ANDERSON WINS SUPER PRO, TRACK CHAMPS CARLILE AND TURNER IN FINALS
by Tim Glover
Photos
Spring Bracket Bash event at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
(Commerce, GA - March 11) Atlanta Dragway racers welcomed the new 2006 bracket racing season by participating in the first race of the year, the Atlanta Dragway Spring Bracket Bash, a non points event. Tight racing was the rule of the day. No one would guess the majority of racers had been off all winter after seeing the finish line margins in three of the five classes. Sportsman, which usually consists of beginning racers, saw a .0052 margin of victory (m.o.v.). The m.o.v. in Pro was .0048 seconds, and although it was a breakout loss, the runner up in 8-12 Jr Dragster took the big end stripe .003 seconds in front of the winner.
Griffin, GA racer Jonathan "Ice Cube" Anderson enjoyed the Super Pro win, this time courtesy of a 0.003 second too quick react (red light) by opponent "Fireman Joe" Rampley of Gainesville, GA. Anderson, a three time Silver Dollar Raceway track champion kept his cool in his '03 Mullis dragster through the rounds, and after seeing Rampley turn on the big red eye in the final, he lifted off the throttle to help save his parts. An instant later, Rampley, seeing the race was over for his '03 Miller dragster, also lifted. Anderson carded a 7.56 at 56.13mph (5.04 dial), while Rampley went a little quicker with a 6.46 at 71.94 mph. "Smokey Joe" Smith from Lawrenceville, GA ended his day in the semi-final round. Part of the credit for Anderson's win
went to his wife and crew member Melissa Anderson, who helped keep his car race ready each round.
Anderson had already made a deal prior to this event to purchase his uncle David Simmon's '68 Chevy II, minus the engine and transmission, for his wife Melissa to race. She will be racing it in Sportsman later this year, with coaching help from Simmons and her husband. Much to their delight, the car, driven by bracket veteran Toby Barnes, won in Pro class.
Toby Barnes of Palmetto, GA was enjoying racing the '68 Chevy II, and except for struggling against slightly too quick car reaction times, was faring quite well. Barnes paired up with defending Atlanta Dragway Pro champion Chris Carlile in the final, and both racers made the finish about as tight as possible, with a 0.0048 second margin of victory. The nod went to Barnes, who reacted with a .036 and nailed his dial in time of 10.85 with a 10.851 at 105.21mph. Carlile's '69 Camaro was right there also, reacting with a .036 and also running dead on with a 10.045 at 126.72mph. "Yeah, we pulled that one out. Got the rabbit," added Barnes. Carlile said he really wanted that win. Dickey Forrester won the last event in 2005 with his Hickory Flat, GA based '68 Firebird, but had to settle for the lone semi-finalist position for this event.
Adam Stratton's dad, Chris Stratton, has been helping him race since his debut three years ago. This time, the elder Stratton showed him how it was done in Sportsman class by winning his first race out since he quit racing in 1981. Stratton was actually at a disadvantage in the reaction time department against John Oliver, but used his Madison, GA based '74 Nova to overcome the difference, winning with a close 16.21 at 82.76mph on a 16.20 target. Oliver crossed the finish line .0052 seconds later with a 16.30 at 81.17mph in his Buford, GA based '99 Durango. Stephen Loflin ('71 Nova - Duluth, GA) finished in the semi-final round. Stratton thanked his wife Pam
for letting him race, and thanked Adam for some coaching help, along with Adam's girlfriend, Shelly. Adam also did well, finishing in the quarter-final round of Pro class.
Eleven year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA began his second year of racing on a good note, winning his second ever race in 8-12 Jr Dragster. Hutchins' holeshot advantage at the starting line turned into a win against nine year old Wesley Mayfield from Gainesville, GA. Mayfield took the stripe first by .003 seconds, but broke out with a 13.00 at 49.96mph (13.04 dial). Hutchins' mount went a safe 8.99 at 71.39mph (8.96 target). Kelsey Lynn (12
- Marietta, GA) finished the day in the semi-final round. Hutchins gave credit to his mom and dad, along with five other family members who came to support him. He won a $100 savings bond and a trophy nearly as big as he was for his efforts.
