CAYUGA, – London, Ontario’s Dylan Hache and his For Wheels Auto Care team finally shook the monkey off their backs, taking the win at the final NDRA Alcohol Funny Car Series presented by Ohsweken Speedway event of 2012. Larry Dobbs of Welland, Ontario withstood a strong charge from both Hache, and Cicero, New York native Brian White, to win the first NDRA Alcohol Funny Car Series championship.
This event, the fourth and final one for the NDRA Alcohol Funny Car Series presented by Ohsweken Speedway in 2012, also provided the backdrop for the crowning of the series’ first champion. Larry Dobbs and his Sportz by Napier team carried an early season points lead, due in large part to his number one qualifying effort and win at the inaugural NDRA event in May, all the way to the series championship this weekend.
“It feels great, I’m just so thankful to be a part of funny car racing coming back to Canada and the NDRA did a great job,” said Dobbs. Dobbs’ championship bid didn’t go without some competition from Hache, White and Vince Rastelli, but in the end he prevailed, in large part to the support he receives from his crew and sponsors. “All our guys were here this weekend and our sponsor Sportz Truck Tentz is obviously a big part of our operation.”
“At the end of the day you gotta go A to B and we got lucky in the first round with that bye run,” said Hache. He experienced a minor parts malfunction during that first round when a fastener on the belly pan of the car came loose during the burnout, which could have cost him the round had his competitor Ron Bankes been able to make the call. Luck was indeed on the For Wheels Auto Care team’s side this weekend, along with some positive mojo. “We always try to be positive around here and I think that’s the biggest thing and you gotta think you’re gonna win if you’re gonna win.” Of course behind every great driver there is a great team that deserves just as much credit. ” I’ve gotta thank my uncle Jim [car owner], my dad Lou, Jim Deisley and all my sponsors, London City Chrysler, Snap-On Joe, Rocky’s Harley Davidson and Auto Parts Centres.”
Brian White and his Freeman Farms/Whites Auto Speed Avenger once again found himself playing the role of bridesmaid at Cayuga, the same position he held following the series’ first stop at the track back in June. “The shifter linkage broke and I couldn’t get it out of reverse to get it into the beams (to stage),” said a disappointed White. That parts malfunction allowed Hache to single for the win. This was White’s second runner-up appearance of the season, both of which came at this track. “I wish they’d [NDRA] had more races at Cayuga because I like it here, we’ve being doing good here and the weekend turned out fine.” White went on to thank his car owner Bruce Freeman, his wife, who couldn’t be at the race because she had surgery on Tuesday, his brother’s and NGK Spark Plugs.
NDRA’s Director of Operations Dale Boeru noted, “I would sincerely like to thank all of the teams, our sponsors Ohsweken Speedway, Insight Graphics & Design, Canadian Drag Racer Magazine and FAST Entertainment Inc. along with our track partners Cayuga Dragway and Grand Bend Motorplex for supporting the NDRA in its inaugural season of operation. Kudo’s go out to all of our series officials for their dedication and hard work they put into making this a successful series and a big thank you to all of the fans who showed their support this year.”
We look forward to a bigger and better 2013 season. For more information about the NDRA and for full race results and points standings visit www.ndra.ca
From Jory Elliott
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