Ted Hlokoff likes to drive fast.
That’s why spending three weeks away from home in his 750-horsepower Dodge Viper was a real treat for the Nimpo Lake resident.
“I got home Friday (Sept. 30) from the Langley Cruise-In Car Show, then Mario Andretti Racing School and a three-day road event in Ely, Nev. to Las Vegas,” he said.
Following some racing events, Ted and his wife, Deana, spent several days driving the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, before heading home.
“I fired up my 750rwhp Dodge Viper and started my long drive to Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 8,” Hlokoff said.
“Along the way, on Sept. 9, the Langley Cruise-In seemed to be back to about the largest car show in Western Canada again this year. The show was crowded and people thronged the streets.”
He said around 1,600 cars were on display, and the money earned from the show was donated to local charities.
“Although I had to fix my Viper along the way (changing a badly worn Toe-link in Seattle and a wheel alignment) I managed it and the drive to Las Vegas in plenty of time for the Racing School Qualifications and short course,” he said.
Tim Anglin, Hlokoff’s friend, met him in Las Vegas to be his navigator.
“We arrived at the Mario Andretti Racing School (required for rookies) on Thrusday at 6 a.m. in the Las Vegas Speedway complex,” Hlokoff said.
“We paraded from a press conference to Ely, Nevada where we attended navigator and driver’s meetings and had my Viper passed through a safety inspection.”
Rain the following day put a damper on racing plans until the next day; however, a parade in the evening kept them entertained, he said.
Saturday, Hlokoff attended a mandatory car show prior to leaving for the Half-Mile Shootout event.
“After we managed our three runs the Mile Shootout was held with the results being kept secret until the awards ceremony Sunday night in Vegas,” he said. “Sunday morning we made the qualifying grid and took our shot at the Silver State Classic Challenge open road rally in the 105-miles-per-hour class.”
At the awards ceremony, Hlokoff learned he’d won the third-fastest speed at 151 mph.
“The Twin Turbo Viper that won first place went 162 mph, and also won first place in the Mile Shootout at 205 mph.
“The road rally event consisted of 140 cars entered, including a Prius which won its class.”
Hlokoff and Anglin walked away from the rally event in third place in their class.
“After that my wife Deana and I took the long way home around the Grand Canyon and up through Utah,” he said.
“The trip was nearly 4,000 miles.”