Happy New Year!

Everyone at GeorgiaDragRacing.com would like to wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2005! Thanks so much for the contributed articles, photos and support of this website!

Bunky Bobo and his Hemi Hurricane Willys. Click here to see more of Bunky Bobo's Hemi Hurricane restoration photos

Bunky and Tony Bobo loading up the Hemi Hurricane. Tony said its on its way to have the gold leaf lettering applied.

Randy Payne Update

I've just been told that Randy Payne ( George Randall Payne, Sr. ) has been moved to another room. He is now in room 363 and doing well. I talked to Big yesterday and he wanted me to thank everyone for the calls and emails. He asked for us to continue praying for him and to keep calling and writing! Anyone that would like to call Mr. Big Stuff and cheer him up can call 706-291-0291 and ask for room 363.

Hospital patient email



Cards and letters can be sent to:

Randy Payne –Room 363 c/o
Redmond Regional Medical Center 501 Redmond Road
P.O. Box 107001
Rome , GA 30165-7001

Vandergriff Close to Signing New Sponsor?

Bill Stephens' ESPN.com report states that Bob Vandergriff, Jr. is close to signing a large non-automotive sponsor for his Top Fuel Operation. Hopefully, Bob will put the deal together and be on the NHRA Top Fuel tour full-time in 2005.

Bill Stephens' Vandergriff article

2005 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2005 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Inductees are:
Dave Reitz,
Buddy Martin,
Frank Spittle,
Sherman Sleigh,
Harold Dutton*,
Randy Payne*,
Joe Lunati,
Jack Musilli,
Jim Amos,
Nancy Wilson,
Tony Feil,
Ed Eaton,
George Reese,
Roosevelt Johnson*,
Gene Fulton,
Steve Bagwell*,
John Livingston,
Jerry Gwynn,
Clayton Harris (Posthumous Award)
and Tony Russo (Posthumous Award).
*Georgia Drag Racers

The Jungle Jim Award will be presented to Bob Banning and the JA Award will be presented to The Blake Family (Posthumous Award).

The ceremony will be held Sunday October 16, 2005 in the Vance-Granville Civic Center (Henderson, NC). The weekend long event will include the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine and also the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion. Congratulations to all of the 2005 East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame inductees!

Outlaw 10.5 Race at U.S. 19 Dragway January 1, 2005

The 2005 drag racing season kicks off with a $5,000 to win Outlaw 10.5 race at U.S. 19 Dragway in Albany, GA. Big payouts in other divisions, too! Check U.S. 19 Dragway or OutlawRacing.com for more information.

Randy Payne Update

I just got off the phone with Randy Payne ( George Randall Payne, Sr. ) and he has improved enough for phone calls. Anyone that would like to call Mr. Big Stuff and cheer him up can call 706-291-0291 and ask for suite 437. He'd love to hear from you. He is still weak and has a way to go, but this news is the best I've had to relay so far.

He has changed rooms since my earlier update with the hospital link for email. Please note it is room #437 now. Hospital email link

Cards and letters can be sent to :

Randy Payne –Room 437 c/o
Redmond Regional Medical Center
501 Redmond Road
P.O. Box 107001
Rome , GA 30165-7001