Barry Hobson of West Seattle has been a longtime racer here in the Northwest and is known for his passion for Pontiac’s. In fact Torri’s Pontiac Tempest was previously owned by Barry as was the Tempest run by the late Gary Putman.
Gary’s Tempest – Rich Carlson photo – Bremerton Raceway 2003
Barry started in bracket racing in what is now called Sportsman bracket with various models of Pontiac’s including a big Grand Prix, and his racing has evolved over the years to rise to the ranks of Top Sportsman and the 10.5 class running his Grand Am with a normally aspirated 705 Sonny Leonard power that has pushed the car into the high 6-second range.
Barry in far lane at Pacific Raceways in 2010:
Barry is a mix of old school & state-of-the-art racing. He can be seen at the local tracks running his blue ’67 Pontiac Tempest in Super Pro, his Grand Am in Top Sportsman, and his big-block powered dragster in Top Dragster or Super Comp (8.90 index).
Barry’s pit at Divisional race at Pacific Raceways, August 2012 – Chris Young photo
Along his long road in drag racing, Barry has never lost his passion for the sport or forgotten his friends. We can’t count the times that Barry has loaned us a fitting when the parts houses are closed, or a helping hand whenever we’ve asked. He is a special friend and fellow racer that embodies the very best in our racing community!
Here’s to you Barry, and all the best this weekend at the Division 6 race at Pacific Raceways!
TOP SPORTSMAN QUALIFYIING:
1) Barry Daniluk, Red Deer, Alb., ’68 Camaro, 6.420 seconds, 218.65 mph
2) Curt Geise, Auburn, Wash., ’09 GTO, 6.665, 211.43
3) Greg Anderson, Snohomish, Wash., ’03 Grand Am, 6.975, 198.26
4) Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., ’96 Trans Am, 6.994, 198.09
5) Barry Hobson, Seattle, Wash., ’06 Grand Am, 7.009, 194.77
6) Craig Anderson, Waxahachie, Texas, ’12 Cobalt, 7.154, 192.99
7) Stefan Kondolay, Chilliwack, B.C., ’69 Camaro, 7.193, 191.02
8) Lynsi Torres, Glendora, Calif., ’70 Barracuda, 7.225, 189.73
9) Mike Williams, Tilley, Alb., ’03 Corvette, 7.259, 189.28
10) Daryl Hemley, Burley, Wash., ’02 Cavalier, 7.287, 190.57
Sunday Updates:
Barry just won the 3rd round with a 7.013 @ 180.74 on a 7.03 dial. He has earned a single in the semi-finals!
Semi-final:
Barry just ran his personal quickest in his Grand Am on the single, with a 6.973 @ 195.87 mph. On to the final round where he will be facing Craig Anderson’s 2012 Cobalt for the Top Sportsman title! Anderson is from Waxahachie, Texas.
Leaving hard on the bye run! – Jim Doyle photo
Final:
Chris just reported that Barry won, earning a Wally!! Barry won handedly running a 7.024 at only 176.05 mph on a 6.97 dial, lifting, having a huge holeshot advantage with a .044 reaction time to Anderson’s .301 reaction time. Anderson did run a 7.148 @ 193.18 mph on a 7.14 dial.
CONGRATULATIONS BARRY!
And I’m very proud of Chris giving Barry assistance throughout a LONG weekend! Great job guys!
Chris Young photo
Barry with his well deserved Wally! – Chris Young photo – Smile Barry, you just WON!!
SUPER COMP UPDATE:
Barry went down in the 1st round running a 8.899 on the 8.90 dial in his dragster. Excellent effort however and so close to perfection!
Here’s the closing comments on this weekend of racing courtesy of Pacific Raceways:
“Wow…what an exciting day of racing at the Lucas Oil Divisionals Presented by Torklift Central RV! Congratulations to all of the winners: Adam Bowdish (Comp Eliminator); Mark Faul (Super Stock); Kelly Thomas (Stock Eliminator); Barry Hobson (Top Sportsman); John Chitwood (Top Dragster); Aaron Kinard (Super Comp); Mike Shannon (Super Gas); Brad Vinje (Super Street); Kevin Brennan (Sportsman Motorcycle); Jamie Toelos (Super Pro) and Chris Bondy (Pro). Also, a big thanks to Top Fuel Harley, BB Funny Cars, the Nostalgia guys, and Derek Snelson and Darin Bay’s jet funny cars. Also, a special thanks to the fans for coming out for three big days of racing!”
Winners crowned at Pacific Raceways – NHRA Div. 6 – August 19, 2012
Barry and his crew in Winner’s Circle!
(L to R) Paul Young, Joe Loch, Barry Hobson, Chris Young, Allen Macham, Frank Nelson, Jr.
Jim Doyle photo
Racers like Barry never get the respect or recognition they truly deserve. Barry is soft-spoken and races because he loves the sport. He is just as happy running his Tempest in Super Pro on a Saturday bracket race as he is running the Grand Am at a Divisional points meet or at a NHRA national event. He’s well grounded and certainly has my respect !
He and his brother, Kirk, towed our Pontiac to Boise for the 2011 E.T. Finals so Paul could race, and provided assistance throughout the weekend. Why? Because they both wanted Paul to have his shot in Boise. Thanks guys !
SUNDAY UPDATE:
Barry just earned a Wally winning in Top Sportsman! Congratulations to Barry and my thanks to Chris for giving Barry big assistance throughout the LONG weekend.
GREAT JOB GUYS!
It was a great weekend all around as even though Barry lost 1st rd with the dragster we were oh so close in running the index, just missed by .001. Barry did a superb job driving and the crew chief Chris did a great job making the adjustments needed on the Grand Am to get it to go straight down the track. Congrats Barry on your 3rd Wally!!
I’m very proud of all of you! A job very well done!