Chilly Willy Drag Racing Blog

All happening this weekend.

The  unpredictable  and not forgotten rulers of the gas classes will be at  St.Thomas Dragway this weekend for the Twelveth Annual Hot Rod Reunion. These cars are wild and fast and have drivers with nerves of steel.  Its Canada and USA going at it and its only the first of many event planned for Canada. John Rossitter  of  “John Rossitter Motorsports” directs the event on the North side of the border.  Johns quoted as saying  ” Its been alot of work to get this event together, theres been great planning and  with that has come a fist full of cash for the the racers involved, in fact the largest payout to date for the AA/G.  We have been fortunate to have brought on board sponsors that are obviously wanting to support the AA gass racing in Canada  and  potentially in the USA. Our sponsors are involved in the  AA gas  due to their passion for the  HEADS UP RACING”   Also on hand will be the Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny cars laying down free  strips of rubber 1/8 mile at a time with their killer burn outs.  Have you ever been beside an  A/FC when it fires up? The  alcohol shoots out the zoomies and rains cooling little droplets on your skin.  Make sure you are  wearing  your favorite track T-shirt when you get the chance.   Big time horsepower, fast cars, long smokey burnouts, clean and safe grounds at the  WISECO HOT ROD REUNION all happening at St.Thomas this weekend. Youll  need to buy the whole seat,  but youll only need the edge……. Dyno.

Tommy strugles holding Ridge back from firing up Melanies VooDoo ride.

Last weekend we went to the Bend to see a great show happen. The weather made track officials work hard as it drizzled here and there on Saturday, but as ussual  they had what it takes to keep the track ready :job well done. The numbers were good in regards to the fans, they all got to see the greats blast down the strip.  Some passes set records and some got tangled into the wall.  Ray Commisso damaged his car and is apparently suffering some physical  damage. I wish him well, he is a great guy and a top notch  Canadian drag racer.   There was a funnycar match race between Paul Noakes and Rob Atchison,  Atch was lucky to win that one.  Seems they like to go at it,  just like the James Boys 33 Willys and  the Chilly Willys. LOL……  The highlight of my  day  was to personally meet NHRA beau  Nirto Funnycar pilot- Tommy Johnson Jr. and his  beautiful wife, Melanie Troxel who  drives the R2B2-VOODOO 63 pro-mod vet. (She also drives fuel funnycar and fuel dragster too!) I wonder what they drive back at home for their day to day.  Among  many of her  skills, her cat like quickness reaction time, and very competitive driving abilities  has obviously granted her  as being recognized as  one of the   best levers (driver)  in the  IHRA and NHRA.   My son and I  were lucky enough to speak to Tommy and Melanie  for a brief moment in between  rounds when they were real busy, they were calm and very nice.  It ads to your day when celebrities of high regard like those two, take the time  to hear us little people speak. We left their pit with an ear to ear smile and will always be their fans.  I forgot to mention they also both signed Val Potters  rendition of a  Pro mod  Chilly Willys that will hopefully one day emerge.  Wouldnt that be neat to have Tommy Jr. in the hot seat of that car  racing his wife in the next  lane. You know guys,  Tommy might have to let her win. LOL.  To finish off, we are lucky to have the race tracks around us, so lets use and respect the grounds and praise the people who keep them running. We are also lucky to have the people  who own, drive, crew,  build and  sponsor these cars so we have this enterainment. Drag racing is one fun family sport.  Nothing like the smell of nitro first thing in the morning. CH3NO2     Thanks, Dyno.

Sweet Melanie sqeezes one lucky little man.

So I decided somehow to think its better to leave the hole in 3rd gear instead of 1st gear and beat up my clutch como real real bad. After I let the clutch go at 5000 rpm, there was nothing there so I immediately new I screwed up. It moved off the line like it had a black and decker aquarium pump powering it…… That was on the first pass to.  So needless to say we packed the car up and went home.  The crew was really disapointed and I felt pretty low. They work hard for these days of racing and I went and blew it. The only way they would forgive me was for me to buy them  lunch.  Now  its tearing down time and putting the brandnew spares in. My gracious sponser Buffalo Clutch will be happy to see my parts. Poor guys. Dont know why they still like me…… Thanks , Willys home run is soon.