[coverattach=1]Stratford dragster team ready for Quick 32 Sportsman Series round three
STRATFORD, ONTARIO (July 3, 2009) – Most families in drag racing have been long involved in the sport, with several generations continuing the tradition.
But the Hyde family, although relatively new to drag racing, has taken a passion to the racing with gusto since they were introduced to the sport at St. Thomas Dragway by well known and respected racer Mike Hishon in 2006.
With Spencer Hyde driving, Hyde Racing is heavily involved in the NAPA-sponsored Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the team is getting ready for round three in the 2009 series next weekend at the St. Thomas Dragway.
Spencer’s father Peter Hyde, along with mother Lisa, owns the Hyde Racing dragster. Peter Hyde was instrumental in getting the new series established, and believes the six-event tour for 2009 is just the right thing at the right time.
“This has the makings of a great race series. Some people don't like change and that can create negativity but to have a new series with great prize money is a positive thing and keeps the sport alive,” he explained. “The feedback has been excellent from all the participants involved. It has great bang for the buck.”
Spencer Hyde is the driver of the John Chandler-chassised dragster, which is powered with a 401-cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine with a Kobelco turbocharger sitting on it.
Spencer, who just completed secondary school and is enrolled at Georgian College in the school’s Commercial Aviation Management studies, started racing a couple of years ago in Junior Dragsters, and made the step up to a Top Dragster this season. The 17-year old did well for the car’s first outing at Cayuga Dragway, qualifying third and getting into the quarter-final before losing to event winner T.J. Schippling.
In the second Quick 32 Sportsman Series race at the Grand Bend Motorplex, Hyde qualified the dragster second, but was taken out in first round action. The team is presently fifth in the Championship Point Award Series Standings.
“There is such a difference, this car is so much faster,” commented Hyde on the differences between the two cars. “There is so much more adrenalin.”
Hyde also said that a trip to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School has made a big difference in his outlook on racing.
”The course helped me 100 percent,” he said. “It is really good in every aspect of the sport. It was excellent for me.”
The young Hyde is also on course in obtaining his private pilot’s license, with the ground school portion and half his flying time completed.
Part of the team’s makeup is the involvement of veteran racers and builders Rich Ingram and Jim McCann, who provide crew chief duties for the team. Ingram has his fuel system setup on the dragster, and the car itself is a car McCann raced previously.
The Hyde’s really have made this a family affair including Peter's two brothers, Murray Hyde and Ron Hyde and a cousin and long-time racer, Jack Hyde as crew.
Sponsorship for the team comes from NAPA Auto Parts, Ideal Supply, Hyde Construction, Transit Petroleum, Hyde Electric, Dordan Mechanical Contractors, DuPont, Samson, Ronnoco, Budweiser, Art & Function, Fastpixs Digital Media, N A Engineering, Wilhelm Concrete, Steve Smith Construction, Sutton Group (Paul Graham) and Orr Insurance.
Another part of the Hyde Team, and the family involvement, is the Junior Dragster racing by Spencer’s sister Sydnie. Now in her second year of racing, the 14-year old said the racing “is lots of fun,” and has not ruled out the possibility of getting into a faster car some day.
But she’s going to have to wait while Spencer continues to compete in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series.
“I’m going to be here for a while,” he said. “Some day I’d like to get into a faster car and make a five-second pass, but right now that’s just a dream.”
And the Stratford-based racing family is ready for a return to the track this weekend.
“We’re ready to roll,” said Peter Hyde. “We’ve been happy with both outings, and we’re itchy to race.”
This St. Thomas event, known as The Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers Race, will be held July 11-12 for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and is to be run in conjunction with the Pro Modified Racing Association Pro Modifieds for the two-days.
Qualifying for the Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen begins at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, the first of three qualifiers that day. Championship eliminations will begin Sunday, July 12, starting at 1:00 p.m.
For information about St. Thomas Dragway, call (519) 775-2263 or visit St. Thomas Dragway
Photo Credit: Mike Goodwin - Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - welcome to ....www.nxphoto.com by bill mehlenbacher photography,,,,,, and Joe Barrett - Drag Racing Inc. - Drag Racing, INC
STRATFORD, ONTARIO (July 3, 2009) – Most families in drag racing have been long involved in the sport, with several generations continuing the tradition.
