By CHRIS TUCKER
Kitsap Weekly
BREMERTON — Lonnie Sharkey beamed a wide smile after his bright red 1966 Chevy II Nova completed the quarter-mile time trial in 9.68 seconds at 138 mph.
“It was a good run,” said Sharkey, of Silverdale.
“I’ve had this car since 1975. It used to be my street car years ago … used to cruise town back in the ’70s and ’80s in the day. Kind of progressed from there.”
Sharkey’s Nova contributed to the roar of high-powered engines — and audience thrills — as the 57th season of drag racing began April 8-11 at Bremerton Raceway.
The raceway, at Bremerton National Airport, is operated by the Handlers’ Racing Association.
A crowd of a few dozen people lined the side of the course. They sat on aluminum bleachers to get a good view of the muscle cars as they rocketed away from the starting line.
“It’s just a fun family sport,” Sharkey said.
Powerful cars at the event included Pontiac GTOs, Pontiac Firebirds, Dodge Darts, Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Corvettes, a low and wide Plymouth GTX, a Datsun Z-car and a handful of hot rods.
The cars could launch from the starting line so rapidly that many of them had their front wheels lift completely off the ground in the first couple of seconds, leaving a cloud of smoke behind them as they bolted down the strip.
Sharkey converted his Chevrolet into a race car in 1982. A full roll cage was installed. The engine is now a highly modified small block Chevrolet engine that he suspects generates 650-700 horsepower, but he’s never measured it.
The transmission is a two-speed Powerglide, he said. For improved traction under hard acceleration, the beefy rear slicks are about twice as wide as a regular tire.
Bremerton resident Scott Krone has been racing since 1984. He drives a red 1985 Ford Mustang.
“It’s great,” said Krone as he sat in a lawn chair next to a vehicle trailer, April 10. “It’s competitive and it gets me away from the regular world, and (it’s) a chance to reset my brain.”
For the racing schedule, go to www.bremertonraceway.com.
Silverdale resident Lonnie Sharkey stands inside a travel trailer with friends and family members after running a time trial in his red 1966 Chevy II. Photo: Chris Tucker / Kitsap Weekly
Drag racers feature wide rear racing slicks. Photo: Chris Tucker / Kitsap Weekly
Dave Harter races his green Chevrolet Camaro. Photo: Chris Tucker / Kitsap Weekly
AT A GLANCE
Races takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including Sportsman, Pro, Super Pro, Motorcycle, High School, Junior Drag, Stick Shift Series, NHUA, and Nostalgia Hot Rod Series.
On Fridays, gates open at 3 p.m., racing starts at 4 p.m., gates close at 9 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, gates open at 8 a.m., time trials at 9 a.m., eliminations at 1 p.m., gates close at 8 p.m.
