That included two trips to Florida, one of which was to compete at the Divisional and National NHRA events in Gainesville, Florida in March. With continued delays in the completion of the new car preventing it from debuting during these events, Jory got back behind the wheel of his 2024 season ride, the team's 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet. He drove that car to the FSS/A Class Eliminations title, winning his first career Wally trophy. 

 

Jory worked his heart out to make the new car and partnership with Fletch Racing successful, including countless hours of finishing work, which showcased his excellent fabrication skills, some of which I didn’t even know he had.

 

Jory drove the 2018 car like a pro when it debuted in April, running 8.32 seconds at 165 miles per hour (264 kmph) during a test in St. Louis, Missouri. He also qualified the car at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina in April, before mounting challenges within the team led to a split after the May 24th NHRA National Open at Toronto Motorsports Park. Ultimately, my hard-nosed way of doing things didn’t align with those of the team owner.

 

I decided once again to put my own team together. This time I was interested in running the highly competitive NHRA Super Comp class, so I purchased a 235-inch wheelbase rear engine Dragster. I threw Jory the ‘keys’ pretty much knowing he had the skill-set to figure out how to drive it. Technically, these cars are among the most sophisticated in our sport. The car, as I purchased it, had never been down the track, so initially there were many problems. To be accurate, we broke something every time out in the first month, but have since put on dozens of runs problem free. The car stayed together one weekend for the three supervised runs required by the NHRA for Jory to upgrade his license from a short wheelbase car to a long wheelbase Dragster.

 

Early on we went to an NHRA Lucas Oil Series regional event in Indianapolis. Jory qualified the car 20th out of 64 entries but was unable to maintain consistency in his driving due to the repercussions of a serious cycling accident just days prior, leading to a loss in the first round. However, we learned lots about the car and where our weak areas were.

 

When we returned from Indy, Jory threw the ‘keys’ back to me and said “let’s get you licensed, Dad “. It was exhilarating. The ‘G-force’ took me off guard, especially when the car came off of the Throttle Stop, and watching those skinny little front tires skipping over the track at speed was a whole new experience. It was fun, and under the watchful eyes of Jory and our friend Kirk Vanni, who has been a great mentor, I made seven runs without a mistake, earning my NHRA Super Comp Dragster license.

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At the second NHRA National Open of the year at Toronto Motorsports Park, in September, Jory drove the car to two semi-final finishes during the two day event, which made for a great close to our 2025 season.

 

As we enter the off season, the car has pretty much been stripped down and rebuilt from front to rear. We’ve added a new rear wing for high-speed stability, reconfigured and updated many components, had the items that required SFI re-certification sent away and reinstalled in the car, and added a new fuel system. 

 

As for 2026, it looks like Jory and I will concentrate on racing within a smaller radius from home, with a focus on competing for the NHRA Canadian National Open Series Super Comp Championship, and having some fun with our local sportsman series’.

 

I’m so thankful that Gloria supported and encouraged my racing efforts for six decades. But it wasn’t just about Bob Elliott, it was Bob & Glo’s Northern Force racing team, and now it continues with our Son, Jory.

 

Thanks, take care of each other.

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"Bogus" Bob