections. I placed the car in the groove, stood on the gas and away I went. The car moved around a little bit, but I knew it was a good run – even though I haven’t driven the car that many times.”

“When I got stopped on the top end, some guy hollered, ‘31’. I could have almost cried – both for myself and for my guys. We had got in – I was very happy.”