Atlanta Dragway September 25 Results

ONDA, COLLINS, CROSS AND WILHELM WIN SNAP-ON ROLL LOCK TOOLBOXES DURING SNAP-ON TOOLS DAY AT THE RACES
by Tim Glover
Photos

(Commerce, GA - September 25) Hundreds of Snap-On Tools customers enjoyed the annual Snap-On Tools Day at the Races Customer Appreciation event. As a gesture of appreciation for their continued business, Snap-On dealers gave their customers free passes to the event, paid for completely by Snap-On Tools. The winners of each class received a Snap-On Roll Lock tool box base, and the runner ups were awarded a Snap-On Wheel Grill. Customers and spectators enjoyed looking at several truck loads of different Snap-On tools and tool boxes on display in the vendor's midway, near the starting line gate. Snap-On customers also enjoyed racing or watching a wide variety of vehicles. One racer, Stewart Watts from Habersham County, thanked his Snap-On representative Pat Kowalski for giving him a ticket. He raced in Sportsman, and then after he bowed out of competition, jumped on what he called his "Motorized Big Wheel" and, still the kid, enjoyed riding it around his pit area. However, for some reason, he wouldn't specify in what class it was entered.

The first winners of the day were Timmy Towe from Gainesville, GA and Daniel Harris of Griffin, GA. Both were winners in the Burnout Contest, where the contestants see how much smoke they can make with their tires before either the tire blows or the clock runs out. Towe's wild looking converted '73 Cadillac hearse was a crowd pleaser, along with Harris's 454 Chevy Big Block powered '85 Firebird, which also generated a lot of smoke. Both were awarded very nice Snap On 3/8" torque wrenches for their efforts. Towe said he would be adding stickers and a casket for the 2006 Snap-On Burnout Contest.

A large field of Motorcycles turned out for the event, ranging from pure street legal bikes to deadly serious Prostar Harleys. However, by the end of the event, the fast bikes were on the trailer, and Craig Cross, father of last year's Snap-On Motorcycle runner up Randall Cross, took the overall win. Cross' Stone Mountain, GA based Cross Boyz Racing '00 ZX9 Ninja was actually quicker than its 10.53 dial, but still won with a 10.44 at 129.45mph pass (10.53 dial). Unfortunately for Troy Sewell, his '90 Kawasaki left the line .020 seconds before the Christmas Tree said he could, which then lit it up a bright red color and gave the automatic win to Cross. Sewell chose to run his bike on out, and carded an otherwise great pass of 10.79 at 125.96mph (10.78 dial). Stanley Russell ('02 Suzuki - Gray, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Some racers noticed Cross had no seat on his bike. Cross said that removing the seat allows his feet to easily reach the ground for better control. When asked after the race if he thought he could afford a seat for it now, he replied, "I got the seat! I just can't afford to ride with it. I'd lose." He then added, "I want to thank Snap-On Tools for putting on the race and awarding the toolboxes. I enjoyed it. We'll be back next year!"

Commerce, GA racer Hank Wilhelm's dragster broke a few weeks ago, so he decided to race his '98 Chevy Z71 pickup in the meantime. As of today, the former Jr Dragster racer has raced his truck twice, finishing runner up on September 17, and then winning a coveted Snap-On Roll Lock tool box for his second effort. Wilhelm met Snap-On customer Barry Coppenger of Newnan, GA in the all Chevy pickup final. Coppenger used to race a lot, but said he only goes once per year now to the Snap-On event. Coppenger's '69 Chevy C10 was a bit too quick on the big end of the track, posting a 15.00 at 90.20mph (15.10 dial). Wilhelm also broke out, but was closer to his 17.25 dial with a 17.19 at 79.07mph. David Trimble ('72 Ventura - Atlanta, GA) finished in the semi-final round. "We came, we saw, we donkey punched. This was my second time out, and my second final," added Wilhelm. Coppenger, a retired mechanic, mentioned he still owns all the Snap-On tools he purchased through the years.

