THREE REPEAT WINNERS, TWO CHAMPIONS, ONE FIRST TIME FINALIST AT FALL BRACKET BASH
EVENT: Fall Bracket Bash at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - October 7) The weather was perfect for Atlanta Dragway racers participating in the Fall Bracket Bash, held at Atlanta Dragway. Tonight's Super Pro, Pro and Sportsman winner also won the last Summit Bracket race on September 23. Two of the winners, Thomas Bell in Super Pro and Paul Cavanaugh in Motorcycle are also the new champions. Also, the
Sportsman final featured a first time finalist, 16 year old Kristin Cook.
The first purses of the event went to the Run for the Money winners. Marty Wilhelm's 23 T Altered went 5.123 on its 5.12 dial in the Super Pro portion. Sid Hopper enjoyed the Footbrake portion of the purse after his '72 Plymouth Sebring put down a 15.905 on a 15.88 target.
Thomas Bell of Toccoa, GA changed nearly everything on his '05 Undercover dragster after winning the championship and the final Summit race on September 23, including the engine, transmission, torque converter and tires. Apparently, the new Steve Schmidt power was up to the challenge, as Bell went right through the rounds, taking home the Super Pro victory. Bell
took advantage of an off pace react by Dennis Coover, and blipped the throttle on the top end to a 4.75 at 141.61mph (4.70 dial). Coover's Cartersville, GA based '03 Fab Concepts dragster ran a game 4.86 at 141.39mph (4.84 target). Bobby Hattaway ('67 Camaro - Cleveland, GA) and
Covington, GA racer Barry Bruce, who hasn't raced his '99 Undercover dragster since June, ended their day in the semi-final round. Dennis Coover has had a banner year, making it to four finals, but has had to settle for runner up in each one. Coover exclaimed, "I've been to four finals, but I can't seem to git 'er dun!" Bell thanked his entire crew, Sid Neal, and Steve Schmidt for all their help, and then added, "all you need is a swing arm Undercover car and some gollywhopper tires!"
Toby Barnes from Palmetto, GA continued "spreading the LUV" with his David Simmons owned '80 Chevy LUV truck in Pro action. Barnes met long time competitor Howard Warren's '72 Maverick in the final, and defeated the Douglasville, GA racer with a slight breakout 11.894 at 111.00mph (11.90 goal). Warren, however, broke out just a little more with an 11.114 at
120.94mph (11.13 dial). Pete Wagner ('71 Demon - Jefferson, GA) and Kyle Stephens ('75 Camaro - Loganville, GA) were the semi-final pair. Making Barnes' accomplishment even more impressive was Barnes had to work for Team Chrysler / Jeep in Lithia Springs all day, and did not even get a time trial. It was no big deal for Barnes, however. His only regret was that his
kids didn't get to come to the track.
"I wish I had run this good earlier this year," said Sportsman winner John Oliver, who was a finalist during the Spring Bracket Bash, and has now won two bracket races in a row. Oliver's Buford, GA based '99 Durango found a little extra ET down track, breaking out with a 16.00 at 84.84mph (16.10 dial). However, the race was over the moment first-time finalist Kristin
Cook of Auburn, GA left the starting line with a -.034 red light. Her '86 Camaro then posted a 14.20 at 96.62mph pass (14.08 dial). "Well, that was fun," stated Cook after the event. Her dad Jim raced the car back in 2002-2003, then mom Denise raced it in 2004. Cook, who turned 16 in March, then took over the driving duties, and experienced her best ever finish today. Sid Hopper from Gainesville, GA also had a good day with his '72 Plymouth Sebring, first earning the Footbrake portion of the Run for the Money purse, and then ending the day as the lone Sportsman semi-finalist. Oliver then thanked Mardy Kennedy for all the advice and help during the season.
The newly crowned Motorcycle Champion, Paul Cavanaugh of Loganville, GA, enjoyed winning Motorcycle with his '02 Suzuki Hayabusa against Homer, GA racer Howard Bowman. Because Bowman's '06 Harley was off the pace a little with a 9.74 at 71.61mph (9.42 dial), Cavanaugh had the luxury of easing to a winning 6.595 at 104.40mph (6.48 dial).
