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2009 releases are here
2008 releases are here
July 16, 2010
60+ year drag racing veteran Ora Vasquez
celebrates 80th birthday
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – There’s a very short list of people
in the world that can say they have drag raced for over 60 years, especially
considering NHRA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001. Ora Vasquez,
a member of that elite club, will celebrate his 80th birthday this Friday.
Vasquez, who many know as one of the top tuners/innovators in the alcohol
classes, cut his teeth driving before moving to the ‘Crew Chief’
role. He started racing street cars in 1949, working his way up through
the ranks eventually to the Pro Comp category, where he made his final
pass as a driver in 1975, running a best elapsed time of 7.17 seconds
at 198.67 mph. He continued to campaign his own car with his son Mark
driving until 1990.
As storied as his tenure as a driver and car owner was, the list of
drivers he worked for as a Crew Chief and Consultant from 1988 to present
is a who’s who of stars in both the alcohol and fuel ranks. Among
those were Bucky Austin, Cory McClenathan(TAD), Blaine Johnson (TAD
& TF), Pat Austin, Tiffany Hyland, Russ Parker, Lee Callaway, Artie
Allen and Dennis Taylor to name a few. Along the way he has been named
Division 6 Crew Chief of the year twice and once in Division 7.
In addition to working with many teams, even more teams utilize many
of the specialty tools built and designed by his company Ora’s
Tools, which he still operates today.
“Dad has made so many friends all over the world during his racing
career, and I am sure that they have many stories of their adventures
together,” said his son, Mark. “I am so privileged to to have
shared a part of his storied career, to directly experience his passion
for racing and his commitment the people involved.”
Friends are welcome to send him a birthday email at oravasquez@gmail.com
January 25, 2010
.................the Rocky Mountain Nostalgia Funny Car Association
(RMNFCA). The club has been formed under the direction of Eddy Plaizier,
Joey Steckler and Cal Tebb. As of January 15, 2010 it has ten confirmed
members. RMNFCA is open to new membership - please contact Joey Steckler
at 780-454-6514 or check out our new website at http://www.rockymountainnostalgiafunnycars.com.
The main objective of the club is to thrill crowds with long, smoky
burnouts and close side-by-side competitive racing. The club will run
traditional elimination style races as well as Chicago shoot-out style.
Race fans will see all the cars competing in multiple rounds. This will
allows fans to see more racing than in the past. Racers will get more
seat time and the fans will get more to watch!
The club rules require car bodies to be of 1984 vintage and older and
be centre steered. All engines are to be blown and injected, running
on alcohol. Car and drivers must meet certification for NHRA advanced
e.t. The cars will be running on a different index, 7.20 to 6.90 seconds,
depending on the requests of each particular track.
RMNFCA will run a point series throughout western Canada with sponsorship
provided by Ace Manufacturing. To date, six point's races have been
confirmed. In addition, Rob Reeves, owner of Castrol Raceway in Edmonton
has confirmed the participation of the RMNFCA in the 2010 IHRA Rocky
Mountain Nationals and Hot August Night.
As in past years, several of the RMNFCA teams have plans to travel
together into the USA. Some of the events you may see them at are the
NHRA Heritage Series in Las Vegas, Bakersfield, and Boise, Idaho. In
addition, look for them at Spokane Raceway.
The members are looking forward to the 2010 race season and are looking
forward to the support and encouragement from all the fans that they
have received in the past.
2010 SCHEDULE
Date Event Location
June 11, 12, 13 Langley Loafers Ashcroft, British Columbia
June 25, 26, & 27
(non RMNFCA race) Rocky Mountain Nationals Edmonton, Alberta
July 10 & 11 CMDRA Bike Drags Edmonton, Alberta
July 23, 24 & 25 NHRA Invitational Mission, British Columbia
August 11 Hot August Night Edmonton, Alberta
August 21 Funny Car Drags Saskatoon, Saskatoon
September 4 & 5 Thunder in the Valley Drayton Valley, Alberta
September 11 & 12 CMDRA Bike Drags Edmonton, Alberta
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