VANCICA, GILLEN, COTHRAN, SHROPSHIRE, WILHELM, AND RUTLEDGE ENJOY FIRST POINTS WIN OF THE SEASON
By Tim Glover
Photos
Atlanta Dragway(Commerce, GA - March 25) Racers were in agreement. It was COLD Saturday
afternoon and evening during the first Summit / Snap On series points race of 2006. Over 200 racers came to get their "fix" after a long off season. A steady wind and temperatures in the mid 40s made things uncomfortable for all, especially the Atlanta Dragway crew, who had to stay outside all day running the show. However, the track was prepped very well by David Young,
and the vast majority of racers had little trouble getting down the track, even though the thermometer dipped to 41 degrees near the end of competition. For safety reasons, all classes were run on the eighth mile course for this event.
The first winners of the day were the Run for the Money winners. Mike Pitman celebrated his 55th birthday today by winning the Super Pro portion with his '64 Chevrolet Impala (ran 6.630 on a 6.63 dial). Stephen Moore took the Pro portion of the purse with his '73 Duster by running 12.45 on his 12.45.
Usually, a cold track makes Super Pro dragsters more vulnerable, but for today's show, the last nine machines in Super Pro competition were dragsters. Commerce, GA racer Hank Wilhelm's "Donkey Punch Racing" '88 Spitzer dragster fared the best, winning the final round with a .001 react and an off the throttle 5.19, 119.39mph pass (5.16 target). His opponent, Wayne Brooks from Monroe, GA, had a later react, and lifted off his throttle after his '98 Racetech dragster got out of shape shortly after leaving the starting line. Brooks carded a 5.58, 89.06mph pass (4.84 dial). "Fireman Joe" Rampley ('03 Miller dragster - Gainesville, GA) and Jesse Young ('98
Racetech dragster - Danielsville, GA) were the semi-final pair. "I knew I was going to have to be good for the final. Thanks to mom, dad, Johnnie Brown, Ricki and Debbie Blackwell, Buford and Beverly Duncan, Jeremy Hancock and the rest of my friends," added Wilhelm.
A winner and runner up trophy, sponsored by A1HomeDesign.com were an added treat for the Super Pro finalists. "Cool! I'm big stuff now," exclaimed runner up Wayne Brooks. Track manager Ray Wilkings told a surprised winner Hank Wilhelm he was going to have to clear a place on his mantle for his new trophy.
Former four time Pro champ Jacob "Lucky" Rutledge from Braselton, GA experienced some more luck in the Pro final when he broke out less than his opponent, defending champion Chris Carlile of Canton, GA. The four time champion's '79 Capri took the big end stripe first with a breakout 7.39 at 92.36mph (7.42 dial), but got the nod for the win after Carlile's '69 Camaro
broke the beams with a .04 under 6.40 at 106.03mph. Andrew Wheeler ('74 Charger - Loganville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "I want to thank my wife Holly, who was really the smart one, staying home today," said Rutledge with a smile. He then thanked son Tyler and brother Joey for helping. Rutledge has raced at Atlanta Dragway since 1993, and has won at least one race each year, along with four track championships, since then.
Sportsman nearly saw a father and son final, but only the 16 year old son Kyle Cothran from Buford, GA survived the semi-final round. Cothran's stellar .019 reaction time gave him the room he needed at the top end of the track to tap the brakes on his '04 S10 Blazer Xtreme, which posted a .05 over 10.50 at 60.82mph. "I've been anxious to get back racing after a long
winter break," added Cothran. His opponent, J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC was a bit tardy at the line and his '00 Corvette failed to reach the target time of 8.44. His second across the finish line 8.53 at 84.51mph was good for a runner up trophy. The winner's dad, Lonnie Cothran from Buford, GA finished the day with his '76 Corvette in the semi-final round, along with Mardy Kennedy of Auburn, GA. Kennedy actually did very well to get to the semi-final round, as the transmission in his '64 Econoline "Banana Boat" pickup did not have an operating second gear. Kennedy was having to slap his shifter as quickly as possible from first to third gear each time.
Motorcycle winner Jeff Shropshire used to race his '05 Kawasaki at Dallas (Southeastern International Dragway) before it closed in 2005, and is now branching out to other tracks. He definitely enjoyed his visit to Atlanta Dragway by getting the win light even before he launched in the final. His Dallas, GA based machine posted a 6.85 at 103.40mph (6.80 dial).
