BROWN WINS WITHOUT TIME TRIAL, BROTHER AND SISTER IN FINALS AGAIN, PIERCE AND PEARSON ENJOY FIRST WIN
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit / Snap-On ET series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2005
Photos
(Commerce, GA - May 21) Racers enjoyed a rain free day at the races for the first regularly scheduled Summit ET series event in six weeks. Donny Brown Jr. didn't get to make a time trial, but it didn't matter, as he took the Super Pro win. Ed Nalley said his car saved the day for his Sportsman victory, overcoming a starting line holeshot by Alton Clements III. Like they did two months ago, brother and sister Alton (17) and Valerie (12) Clements made it to the final round in their classes, but this time Valerie one-upped her brother and won her class, 8-12 Jr Dragster. Courtney Pierce began racing late 2004, and found her way to victory lane for the first time in tonight's action. Corie Pearson won her first ever race today in Trophy Street, thanks in part to good coaching by her boyfriend, Jesse Young. Former Motorcycle champ Stewart Taft enjoyed the win in Motorcycle against a much faster Scott Saemisch.
Donnie Brown Jr from Buford, GA is no stranger to the winner's circle. He did come in to the event with a disadvantage, being late due to installing a fresh engine and missing the time trials. Brown just relied on his experience with his '03 Spitzer dragster, making his way to the final round, where he met another longtime racer, Bubba Rich. Both left the line with identical reacts (.024 seconds), ran extremely close to their dial in times, and both broke out (went quicker than their posted dial in time). Rich broke out by .003 seconds, carding a 5.337 at 127.67mph (5.34 dial) in the last remaining door car, a '02 Firebird. Brown broke out just a tad less, running 5.138 at 131.42mph (5.14 target). Brown thanked his crew, Gary Cavin, David "Blinky" Sellers, and Hans Baroni for their help, and then added thoughtfully, "I don't know if I want to take any more time trials." Tommy Motes (Undercover dragster - Loganville, GA) and Thomas Bell ('02 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) made it to the heartbreak round, finishing as semi-finalists.
"My car was THERE", declared Sportsman winner Ed Nalley of Maysville, GA. Nalley met young Jr Dragster graduate Alton Clements III in the final, and although Nalley was a little late in the reaction time department, his freshly built '74 Vega nailed its dial in time of 10.13 with a 10.131 at 132.31mph. Clements' ex Stocker '71 Mustang was also equipped with an Ed Nalley engine, but it went too quick, breaking out with a 10.914 at119.64mph (10.93 dial). This was the third time in 2005 that Alton Clements made it to the final four, which puts him into second place, close behind leader Chris Carlile. Chuck Conaway ('66 Chevy II wagon - Cumming, GA) and Kim Ellington ('81 Vega - Conyers, GA) finished in the semi-final round.
Corie Pearson from Maysville, GA really didn't plan to race in Trophy Street, but her boyfriend Jesse Young (another Jr Dragster graduate and also an experienced Super Pro racer) entered her in the race, and coached her on the finer points of racing a '99 Chevrolet pickup truck. The lessons were apparently taken well, as she left the starting line in the final with a .057 react, which she then used to her advantage to slow the truck at the finish line to a winning 17.60 at 75.73mph (17.48 dial). Her opponent, Jerry Polk from Jackson, GA, was way late in the reaction time department, and even a very good 14.77 at 93.85mph (14.74 dial) still put him .152 seconds behind at the finish line. "Wow!" was Pearson's main thought after the race was over. Polk added, "How about a rematch?" Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Thirteen year old Courtney Pierce is relatively new to the racing scene, having started racing in the 13-17 year old Jr Dragster class in late 2004. The McDonough, GA native enjoyed her first victory tonight, facing two time champion "Mad Matt" Gillen's OneCNC / Valvoline entry in the final round. Pierce put an 8.57 dial on the car, and ran pretty close to it, carding an 8.59 at 73.52mph for the win. Gillen's car fell off the pace a little, running 8.05 at 81.52mph on its 7.99 target. Team PTI racer Lauren Turner's semi-final finish put her back into the points lead by 20 points. Gillen's dad had a scare just before the semi-finals, when he discovered a tire had lost a lot of air. A quick re-tightening of the valve stem and some more air got Matt back on track. "I want to thank Pawpaw, Uncle Rusty, Tommy and especially Mom, for letting me race," added a happy Pierce. Gillen thanked God, OneCNC, Mike Gruber of Valvoline and his dad for helping him get to his first 2005 final round.