Another defending track champion, 15 year old Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA, made it to the finals in 13-17 Jr Dragster. Just like in the 8-12 class, Turner also took advantage of a big starting line holeshot to get the win, pedaling to a 7.971 at 81.11mph (7.94 dial). Chuck Hardy (15 - Hiram, GA) nailed his dial in time of 7.97 with a 7.974 at 81.94mph, but still trailed Turner by .054 seconds across the finish line. Turner's fellow Team PTI member Jake Swaim (16 - Arcade, GA) and James Marsh, Jr (16 - Anderson, SC) finished in the semi-final round. Turner thanked her mom and dad, her Team PTI crew, including new member Drew Mayfield, Fain and Mitchell properties and Tara Fine Jewelry. "This is an awesome way to start a year," said Turner. She then announced this was her final year in Jr Dragster, as she is planning on moving up to Super Pro in 2007.
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jonathan Anderson '03 Mullis dragster Griffin, GA 7.56 56.13 (5.04)
R/U: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA
(foul) 6.46 71.94 (4.85)
Semi: "Smokey Joe" Smith '03 Miller dragster Lawrenceville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Barnes '68 Chevy II Palmetto, GA 12.851 105.21 (12.85)
R/U: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 10.045 126.72 (10.04)
Semi: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Stratton '74 Nova Madison, GA 16.21 82.76 (16.20)
R/U: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 16.30 81.17 (16.26)
Semi: Stephen Loflin '71 Nova Duluth, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA 8.99 71.39 (8.96)
R/U: Wesley Mayfield 9 Gainesville, GA 13.00 49.96 (13.04)
Semi: Kelsey Lynn 12 Marietta, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA 7.97 81.11 (7.94)
R/U: Chuck Hardy 15 Hiram, GA 7.97 81.94 (7.97)
Semi: Jake Swaim 16 Arcade, GA
Semi: James Marsh 15 Anderson, SC
Photos
Spring Bracket Bash event at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
(Commerce, GA - March 11) Atlanta Dragway racers welcomed the new 2006 bracket racing season by participating in the first race of the year, the Atlanta Dragway Spring Bracket Bash, a non points event. Tight racing was the rule of the day. No one would guess the majority of racers had been off all winter after seeing the finish line margins in three of the five classes. Sportsman, which usually consists of beginning racers, saw a .0052 margin of victory (m.o.v.). The m.o.v. in Pro was .0048 seconds, and although it was a breakout loss, the runner up in 8-12 Jr Dragster took the big end stripe .003 seconds in front of the winner.
Griffin, GA racer Jonathan "Ice Cube" Anderson enjoyed the Super Pro win, this time courtesy of a 0.003 second too quick react (red light) by opponent "Fireman Joe" Rampley of Gainesville, GA. Anderson, a three time Silver Dollar Raceway track champion kept his cool in his '03 Mullis dragster through the rounds, and after seeing Rampley turn on the big red eye in the final, he lifted off the throttle to help save his parts. An instant later, Rampley, seeing the race was over for his '03 Miller dragster, also lifted. Anderson carded a 7.56 at 56.13mph (5.04 dial), while Rampley went a little quicker with a 6.46 at 71.94 mph. "Smokey Joe" Smith from Lawrenceville, GA ended his day in the semi-final round. Part of the credit for Anderson's win
went to his wife and crew member Melissa Anderson, who helped keep his car race ready each round.
Anderson had already made a deal prior to this event to purchase his uncle David Simmon's '68 Chevy II, minus the engine and transmission, for his wife Melissa to race. She will be racing it in Sportsman later this year, with coaching help from Simmons and her husband. Much to their delight, the car, driven by bracket veteran Toby Barnes, won in Pro class.