Unfortunately for his opponent, John Loney ('93 Suzuki - Dalzell, SC), the dreaded cherry colored bulb came on in Loney's lane when he left the starting line a tad too quick. Loney's bike put a 7.81 at 94.35mph (7.31 dial) on the scoreboard. Michael Wilson ('97 Suzuki - Tallapoosa, GA) earned a semi-final finish. "This is a great track. I brought my wife and three kids here today. I should have come up more often. I will be back next week anyway for the Prostar race," added Shropshire.
A very happy "Junior Romaniac" named Brittany Vancica claimed the winner's trophy in 8-12 Jr Dragster. "Wow!" was the word escaping from every few minutes from the very happy 12 year old first time racer's lips. Her dad, Danny Vancica of A1HomeDesign.com, who drives the "Romaniac" dragster, bowed out of competition early, which gave him plenty of time to help her win her first points race. He said they have not missed a Southern Nationals race in five years, and made the decision to try out drag racing after watching the Southern Nationals. Vancica's Suwanee, GA based race car actually broke out with a 9.92 at 62.45mph, (10.00 dial), but she got the win light as soon as Dylan Hutchins (11 - Monroe, GA) left the starting line with the tomato colored bulb glowing. Hutchins' ride put down a respectable 9.24 at 70.19mph
(9.22 target). Valerie Clements (12 - Central, SC) earned a semi-finalist trophy for her day's efforts. Hutchins thanked his mom, dad and Bill Gillen of Young Guns Motorsports for helping him get to another final.
Two time champion "Mad Matt" Gillen from Gainesville, GA enjoyed earning his first win of the season and the points lead in 13-17 Jr Dragster after defeating 14 year old Brett Bowman from Homer, GA. The 14 year old Gillen said he had some "dumb luck" all day, but he combined that with his skills and a Young Guns prepared Motivational Tubing car to take the final round
win light with a throttle tapping 8.18 at 79.35mph (8.16 dial). Bowman also ran a .02 over pass, carding a 9.27 at 70.03mph (9.25 dial). Defending champ Lauren Turner finished in the semi-final round. "I want to thank God, mom, dad and Motivational Tubing for their help. It's an early chance to get a good start on the season," Gillen added. He also enjoyed testing a new Motivational Tubing backed "Outlaw" Jr Dragster, which his dad Bill is also preparing for competition.
Atlanta Dragway also kicked off its Applebee's Race to the Wall of Fame program this weekend. Many of the Junior Dragster racers signed up for the challenge and will now start collecting Applebee's receipts in order to try and win the $1,000 Sponsorship for 2007. Not only will the lucky winner receive a check for $1,000, he or she will also have his or her picture featured on one of Applebee's restaurant walls and receive Applebee's racing paraphernalia. In conjunction with the program kickoff, Applebee's gave away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky racer, who happened to be junior driver Wesley Mayfield.
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Hank Wilhelm '88 Spitzer dragster Commerce, GA 5.19 119.39 (5.16)
R/U: Wayne Brooks '98 Racetech dragster Monroe, GA 5.58 89.06 (4.84)
Semi: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA
Semi: Jesse Young '98 Racetech dragster Danielsville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 7.39 92.36 (7.42)
R/U: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.40 106.03 (6.44)
Semi: Andrew Wheeler '74 Charger Loganville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kyle Cothran '04 S10 Blazer Buford, GA 10.50 60.82 (10.45)
R/U: J. D. Burford '00 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.53 84.51 (8.44)
Semi: Lonnie Cothran '76 Corvette Buford, GA
Semi: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeff Shropshire '05 Kawasaki Dallas, GA 6.85 103.40 (6.80)
R/U: John Loney '93 Suzuki Dalzell, SC (foul) 7.81 94.35 (7.31)
Semi: Michael Wilson '97 Suzuki Tallapoosa, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brittany Vancica 12 Suwanee, GA 9.92 62.45 (10.00)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA (foul) 9.24 70.19 (9.22)
Semi: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 14 Gainesville, GA 8.18 79.35 (8.16)
R/U: Brett Bowman 14 Homer, GA 9.27 70.03 (9.25)
Semi: Lauren Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
Photos
Atlanta Dragway(Commerce, GA - March 25) Racers were in agreement. It was COLD Saturday
afternoon and evening during the first Summit / Snap On series points race of 2006. Over 200 racers came to get their "fix" after a long off season. A steady wind and temperatures in the mid 40s made things uncomfortable for all, especially the Atlanta Dragway crew, who had to stay outside all day running the show. However, the track was prepped very well by David Young,
and the vast majority of racers had little trouble getting down the track, even though the thermometer dipped to 41 degrees near the end of competition. For safety reasons, all classes were run on the eighth mile course for this event.
