About the Quick 32 Sportsman Series
Several years ago, a large contingent of Top Sportsman and Top Dragster cars in the Ontario, Michigan, and Western New York area were participating in local drag racing events, with no organizational body. These teams had little opportunity to race as a select group with their own series, and were ready to organize into a professionally-operated series.
In the spring of 2009, several of these teams met, and after discussions and planning, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series was established for high-horsepower Sportsman-class teams to compete on a regular basis. The Series is comprised of Top Sportsman, or “door” cars (full-bodied, full-fendered cars), and Top Dragsters. Both classes are based on the same classes in the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).
A major step in the development of this new series was the Championship Point Award Series, and this was presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
Using rules, regulations, and other factors of the established and successful Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), the Quick 32 Sportsman Series held a six-race schedule for 2009. In 2010 the Quick 32 Sportsman Series competed at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Unique race format pits Dragsters versus Dragsters, and Sportsman cars versus Sportsman cars
The name “Quick 32” denotes 32 cars, 16 entries on the Dragster side, and 16 entries on the Sportsman side. The race format is such that cars must qualify for a 16-car elimination field for each class.
There are two sets of eliminations, one for each class, and then the winning Top Dragster entry faces off with the winning Top Sportsman entry to determine the event champion. This new venture provides $3000 to win for each event and $5000 for the annual Championship Point Award Series Champion, payouts very popular with competitors and the large fields of race cars.
Speeds of the cars can reach just over 200 mph, and quarter-mile times can be in the low to mid-six-second range.
While all the dragsters are of the rear-engine variety, engine size, fuel, and fuel delivery systems are varied, from carburetors to turbochargers to superchargers. Door cars offer a wide variety of body styles, with bodies from the early 1930s to today’s present muscle cars. All door cars must have working doors in the body. All cars must comply with IHRA specifications and safety requirements.
Engine sizes and variants are the same as the dragster class. Engines in both classes vary from carburettors using racing fuel, carburettors with nitrous oxide assist, turbochargers, and superchargers, providing a wide range of motive power.
Competitors must race within a dial-in, indexed racing environment, using the full lighting system on the starting Christmas Tree.
Safety paramount when Quick 32 racers competing
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series has a dedicated fire/safety crew in place, which travelled to all events. This crew is fully trained in fire and rescue procedures, and also equipped in case of an on-track emergency.
Not to be overshadowed by the competition on the track, teams in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series work in a close-knit atmosphere off-track.
A strong camaraderie has developed between the teams, working as a group and always willing to help each other out with parts and labor to make that next round.
Kevin Wicke wins title in inaugural Quick 32 Sportsman Series season
With teams from Ontario, New York, and Michigan competing in six race dates in 2009, the K&K Racing Team of Stratford, Ontario with Kevin Wicke driving won the inaugural NAPA Auto Parts Championship Point Award Series with its 2006 Dodge Stratus Top Sportsman entry.
Placing second, and at the top of the Top Dragster class, was the Lynja Motorsports Dragster of Jamie and Lynda Bridge of Napanee, Ontario. Carl Spiering of Jordan Station, Ontario was third, Michael Kalin of Youngstown, New York was fourth and T.J. Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario made up the Top Five.
Another championship to Kevin Wicke for 2010
Once again the K&K Racing Team with Kevin Wicke in the driver’s seat won the Series title, this year by the smallest of margins. Wicke came out on top with only a two point lead over Top Dragster driver Scott Wildgust of Wartburg, Ontario. Another Top Dragster driver, Buddy Forrest of Rochester, NY, placed third in the standings. Taking fourth was Dan Aitken Jr of Belle River in his Top Sportsman entry, and fifth was another Top Sportsman entry, Steve Parkhurst of Belleville, Ontario.
Phil Sampson wins the 2011 Championship
With two event wins, Phil Sampson of Granton, Ontario won the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts Championship Point Award Series Standings for 2011 with his Chevy Cavalier Top Sportsman entry. Placing second in points was the Top Dragster entry of Jamie Bridge of Napanee, Ontario. Third was another Top Dragster entry, Jeff Moser of Bamberg, Ontario. Fourth was Darrin Grubb of Pine River, Ontario with his Top Sportsman car, and Billy White of Wartburg, Ontario took fifth with his Top Dragster.
The first three years of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts have been very successful, with large car counts, strong fan appreciation, and the best in racing in the Top Sportsman classes. NAPA continued its support in 2011 and will be on board in 2012 to provide solid media and logistic support to ensure it becomes one of the most popular drag race series running Top Sportsman and Top Dragster race cars.
With several of the events held in conjunction with the popular Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), and the Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS), Quick 32 Sportsman Series will continue to grow and prosper in the coming seasons, providing an exciting and well-rounded package of drag racing action.