Toby Collins of Blairsville, GA has raced at Atlanta Dragway for years, and took the Sportsman win tonight with his small block Mopar pump gas powered Collins Racing Engines and Transmissions equipped '76 Arrow. His opponent, Chris Moore from Alto, GA had a big reaction time advantage, but his '88 Mustang fell off the pace a bit to an 11.74 at 115.44mph (11.64 dial).
Collins took advantage of that window of opportunity, nailing his dial with a dead on 10.928 at 116.88mph. Dale Anderson ('68 Camaro - Hayesville, NC) and Terrence Arrowood ('70 Nova - Hiwassee, GA) were the semi-final pair. Collins was actually racing his Arrow in both Super Pro and Sportsman, but his starter relay acted up in Super Pro, which, as it turns out, allowed him
to focus on Sportsman class. Collins thanked all his crew and the Snap-On folks.

Jim Onda made his trip down from Toccoa, GA worth the trouble by winning Super Pro with his '96 Boling dragster. Onda ran very close, but slightly under his 5.03 dial, putting a 5.027 at 138.78mph on the scoreboard. However, he already had the win light on in his lane before he even left the starting line, courtesy of a .006 seconds too quick react (red light) by Johnny Brown from Buford, GA. Brown's '93 Innovative dragster also broke out, posting a 5.290 at 130.54mph (5.30 target). "Tricki Ricki" Blackwell from nearby Homer, GA, finished the day with his '68 Chevy II in the semi-final round. Blackwell also made it to the quarter-finals in Trophy Street with another car. The 23 year old Brown, also a "Donkey Punch" racer, noted this was his second final in the last three races.

PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jim Onda '96 Boling dragster Toccoa, GA 5.027 138.78 (5.03)
R/U: Johnny Brown '93 Innovative dragster Buford,
GA (foul) 5.290 130.54 (5.30)
Semi: Ricki Blackwell '68 Chevy II Homer, GA
Semi:
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Collins '76 Arrow Blairsville, GA 10.92 116.88 (10.92)
R/U: Chris Moore '88 Mustang Alto, GA 11.74 115.44 (11.64)
Semi: Dale Anderson '68 Camaro Hayesville, NC
Semi: Terrence Arrowood '70 Nova Hiwassee, GA
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Hank Wilhelm '98 Chevy Z71 Commerce, GA 17.19 79.07 (17.25)
R/U: Barry Coppenger '69 Chevy C10 Newnan, GA 15.00 90.20 (15.10)
Semi: David Trimble '72 Ventura Atlanta, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Craig Cross '00 Ninja Stone Mountain, GA 10.44 129.45 (10.53)
R/U: Troy Sewell '90 Kawasaki Hull, GA (foul) 10.79 125.96 (10.78)
Semi: Stanley Russell '02 Suzuki Gray, GA

Atlanta Dragway September 24 Results

FORRESTER CLEANS HOUSE BY WINNING KING OF THE TRACK, SPORTSMAN CLASS AND RUN FOR THE MONEY EVENT, CLEMENTS AND DIGBY WIN JR DRAGSTER CHALLENGE
by Tim Glover
Photos

(Commerce, GA - September 24) In addition to today's regularly scheduled Summit / Snap On Tools event, the annual NHRA King of the Track, and the 2005 NHRA OReilly's Jr Drag Racing League Challenge were also contested. Today was also the eighth annual RFC (Racers for Christ) day, and as part of the package, all winners and runner-ups received an RFC trophy in addition
to their regular winnings. This meant that today's two Jr Dragster class winners took home the regular winner's trophy, an RFC trophy and the OReilly's Jr Drag Racing League trophy! Two points leaders won their class today, Jay Rhyne (Motorcycle) and Mardy Kennedy (Trophy Street). Since today was the last race for Motorcycles, Rhyne locked up his championship. Dickey Forrester won the King of the Track event. Valerie Clements won the 8-12 Jr Dragster Challenge, and Scott Digby won the 13-17 Jr Dragster Challenge. There is only one more 2005 Summit / Snap On event left in 2005, scheduled for October 1, 2005.

