FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santos and Austin score first Northwest Division wins

MISSION, B.C., Canada - As the final pair of cars went down Mission Raceway Park on Sunday at the Mopac Auto Supply Summer Classic, the perfect racing weather turned wet as rain began to fall. Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot, Rick Santos of Brentwood, Calif., and Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver, Pat Austin of Tacoma, Wash., didn't let the wet weather dampen their winners circle as they collected their first NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series "Wallys" of the 2001 season.

Defending Federal-Mogul Dragster National Champion Santos, who moved up to compete in the NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series in 2001, has experienced some rare losses in the first two events of the season at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, and the first Mission Raceway Park event in May. Santos and his Oakwood Homes dragster racing team got back on track this weekend, so to speak, running three consecutive 5.4-second passes in Sunday's eliminations on his way to the Mission Raceway Park championship.

Santos' biggest race of the day came in the semifinals against current NHRA Federal-Mogul Dragster national points leader, Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash. Santos took the win over Hentges in one of the closest races of the day, winning by only 62-thousandths of a second to advance to the finals to meet Duane Shields of Las Vegas, Nev. Shields, the only Federal-Mogul Dragster consistently quicker than Santos on Sunday, was quicker yet again in the final with a pass of 5.380 seconds at 262.85 mph to Santos' pass of 5.380 seconds at 264.31 mph. But, Santos gets the win light by 88-thousandths of a second with a stellar reaction time of .476 to Shields' .587.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Pat Austin collected his third championship in two years at Mission Raceway Park with a win over his uncle, Bucky Austin of Fife, Wash. Pat and Bucky Austin met in the finals at the May Mission Raceway Park event with Bucky taking home the trophy. Pat Austin took the rematch with a pass of 5.751 seconds to Bucky Austin's pass of 5.843 seconds at 245.36 mph.

"This is by far my favorite track we race at in the Northwest Division," said Pat Austin with a smile. "The track, spectators, and track operators are what make this a wonderful place to race--and it makes it even better when we can take the win."

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Mission Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1) Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.480 seconds, 264.00 mph def. 
8) **Bob Haffner, Mission, B.C., 9.319, 91.54

2) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.373, 265.72 def. 
7) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.519, 227.56

3) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.365, 265.56 def. 
6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 7.204, 126.90

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.428, 263.54 def. 
5) Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.463, 263.62

Semifinals
Santos, 5.431, 262.08 def. Hentges, 5.497, 260.04
Shields, 5.385, 262.85 def. Lawrence, 5.462, 259.66

Finals
Santos, 5.403, 264.31 (.476 reaction time) def. Shields, 5.380, 262.85 (.587 reaction time)

** No. 8 qualifier, Bill Edwards Jr. of Sumas, Wash. was unable to make
first round due to mechanical problems.   

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 5.715 seconds, 254.30 mph def. 
8) Rod Clough, Abbotsford, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.565, 180.39

2) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 5.805, 249.72 def. 
7) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Ford Mustang, Broke

3) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Camaro, 5.859, 246.30 def. 
6) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 8.167, 102.04

4) Randy Parker, Puyallup, Wash., '99 Dodge Avenger, 5.876, 234.92 def. 
5) John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Chevrolet Camaro, 10.924, 99.04

Semifinals
Pat Austin, 5.787, 251.60 def. Parker, 5.879, 237.09
Bucky Austin, 5.781, 249.51 def. Bateman, 5.781, 249.51

Final
Pat Austin, 5.751, 252.95 def. Bucky Austin, 5.843, 245.36 

COMP ELIMINATOR
Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 Dragster, B/D, 6.943 seconds, 193.13 mph
def. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '97 Dragster, G/D, 9.480, 133.88

SUPER STOCK
Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., '89 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.212 seconds, 131.08
mph def. Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.123, 128.84

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, '69 Chevrolet Camaro, 11.275 seconds, 116.18
mph def. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., '77 Oldsmobile Cutlass, L/SA, 12.047,
108.81

SUPER COMP
Shelby Morris, Olympia, Wash., '95 Dragster, 8.923 seconds, 162.16 mph def.
Don Rhyne, Boring Ore., '00 Dragster, 8.956, 163.90

SUPER GAS
Marvin Wiebe, Abbotsford, B.C., '00 Chevrolet S-10, 9.923 seconds, 148.05
mph def. Justin Jones, Spokane, Wash., '68 Pontiac, 9.895, 156.14

SUPER STREET
Jay Fulcher, Yakima, Wash., '71 Chevrolet Chevelle, 10.866, 135.78 def.
Rich Lee, Richmond, B.C., '71 Chevelle, 10.855, 119.66

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Scott Pollacheck, Medford, Ore., '76 Kawasaki, 8.622 seconds, 146.84 mph
def. Buff Kobs, Coeurd'Alene, Idaho, '95 Kawasaki, 8.024, 168.19

