Compiled by SEMA Editors
Jeff and Eric Fredette Win the 2018 Great Race
 Jeff and Eric Fredette were named the overall winners of the 35th annual Great Race. |
The winners of the 2018 Hemmings Motor News Great Race, presented by Hagerty and sponsored by Coker Tire, have been announced. Jeff and Eric Fredette were named the overall winners of the 35th annual time/speed/distance endurance rally, which concluded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 1. The father-and-son team from Illinois piloted a Flathead V8-powered ’33 Ford pickup to victory, earning more than $50,000. In addition to the Grand Champion, other class winners are included:
- Grand Champion Division
Jody Knowles and Beth Gentry
’32 Ford Cabriolet - Expert Division (and overall winners)
Jeff Fredette and Eric Fredette
’33 Ford Pickup Truck - Sportsman Division
Keith Wallace, Rick McIntosh and Brent Powley
’30 Ford Model A Speedster - Rookie Division
Kari Schives and Kaitlyn Stahl
’65 Ford Mustang - X-Cup Division
Tom Littrell, Nathaniel Donley and Jed Diamond
’59 Plymouth Belvedere
The Great Race also announced its plans to rally along the West Coast of the United States for its entire 2019 event—a first for this rally. The 2019 Great Race will start Saturday, June 22, in Riverside, California, and will conclude in Tacoma, Washington, Sunday, June 30. The antique automobiles will stop in 18 cities in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
 Matt Hagan powered to the winner’s circle with a run of 4.156 seconds at 292.01 mph in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T. |
Hagan, Torrence and McGaha Emerge Victorious at NHRA New England Nationals
Matt Hagan won his second straight event of the season at the sixth annual NHRA New England Nationals last weekend. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) were also winners in their respective categories at the 13th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Hagan powered to the winner’s circle with a run of 4.156 seconds at 292.01 mph in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T to take down Tim Wilkerson’s 4.181 at 287.35 in his Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Shelby Mustang. Torrence notched his fifth victory of the year by beating Antron Brown in the final round with a 3.909 at 320.74 in his Capco Contractors dragster to Brown’s 3.948 at 315.12 in his Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster. McGaha took home the win in the Pro Stock class with a 6.570 at 211.10 in his Harlow Sammons Chevrolet Camaro during the final round to take down Erica Enders, who red-lit. The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, July 20–22.
 The 671hp, fully electric I.D. R Pikes Peak, driven by Romain Dumas, outran cars powered by conventional drivetrain technology at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. |
Volkswagen Shares Footage From I.D. R Pikes Peak Record-Breaking Run
Volkswagen made motorsports history on June 24 at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The 671hp, fully electric I.D. R Pikes Peak, driven by Romain Dumas, outran cars powered by conventional drivetrain technology and, with a time of 7:57.148 minutes, not only beat the previous electric-car record, but also bested the all-time record set in 2013 by Sébastien Loeb by 16 seconds. View footage of Dumas’ record-breaking, sub eight-minute run.
 Jimmy Ålund scored victories in Pro Mod and Pro Stock at the Finland Hot Rod Association (FHRA) Nitro Nationals in early July. |
Jimmy Ålund Wins European Pro Mod and Pro Stock at the FHRA Nitro Nationals
Jimmy Ålund scored victories in Pro Mod and Pro Stock at the third race of the 2018 European FIA Drag Racing season—the Finland Hot Rod Association (FHRA) Nitro Nationals—in early July. It marked the first time ever that one driver has won both FIA Pro Mod and FIA Pro Stock on the same afternoon. The Pro Mod win extended Ålund’s points lead in the 2018 FIA Pro Mod championship. In Pro Stock, Ålund won the quarter- and semifinals, running the quickest ETs and fastest speeds in both rounds. And like in Pro Mod, Ålund went up against the reigning class champion in the finals, winning the race over Bengt Ljungdahl. The next event on the FIA European Drag Race Series schedule is the NitrOlympX, August 17–19, at the Hockenheimring in Hockenheim, Germany. Ålund will drive The Old 51 in Pro Mod, and leaving the Pro Stocker at home.
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