Armdrop Drag Racing, September 24th, 2016
Armdrop Drag Racing closed off another season at Picton’s Historic Airfield with perfect weather and great drag racing.
Though the action was fast and furious September 24th.with over 260 participants, it was all for fun. The common bond is drag racing, but the day is filled with seeing old rivals and friends.
Armdrop Drag Racing is one of the most popular events in the Quinte region, it is also know throughout the drag racing community-at-large as the go-to-event. The premise is simple. Pay $20.00, go through a safety inspection, and you are off to the races.
Started as an option to street racing, which has become a very illegal activity, Armdrop Drags has morphed in to much more. Vintage front-engine dragsters, muscle cars, sports cars, street machines from the subtle sleepers to over the top custom builds like George Watson’s, Belleville Ont. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air American Graffiti tribute and Cromier Auto Repair, Trenton Ont., 1999 twin engine Pontiac Gran Prix all come out to play.
George Watson has been drag racing since he was 16 years-old and working on customizing cars just as long. His first (legal) drag racing experience was at the Shannonville Drags and has raced at many tracks in Canada and the USA. Like many of the Armdrop competitors, George makes a point to come out to Armdrop as often as possible.
“I like drag racing out here,” said George. “There are no politics, everybody is equal, it keeps it fun.”
That sentiment is shared by all. For many, Armdrop is the only drag racing event they attend. Peter Kasala, Cormier Auto Repair, Trenton Ont, shares much of the same thinking as George. His 1999 twin-engine Gran Prix was started as a project by his staff and himself to see just how far they could push the limits. As often as not the car surprises fans and competitors alike at the finish line.
Peter Kasala (owner), Shawn Sousa, Belleville Ont., Daniel Ruttan, Belleville Ont.
The latest muscle car on the scene is the Dodge SRT Hellcat. At a pavement riping 707 hp it has come to dominate it’s North American rivals, the Ford Shelby GT and Chevrolet Camaro at drag strips everywhere.
Team Hellcat came out in force at Armdrop. Team Hellcat was originally formed for Dodge SRT Hellcat owners to swap stories, talk a little trash, and have fun. They formed a Face Book group and soon found a small and dedicated following from all over the world. Some of the members of the group travel over three hours (each way) to attend Armdrop.
“I love coming out here,” Said Christopher Bolt (Team Hellcat), Erin Ontario. “We race who we want, ball bust, and socialize.”
As a team, Team Hellcat has there own logo that they created and offer on hats, shirts, and jackets, originally for team members. Interest in their swag convinced them to offer it to the general public. The proceed of sales are going to epilepsy research. So far the group has raised over $2000.