CANADA HEADS UP - SHOOTOUT SERIES

OnJuly 15 and 16, the Canada Heads Up Shootout Series was back in action at Toronto Motorsports Park for its second race weekend of the season.

The day before, during a test session, Nick Agostino nailed a 4.01 second run, straight off the trailer, in his PDRA legal Pro Street 1969 Camaro.

But the action hit a dead stop on Saturday, caused by wet weather, just before the first Pro qualifying session.

But prior to the rain delays, the Sportsman classes were able to get in one round of qualifying and one round of eliminations. But once the rain arrived, the decision was made to call it a day.

Fortunately, Sunday morning arrived with bright and sunny skies and the Sportsman categories were able to start their ‘day two.’

Each index and dial class got through their single rounds of qualifying before heading into eliminations. The Pro categories, as per the rule book, went directly into eliminations with the ladders being built on the current points standings.

Super Street’s seven competitors were led to the final with 2022 series champion Paul Bahwan taking the win over five-time champion Pano Moros. Ricky Carlos and Nick Kokkas made it to the Semis. Carlos left the track maintaining his points lead, albeit by less than a round.

EZ Street’s 13 competitors were led by

Ed McGuinn who was taking part in his first Canada Heads Up outing of 2023. McGuinn took out Vince Melao in the finals, with Ryan Schulze also reaching the Semis. Ryan Schulze is less than one round ahead of Melao in the points.

Street 275 saw 11 competitors in action on the weekend. In the end it was Sean Devine who took the win over Sue Cooper. Steph Mallais made a Semis appearance. With the win, Devine moved to the top of the Street 275 standings and sits just two markers ahead of Jeff Bloem and less than a round ahead of the third-place points chaser Jay Gallant.

KOTS Bikes action at TMP saw David Rego take out Quebec’s Denis Lacroix in the final. Jesse Vanbetlehem sits atop the points, seven points ahead of Rego.

John Poretti took out 2022 champ Nick Kempters in the Stock Wheelbase Bikes (SWB) final. Poretti has a massive ‘five round’ lead over Todd Sills.

In other Canada Heads Up – Shootout Series presented by Speedwire Systems, Sokoloff Injury Lawyers and Headrush Tattoo and Apparel action, Ron Banks bested Larry Sinke in the 4.0 Index Final. Lenny Farinacci broke single in 4.50 Index. Mike Gentile came out on top of Jack Vandewiel in 5.0 Index, and Dan Morrison beat Robert Galati in the 5.50 final. It was Vasylyy Lukivskyy over Mike Pereira in the 7.90 Bikes class, while Low 9s action saw A. Noriega take the win over Mike Dawe.

Sunday’s Sportsman winners were: Brodi Brown (6.0 Index), Ian Hill (6.50 Index), Glenn Tovey (7.0 Index), Doug Reid (7.50), Mike Shaw (Bikes & Sleds) and J. Knipfil (Junior Dragster).

CHU was scheduled to return to action again August 11-13 at TMP. IT - with files from CHU