‘Hot rubber, noisy engines’: Rad Torque Raceway welcomes fans back

Liam adam2022-07-10

Hayden Proffitt races in his Hot Streak II jet truck during the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

The smell of nitro fuel and the sound of screeching tires fill Rad Torque Raceway this weekend as Edmonton hosts the Rocky Mountain Nationals.

Racetrack owner Kimberly Reeves said the national event began 17 years ago to bring professional-level racing to northern Alberta. And for the first time in two years, organizers won’t have to limit the number of fans at the track due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

« Typically we’re going to see around 15,000 people over the three days, » Reeves said Friday night, adding that they were limited to 200 fans in 2020 and 1/3 capacity in 2021.

« Motorsport fans are die-hard so I think we’ll see a little less crowding this year than the 2019 event, but I don’t think we’re going to see a drastic change. I hope to see 12,000 to 13 000 this weekend and I’ll be happy with it.

Max Yaremko races his 1978 Pontiac Firebird Pro 6.90 fun car during the Rocky Mountain National at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday, July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

For those heading to the circuit this weekend, Reeves said all the sights and sounds you’re excited for are to be expected.

« Burning rubber, noisy engines, smoke, nitro fuel in the nose, lots of noise – it’s sensory overload, » she said.

« When the nitro cars take off it will literally shake your insides out. It’s a concussion happening inside and the sights, smells and sounds are all tremendous.

Jason Court is cheered on by the crowd after a race in the Go N Big Racing Roughneck Monster Truck during the Rocky Mountain National at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

Reeves said it felt good to have fans back in the stands, especially for the pilots.

“Our competitors do this because it brings them joy and they are passionate about it and being able to show off in front of a crowd is kind of a big deal. It’s really heartwarming that they can start again,” Reeves said.

Visitors will be able to witness 60-80 foot flames shooting out of the back of the Hot Streak II truck as driver Hayden Proffitt takes off on the runway. The Texas driver said he was happy to show off the truck.

Hayden Proffitt races in his Hot Streak II jet truck during the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

“I hope the fans really get into it. I’m going to try to put on the best show I can,” Proffitt said of the track on Friday night. “I would like them to come down and check the truck in the pit and come talk to me if they want to and I’m really looking forward to the event. »

Proffitt said he hopes the 13,000-pound, twin-engined 57 Chevy pickup will hit 200 miles per hour on the 1/4 mile strip this weekend. He added that the truck’s fastest was 416 miles per hour.

« I would definitely put it against any other jet truck, that’s for sure, » he said.

Racing fans check out the Blue Line Racing Association Edmonton Police Department dragsters during the Rocky Mountain National at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday, July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

Edmonton racer Tim Boychuk is also taking his funny nitro car to the racetrack this weekend. The 30-year-old driver said it was good to be back in Edmonton with no crowd capacity limits.

“It’s just exciting, it’s nice to see everyone here. It’s awesome,” Boychuk said. « The more fans the better, I mean, it’s just cool, right? Because you do things that no one else can or does, not many of us do that kind of stuff and it’s great.

The Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car crew works on their car in the pit lane during the Rocky Mountain National at Rad Torque Raceway south of Edmonton on Friday July 8, 2022. Photo by Ian Kucerak Photo by Ian Kucerak /Postmedia

Another standout car on the track this weekend is David Brant’s Warchief Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car, a vehicle designed to commemorate his deep-rooted family heritage, which includes his five-time great-grandfather Joseph Brant, who was a chief of mohawk war.

The Rocky Mountain Nationals kicked off Friday and continue at Rad Torque Raceway Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors can stroll through the pits, check out the cars and chat with the drivers.

Tickets can be purchased online at radraceway.com.

ktaniguchi@postmedia.com

twitter.com/kellentaniguchi