Weather forces Night Under Fire cancellation

By JOE GILROYSpecial to the RegisterNORWALK — Summit Motorsports Park was set to host its 39th annual "Night Under Fire" Saturday night in Norwalk.It was also to be Bob Motz's final run in his iconic jet truck at the local dragstrip — as well a chance to see several NHRA stars and the yearly favorite $100,000 fireworks show. But mother nature reared her ugly head after several days worth of hot and humid air, and heavy downpours forced track owner Bill Bader to cancel the second biggest event on his schedule."It's a situation where with the rain and the dew point meeting one another, it would be impossible to get the track ready," Bader said. "We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the drivers, and unfortunately with the amount of rain we have it would take three hours to get it dried enough to run. The radar is showing rain the rest of the evening, so we have no other choice but to cancel the Night Under Fire."The legendary Motz, from Wadsworth, OH has been amazing fans with his fire-breathing truck at Summit since the early 1980s."It's unfortunate that this was canceled, I know the fans were looking forward to it and I was, too," Motz said. "It is really just another race for me when you get down to it, but to the fans this is a big event that they look forward to all summer."I would have liked to run the track one last time, but it is on to Pittsburgh for me in a few weeks," he added. "I am not retiring, I am just not going to be running here in Norwalk anymore. I already have several events scheduled and signed for next year, so hopefully I will see some of these loyal fans at one of those events."Motz continued signing autographs and talking with his fans underneath his tiny umbrella in the pouring rain until every last fan had their picture taken with him and got his autograph.Motz was not the only disappointed star in attendance on Saturday, Del Worsham, the 2015 NHRA Funny Car champion was looking forward to competing also."Even though it is an exhibition race, it is a chance to compete for that $100,000 prize," Worsham said. "On top of that, Norwalk is a great race track to run, the stands are always full, and in the racing world the Bader family is top notch."I have been racing here in Norwalk since I have been 16 years old and the Bader family is second to none when it comes to taking care of the drivers and delivering a show for the fans," he added.Summit Motorsports Park left the fans with the option of getting a 100 percent refund toward tickets purchased beginning on Monday — or they can choose to receive a ticket to next year's event.It was sold out long before Saturday for this year, so a lot of fans are choosing to leave the money for next year and not have to worry about being left out in 2017.Kirsten Clark, 13, receives an autograph from Bob Motz at Summit Motorsports Park on Saturday.Fans walk by the Bob Motz jet truck Saturday evening at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk. Night Under Fire was canceled because of rain.Bob Motz, left, talks with a fan on Saturday after the cancelation of the Night Under Fire at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk.The Bob Motz jet truck is the world's fastest truck.Fans walk around the drag strip at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk on Saturday after the cancelation of the Night Under Fire.Fans wait to hear a decision about the Night Under Fire event after rain moved over Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk on Saturday. The event was canceled.