Twelve year old Valerie Clements of Central, SC and her brother were both in the finals March 19, with both finishing runner up. Tonight, Valerie one-upped her brother by winning the 8-12 Jr Dragster class final round against Dylan Kent (10 - Acworth, GA). Both racers went very close to their dial in times, with Clements going one over for the win (9.09, 71.55mph on a 9.08 dial) and Kent going one thousandth of a second too quick (8.959, 70.87mph - 8.96 target). Kent actually didn't have much of a chance after Clements left the starting line with a .089 second holeshot advantage. Clements thanked many of the people who helped her race, including dad, Greg Harding of Zorn, Billy Crenshaw Racing Fuel and The ESSO Club. Joshua Sisson (12 - Gainesville, GA) and Ashton Shubert (12 - Commerce, GA) earned a semi-finalist trophy for their efforts.
Stewart Taft may have had to face the fastest bike on the grounds in the Motorcycle final with his '00 Kawasaki ZX6R, but that didn't bother him at all. He left the line with a dial-in time of 11.80 seconds, but the instant Scott Saemisch left the starting line on his eight second Koenig Kawasaki with the cherry colored bulb glowing, Taft knew he had the victory. He rode the rest of the way down the track, happily pumping his arms in the air. Taft finished the pass with a 17.01 at 45.98mph. Saemisch's bike discovered a little extra ET, running 8.60 at 143.83mph (8.80 dial). This was Taft's second win for 2005. "When I saw that win light come on, I knew I'd got the job done," exclaimed Taft. He had been working on re-jetting his bike after an air box change, and made many passes the previous evening dialing the bike in. He then thanked Southern Heritage Rods and 4 x 4 for their help. Saemisch added, "We're coming to get you, Jay Rhyne!" Jimmy Heisler ('00 Kawasaki ZX6R - Woodstock, GA) and Steve Bishop ('86 GSXR Suzuki - Athens, GA) finished in the semi-final round.
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PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Donny Brown, Jr '03 Spitzer dragster Buford, GA 5.138 131.42 (5.14)
R/U: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA 5.337 127.67 (5.34)
Semi: Tommy Motes Undercover dragster Loganville, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '02 Undercover Toccoa, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ed Nalley '74 Vega Maysville, GA 10.13 132.31 (10.13)
R/U: Alton Clements III '71 Mustang Central, SC 10.91 119.64 (10.93)
Semi: Chuck Conaway '66 Chevy II wagon Cumming, GA
Semi: Kim Ellington '81 Camaro Conyers, GA
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Corie Pearson '99 Silverado Maysville, GA 17.60 75.73 (17.48)
R/U: Jerry Polk '01 Mustang Jackson, GA 14.77 93.85 (14.74)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi:
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JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC 9.09 71.55 (9.08)
R/U: Dylan Kent 10 Acworth, GA 8.95 70.87 (8.96)
Semi: Joshua Sisson 12 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA
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JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Courtney Pierce 13 McDonough, GA 8.59 73.52 (8.57)
R/U: "Mad Matt" Gillen 13 Gainesville, GA 8.05 81.52 (7.99)
Semi: Lauren Turner 14 Pendergrass, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stewart Taft '00 Kawasaki Brandon, FL 17.01 45.98 (11.80)
R/U: Scott Saemisch '05 Koenig Kawasaki Lawrenceville, GA (foul) 8.60
143.83 (8.80)
Semi: Jimmy Heisler '00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA
Semi: Steve Bishop '88 Suzuki Athens, GA
EVENT: Summit / Snap-On ET series event at Atlanta Dragway in 2005
Photos
(Commerce, GA - May 21) Racers enjoyed a rain free day at the races for the first regularly scheduled Summit ET series event in six weeks. Donny Brown Jr. didn't get to make a time trial, but it didn't matter, as he took the Super Pro win. Ed Nalley said his car saved the day for his Sportsman victory, overcoming a starting line holeshot by Alton Clements III. Like they did two months ago, brother and sister Alton (17) and Valerie (12) Clements made it to the final round in their classes, but this time Valerie one-upped her brother and won her class, 8-12 Jr Dragster. Courtney Pierce began racing late 2004, and found her way to victory lane for the first time in tonight's action. Corie Pearson won her first ever race today in Trophy Street, thanks in part to good coaching by her boyfriend, Jesse Young. Former Motorcycle champ Stewart Taft enjoyed the win in Motorcycle against a much faster Scott Saemisch.
