7th Annual Wawa Northern Nationals Drag Races

 

The weather was absolutely spectacular for the annual Wawa Drag Races. The rumble of the racing could be heard throughout the town. There was some excitement in the pits as a car caught fire. Racers dropped what they were doing and ran with their fire extinguishers to put the small blaze out.

More excitement was out on the main track when a small aircraft landed, turned around and took back off. Racing was held until the plane took off and the track was clear.

 

 

Friday night winners were Mike Armstrong in Street Class for $500, Yves Beaudry in Semi Pro for $1000; Super Pro was Mike Chenier after Kyle Jessup broke his transmission in the Gambler’s Race. Derek Malcom won the Dragster. The weather co-operated enough that the Restricted Fire Zone was lifted just in time for the celebratory fireworks to open the races Friday night.

 

 

Overnight a large thunderstorm rumbled through, but by daybreak the track was dry and a record number of cars were ready to race. Keely Rainville of Wawa won the Junior Dragster, and the Junior Open (new for this year with five entries) was won by Mike Fortier. Street Class was won by Greg Hall, disappointing Wawa’s Rene Dumont. Rick Nadeau won Sleds & Bikes. Semi-Pro with a $10,000 purse to win was won by Brandon Barker.

 

Sunday morning was another scorcher, bright, sunny and hot. Racing was well underway when diaster struck Dave Wagers Nostalgia Funny Car. According to officials, it went into a huge wheelstand off the line, coming down hard enough to throw the body off and over the car breaking it. Dave was able to steer the car to safety and wasn’t injured. Devin Smith won the Semi Pro, Tessa Leveille won Jr. Dragster in her Twisted Sister car, Jr. Open Dragster was won by Jakob Fortier, Sleds & Bikes was won by James Stevenson with his sled, and Super Pro was won by Derek Malcom.

 

With the Wawa Northern Nationals in their sixth year, this weekend in August has become a huge event. Not only does it bring in racers from out of town – but Wawa has developed their own racing families: Danny Bradley, Ron Legros, Chad Millette, Jacques Millette, Claude Vallière, Mark Young, Andre Roy, and Renaud Racing (Ray, Keely & Josh), Richard Davidson “The Mistress”. These teams race Elliot Lake, Terrace Bay, Kirkland Lake, and their favourite venu – Wawa.