Ike Maier Motorsports
Canadian Drag Racer Competes in Two Classes at NHRA Gatornationals
Courtesy: Tim Miller
GAINESVILLE, FL – Ike Maier showed up at the fabled NHRA Florida drag strip for NHRA Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals last weekend hoping to successfully compete in both the Top Fuel Dragster and Pro Modified classes,
but just missed the mark.
“My goal was to qualify both cars,” said Maier, who lives in Tottenham, Ontario. “I wanted so much to qualify both.”
If Maier had been successful, he would have been the first driver in NHRA history to do so. But even though he turned a 3.951-second, 307.93 pass in qualifying, it was not good enough to get into the 16-car field. He did qualify his 1963 Corvette Pro Mod in 15th with a 6.761-second, 189.95 posting, but was eliminated in the first round after running a stout 6.271, 230.25 and was taken out by Dan Rowe’s 5.890, 244.96.
“Both cars had good potential,” he noted, “but we really didn’t have enough testing time. We tested the Pro Mod in Bradenton, and the car tested well with good speed, but it then shook at Gainesville.
Ike Maier to finish his season at upcoming NHRA Las Vegas Event
Courtesy of Tim Miller
TOTTENHAM, ON – With several NHRA National events now behind him, Top Fuel driver Ike Maier is hoping to finish his season on a high note.
Driving the Paton Racing Team Top Fuel dragster, Maier acquired his license earlier this year and has competed in five events with the powerful car, which can obtain speeds of 330 mph down the quarter-mile drag strip.
“I’d like to go out with a qualifying run and a round or two,” he noted, adding that he believes the team does better in the hotter climates.
“We seem to do better in the heat,” he said. “But I’m just hoping we are able to qualify and we’ll take it from there.”
Maier will be entering the 11th Annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas October 28-30. This will be the 22nd race in the 23-event 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Ike Maier’s Top Fuel entry to compete at Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals
Motorplex.Ike Maier returns to Cayuga this weekend in Canadian Nitro Nationals
Courtesy: Tim Miller
Photo Credit: Bruce Biegler
TOTTENHAM, ON – While Ike Maier has raced at the Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park many times, his appearance during the track’s upcoming Canadian Nitro Nationals will be something different for the fans.
The long-time Pro Modified racer from north of Toronto, Ontario will be driving the Paton Racing Team Top Fuel Dragster, and Maier said he is looking forward to competing at his “home” track.
“This is going to be nice for the fans,” Maier noted. “The crowds will be able to see cars of this caliber up close, and not have to drive a long distance to experience the sensation of a Top Fuel dragster.”
The Canadian Nitro Nationals will be held July 1-3 and feature several Top Fuel and Funny Car entries throughout the long weekend.
Earlier this year Maier acquired his NHRA Top Fuel license in what is considered the ultimate class in the sport of drag racing. Running on nitromethane and producing up to 8000 horsepower, a Top Fueler is capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph in less than four seconds down the drag strip.