The first winners of the day were the Run for the Money winners. Mike Pitman celebrated his 55th birthday today by winning the Super Pro portion with his '64 Chevrolet Impala (ran 6.630 on a 6.63 dial). Stephen Moore took the Pro portion of the purse with his '73 Duster by running 12.45 on his 12.45.
Usually, a cold track makes Super Pro dragsters more vulnerable, but for today's show, the last nine machines in Super Pro competition were dragsters. Commerce, GA racer Hank Wilhelm's "Donkey Punch Racing" '88 Spitzer dragster fared the best, winning the final round with a .001 react and an off the throttle 5.19, 119.39mph pass (5.16 target). His opponent, Wayne Brooks from Monroe, GA, had a later react, and lifted off his throttle after his '98 Racetech dragster got out of shape shortly after leaving the starting line. Brooks carded a 5.58, 89.06mph pass (4.84 dial). "Fireman Joe" Rampley ('03 Miller dragster - Gainesville, GA) and Jesse Young ('98
Racetech dragster - Danielsville, GA) were the semi-final pair. "I knew I was going to have to be good for the final. Thanks to mom, dad, Johnnie Brown, Ricki and Debbie Blackwell, Buford and Beverly Duncan, Jeremy Hancock and the rest of my friends," added Wilhelm.
A winner and runner up trophy, sponsored by A1HomeDesign.com were an added treat for the Super Pro finalists. "Cool! I'm big stuff now," exclaimed runner up Wayne Brooks. Track manager Ray Wilkings told a surprised winner Hank Wilhelm he was going to have to clear a place on his mantle for his new trophy.
Former four time Pro champ Jacob "Lucky" Rutledge from Braselton, GA experienced some more luck in the Pro final when he broke out less than his opponent, defending champion Chris Carlile of Canton, GA. The four time champion's '79 Capri took the big end stripe first with a breakout 7.39 at 92.36mph (7.42 dial), but got the nod for the win after Carlile's '69 Camaro
broke the beams with a .04 under 6.40 at 106.03mph. Andrew Wheeler ('74 Charger - Loganville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "I want to thank my wife Holly, who was really the smart one, staying home today," said Rutledge with a smile. He then thanked son Tyler and brother Joey for helping. Rutledge has raced at Atlanta Dragway since 1993, and has won at least one race each year, along with four track championships, since then.
Sportsman nearly saw a father and son final, but only the 16 year old son Kyle Cothran from Buford, GA survived the semi-final round. Cothran's stellar .019 reaction time gave him the room he needed at the top end of the track to tap the brakes on his '04 S10 Blazer Xtreme, which posted a .05 over 10.50 at 60.82mph. "I've been anxious to get back racing after a long
winter break," added Cothran. His opponent, J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC was a bit tardy at the line and his '00 Corvette failed to reach the target time of 8.44. His second across the finish line 8.53 at 84.51mph was good for a runner up trophy. The winner's dad, Lonnie Cothran from Buford, GA finished the day with his '76 Corvette in the semi-final round, along with Mardy Kennedy of Auburn, GA. Kennedy actually did very well to get to the semi-final round, as the transmission in his '64 Econoline "Banana Boat" pickup did not have an operating second gear. Kennedy was having to slap his shifter as quickly as possible from first to third gear each time.
Motorcycle winner Jeff Shropshire used to race his '05 Kawasaki at Dallas (Southeastern International Dragway) before it closed in 2005, and is now branching out to other tracks. He definitely enjoyed his visit to Atlanta Dragway by getting the win light even before he launched in the final. His Dallas, GA based machine posted a 6.85 at 103.40mph (6.80 dial).
