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Hoyt Grimes Article

Dale Wilson wrote a nice article about Georgia's living legend, Hoyt Grimes. Its great to see Mr. Grimes get the attention that he deserves for his pioneering days of drag racing!
Dale Wilson's Hoyt Grimes Article

Earlier, I posted an article about Mr. Grimes on GeorgiaDragRacing.com ( condensed from David Dilbeck and Dr. Marvin T. Smith's upcoming book, Atlanta Drag Racing: The Golden Years. GeorgiaDragRacing.com Hoyt Grimes Article

GeorgiaDragRacing.com Event Calendar

Be sure to check out the GeorgiaDragRacing.com calendar for local, regional and national event listings that I'll think you'll be interested in.

Ray Wilkings New General Manager at Atlanta Dragway

NHRA announced today that, effective immediately, Ray Wilkings will take over the position of General Manager at Atlanta Dragway (Commerce, GA).

"I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to make Atlanta Dragway a great place to race for the NHRA racing community," said Wilkings. "A return to the field of race track operations and management is very exciting."
NHRA article

Randy Payne to be Inducted into the Floyd County Hall of Fame

Randy Payne will be inducted into the Floyd County Hall of Fame Thursday evening at the Holiday Inn Skytop.

Spiderman McBride on his Top Fuel Bike at SGMP. Marvin T. Smith photo.

Bikes Drag at South Georgia Motorsports Park

by Marvin T. Smith

On March 4, 5, and 6, the AMA/Prostar Bikeweek Nationals were held at South Georgia Motorsports Park. This was a huge event featuring bikes from around the country. In the Professional categories, the headliner was Top Fuel. Although only five bikes made up the field, the action was wild and wooly. High winds hampered qualifying, but Larry "Spiderman" McBride gained the number one spot with an early shut off 6.53 at 172. Spiderman went up in smoke in his round one single, but returned to post a nice 6.17 223.84 in his semifinal win over Tommy Sloan. Chris Hand ran a nice 6.29 206 in his semifinal single. In the finals, it was the Spiderman winning with a 6.50 178 over a troubled Chris Hand's 7.36.

Korry Hogan won Funnybike with a 6.60 198 over Travis Davis who ran a fine 6.68 197 in a close loss. Hogan was the top qualifier and ran low e.t. in the final. Top speed for Funnybike went to Tom Perry with a 224.66 run - a speed that surpassed the Top Fuel best and the current national record!

In Pro Stock, Todd Doege, last years AMA/Prostar season champion, took a 7.21 183 single when Paul Gast couldn't make the final. Gast ran low e.t. at 7.133 while Doege set top speed at 192.47. Karen Stoffer brought out her newly GEICO sponsored bike and made it to the semifinals running some mid 7.20s.

Mike Caputo outlasted a sixteen bike field in Pro Mod to win with a 6.92 177 over Barry Greene's 8.01 116. Charlie Farrar set low e.t. and top speed at 6.86 201.46 but lost to Caputo in the semifinals.

Pro Street, for street legal motorcycles with no wheelie bar, was won by last year's series champ Barry Henson over Elvin Torres. Henson set low e.t. and top speed at 7.47 200.20 for one of the fastest times ever recorded by a Pro Street bike.

Supersport was won by Rickey Gadson at 9.50 150 over D. Burnett at 9.57 144. Rickie McWaters claimed Hot Rod Cruiser for V-Twin cycles at 9.26 142 over Jeremy English's 9.50. 138.

This was a great event enjoyed by a large crowd.

Photos

Ronnie Sox Tribute and Linda Vaughn to be Honored at the Fourth Annual York US 30 Musclecar Madness show

A tribute to Ronnie Sox of the famed Sox & Martin race team will be one of the features at this year's Fourth Annual York US 30 Musclecar Madness show to be held at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, on July 8-9th presented by Cloister Car Wash and Lube. A host of Sox & Martin race cars will be on display for the first time at this show.

