Post by promogail on Jul 7, 2015 9:26:51 GMT -4
By Gail Harding
Todd Chase and a few friends had an idea of having a drag race that was a little different than what had been done in the past.
“We wanted it to be a little better and a little bigger.”
So the dream of the Downeast Nationals became a reality when they were able to get it on the race schedule at Miramichi Dragway. On the weekend of July 17 to 19, the race with the biggest payouts east of Toronto will have its inaugural run. A total of $85,000 in payouts and prizes could be won.
“It finally worked out,” said Chase of getting the go ahead for the race. “We were finally able to get a weekend that worked for everyone.”
Racers are expected from the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario and possibly the United States.
But the start of what may be the biggest drag race in Atlantic Canada this season began three years ago.
Chase and his Downeast Nationals partner, Chris O’Neill did the preliminary planning of what to them has become a well-planned and well thought out race.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on it, creating excel spreadsheets. I’ve run it a hundred different ways in a hundred different scenarios to map out every different scenario of what could happen with a set number of cars.”
Chase and O’Neill have organized it so the weekend is enjoyable for both the racers and the spectators that come to watch.
Those coming can expect some good drag racing along with racers having the opportunity to win some big money. Saturday, July 18 will feature a Box/No Box race with the opportunity for the first place finishers to win $5,000 in Box and $2,500 in No Box.
It will be the same format on Sunday, July 19 but the payout will double.
With each race, racers eliminated in the first round of each class have the opportunity to buy their way back in.
But there may be a bonus payout for the racer that can achieve first place finishes both days with a minimum car count.
“If somebody wins their class on both days they will win an enclosed car hauler valued at $17,000.”
Spectators haven’t been forgotten either. With the $20 weekend entry, they have the opportunity to win a Whole Home Generator. The draw will take place Sunday, July 19 and you must be present on site at Miramichi Dragway to win it.
Bands will be on site Friday and Saturday night to provide live entertainment.
When asked what he would tell a racer and a spectator to expect from the Downeast Nationals weekend, Chase said, ‘a fun, social racing weekend.’
“Part of the whole idea of this was to put the fun back into racing,” said Chase.
He said he wants to see racers and spectators meeting and socializing, families enjoying a fun weekend at the track.
“The big goal here is to just to have everybody come and have a real good weekend, make some new friends and have a really good family fun weekend.”
Todd Chase and a few friends had an idea of having a drag race that was a little different than what had been done in the past.
“We wanted it to be a little better and a little bigger.”
So the dream of the Downeast Nationals became a reality when they were able to get it on the race schedule at Miramichi Dragway. On the weekend of July 17 to 19, the race with the biggest payouts east of Toronto will have its inaugural run. A total of $85,000 in payouts and prizes could be won.
“It finally worked out,” said Chase of getting the go ahead for the race. “We were finally able to get a weekend that worked for everyone.”
Racers are expected from the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario and possibly the United States.
But the start of what may be the biggest drag race in Atlantic Canada this season began three years ago.
Chase and his Downeast Nationals partner, Chris O’Neill did the preliminary planning of what to them has become a well-planned and well thought out race.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on it, creating excel spreadsheets. I’ve run it a hundred different ways in a hundred different scenarios to map out every different scenario of what could happen with a set number of cars.”
Chase and O’Neill have organized it so the weekend is enjoyable for both the racers and the spectators that come to watch.
Those coming can expect some good drag racing along with racers having the opportunity to win some big money. Saturday, July 18 will feature a Box/No Box race with the opportunity for the first place finishers to win $5,000 in Box and $2,500 in No Box.
It will be the same format on Sunday, July 19 but the payout will double.
With each race, racers eliminated in the first round of each class have the opportunity to buy their way back in.
But there may be a bonus payout for the racer that can achieve first place finishes both days with a minimum car count.
“If somebody wins their class on both days they will win an enclosed car hauler valued at $17,000.”
Spectators haven’t been forgotten either. With the $20 weekend entry, they have the opportunity to win a Whole Home Generator. The draw will take place Sunday, July 19 and you must be present on site at Miramichi Dragway to win it.
Bands will be on site Friday and Saturday night to provide live entertainment.
When asked what he would tell a racer and a spectator to expect from the Downeast Nationals weekend, Chase said, ‘a fun, social racing weekend.’
“Part of the whole idea of this was to put the fun back into racing,” said Chase.
He said he wants to see racers and spectators meeting and socializing, families enjoying a fun weekend at the track.
“The big goal here is to just to have everybody come and have a real good weekend, make some new friends and have a really good family fun weekend.”