NORTHERN FORCE RACING RETURNING TO FULL-TIME NHRA COMPETITION IN 2014
LONDON, ON – Although the Northern Force Racing team has participated in NHRA competition, turning in solid performances, 
throughout the last 30 years, it hasn’t been since the early 1980’s, when current team owner and crew chief Bob Elliott led the national point’s standings in the Alcohol Funny Car category, that they’ve taken a serious run at an NHRA championship. In 2014 the team will return to its roots, so to speak, when they dust off their suitcases to chase the NHRA North Central Division 3 championship. In doing so, they’ll have the familiar red, white and blue colours of Project Track Champion Access Motorsports Racing on the sides of their A Modified Super Stock entry for the third consecutive season.
The Division 3 schedule will offer up lots of firsts for second generation driver Jory Elliott, including a visit to the fabled quarter mile at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis in late April. Home to some of the sport’s most outstanding performances and the world’s most prestigious drag race every year, the U.S. Nationals has been a focal point in the history of the Northern Force team as well.
“There have been so many outstanding memories made over the years at Indy,” said an excited Jory Elliott. “The list of racers that have written their names in the history books at that track is mind boggling and for me to get the chance to race there is a dream come true, no doubt.”
For Bob Elliott it will be a return to the facility where he made his last pass in a Fuel Funny Car, when he qualified 15th for the U.S. Nationals, nearly 20 years ago. “I can’t wait to go back to Indy,” said Elliott. “I’ve got a lot of great memories at that place, starting in the 70’s, and I’d like to make some more this year with my kid behind the wheel.”
For the third year in a row, the team will proudly represent Project Track Champion Access Motorsports Racing, which returns as a major associate sponsor with the team for the 2014 season. “We’re proud of the relationship we’ve formed with Denny Snider of Project Track Champion and we’re super excited to take the message of accessibility for all to the U.S. and a group of high-profile racing facilities in 2014,” said Elliott.
The team’s schedule starts at Indy, April 25 – 27, and will take them to a number of outstanding facilities including, NHRA Mello Yello Series event host tracks in Norwalk, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. The schedule will also include the team’s annual trip to the MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals at their home track in Grand Bend, Ontario. “Our schedule just wouldn’t be complete without the MOPAR Nitro Jam at Grand Bend Motorplex in there,” noted Elliott. “With the momentum we’ve built by winning that event in 2012 and all of the things we did with our non-profit partner Community Living London last year, we’re looking forward to having the biggest and best outing yet at that race this year.”
The full 2014 schedule for the Northern Force Racing team shakes out like this;
NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed – Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis, IN – April 25-27
NHRA Cavalcade of Stars – Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH – May 16-18
NHRA Burndown at Sundown – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL – June 6-8
IHRA MOPAR Nitro Jam Nationals – Grand Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend, Ontario – June 20-22
NHRA Buckeye Fuel Wars – National Trail Raceway, Columbus, OH – July 18-20
NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional – Gateway Motorsports Park, St. Louis, MO – August 8-9
NHRA Beech Bend Sportsman Nationals – Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, KY August 22-24
Northern Force Racing continues to search for a major sponsorship partner to share in the adventure of its 2014 campaign. For those interested, or to keep up with the team as they hit the road to chase a championship this year, you can visit their website www.northernforce.com.
Photo Credit: Rob Potter
