Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Father, son celebrate NHRA victories

CdA’s Kobs victor in motorcycle final

The father-son combo of Eddy and Casey Plaizier of Edmonton, Alberta, shared the winner’s circle celebration this past weekend at Spokane County Raceway during the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northwest Thunderfest.

As dad watched, Casey defeated Ryan Warter of Olalla, Wash., in the stock eliminator final, driving his 1996 Firebird to a lap of 10.75 seconds at 118.14 mph. Warter left early and earned a red light.

Minutes later, Eddy Plaizier defended his championship from a year ago, beating Spokane’s Ken Harkema in 10.127 seconds at 159.68 mph in his ‘63 Corvette, and the celebration was on.

In Super Comp, 2011 champion Bob Woodruff of Maple Valley, Wash., returned to his winning ways, defeating Dale Hrenko of Port Orchard, Wash., with a pass of 9.403 at 137.67.

Two SCR regulars met in the Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson final. Buff Kobs of Coeur d’Alene beat Caleb Dahl of Spokane, riding his ’95 Kawasaki to an 8.084 at 165.25 mph.

Daryl Hemley picked up his first win since 2009, and his third overall in the RH Racecars Top Sportsman class, covering the quarter mile in 7.123 seconds at 194.59 mph to Shawn Herbst’s 7.907 at 174.65. Dan Provost of Abbotsford, B.C., won Top Dragster when Ryan Carlson red-lighted. Provost had a 7.197, 189.11 pass.

Pat Byron advanced to the final round in Comp Eliminator for the second year in a row, closing the deal on Ralph Van Paepeghem for the win, going 6.941 at 191.20 in his dragster. The win was Byron’s first in Comp Eliminator.

Rounding out the winners were Joe Sorensen, Woodburn, Ore., in Super Stock, and Bill Gee, Silverton, Ore., in Super Street.

Sorensen beat former Lucas Oil World Champion Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, as the two faced off in a pair of ‘69 Camaros. Gee raced his ‘66 Nova to a lap of 11.072, 135.37 to beat Mike Schoenfeld and his ‘84 T-Bird.

Results

Comp eliminator

Byron, Hoquiam, Wash., dragster, C/D, 6.941, 191.20 def. Ralph Van Paepeghem, Garden Valley, Idaho, ‘32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.403, 176.05.

Super stock

Joe Sorensen, Woodburn, Ore., ‘69 Camaro, SS/EA, 10.426, 123.55 def. Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, ‘69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.763, 133.76.

Stock eliminator

Casey Plaizier, Edmonton, Alberta, ‘96 Firebird, C/SA, 10.750, 118.14 def. Ryan Warter, Olalla, Wash., ‘75 Firebird, J/SA, foul.

Super comp

Bob Woodruff, Maple Valley, Wash., dragster, 9.403, 137.67 def. Dale Hrenko, Port Orchard, Wash., dragster, foul.

Super gas

Eddy Plaizier, Edmonton, ‘63 Corvette, 10.127, 159.68 def. Ken Harkema, Spokane, ‘27 roadster, 10.147, 130.62.

Super street

Bill Gee, Silverton, Ore., ‘66 Nova, 11.072, 135.37 def. Mike Schoenfeld, Kent, Wash., ‘84 T-Bird, foul.

TOP SPORTSMAN

Daryl Hemley, Burley, Wash., ‘02 Cavalier, 7.123, 194.59 def. Shawn Herbst, Selah, Wash., ‘63 Corvette, 7.907, 174.65.

Top dragster

Dan Provost, Abbotsford, B.C., dragster, 7.197, 189.11 def. Ryan Carlson, Maple Valley, Wash., dragster, foul.

Sportsman motorcycle

Buff Kobs, Coeur d’Alene, ‘95 Kawasaki, 8.084, 165.25 def. Caleb Dahl, Spokane, ‘78 Kawasaki, foul.