Grand Bend Motorplex regulars certainly know who Bill Rowe is. His yellow nitrous Cavalier was almost a sleeper, it ran right on the edge of the six second and 200 mph zone but never quite got there. Even a surprised Randy Jewell was heard to exclaim ‘We got beat by a Super Gas car’ Rowe was always a challenger and now with his blown Grand Am he is going to make even more noise.

WHEN DID YOU START RACING: In 1973 seriously. I actually started when I was four, racing a pedal bike against my friend’s go-kart. In 1973 I started racing and won the High School drags at Milan Dragway in Michigan. Like any other Michigan racer I also raced on Telegraph and I am totally convinced my fines paid for the new police station at Redford Township. If I didn’t pay for the station I at least paid for the jail. Then common sense took over and I took my racing to the track. The only thing is I don’t know if it really saved me any money!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST RACECAR: A 1971 Boss 351 Mustang that ran the quarter at Milan in 12.80 on street tires. I also autocrossed with some success with a ’68 327 Vette before coming back to drag racing with a race prepared ’73 Challenger that we took to several wins at the old Detroit Dragway. They used to call me “Mr 4 Speed” in that car.

WIERDEST THING EVER IN RACING: We were at the Grand Bend Motorplex for an IHRA national event when I decided to take a short cut by jumping over the trailer tongue. My foot got caught and I ended in a heap with a real sore leg. This was before the start of qualifying and I had to be helped in and out of the car all weekend. The pain was just bearable and luckily I only went one round in eliminations. It turns out I broke a bone in the leg, which explains the excruciating pain. I make a point of walking around the trailer now.

MOST SATISFYING MOMENT IN RACING: My first season attending IHRA events seriously. I went to the final in Top Sportsman with my Cavalier and faced of against former champion Frank Teague. I got out on him but the trans broke almost immediately and Teague took the win. In two races I think I beat four former champions in eliminations.

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR CAREER: There are three. Kenny Langlois, for teaching me all about nitrous and it’s benefits. From the first time we faced off against each other I have always learnt something from Kenny, win or lose. Gene Buckles for making me fear no one or thing and Gerald Jones who basically showed me how to drive my first sub ten second racecar. These guys have been an inspiration as well as good friends.

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE RACECAR: My Bob Mondell built ’93 Cavalier. It really was a great ride, I used to joke that a pass in the Cavalier was “Leave the starting line, doze off subconsciously, count to six and pull the chute” It really did everything I asked of it, went straight and it took good care of me.

YOUR BIGGEST RIVAL: Clyde and Jimmy Detrick, because of the respect I have for both of them. When you line up against Jimmy you know it is going to be a race to the end, no matter how many times he pedals it. They are also genuine people who were the first to offer help when I looped my new Grand Am at Norwalk.

THANKS TO: Firstly my wife Marsha, she is beside me all the way and gets as big a kick out of racing as I do. Fred Whalley for his help educating and mentoring a wannabe Pro Mod racer in the art of engine building and my web/marketing guy Ian Rae for all the hours he spends helping a computer illiterate. Romulus Auto Supply and the United Steel Workers of America (District 2) for all their help, and all our other associate sponsors.

WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE: Sponsorship willing we would like to be running IHRA Pro Mod in a couple of years time. 2004 was a learning year with the new Grand Am. Learning all about a new chassis and a blower combination in one year was a lot of work, it all finally turned around at the Halloween Classic where we were the fastest door car on the property when the event ended, which was really encouraging. It would have been nice to have faced off against Joe Boniferro for the Frantic 4 title but that was not to be. We want to be there next year and stop him making it four in a row. The plan for 2005 is to get more seat time and learn how to make it go even faster.