Toby Barnes of Palmetto, GA was enjoying racing the '68 Chevy II, and except for struggling against slightly too quick car reaction times, was faring quite well. Barnes paired up with defending Atlanta Dragway Pro champion Chris Carlile in the final, and both racers made the finish about as tight as possible, with a 0.0048 second margin of victory. The nod went to Barnes, who reacted with a .036 and nailed his dial in time of 10.85 with a 10.851 at 105.21mph. Carlile's '69 Camaro was right there also, reacting with a .036 and also running dead on with a 10.045 at 126.72mph. "Yeah, we pulled that one out. Got the rabbit," added Barnes. Carlile said he really wanted that win. Dickey Forrester won the last event in 2005 with his Hickory Flat, GA based '68 Firebird, but had to settle for the lone semi-finalist position for this event.
Adam Stratton's dad, Chris Stratton, has been helping him race since his debut three years ago. This time, the elder Stratton showed him how it was done in Sportsman class by winning his first race out since he quit racing in 1981. Stratton was actually at a disadvantage in the reaction time department against John Oliver, but used his Madison, GA based '74 Nova to overcome the difference, winning with a close 16.21 at 82.76mph on a 16.20 target. Oliver crossed the finish line .0052 seconds later with a 16.30 at 81.17mph in his Buford, GA based '99 Durango. Stephen Loflin ('71 Nova - Duluth, GA) finished in the semi-final round. Stratton thanked his wife Pam
for letting him race, and thanked Adam for some coaching help, along with Adam's girlfriend, Shelly. Adam also did well, finishing in the quarter-final round of Pro class.
Eleven year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA began his second year of racing on a good note, winning his second ever race in 8-12 Jr Dragster. Hutchins' holeshot advantage at the starting line turned into a win against nine year old Wesley Mayfield from Gainesville, GA. Mayfield took the stripe first by .003 seconds, but broke out with a 13.00 at 49.96mph (13.04 dial). Hutchins' mount went a safe 8.99 at 71.39mph (8.96 target). Kelsey Lynn (12
- Marietta, GA) finished the day in the semi-final round. Hutchins gave credit to his mom and dad, along with five other family members who came to support him. He won a $100 savings bond and a trophy nearly as big as he was for his efforts.
Another defending track champion, 15 year old Lauren Turner from Pendergrass, GA, made it to the finals in 13-17 Jr Dragster. Just like in the 8-12 class, Turner also took advantage of a big starting line holeshot to get the win, pedaling to a 7.971 at 81.11mph (7.94 dial). Chuck Hardy (15 - Hiram, GA) nailed his dial in time of 7.97 with a 7.974 at 81.94mph, but still trailed Turner by .054 seconds across the finish line. Turner's fellow Team PTI member Jake Swaim (16 - Arcade, GA) and James Marsh, Jr (16 - Anderson, SC) finished in the semi-final round. Turner thanked her mom and dad, her Team PTI crew, including new member Drew Mayfield, Fain and Mitchell properties and Tara Fine Jewelry. "This is an awesome way to start a year," said Turner. She then announced this was her final year in Jr Dragster, as she is planning on moving up to Super Pro in 2007.
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jonathan Anderson '03 Mullis dragster Griffin, GA 7.56 56.13 (5.04)
R/U: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA
(foul) 6.46 71.94 (4.85)
Semi: "Smokey Joe" Smith '03 Miller dragster Lawrenceville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Barnes '68 Chevy II Palmetto, GA 12.851 105.21 (12.85)
R/U: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 10.045 126.72 (10.04)
Semi: Dickey Forrester '68 Firebird Hickory Flat, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Stratton '74 Nova Madison, GA 16.21 82.76 (16.20)
R/U: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 16.30 81.17 (16.26)
Semi: Stephen Loflin '71 Nova Duluth, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA 8.99 71.39 (8.96)
R/U: Wesley Mayfield 9 Gainesville, GA 13.00 49.96 (13.04)
Semi: Kelsey Lynn 12 Marietta, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lauren Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA 7.97 81.11 (7.94)
R/U: Chuck Hardy 15 Hiram, GA 7.97 81.94 (7.97)
Semi: Jake Swaim 16 Arcade, GA
Semi: James Marsh 15 Anderson, SC
posted by David @ 6:26 PM
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