Unfortunately for his opponent, John Loney ('93 Suzuki - Dalzell, SC), the dreaded cherry colored bulb came on in Loney's lane when he left the starting line a tad too quick. Loney's bike put a 7.81 at 94.35mph (7.31 dial) on the scoreboard. Michael Wilson ('97 Suzuki - Tallapoosa, GA) earned a semi-final finish. "This is a great track. I brought my wife and three kids here today. I should have come up more often. I will be back next week anyway for the Prostar race," added Shropshire.
A very happy "Junior Romaniac" named Brittany Vancica claimed the winner's trophy in 8-12 Jr Dragster. "Wow!" was the word escaping from every few minutes from the very happy 12 year old first time racer's lips. Her dad, Danny Vancica of A1HomeDesign.com, who drives the "Romaniac" dragster, bowed out of competition early, which gave him plenty of time to help her win her first points race. He said they have not missed a Southern Nationals race in five years, and made the decision to try out drag racing after watching the Southern Nationals. Vancica's Suwanee, GA based race car actually broke out with a 9.92 at 62.45mph, (10.00 dial), but she got the win light as soon as Dylan Hutchins (11 - Monroe, GA) left the starting line with the tomato colored bulb glowing. Hutchins' ride put down a respectable 9.24 at 70.19mph
(9.22 target). Valerie Clements (12 - Central, SC) earned a semi-finalist trophy for her day's efforts. Hutchins thanked his mom, dad and Bill Gillen of Young Guns Motorsports for helping him get to another final.
Two time champion "Mad Matt" Gillen from Gainesville, GA enjoyed earning his first win of the season and the points lead in 13-17 Jr Dragster after defeating 14 year old Brett Bowman from Homer, GA. The 14 year old Gillen said he had some "dumb luck" all day, but he combined that with his skills and a Young Guns prepared Motivational Tubing car to take the final round
win light with a throttle tapping 8.18 at 79.35mph (8.16 dial). Bowman also ran a .02 over pass, carding a 9.27 at 70.03mph (9.25 dial). Defending champ Lauren Turner finished in the semi-final round. "I want to thank God, mom, dad and Motivational Tubing for their help. It's an early chance to get a good start on the season," Gillen added. He also enjoyed testing a new Motivational Tubing backed "Outlaw" Jr Dragster, which his dad Bill is also preparing for competition.
Atlanta Dragway also kicked off its Applebee's Race to the Wall of Fame program this weekend. Many of the Junior Dragster racers signed up for the challenge and will now start collecting Applebee's receipts in order to try and win the $1,000 Sponsorship for 2007. Not only will the lucky winner receive a check for $1,000, he or she will also have his or her picture featured on one of Applebee's restaurant walls and receive Applebee's racing paraphernalia. In conjunction with the program kickoff, Applebee's gave away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky racer, who happened to be junior driver Wesley Mayfield.
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Hank Wilhelm '88 Spitzer dragster Commerce, GA 5.19 119.39 (5.16)
R/U: Wayne Brooks '98 Racetech dragster Monroe, GA 5.58 89.06 (4.84)
Semi: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA
Semi: Jesse Young '98 Racetech dragster Danielsville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 7.39 92.36 (7.42)
R/U: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.40 106.03 (6.44)
Semi: Andrew Wheeler '74 Charger Loganville, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kyle Cothran '04 S10 Blazer Buford, GA 10.50 60.82 (10.45)
R/U: J. D. Burford '00 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.53 84.51 (8.44)
Semi: Lonnie Cothran '76 Corvette Buford, GA
Semi: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeff Shropshire '05 Kawasaki Dallas, GA 6.85 103.40 (6.80)
R/U: John Loney '93 Suzuki Dalzell, SC (foul) 7.81 94.35 (7.31)
Semi: Michael Wilson '97 Suzuki Tallapoosa, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brittany Vancica 12 Suwanee, GA 9.92 62.45 (10.00)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA (foul) 9.24 70.19 (9.22)
Semi: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 14 Gainesville, GA 8.18 79.35 (8.16)
R/U: Brett Bowman 14 Homer, GA 9.27 70.03 (9.25)
Semi: Lauren Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
posted by David @ 12:52 AM
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