But the Hyde family, although relatively new to drag racing, has taken a passion to the racing with gusto since they were introduced to the sport at St. Thomas Dragway by well known and respected racer Mike Hishon in 2006.
With Spencer Hyde driving, Hyde Racing is heavily involved in the NAPA-sponsored Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the team is getting ready for round three in the 2009 series next weekend at the St. Thomas Dragway.
Spencer’s father Peter Hyde, along with mother Lisa, owns the Hyde Racing dragster. Peter Hyde was instrumental in getting the new series established, and believes the six-event tour for 2009 is just the right thing at the right time.
“This has the makings of a great race series. Some people don't like change and that can create negativity but to have a new series with great prize money is a positive thing and keeps the sport alive,” he explained. “The feedback has been excellent from all the participants involved. It has great bang for the buck.”
Spencer Hyde is the driver of the John Chandler-chassised dragster, which is powered with a 401-cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine with a Kobelco turbocharger sitting on it.
Spencer, who just completed secondary school and is enrolled at Georgian College in the school’s Commercial Aviation Management studies, started racing a couple of years ago in Junior Dragsters, and made the step up to a Top Dragster this season. The 17-year old did well for the car’s first outing at Cayuga Dragway, qualifying third and getting into the quarter-final before losing to event winner T.J. Schippling.
In the second Quick 32 Sportsman Series race at the Grand Bend Motorplex, Hyde qualified the dragster second, but was taken out in first round action. The team is presently fifth in the Championship Point Award Series Standings.
“There is such a difference, this car is so much faster,” commented Hyde on the differences between the two cars. “There is so much more adrenalin.”
Hyde also said that a trip to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School has made a big difference in his outlook on racing.
”The course helped me 100 percent,” he said. “It is really good in every aspect of the sport. It was excellent for me.”
The young Hyde is also on course in obtaining his private pilot’s license, with the ground school portion and half his flying time completed.
Part of the team’s makeup is the involvement of veteran racers and builders Rich Ingram and Jim McCann, who provide crew chief duties for the team. Ingram has his fuel system setup on the dragster, and the car itself is a car McCann raced previously.
The Hyde’s really have made this a family affair including Peter's two brothers, Murray Hyde and Ron Hyde and a cousin and long-time racer, Jack Hyde as crew.
Sponsorship for the team comes from NAPA Auto Parts, Ideal Supply, Hyde Construction, Transit Petroleum, Hyde Electric, Dordan Mechanical Contractors, DuPont, Samson, Ronnoco, Budweiser, Art & Function, Fastpixs Digital Media, N A Engineering, Wilhelm Concrete, Steve Smith Construction, Sutton Group (Paul Graham) and Orr Insurance.
Another part of the Hyde Team, and the family involvement, is the Junior Dragster racing by Spencer’s sister Sydnie. Now in her second year of racing, the 14-year old said the racing “is lots of fun,” and has not ruled out the possibility of getting into a faster car some day.
But she’s going to have to wait while Spencer continues to compete in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series.
“I’m going to be here for a while,” he said. “Some day I’d like to get into a faster car and make a five-second pass, but right now that’s just a dream.”
And the Stratford-based racing family is ready for a return to the track this weekend.
“We’re ready to roll,” said Peter Hyde. “We’ve been happy with both outings, and we’re itchy to race.”
This St. Thomas event, known as The Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers Race, will be held July 11-12 for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and is to be run in conjunction with the Pro Modified Racing Association Pro Modifieds for the two-days.
Qualifying for the Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen begins at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, the first of three qualifiers that day. Championship eliminations will begin Sunday, July 12, starting at 1:00 p.m.
For information about St. Thomas Dragway, call (519) 775-2263 or visit St. Thomas Dragway
Photo Credit: Mike Goodwin - Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - welcome to ....www.nxphoto.com by bill mehlenbacher photography,,,,,, and Joe Barrett - Drag Racing Inc. - Drag Racing, INC
