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Canadian Jeff Arend reclaimed honours as Canada's all time fastest drag racer during last weekend's action at NHRA Route 66. Driving for Saskatchewan's Urban Casavant's CMKX sponsored team, Arend eclipsed some long time marks set and held by Todd Paton...

Jeff Arend went for the quickest and fastest rides of his career last weekend driving the Can-Am Motorsports/CMKX-treme Corvette nitro Funny Car. Arend, who is originally from Toronto but new resides in San Dimas, CA (Yes -- the very home of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure!) ran a career best 4.844 secs at 318.77 mph to qualify 12th for the record setting Joliet Funny Car program. Earlier in qualifying Jeff had run consecutive laps of 4.968 secs at 312.57 mph and 4.930 secs at 313.88 mph. Jeff's 4.844 secs at 318.77 mph eclipsed the previous all time Canadian marks set by Todd Paton: 4.853 secs (in Top Fuel) and 315.42 mph (in a Funny Car).

"To be the fastest Canadian in drag racing feels extra special," Jeff said. "We were actually looking for better runs on our first two qualifiers. Paul Smith is rather masterful -- he said it would run a "83" or "84" -- and as usual he was right on. That was also a career best run for Paul too -- so our whole team was pretty excited."

"The car left real hard," added Jeff. "But unlike the first two runs -- when the clutch locked up at half track it threw me back in the seat again. It's an amazing feeling -- just when you think you are out there really flying -- it feels like someone ran into you from behind. It pulled hard right to the finish line. We looked at the computer after the run everything looked good and the motor was very clean. Nobody thought we could make this Corvette run almost 319 mph -- I think we have surprised even ourselves a bit."

"For us to go that quick and fast in only our fourth race out is great," Jeff continued. "As a new team I feel we are doing very well. I don't think we could have picked a better time or place either. Our sponsor (Urban) flew in 40 of his friends and family from Canada to Chicago for this race -- so we had everybody pretty excited."

DragRaceCanada also caught up with Urban Casavant -- who seconded the motion about his team's remarkable early success.

"We are very happy with the effort here," said Casavant. "I'm not really surprised because it's what I have been expecting from this team. Paul is a great tuner and we have left that in his capable hands. We will do some greater things yet. I'm very pleased for all the Canadian drag racing fans."

Jeff's impressive run at the Route 66 Nationals did however end in round one of eliminations. Jeff jumped to an early lead over Team Force driver Eric Medlen (.074 to .108 RT) but his 4.894 secs at 316.75 mph was just edged out by Medlen's 4.816 secs at 317.94 mph in the Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang.

The Can-Am Motorsports CMKX-treme Corvette body will continue to be raced for at least the next couple of races. Expectations are that a Pontiac Firebird body will be installed come Columbus or Englishtown. The words "Monte Carlo" are also being mentioned. Those difficult to get Chevy bodies -- will likely migrate to the team towards seasons end 2004.

(Photos by: Bruce Biegler & Tony Biegler)