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WHAT: 33rd Annual FIRE & THUNDER
WHEN: Sat. & Sun. June 7 & 8, 2008
The tower shook so hard that the anchor screws holding up the light fixture in the sheetrock ceiling actually pulled loose and needed to be re-attached. Derek Snelson and Kyle Skidgel drove the Warhawk and Nitehawk Jet Funny Cars to speeds exceeding 265 miles per hour in 6 seconds.
Jet Funny Car
Derek Snelson, Anchorage, AK (Warhawk) .063, 6.011 265.48
Kyle Skidgel, Bend, OR (Nitehawk) .285, 6.124, 270.10
Brandon Johnson had quick time of the weekend in his A/F Dragster as he rocked the strip in 5.489 seconds at 265 mph. Joey Severance, Kim Parker, and Gregg Lawrence were right on his tail. Severance scored a best of 5.535; Parker flew to a 5.567, and Lawrence was right there with a 5.562.
Top Alcohol Dragster
W: Brandon Johnson, Shelton, WA (07 Hadman) .091, 5.489, 265.64
R/U: Joey Severance, Spanaway, WA (’05 Hadman) .081 5.535, 255.53
Clint Thompson showed his form with stellar 5.890 to beat all TA/FC drivers. Jeff Ashwell stepped up with a strong 5.955, while Randy Parker madt two runs under the six second mark with a 5.991 and a 5.978. In a throwback to the Pro Comp days, Clint faced Brandon in the finals, with a .35 second handicapped head start. Johnson cruised right down the groove to a 5.69 over Thompson's 6.83.
Alcohol Funny Car
W: Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls, OR (‘07 Monte Carlo) .079, 5.890, 249.44
R/U: Jeff Ashwell, Keizer, OR (’00 Firebird) .215, 5.955, 240.38
Mike Boertge came from the number 2 qualifying spot to win Pro Nostalgia over Todd Miller. Gary Eickmann was top qualifier and earned a semi-final finish. Jay Kinnee drove his way to victory in the other bracket in Pro Nostalgia.
Pro Nostalgia "A"
W: Mike Boertje, Corvallis, OR ('23 T Roadster) .050, 6.998, 189.91 (6.80 dial).
R/U: Todd Miller, Fairview, OR ('23 T Ford) - foul.
Semi's: Gary Eickmann, Turner, OR ('06 Eickmann); Lloyd Hamilton, Forest Grove, OR ('00 Jerry Hill).
Pro Nostalgia :"B"
W: Jay Kinnee, Salem, OR ('06 Eickmann) .054, 7.678, 169.87 (7.60 dial).
R/U: Mark Wallace, Portland, OR ('69 FED) .144, 7.608, 174.48 (7.58 dial).
Semi's: Greg Howland, Wenatchee, WA('23 T Roadster);
Tim Ellis had a perfect afternoon in Stock/Super Stock Combo by driving his Mustang to victory over Hal Sorensen. Thanks to the sponsorship of carhelp.com, first place earned $1200 while runner-up earned $600.
Stock/Super Stock Combo
W: Tim Ellis, Beavercreek, OR ('89 Mustang) .083, 12.870, 101.15 (12.87 dial).
R/U: Hal Sorensen, Vancouver, WA ('69 Camaro) - foul.
Semi's: Larry Peterson, Eugene, OR ('71 Chevy);
Shane Molinari was both quick and fast as he topped all comers in Top Comp, which is a combination of Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. In a great final, both Shane and Moe Truillo had identical reaction times, with Shane running closer to his dial.
Top Comp
W: Shane Molinari, Battle Ground, WA (’05 Undercover) .013, 7.145, 186.99 (7.11 dial).
R/U: Moe Trujillo, Happy Valley, OR ('02 Undercover) .013, 7.441, 176.79 (7.39 dial).
Semi's: Doug Hemmenway, Auburn, WA ('97 Undercover);
Kurt Gross earned the victory on Sunday in the Northwest Super Comp Association two-race weekend. Jeff Yoder had earned the victory on Saturday and followed with a semi-final finish on Sunday.
Super Comp
W: Kurt Gross, Oregon City, OR ('01 Undercover) .026, 8.935, 163.78 (8.90 dial).
R/U: Mike Seekins, Burien, WA ('01 Worthy) - foul.
Semi's: Jeff Yoder, Gresham, OR ('06 Yancer); Rick Dearinger, Port Angeles, WA ('00 Undercover).
Eric Johns and Van Smith rose to the top of the field in Bike/Sled, with Eric earning the victory on Sunday.
Bike/Sled
W: Eric Johns, Milwaukie, OR ('05 Kawasaki) .081, 9.426, 131.08 (9.35 dial).
R/U: Van Smith, Portland, OR ('77 Kawasaki) .031, 12.176, 106.60 (11.91 dial).
Semi's: Mike O’Leary, Ridgefield, WA ('04 Suzuki); Mark Adams, Portland, OR ('01 Kawasaki).
Alan Snyder, proved his worth as secondary driver for Derrick Jackson, by defeating Robert Schaffer in the finals of Sportsman.
Sportsman
W: Alan Snyder, Forest Grove, OR ('67 Dodge A100) .040, 13.084, 100.11 (13.04 dial).
R/U: Robert Schaffer, Portland, OR ('69 Chevy) - foul.
Semi's: Jerry Durant III, Oregon City, OR ('93 Dakota); LaVonne Goodman, Canby, OR ('75 Corvette).
Jim Goodman met Hollis Runge in the always tough Pro Bracket, with Goodman running right on his dial with a 7 to take the win. Pat Figini earned semi-final points.
Pro
W: Jim Goodman, Canby, OR ('68 El Camino) .029, 11.767, 112.34 (11.76 dial).
R/U: Hollis Runge, Dallas, OR ('74 Nova) .140, 10.353, 128.55 (10.36 dial).
Semi's: Pat Figini, Oregon City, OR ('69 Mustang);
Gary Erickson borrowed a car and drove to victory over Tom Avgerakis. Erickson also was able to hit his exact dial with a 9 even though Avgerakis has laid down a .009 R/T. Steve Laskowske drove to a semi-final finish.
Super Pro
W: Gary Erickson, Vancouver, WA ('85 Mustang) .018, 10.979, 131.32 (10.97 dial).
R/U: Tom Avgerakis, Newberg, OR ('65 Nova) .009, 9.263, 144.09 (9.23 dial).
Semi's: Steve Laskowske, Tigard, OR ('63 Corvette);
Photos courtesy of nwdragracing.com and grandstand photos
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