TOP COMP
Mark Campbell, Spruce Grove, Alb., '01 Dragster, 7.765 seconds, 168.16 mph
def. Bob Israelson, Lynnwood Wash., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, 7.647, 178.46

SUPER PRO
Dave Jung, Richmond, B.C., '82 Chevrolet Camaro, 11.151 seconds, 117.73 mph
def. Dwayne Neuman, Langley, B.C., '71 Vega Panel, 9.922, 133.68

JR DRAGSTER-LIGHTNING
Kyle Rizzoli, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 8.672 seconds, 73.19 mph def.
Julianne Mellof, Maple Ridge, B.C., 8.838, 72.44

JR DRAGSTER-THUNDER
Cameron Barton, Langley, B.C., 11.583 seconds, 54.90 mph def. Brittany
Kokotailo, Mission, B.C., 12.429, 51.47 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former NHRA champions Santos and Austin lead fields

MISSION, B.C., Canada - Another near perfect day awaited the over 300 racers for Saturday's qualifying at the Mopac Auto Supply Summer Classic at Mission Raceway Park. The air was cool and the track was in perfect condition for a near record-setting conditions in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Federal-Mogul Funny Car.

Four dragsters cracked the sub 5.4-second range and five Funny Cars made it down the track by at least 5.9 seconds or better.

Rick Santos

Defending NHRA Federal-Mogul Dragster National Champion Rick Santos of Brentwood, Calif., and defending NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion Pat Austin of Tacoma, Wash., were on top when the dust settled to collected the $1,000 Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award.

Santos, who has been nearly unbeatable in Federal-Mogul Dragster competition, showed the 4,500 fans in attendance why his Oakwood Homes dragster wears the #1 on his wing with a stellar pass of 5.342 seconds at 265.40 mph. Gregg Lawrence of Salem, Ore. bested his pass of 5.429 seconds in yesterday's qualifying with a run of 5.385 seconds at 265.64 mph to take the No. 2 qualifying position. Current Federal-Mogul Dragster National points leader, Mark Hentges of Federal Way, Wash., claimed the No. 4 position with a pass of 5.398 seconds at 264.47 mph.

"I really enjoy this track," said Santos. "Everything went right with that pass -- from the burnout to the finish. We tuned the car up today; the conditions were perfect and it showed with our 5.3 [second pass]."

Pat Austin

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Pat Austin tuned the car up to see what the track could take and the Mission quarter-mile took everything and more. Austin got the crowd to its feet as he made a blistering pass of 5.667 seconds at 255.46 mph. Austin is nearly two-tenths quicker than the No. 2 qualifier, Roger Bateman of Calgary, Alb. Bateman made a pass of 5.821 seconds at 249.44 mph.

Others collecting Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus money include: Brian Hyerstay in Comp Eliminator, Jerry Jenkins of Modesto, Calif., in Super Stock and Randy Hutchings of Calgary, Alb.

Eliminations will begin at the Mission Raceway Park on Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations for Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will begin at noon.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Mission Raceway Park:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 5.342 seconds, 265.40 mph vs. 
8) Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 5.772, 236.65

2) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.385, 265.64 vs. 
7) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 5.566, 221.45

3) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.386, 267.37 vs. 
6) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.508, 257.43

4) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.398, 264.47 vs 
5) Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.437, 261.09

Alternates
1) Kim Parker, Graham, Wash., 5.779, 243.83 
2) Bob Haffner, Mission, B.C., 5.855, 240.83
3) Serge Dion, Edmonton, Alb., 6.198, 221.89
4) Leo Grocock, Mission, B.C., 6.384, 214.23
5) Paul Julien, Mission, B.C., 6.415, 222.05

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 5.667 seconds, 255.46 mph vs. 
8) Rod Clough, Abbotsford, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.162, 225.62

2) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 5.821, 249.44 vs. 
7) John Knox, Lacey, Wash., '97 Ford Mustang, 6.103, 228.48

3) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Camaro, 5.834, 249.79 vs. 
6) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.059, 237.34

4) Randy Parker, Puyallup, Wash., '99 Dodge Avenger, 5.876, 236.84 vs.
5)John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.894, 243.17

Alternates
1) Michael Brown, Everett, Wash., '97 Firebird, 6.423, 215.20
2) Tim Nemeth, Surry, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 7.011, 188.60