Additions to this year's show are the Swap Meet and Car Corral areas. The swap meet is offered for the sale of used automotive parts ONLY (Non-Commercial) and the car corral will be a designated area for the sale of muscle cars, drag cars, and special interest vehicles. Space is based on a first come, first served basis and will end no later than June 15th. Entry information is available at www.yorkus30.com or 717.755.5849.

160 entries, the most ever, will grace the two exposition halls this year. Entries received include Joe Jacono's Rollin' Stoned Funny Car, the Jungle Jim Liberman Vega Funny Car, and the Dickie Harrell Funny Car, along with an Ace Wilson Royal Pontiac out of the state of Texas, the '70 Boss 429 Mustang of Sam Auxier, Jr., Bill Jenkins' '74 Vega Pro Stock and his '70 Camaro Pro Stock, Dave Koffell's original '59 Studebaker "Flintstone Flyer", a '65 altered wheelbase Plymouth of Ronnie Sox, the "Brief Encounter" top fueler of "Biddy" Winward and the King and Marshall top fueler, and the list goes on.

The York County Corvette Club will host their Second Annual Fun show on Saturday with over 100 of the East's finest Corvettes expected to participate in this show within a show.

The charity of choice for the show is the York County SPCA who will derive benefits from a memorabilia auction on Saturday, all proceeds from the People's Choice voting during the show and from special drawings that will be held on both days of the show. A record contribution from this year's show is anticipated.

Personalities to appear during the weekend's festivities include Don Grotheer, Herb McCandless, Buddy Martin, Ronnie Sox, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Dick Brannan, Sam Auxier, Jr., Bud Faubel, Joe Jacono, Bruce Larson, Jim & Alison Lee, "Jungle" Pam, "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter" Linda Vaughn, and Tom Coddington of the "original" Ramchargers to name a few.

The action packed show will also feature the Second Annual Legion of Honor awards for deserving recipients from the drag racing industry. All recipients receive an individual award and are placed on a perpetual award that will be on display at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, PA. The recipients this year include Bill Holz, original promoter of York US 30 Dragway, William "Biddy" Winward, Rich Lamont, Harold Shorb (posthumous), Harold "Chub" Lorah, Linda Vaughn, Ronnie Sox, "Jungle Jim" Liberman (posthumous), Tony Feil, Dick Moroso (posthumous), Jere Stahl and Al Olster.

Hours of the show are Friday, July 8th 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 9th 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Activitiy swings to Beaver Springs Dragway on Sunday, July 10th for the running of the Second Annual York US 30 Nostalgia Nationals. For information contact Beaver Bob McCardle at 717.248.7676.

For Information:
Darwin Doll 717.755.5849, www.yorkus30.com, or mcmyork02@suscom.net

Georgia Racers Shine at IHRA Race in Jackson, SC

Congratulations to Georgia racers Eric Boyd (Mallory Top Dragster Winner & TS/TD Combo Winner), Jamie Walker (RU- No Box ET), Mark Miles (RU- TS/TD Combo) and Joel Head (RU- Super Rod Bunus Race)!

Mallory Top Dragster
Win 8 Eric Boyd Flintstone, GA 4.65 .006 4.666 149.88
RU 9731 Matthew McDaniel Forest City, NC 4.88 -.001 4.910 139.07

No Box ET
Win 902 Tim Griffith Richlands, VA NA .049 8.589 94.36
RU 429 Jamie Walker Waynesboro, GA NA -.016 6.822 98.92

TS/TD Combo
Win 8 Eric Boyd Flintstone, GA NA .011 4.654 142.93
RU 2994 Mark Miles Flintstone, GA NA .009 4.980 137.40

Super Rod Bonus Race
Win 9672 Butch Burton Chester, SC 6.40 .017 6.434 107.77
RU 22 Joel Head Winston, GA 6.40 .019 6.392 117.19

DragRaceCentral Results

Bikeweek Nationals - AMA Prostar at SGMP

Bikeweek Nationals AMA Prostar
by Marvin T. Smith

Top Fuel
Larry McBride 6.50 178 over Chris Hand 7.36 122. Both bikes had problems, but McBride ran low et and top speed in the semis at 6.177 223.84 and Hand ran a 6.29 206. That one Semi by Spiderman made it all worthwhile.

