PORT McNEILL—Local drag racers were well-represented in the top 10, but the three big trophies went to down-Island drivers Saturday as the North Island Timing Association hosted its 2012 Rumble on the Runway wrap-up dinner at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 281.
The dinner preceded an awards presentation for the six-race Rumble on the Runway series, held for the past three years on the eighth-mile strip at Port McNeill Airport.
Eric Shields of Parksville won the top overall cash prize and a NITA jacket, and was also presented the winner's trophy for the Super-pro class.
Richard Spencer of Port Alberni was the Pro class champion and second overall in points, while Don Egan of Courtenay won the Sportsman class and finished third overall.
The next three spots in the top 10 were Port McNeill drivers Terry Mackay, Chris Sharpe and 2011 points champion Tim Walton. Chris Beatty, a second-year competitor in the Sportsman class from Port Hardy, placed eighth overall and Bill MacDonald of Port McNeill was 10th.
Ray Harper was awarded a plaque as volunteer of the year by Maureen "Mo" Anderson, who closed the ceremony by announcing she was stepping down as organizer of the North Island races.
"I agreed to help out with advertising and putting the first poster in 2009, and that was it," said Anderson, who instead became Rumble on the Runway director, safety coordinator and security coordinator for the next four seasons. "Good luck, racers; keep the shiny side up."
The non-profit association also awarded $4,500 in donations to local groups who assisted with each of the races. Cassie Conley, Vanessa Hayward and Kirié McMurchy accepted a $1,500 donation on behalf of the Port McNeill Teen Centre, and Dacen Brooks and Dean Tait accepted a $3,000 donation for the Port McNeill Volunteer Fire Department.
2012 Rumble on the Runway
Drag racing awards
Top overall place-winners
1. Eric Shields, Parksville
2. Richard Spencer, Port Alberni
3. Don Egan, Courtenay
4. Terry Mackay, Port McNeill
5. Chris Sharpe, Port McNeill
6. Tim Walton, Port McNeill
7. Tim Bartel, CR
8. Chris Beatty, Port Hardy
9. Dave Deck, Duncan
10. Bill MacDonald, Port McNeill
Series champions
Super-pro: Eric Shields
Pro: Richard Spencer
Sportsman: Don Egan
Volunteer of the Year
Ray Harper
Hard-luck driver
Wade Lahaise, Ladysmith