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '97 Dragster, G/D, 9.253 seconds(0.807-seconds under Index)
2. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.116(-0.644)
3. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Pontiac Trans Am, C/SM, 9.003(-0.637)
4. Tom Tucker, Bend Ore., '96 Chevrolet Lumina, E/A, 8.286 (-0.614)
5. Maureen Johndahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Pontiac Firebird, G/AA, 9.010 (-0.580)
6. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., '87 Trans Am, C/SM, 9.062 (-0.578)
7. Mark Wolfe, Monroe, Wash., '96 Ford Probe, C/A, 7.681 (-0.529)
8. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 Dragster, B/D, 7.075 (-0.475)
9. Howie Stevens, North Vancouver, B.C., '90 Ford Probe, C/A, 7.746 (-0.464)
10. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Chevrolet Camaro, C/SM, 9.192(-0.448)

SUPER STOCK
1. Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.941seconds (1.059-seconds under Index)
2. Bob Mazzolini, Grants Pass, Ore., '00 Chrysler Sebring, GT/HA, 10.294(-1.056)
3. Ron Stults, Marysville, Wash., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, SS/MA, 11.200 (-0.950)
4. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '96 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/DA, 9.867 (-0.933)
5. Rick McKinney, Richmond, B.C., '84 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/KA, 10.672 (-0.878)
6. Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., '91 Chevrolet Calais, GT/CA, 9.836 (-0.864)
7. Bill Stewart, Marysville, Wash, '74 Barracuda, SS/KA, 10.689 (-0.861)
8. Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.083 (-0.817)
9. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., '89 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.145 (-0.805)
10. Jim Isherwood, Port Alberni, B.C., '67 Plymouth Belvedere, SS/EA, 9.848 (-0.802)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Hutchings, Calgary, Alb.,'81 Dodge, ET/SA, 11.799 (1.501-seconds under Index)
2. Don Elgin, Des Moines, Wash.,'74 Pontiac Grand Am, N/SA, 12.144 (-1.156)
3. Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Pontiac Firebird, E/SA, 10.848 (-1.152)
4. Mary Ann Method, Kennewick, Wash., '70 Chevrolet Nova, B/SA, 10.401(-1.149)
5. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash.,'97 Camaro, E/SA, 10.903 (-1.097)
6. Jim Waldo, Richland, Wash., '69 Ford Mustang, B/S, 10.425 (-1.075)
7. Cal Method, Kennewick, Wash., '71 Camaro, G/SA, 11.228 (-1.072)
8. Tom Skjonsberg, Red Deer, Alb.,'70 Plymouth Barracuda, A/SA, 10.253 (-1.047)
9. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., '77 Oldsmobile Cutlass, L/SA, 11.973 (-1.027)
10. Mark Faul, Tacoma, Wash., '90 Camaro, J/SA, 11.767 (-0.983)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pat Austin looking to defend his event championship at Mission

MISSION, B.C., Canada - More than 300 racers were greeted with beautiful weather as they made their way to Mission Raceway Park for the Mopac Auto Supply Summer Classic, the third stop of the NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series.

After a runner-up in the May Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event, defending NHRA Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion Pat Austin of Tacoma, Wash., made quite a statement in Friday's qualifying to capture the No. 1 qualifying position in his Pro-Max Funny Car. Federal-Mogul Dragster newcomer Gregg Lawrence of Salem, Ore., was the biggest surprise of the day as he made the quickest pass of the first qualifying session to take low qualifier of the day.

Austin, yet to win a 2001 NHRA Northwest Divisional event, came to Mission Raceway Parkl on, well, a mission. The four-time NHRA Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion and five-time Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car Champion has ONLY collected two wins in 2001-- the NHRA Pacific Division FMDRS event and Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz.

In 2000, Austin made a clean sweep of the two Mission Raceway Park divisional events on his way to the divisional championship. At this year's May event in Mission, Austin was runner-up to his uncle, Bucky Austin of Fife, Wash., so it was fitting they met in the first round of qualifying on Friday. Bucky Austin had to shut off at half-track due to severe tire shake but it wouldn't have mattered as Pat Austin streaked to the quickest and fastest pass of the day, 5.759 seconds at 252.10 mph.

In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Lawrence made the quickest pass of his short A/Fuel career to sit No. 1 qualifier after one round of qualifying. Lawrence made a pass of 5.429 seconds at 252.31 mph to beat out an all-star Federal-Mogul Dragster field, which includes the 2000 National Champion Rick Santos and the current national points leader, Mark Hentges. Hentges of Federal Way, Wash. made the second quickest pass of the day with a pass of 5.441 seconds at 260.71 mph.

Santos of Brentwood, Calif. lost a blower belt at the 60-foot mark and coasted down the track thinking what could have been.