Retired engineer Dickey Forrester, sometimes referred to as the "Mayor of Hickory Flat", finished in the Sportsman semi-final round during last week's Summit / Snap On event. Tonight, he took the Sportsman win in a very tight final against Andrew Wheeler's Loganville, GA based '74 Charger. Forrester said he put a brand new REAL Pontiac 455 engine in his '68 Firebird, and it helped, taking the win stripe by a mere .009 seconds, carding a 7.024 at 89.90mph (7.00 dial). Wheeler was right there, running a dead-on 8.002 at 85.34mph. Travis Bryant ('68 Camaro - Bowman, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Defending champion Chris Carlile has a solid lead in the Sportsman points, 890 points to Dickey Forrester, who now has 840 points. "I would never have thought I would be within striking distance of Chris Carlile two weeks ago," Forrester added.

After the Summit / Snap On race was in the books, the four "big car" class winners were invited to make a run for the event titled NHRA King of the Track, the Race of Champions. A coveted NHRA "Wally" was the top prize, and all four contestants received an NHRA King of the Track hat. To win the one round event, the package (reaction time plus amount over the dial) of each
racer was recorded, and the racer with the closest package won. Dickey Forrester (Sportsman) took the overall win with a .035 react and a 6.980 on a 6.97 dial (.045 package). Kenny Brown (Super Pro) had a .067 package (.061 react and 5.726 on a 5.72 dial). Jay Rhyne (Motorcycle) broke out with a 7.737 on a 7.74 dial, and Mardy Kennedy (Trophy Street) also broke out,
running 8.391 on an 8.41 target. "All you gotta do is live 'til you're over 50! I never got a chance to touch one (an NHRA "Wally") before," added a stunned Forrester. He then said, "I've been so close and not made it before."

While in the tower claiming his "Wally" and Sportsman winnings, Forrester then asked, "Did I win the Sportsman (No Electronics) Run for the Money (a one round event where the winner is the one who runs closest to their dial) earlier today? He was assured that he did. Forrester won everything there was to win for a Sportsman racer today. Tim Gibson was the Super Pro
(Electronics allowed) Run for the Money winner.

"Downtown" Kenny Brown from Roswell, GA has recently raced on a very limited schedule, only making two prior Atlanta Dragway appearances in 2005, but his years of experience and a little bit of luck carried him to the Super Pro winner's circle. Brown had a slightly better react with his '67 Camaro, .014 to .017 for opponent Clay Fancher, and was actually vulnerable at the finish line, carding a 5.74 at 119.18mph (5.73 dial). Team PTI racer Clay Fancher from Conyers, GA took the big end stripe first by .0157 seconds, but broke out by the smallest of margins with his '98 Horton dragster, posting a 5.309 at 129.66mph (5.31 dial). Thomas Bell ('05 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) and Jesse Young ('00 Undercover dragster - Danielsville, GA) were the semi-finalists. After the event, Brown told Ronnie Wilkerson, "Tell Jeff that Wilkerson motor is sweet!" He then added, "Boy, luck was on my side today." Tommy Motes has all but locked up the Super Pro championship, with 800 points. Gary Dunn is currently second with 740 points.

Auburn, GA racer Mardy Kennedy was visibly relieved after his Trophy Street win, which all but clinched the Trophy Street championship. Kennedy has a commanding 80 point lead over former champion Mel Abney, 790 points to 710 points. He faced a formidable opponent in the final, 1999 Division Two Street champion Scott Preves. Although Preves has not raced in three years, he gave Kennedy a good run in the final, posting a .05 over 10.77 at 66.05mph with his 1999 championship winning '93 Lumina. Kennedy took the finish line stripe first with a closer 8.43 at 77.94mph (8.40 dial). John Snapp ('68 Charger - Conyers, GA) and Pat Niloils ('01 Lightning - Pendergrass, GA) finished their day in the semi-final round. "I want to thank the good Lord for the ability to race and compete. I also want to thank the troops in Iraq for all they do over there, and now also for everything they are doing in Louisiana and Texas (for the hurricane relief efforts). Preves gave a big thank you to Stacy Blanton for loaning him tools, and Brian for loaning him a car to get parts for his Lumina, which threw a belt earlier in the day.

