The Xhibitionist - Phil Ruskowski
By Lois Pollard-Grant

Phil Ruskowski remembers his dad taking him to Western Speedway when he was ten years old. He says it was his dad who was instrumental in getting him involved in racing.

Ruskowski started racing himself fifteen years ago in the South Island Straight Liners Association, Super Pro Class at Western Speedway, and since then has come a long way in his drag racing career.

Ruskowski holds the record as being the first Canadian to win a major Nostalgia event, which took place at Woodburn, Oregan in 1997. He was also the number one qualifier at the fuel and gas championships at Sears Point California.

Ruskowski says the work load in maintaining the car is twelve months a year and the dedication of his crew has paid off. His top speed is 194 mph at 7.55 seconds in a ¼ mile. "It's the need for speed" that gives Ruskowski a thrill in racing his blown injected 1200 horsepower dragster.

Ruskowski is still a member of the SISLRA, and is a supporter of the club. He occasionally makes appearances the speedway in his car and also does some pre-testing which gives him the chance to record data for tuning and clutch maintenance.

Ruskowski admits a lot has changed for him over the years, but the one thing that has not changed are his friends who were also his crew when he first started racing. To round out the team are, Vicki Hall, Campbell Thompson, Dawson Staniforth, Don Friebe and Bill Crappel.