The fourth annual Elphinstone Secondary Drag Racing Team fundraiser car show on May 7 netted $1,140 for the extra-curricular car club.
Justin Henderson started the Elphinstone Drag Racing Team four years ago with his partner Alison Liddicoat, who is a teacher at Elphinstone Secondary.
“We’ve organized this car show as a way of raising funds for this program, to allow us to continue building our cars and putting fuel in them and getting to the track – it’s an expensive sport,” Henderson said. “This is a way for us to raise the money and get the community out as well and have a fun event.”
Henderson said they need a minimum of $1,000 to $1,500 a year to keep the team on the racetrack.
“It provides the youth of the school with an opportunity to learn how build cars, learn how to race them, learn how to stay safe and keep it off the streets,” Henderson said. “We promote safe driving, responsibility and teamwork. We get these kids out building cars and they can go on in whatever direction they decide.”
Robert Rhodes is just out of high school, but still volunteering with the drag race team. He found the skill set he acquired on the team invaluable.
“It’s really good for learning how to trouble shoot your way around your own vehicle,” Rhodes said. “When you’re up at the track, you’re under pressure – something happens to your car and you’ve got to fix it somehow, so you learn some unique tricks.”
Rhodes recalled having an issue with an overheating engine that led to air lock. When it happened on the track, Rhodes said it took some figuring out. When he encountered the same problem again on his own, he knew exactly how to handle it.
Henderson said that 50 classic car owners came out to support the Elphi Drag Team – most of whom are members of Coasters Car Club.
“Most of the cars that come are the Coasters Car Club,” Henderson said. “Without them, we probably wouldn’t be able to throw our event. They are a huge support to us.”
For more information, see the Elphinstone Secondary Drag Race Team on Facebook. And see our online galleries at www.coastreporter.net for more photos from the car show.