"It's the Jimmy and Jay Bird show again," stated Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler of Woodstock, GA prior to their final round meeting in Motorcycle's last 2005 race. "Jay Bird" used a better react to take the win light, posting a 7.75 at 85.93mph (7.70 dial) with his trusty Athens, GA based '81 Kawasaki. Heisler was closer to the mark, but second across the big end, running 6.54 at 105.98mph (6.52 target). Adolfo Sotolongo ('01 Suzuki - Mableton, GA) made it to the semi-final round. Rhyne won six of the seven Atlanta Dragway 2005 Motorcycle races, and a big reason why he didn't win all seven was because he missed one race due to other commitments. Rhyne locked up the 2005 Motorcycle championship with 320 points, to Heisler's 270. Heisler, who is good friends with Rhyne, exclaimed, "I finished second to the late Stewart Taft in the previous season, and second to Rhyne this season. Next year's gonna be different, even if I have to wring his (Rhyne's) neck!"

Scott Digby from Walhalla, SC celebrated his 14th birthday today by winning in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class, which also meant he won the 2005 NHRA OReilly's Jr Drag Racing League Challenge. Both drivers in the final had great reacts, Digby with a .036 and 14 year old Peachtree City racer Danielle Krause, who had a .020 second react. Krause also took the finish
line first, but ran too quick in the process with an 8.40 at 76.83mph (8.43 dial). Digby's winning time was 7.95 at 81.97mph (7.93 dial). James Marsh III (15 - Anderson, SC) was the solo semi-finalist. "It took us all season to get here. We've been working with this motor all year," added a happy Digby, who walked away with three different trophies for the win. Lauren Turner has all but locked up the 13-17 Jr Dragster championship, with 850 points to former champ Mad Matt Gillen, who currently owns the second place spot at 770 points.

Twelve year old Valerie Clements from Central, SC also had a hard time holding all three trophies (Summit, Racers for Christ and Jr Dragster Challenge) at once, but was happy to do so. This was Clements' second year in a row to win the Challenge, and she did it this time with a .01 over 8.99 at 72.01mph. Her opponent, Ashton Shubert (12 - Commerce, GA) was in her second final in a row, and also ran .01 over, 9.09 at 72.32mph (9.08 target). Clements better react made the difference. Wesley Mayfield (9 - Gainesville, GA) and Dylan Kent (10 - Acworth, GA) finished in the semi-final round. Clements thanked a lot of people who helped her win, including dad, Greg Harding of Zorn, Charles Usrey (Esso Club of Clemson), Tony Moore (M1 Machine), Billy Crenshaw (fuel) and Roy Whaley (motor) and Racers for Christ (trophy).

PRO / SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kenny Brown '67 Camaro Roswell, GA 5.74 19.18 (5.73)
R/U: Clay Fancher '98 Horton Conyers, GA 5.30 129.66 (5.31)
Semi: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA
Semi: Jesse Young '00 Undercover Danielsville, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA 7.02 89.90 (7.00)
R/U: Andrew Wheeler '74 Charger Loganville, GA 8.00 85.34 (8.00)
Semi: Travis Bryant '68 Camaro Bowman, GA
Semi:
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TROPHY STREET CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA 8.43 77.94 (8.40)
R/U: Scott Preves '93 Lumina Monroe, GA 10.77 66.05 (10.72)
Semi: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA
Semi: Pat Niloils '01 Lightning Pendergrass, GA
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Jay Bird" Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.75 85.93 (7.70)
R/U: Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler '00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA 6.54 105.98 (6.52)
Semi: Adolfo Sotolongo '01 Suzuki Mableton, GA
Semi:
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC 8.99 72.01 (8.98)
R/U: Ashton Shubert 12 Commerce, GA 9.09 72.32 (9.08)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 9 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Dylan Kent 10 Acworth, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Scott Digby 15 Walhallla, SC 7.95 81.97 (7.93)
R/U: Danielle Krause 14 Peachtree City, GA 8.40 70.83 (8.43)
Semi: James Marsh III 15 Anderson, SC