Qualifying and time trials will continue at the Mission Raceway Park on Saturday at 8 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car will have qualifying sessions at 2 and 4 p.m.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Mission Raceway Park:

 FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., 5.429 seconds, 252.31mph
2) Mark Hentges, Federal Way, Wash., 5.441, 260.71
3) Duane Shields, Las Vegas, Nev., 5.494, 260.64
4) Brian Hough, Eugene, Ore., 5.565, 261.70
5) Steve Federlin, Oregon City, Ore., 5.567, 255.39 
6) Kim Parker, Graham, Wash., 5.779, 243.83 
7) Bob Haffner, Mission, B.C., 5.855, 240.83
8) Bill Edwards Jr., Sumas, Wash., 6.031, 224.04
9) Kevin Brown, Clearfield, Utah, 6.298, 187.03
10) Serge Dion, Edmonton, Alb., 6.318, 219.88
11) Leo Grocock, Mission, B.C., 6.384, 214.23
12) Rick Santos, Brentwood, Calif., 11.158, 67.34 

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1) Pat Austin, Tacoma, Wash., '99 Pontiac Firebird, 5.655 seconds, 253.02 mph 
2) Randy Parker, Puyallup, Wash., '99 Dodge Avenger, 5.876, 236.84
3) John Hyland, Springfield, Ore., '00 Chevrolet Camaro, 5.926, 242.91
4) Roger Bateman, Calgary, Alb., '97 Firebird, 6.002, 245.29
5) John Evanchuk, Edmonton, Alb., '97 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.059, 237.34
6) Rod Clough, Abbotsford, B.C., '96 Cutlass, 6.179, 226.98
7) Bucky Austin, Fife, Wash., '01 Camaro, 7.533, 120.77

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Brian Hyerstay, Eugene, Ore., '97 Dragster, G/D, 9.253 seconds (0.807-seconds under Index)
2. Adam Bowdish, Lake Oswego, Ore., '89 Pontiac Trans Am, C/SM, 9.003 (-0.637)
3. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.165 (-0.595)
4. Tom Tucker, Bend Ore., '96 Chevrolet Lumina, E/A, 8.380 (-0.520)
5. Mark Wolfe, Monroe, Wash., '96 Ford Probe, C/A, 7.704 (-0.506)
6. Bruce Perkin, Maple Ridge, B.C., '87 Trans Am, C/SM, 9.162 (-0.478)
7. Mike Pessemier, Graham, Wash., '99 Dragster, B/D, 7.092 (-0.458)
8. Maureen Johndahl, Battle Ground, Wash., '92 Pontiac Firebird, G/AA, 9.144 (-0.446)
9. Jim Warter, Fox Island, Wash., '92 Chevrolet Camaro, C/SM, 9.230 (-0.410)
10. Danny Anderson, Bonney Lake, Wash., '00 Dragster, C/ED, 7.542 (-0.368)

SUPER STOCK
1. Bob Mazzolini, Grants Pass, Ore., '00 Chrysler Sebring, GT/HA, 10.294 seconds (1.056-seconds under Index)
2. Jerry Jenkins, Modesto, Calif., '68 Plymouth Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.999 (-1.001)
3. Ron Stults, Marysville, Wash., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, SS/MA, 11.200 (-0.950)
4. Byron Setters, Red Deer, Alb., '96 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/DA, 9.902 (-0.898)
5. Rick McKinney, Richmond, B.C., '84 Oldsmobile Cutlass, SS/KA, 10.672 (-0.878)
6. Art Congdon, Calgary, Alb., '91 Chevrolet Calais, GT/CA, 9.845 (-0.855)
7. Bill Stewart, Marysville, Wash, '74 Barracuda, SS/KA, 10.725 (-0.825)
8. Don Thomas, Spruce Grove, Alb., '89 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.150 (-0.800)
9. Tom Nolan, Lacombe, Alb., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 10.118 (-0.782)
10. Mike Booker, Davenport, Wash., '64 Plymouth Savoy, SS/BA, 9.440 (-0.760)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Hutchings, Calgary, Alb.,'81 Dodge, ET/SA, 11.799 (1.501-seconds under Index)
2. Don Elgin, Des Moines, Wash.,'74 Pontiac Grand Am, N/SA, 12.130 (-1.170)
3. Tommy Gaynor, Vancouver, Wash., '96 Pontiac Firebird, E/SA, 10.848 (-1.152)
4. Mary Ann Method, Kennewick, Wash., '70 Chevrolet Nova, B/SA, 10.401 (-1.149)
5. Sean Cour, Brush Prairie, Wash.,'97 Camaro, E/SA, 10.903 (-1.097)
6. Jim Waldo, Richland, Wash., '69 Ford Mustang, B/S, 10.425 (-1.075)
7. Cal Method, Kennewick, Wash., '71 Camaro, G/SA, 11.228 (-1.072)
8. Tom Skjonsberg, Red Deer, Alb.,'70 Plymouth Barracuda, A/SA, 10.253 (-1.047)
9. Bill Kost, Renton, Wash., '77 Oldsmobile Cutlass, L/SA, 11.973 (-1.027)
10. Calvin Queahpama, Portland, Ore., '65 Chevrolet Impala, R/SA 13.382 (-0.968)