Donnie Brown Jr from Buford, GA is no stranger to the winner's circle. He did come in to the event with a disadvantage, being late due to installing a fresh engine and missing the time trials. Brown just relied on his experience with his '03 Spitzer dragster, making his way to the final round, where he met another longtime racer, Bubba Rich. Both left the line with identical reacts (.024 seconds), ran extremely close to their dial in times, and both broke out (went quicker than their posted dial in time). Rich broke out by .003 seconds, carding a 5.337 at 127.67mph (5.34 dial) in the last remaining door car, a '02 Firebird. Brown broke out just a tad less, running 5.138 at 131.42mph (5.14 target). Brown thanked his crew, Gary Cavin, David "Blinky" Sellers, and Hans Baroni for their help, and then added thoughtfully, "I don't know if I want to take any more time trials." Tommy Motes (Undercover dragster - Loganville, GA) and Thomas Bell ('02 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) made it to the heartbreak round, finishing as semi-finalists.
"My car was THERE", declared Sportsman winner Ed Nalley of Maysville, GA. Nalley met young Jr Dragster graduate Alton Clements III in the final, and although Nalley was a little late in the reaction time department, his freshly built '74 Vega nailed its dial in time of 10.13 with a 10.131 at 132.31mph. Clements' ex Stocker '71 Mustang was also equipped with an Ed Nalley engine, but it went too quick, breaking out with a 10.914 at119.64mph (10.93 dial). This was the third time in 2005 that Alton Clements made it to the final four, which puts him into second place, close behind leader Chris Carlile. Chuck Conaway ('66 Chevy II wagon - Cumming, GA) and Kim Ellington ('81 Vega - Conyers, GA) finished in the semi-final round.
Corie Pearson from Maysville, GA really didn't plan to race in Trophy Street, but her boyfriend Jesse Young (another Jr Dragster graduate and also an experienced Super Pro racer) entered her in the race, and coached her on the finer points of racing a '99 Chevrolet pickup truck. The lessons were apparently taken well, as she left the starting line in the final with a .057 react, which she then used to her advantage to slow the truck at the finish line to a winning 17.60 at 75.73mph (17.48 dial). Her opponent, Jerry Polk from Jackson, GA, was way late in the reaction time department, and even a very good 14.77 at 93.85mph (14.74 dial) still put him .152 seconds behind at the finish line. "Wow!" was Pearson's main thought after the race was over. Polk added, "How about a rematch?" Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Thirteen year old Courtney Pierce is relatively new to the racing scene, having started racing in the 13-17 year old Jr Dragster class in late 2004. The McDonough, GA native enjoyed her first victory tonight, facing two time champion "Mad Matt" Gillen's OneCNC / Valvoline entry in the final round. Pierce put an 8.57 dial on the car, and ran pretty close to it, carding an 8.59 at 73.52mph for the win. Gillen's car fell off the pace a little, running 8.05 at 81.52mph on its 7.99 target. Team PTI racer Lauren Turner's semi-final finish put her back into the points lead by 20 points. Gillen's dad had a scare just before the semi-finals, when he discovered a tire had lost a lot of air. A quick re-tightening of the valve stem and some more air got Matt back on track. "I want to thank Pawpaw, Uncle Rusty, Tommy and especially Mom, for letting me race," added a happy Pierce. Gillen thanked God, OneCNC, Mike Gruber of Valvoline and his dad for helping him get to his first 2005 final round.