Funny Bike
Korry Hogan Suzuki 6.608 198 over Travis Davis (Douglas, GA) Kawasaki 6.68 197 Very good racing here. Hogan is the reigning series champ from Colorado.

Pro Stock
Todd Doege ran unapposed when Paul Gast couldn't make it. He ran 7.21 183 in the final. Low ET was Gast at 7.13 while Doege had top speed at 192.47.

Pro Mod
Mike Caputo 6.92 177 over Barry Greene (Hinesville, GA) 8.01116. Low ET 6.862 and Top Speed 201.46 by Charlie Farrar.

Pro Street (no wheelie bar, full street equipment)
Barry Henson won and got Low et and top speed at 7.47 200.20. Now that was impressive! RU was Elvin Torres from PR (Puerto Rico?)

Supersport
Rickey Gadson 9.50 150 over Darren Burnett 9.57 144.

Hot Rod Cruiser
Rick McWaters 9.26 142 over Jeremy English9.50 138. These are very stock appearing Yamaha V Twins. ALso very impressive.

Photos

Sportsman winner Chris Carlile's '69 Camaro (far lane). Tim Glover photo.

Atlanta Dragway Results by Tim Glover

HADDON WINS FIRST SUPER PRO RACE, THREE 2004 CHAMPIONS IN FINALS
by Tim Glover
Photos

(Commerce, GA - March 5) In spite of the cold air, Atlanta Dragway racers enjoyed their first Summit / Snap-On points race of the season. Three defending track champions, Chris Carlile (Sportsman), Steve Marcum (Trophy Street) and Joshua Sisson (8-12 Jr. Dragster) made it to their class finals, with two taking the win. Joe Haddon moved over to Super Pro from Footbrake
and won his first time out. Dragsters were at a disadvantage in Super Pro, with only one of the remaining six cars in the quarterfinals being a dragster. The closest final of the event was not in Super Pro as one might expect. "Wild Kyle" Denton faced Thomas Davis-Cox in the final, and won with a dead-on 8.085 at 72.20mph. Cox was also dead-on, running 7.906 at 82.44 mph. Andy Kelley brought his Top Fuel Funny car to the track, delighting the fans with a couple of passes.

Five years ago, Oxford, GA racer Joe Haddon debuted a show quality '67 Chevy II in Sportsman class, and won the race. For 2005, he decided to move over to Super Pro for the first time, and debuted another high quality machine, an H&R Race Cars prepped '66 Chevelle, backed by Ricky Dalton of Dalton Tire. Not only did he do well, he ran three straight 6.84 second
passes en route to winning his first Super Pro race. Haddon met Michael Bruce of Winder, GA in the final, and although Bruce had a slight reaction time advantage, (.020 to .022 seconds), his '78 Malibu broke out with a 6.52, 101.99mph pass (6.55 dial). Haddon's Chevelle put a dead-on 6.849, 100.33 mph on the scoreboards. Mike Pitman ('64 Impala - Roswell, GA) won the
Run for the Money event earlier in the day, and finished his day as the lone Super Pro semi-finalist. "I can't believe it! I'm so excited! Thanks to Vicki, my wife for letting me race, and thanks to Charlie Coile for helping," added Haddon.

"This is what I worked for last year," stated 2004 defending Sportsman champion Chris Carlile from Canton, GA after winning the Sportsman final with a new race car. Over the winter, Carlile put together a very nice '69 Camaro, using the powerplant from his street car. Due to a large reaction time advantage, Carlile was able to trim some speed at the finish line, and
carded a 10.24 at 127.80mph (10.18 target). His opponent, Winder, GA racer Robert Wilbanks, ran a heartbreaking breakout 10.079, 130.90mph pass (10.08 dial) with his '65 Mustang, earning the runner up spot. Kenny Jett ('66 Chevelle - Alpharetta, GA), who is now racing his second full season, finished in the semi-final round. "I'd rather be lucky than good. The car
was there for sure," added a happy Carlile, who also won the Run for the Money round earlier in the day.

