One of the IHRA’s most colourful personalities – Mark “Mr. Explosive” Sanders – emerged a winner during the conclusion to the initially rained out IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals at Ontario’s Grand Bend Motorplex.

Based from the Pacific Northwest, Sanders roared to victory within the AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive class driving his 1970 Mustang bodied machine.

In the final round, Sanders faced off against the current IHRA points leader Jason Rupert for the title.   He then combined a brilliant .008 RT holeshot and strong 5.804, 249.86 mph run to upset Rupert’s much quicker 5.765 secs at 249.79 mph in the championship dash.

(Mark Sanders (near lane) used a major holeshot to win the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals FC title)

Prior to that, Sanders had entered eliminations after qualifying #3 (5.819 secs) and took the measure of Canadian Tim Boychuk and then Shawn Bowen in rounds one and two.

In an event oddity — IHRA FC points leader Jason Rupert had been credited with an astounding (and record quick) 5.547 secs times slip during Saturday’s final qualifying session. However that run was eventually disqualified after further investigation revealed there was a likely timing malfunction.

(Jason Rupert’s runner-up effort helped him to pad his overall IHRA points lead)

Thus the event’s low qualifier Ohio’s Mike McIntyre who ran 5.727 secs was recognized as the quickest overall run of the event.

(Mike McIntyre’s Camaro set low ET in qualifying and went to the final four on Sunday)

Post and photos by:  Bruce Biegler