Twelve year old Valerie Clements of Central, SC and her brother were both in the finals March 19, with both finishing runner up. Tonight, Valerie one-upped her brother by winning the 8-12 Jr Dragster class final round against Dylan Kent (10 - Acworth, GA). Both racers went very close to their dial in times, with Clements going one over for the win (9.09, 71.55mph on a 9.08 dial) and Kent going one thousandth of a second too quick (8.959, 70.87mph - 8.96 target). Kent actually didn't have much of a chance after Clements left the starting line with a .089 second holeshot advantage. Clements thanked many of the people who helped her race, including dad, Greg Harding of Zorn, Billy Crenshaw Racing Fuel and The ESSO Club. Joshua Sisson (12 - Gainesville, GA) and Ashton Shubert (12 - Commerce, GA) earned a semi-finalist trophy for their efforts.
Stewart Taft may have had to face the fastest bike on the grounds in the Motorcycle final with his '00 Kawasaki ZX6R, but that didn't bother him at all. He left the line with a dial-in time of 11.80 seconds, but the instant Scott Saemisch left the starting line on his eight second Koenig Kawasaki with the cherry colored bulb glowing, Taft knew he had the victory. He rode the rest of the way down the track, happily pumping his arms in the air. Taft finished the pass with a 17.01 at 45.98mph. Saemisch's bike discovered a little extra ET, running 8.60 at 143.83mph (8.80 dial). This was Taft's second win for 2005. "When I saw that win light come on, I knew I'd got the job done," exclaimed Taft. He had been working on re-jetting his bike after an air box change, and made many passes the previous evening dialing the bike in. He then thanked Southern Heritage Rods and 4 x 4 for their help. Saemisch added, "We're coming to get you, Jay Rhyne!" Jimmy Heisler ('00 Kawasaki ZX6R - Woodstock, GA) and Steve Bishop ('86 GSXR Suzuki - Athens, GA) finished in the semi-final round.
------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Donny Brown, Jr '03 Spitzer dragster Buford, GA 5.138 131.42 (5.14)
R/U: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA 5.337 127.67 (5.34)
Semi: Tommy Motes Undercover dragster Loganville, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '02 Undercover Toccoa, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Ed Nalley '74 Vega Maysville, GA 10.13 132.31 (10.13)
R/U: Alton Clements III '71 Mustang Central, SC 10.91 119.64 (10.93)
Semi: Chuck Conaway '66 Chevy II wagon Cumming, GA
Semi: Kim Ellington '81 Camaro Conyers, GA
------------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Corie Pearson '99 Silverado Maysville, GA 17.60 75.73 (17.48)
R/U: Jerry Polk '01 Mustang Jackson, GA 14.77 93.85 (14.74)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi:
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JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC 9.09 71.55 (9.08)
R/U: Dylan Kent 10 Acworth, GA 8.95 70.87 (8.96)
Semi: Joshua Sisson 12 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA
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JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Courtney Pierce 13 McDonough, GA 8.59 73.52 (8.57)
R/U: "Mad Matt" Gillen 13 Gainesville, GA 8.05 81.52 (7.99)
Semi: Lauren Turner 14 Pendergrass, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stewart Taft '00 Kawasaki Brandon, FL 17.01 45.98 (11.80)
R/U: Scott Saemisch '05 Koenig Kawasaki Lawrenceville, GA (foul) 8.60
143.83 (8.80)
Semi: Jimmy Heisler '00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA
Semi: Steve Bishop '88 Suzuki Athens, GA
posted by David @ 3:21 AM
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