"Darn, this stuff's fun," commented Trophy Street winner Steve Marcum, who is also the defending 2004 champion. Marcum met Ashley Dumas ('86 Monte Carlo SS - Commerce, GA) in the final, and survived the double breakout round with a 14.25, 97.10mph pass (14.30 dial) in his Bogart, GA based '01 Mustang. Dumas' machine broke out slightly more with a 13.32 at 99.35mph (13.38 target). Dumas wasn't too disappointed, as this was her first "Big Car" final since graduating from the Jr. Dragster ranks. Marcum then said, "Never underestimate the girl. She just about beat me!" Kevin Davis ('92 Taurus Wagon - Blairsville, GA) was the semi-final Trophy winner.

Fifteen year old "Wild Kyle" Denton from Buford, GA has finished second in the points two years in a row in the 13-17 Jr. Dragster class. He began his 2005 season well, scoring the 13-17 Jr. Dragster win against another Buford racer, Thomas Davis-Cox (15), in the closest final round of the evening. Denton nailed his 8.08 dial with an 8.085 at 72.20mph, barely in front of
Cox, who ran a 7.906, 62.44mph pass (7.90 dial). Both racers were only .026 apart in the reaction time department, with the advantage going to Denton. Jennifer Blair (16 - Rome, GA) was the single semi-final finisher. Denton's reaction to his win was a happy and loud "YES!"

Eleven year old Jacquelyn Lastinger from Lilburn, GA gave up softball in July last year to go Jr. Dragster racing in the 8-12 year old Jr. Dragster class. Her efforts paid off immediately in 2004, winning two Run for the Money events in a row. She hung in there, and began her 2005 season her first ever race win, against none other than the 8-12 Jr. Dragster defending champion, Joshua Sisson (11 - Gainesville, GA). Lastinger parlayed a huge holeshot advantage (.031 seconds to .109 seconds) into a winner's trophy by running 9.50, 68.03mph (9.40 dial). Sisson's car did well, running 8.93 at 72.02mph (8.90 dial). Valerie Clements (11 - Central, SC) finished in the semi-final round. Lastinger added, "As obsessed as I am with drag racing, I still keep good grades."

------------------------------------------------
PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Haddon '66 Chevelle Oxford, GA 6.84 100.33 (6.84)
R/U: Michael Bruce '78 Malibu Covington, GA 6.52 101.99 (6.55)
Semi: Mike Pitman '64 Impala Roswell, GA
------------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 10.24 127.80 (10.18)
R/U: Robert Wilbanks '65 Mustang Winder, GA 10.07 130.90 (10.08)
Semi: Kenny Jett '66 Chevelle Alpharetta, GA
Semi:
------------------------------------------------
TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Steve Marcum '01 Mustang Bogart, GA 14.25 97.10 (14.30)
R/U: Ashley Dumas '86 Monte Carlo Commerce, GA 13.32 99.35 (13.38)
Semi: Kevin Davis '92 Taurus Wagon Blairsville, GA
Semi:
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 8-12 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacquelyn Lastinger 11 Lilburn, GA 9.50 68.03 (9.40)
R/U: Joshua Sisson 11 Gainesville, GA 8.93 72.02 (8.90)
Semi: Valerie Clements 11 Central, SC
------------------------------------------------
JR. DRAGSTER 13-17 AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Wild Kyle" Denton 15 McDonough, GA 8.08 72.20 (8.08)
R/U: Thomas Davis-Cox 15 Buford, GA 7.90 82.44 (7.90)
Semi: Jennifer Blair 16 Rome, GA
Semi:

Andy Kelley's Funny Car at Commerce March 5, 2005. Tim Glover photo.

AMA Pro Star photos from SGMP

Bike photos taken by Marvin T. Smith during the March 4-6, 2005 event at SGMP.
AMA Pro Star Photos from SGMP