DRAGS: Stratford Spectacular event continues at the Grand Bend Motorplex

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO (July 30, 2009) – The tradition continues at the Grand Bend Motorplex August 8-9. Since 1996, the drag racing community of Southwestern Ontario has teamed up with the business community in presenting some of the best in local racing, and this year’s Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex promises to be a memorable show.

“The concept this year is the same as other years,” said Sam Blowes, one of the event’s organizers. “But this year it will be a bigger show.”

Started in 1996 at St. Thomas Dragway, a group of racers joined up with local businesses, providing free tickets through the businesses for a day of racing. The concept has proven very popular over the years, as merchants get behind the event in promoting the sport.

“We had no trouble in selling it,” Blowes said about the event. “With free tickets from the merchants and sponsors, the tracks went for the idea, as it brought a lot of people into the stands.”

He added that the race, which has been held at the Grand Bend Motorplex for the past 12 years, is something that everyone looks forward to, and aside from the racing, there are other auto-related activities such as car shows and cruise nights which have enhanced the weekend.

“We’re going to see (race) cars at the Grand Bend Motorplex for this show that only come out once a year,” he continued. “We’ll get upwards of 500 cars. It will be the biggest show at the track behind the IHRA Canadian Nationals. People, both racers and fans, look forward to the weekend.”

Blowes said the business community has been behind the event 100 percent providing sponsorship and free ticket packages.

Sam Blowes, who himself races a 1951 Mercury truck in Top Sportsman, said that the intent of the show will remain as it was when it started, and that is to give recognition to all drag racers.

“Racers all have the same blood,” he said, “whether they race an 18-second car or a six-second car.”

And he was appreciative of all the help that goes into an event of this magnitude.

“There’s a lot of effort that goes into this, and it couldn’t be done without the local sponsors.”

And for 2009, the show will the biggest in the event’s history.

To be held at the Grand Bend Motorplex August 8-9, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals, the eighth-mile racing event will feature the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.PMRA.ca, a four car Alcohol Funny Car Match Race, a Jet Truck, a Supercharged V8 Drag Bike, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, the Grand Bend Motorplex Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Series, plus great racing action in the Thunder series and Junior Dragster programs.

Other auto-related activities such as car shows and cruise nights will also be held, along with a fireworks display.

Complimentary spectator event tickets are available at Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts locations across Ontario, at businesses in Stratford, or by contacting the Quick 32 Sportsman Series or the Pro Modified Racing Association.

General parking is $20 per car load, and weekend camping is available.

For information about the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com.

From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher