Thunder in the throttle: National Hot Rod Association rolls into Sydney for biggest event of season at Cape Breton Dragway

Dave Powell from Bay Roberts, N.L., will be racing at Cape Breton Dragway this weekend as he looks to extend his lead on the top sportsman/top dragster class in the national open as part of the John Scotti Canadian Championship Series with the National Hot Rod Association in town for the weekend. CONTRIBUTED/GERARD BRYDEN Gerard BrydenArticle contentLocal drag racing fans won’t have to be asked twice where they plan to be this weekend as the biggest race date of the year has arrived.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe National Hot Rod Association will roar into Sydney for their only visit of the season to Cape Breton Dragway, bringing drivers from across the country to the island.Article contentArticle contentDrivers will hit the track for the national open as part of the John Scotti Canadian Championship Series with Wally trophies and points up for grabs as they race to claim national titles.Article contentArticle contentGerard Bryden, executive member for the Cape Breton Drag Racing Association, believes fans will be treated to exciting racing with some of the top drivers expected to be in attendance.Article content“These guys race all across the country, and there are guys who travel to all of these races,” said Bryden. “They’re accumulating points as they go from track-to-track. Some of our guys also travel to Miramichi, which is where the last national open was about three weeks ago, so now the New Brunswick guys will be coming here as well.”Article contentMULTIPLE DIVISIONSArticle contentSeveral divisions are slated to take to the track for the national open including super street, no box, super comp, box, super gas, stock/super stock, top sportsman/top dragster, bike/sled, junior dragster and bike/sled gamblers.Article contentTime trials and qualifying for the national open will be held on Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. Eliminations will follow both days will Wally trophies being handed out.Article contentWhile Bryden and the drag racing association anticipate large numbers participating in the event, they understand they are facing challenges beyond their control.Article contentArticle content“The big thing and the hard thing for us right now is the price of fuel,” said Bryden. “These big racers, in some cases, have an 18-wheeler with a big tractor trailer behind them and those things cost a lot of money to put on the highway.Article content“When you see gas going up six and 10 cents, all of that affects our attendance. We survived COVID-19, so I’m sure we’ll survive what’s happening right now with fuel and the Strait of Hormuz and all of those other issues — the die-hards will be here.”Article contentWhile gas prices dropped twice last week in Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Energy Board invoked the interrupter clause on Wednesday morning with prices expected to rise 6.5 cents for regular and 9.3 cents for diesel.Article contentDespite the realities of the world today, Bryden recognized the love drivers have for the Cape Breton track, which he hopes will bring more vehicles to the track, regardless of the price at the pump.Article content“We enjoy having them here, and we enjoy showing them our track, and they enjoy our track,” said Bryden. “They tell us that the traction is great, and they tell us it’s the smoothest track they’ve driven on and things like that are a real feather in our hat.”