After the main event was done, Atlanta Dragway made good on its promise of a Gambler's race. Retired fireman Joe Rampley from Gainesville, GA ended the day on top in this class with his '03 Miller dragster. Rampley's performance was stellar, first with a perfect .000 second reaction time, and next with a near perfect 4.905 at 139.63mph (4.90 dial) in the heads up final. The other finalist was Jeremy Hancock of Commerce, GA, who turned in a near perfect, but unfortunately on the red side of the tree, -.003 second react. His '05 M&M dragster did back up its dial in time, running 4.907 at 136.84mph (4.90 target). After the race, referring to the paint job on Rampley's car, Hancock exclaimed to him, "That hurricane is mean!" One might think that old age and treachery won out again over youth and enthusiasm, but actually, the gambler's final was two excellent racers running nearly perfect passes, with Rampley's pass getting the nod this time.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2006 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA 4.75 141.61 (4.70)
R/U: Dennis Coover '03 Fab Concepts Cartersville, GA 4.86 141.39 (4.84)
Semi: Bobby Hattaway '67 Camaro Cleveland, GA
Semi: Barry Bruce '99 Undercover Covington, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Barnes '80 LUV truck Palmetto, GA 11.894 111.00 (11.90)
R/U: Howard Warren '72 Maverick Douglasville, GA 11.114 120.94 (11.13)
Semi: Pete Wagner '71 Demon Jefferson, GA
Semi: Kyle Stephens '75 Camaro Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 16.00 84.84 (16.10)
R/U: Kristin Cook '86 Camaro Auburn, GA (foul) 14.20 96.62 (14.08)
Semi: Sid Hopper '72 Plymouth Sebring Gainesville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Suzuki Hayabusa Loganville, GA 6.59 104.40 (6.48)
R/U: Howard Bowman '06 Harley Homer, GA 9.74 71.61 (9.42)
------------------------------------------------
GAMBLERS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA 4.905 139.63 (4.90)
R/U: Jeremy Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA (foul) 4.907 136.84 (4.90)
Semi: Hank Wilhelm '96 Ed Quay dragster Commerce, GA
Semi:
by Tim Glover
(Commerce, GA - October 7) The weather was perfect for Atlanta Dragway racers participating in the Fall Bracket Bash, held at Atlanta Dragway. Tonight's Super Pro, Pro and Sportsman winner also won the last Summit Bracket race on September 23. Two of the winners, Thomas Bell in Super Pro and Paul Cavanaugh in Motorcycle are also the new champions. Also, the
Sportsman final featured a first time finalist, 16 year old Kristin Cook.
The first purses of the event went to the Run for the Money winners. Marty Wilhelm's 23 T Altered went 5.123 on its 5.12 dial in the Super Pro portion. Sid Hopper enjoyed the Footbrake portion of the purse after his '72 Plymouth Sebring put down a 15.905 on a 15.88 target.
Thomas Bell of Toccoa, GA changed nearly everything on his '05 Undercover dragster after winning the championship and the final Summit race on September 23, including the engine, transmission, torque converter and tires. Apparently, the new Steve Schmidt power was up to the challenge, as Bell went right through the rounds, taking home the Super Pro victory. Bell
took advantage of an off pace react by Dennis Coover, and blipped the throttle on the top end to a 4.75 at 141.61mph (4.70 dial). Coover's Cartersville, GA based '03 Fab Concepts dragster ran a game 4.86 at 141.39mph (4.84 target). Bobby Hattaway ('67 Camaro - Cleveland, GA) and
Covington, GA racer Barry Bruce, who hasn't raced his '99 Undercover dragster since June, ended their day in the semi-final round. Dennis Coover has had a banner year, making it to four finals, but has had to settle for runner up in each one. Coover exclaimed, "I've been to four finals, but I can't seem to git 'er dun!" Bell thanked his entire crew, Sid Neal, and Steve Schmidt for all their help, and then added, "all you need is a swing arm Undercover car and some gollywhopper tires!"
Toby Barnes from Palmetto, GA continued "spreading the LUV" with his David Simmons owned '80 Chevy LUV truck in Pro action. Barnes met long time competitor Howard Warren's '72 Maverick in the final, and defeated the Douglasville, GA racer with a slight breakout 11.894 at 111.00mph (11.90 goal). Warren, however, broke out just a little more with an 11.114 at
120.94mph (11.13 dial). Pete Wagner ('71 Demon - Jefferson, GA) and Kyle Stephens ('75 Camaro - Loganville, GA) were the semi-final pair. Making Barnes' accomplishment even more impressive was Barnes had to work for Team Chrysler / Jeep in Lithia Springs all day, and did not even get a time trial. It was no big deal for Barnes, however. His only regret was that his
kids didn't get to come to the track.
"I wish I had run this good earlier this year," said Sportsman winner John Oliver, who was a finalist during the Spring Bracket Bash, and has now won two bracket races in a row. Oliver's Buford, GA based '99 Durango found a little extra ET down track, breaking out with a 16.00 at 84.84mph (16.10 dial). However, the race was over the moment first-time finalist Kristin
Cook of Auburn, GA left the starting line with a -.034 red light. Her '86 Camaro then posted a 14.20 at 96.62mph pass (14.08 dial). "Well, that was fun," stated Cook after the event. Her dad Jim raced the car back in 2002-2003, then mom Denise raced it in 2004. Cook, who turned 16 in March, then took over the driving duties, and experienced her best ever finish today. Sid Hopper from Gainesville, GA also had a good day with his '72 Plymouth Sebring, first earning the Footbrake portion of the Run for the Money purse, and then ending the day as the lone Sportsman semi-finalist. Oliver then thanked Mardy Kennedy for all the advice and help during the season.
The newly crowned Motorcycle Champion, Paul Cavanaugh of Loganville, GA, enjoyed winning Motorcycle with his '02 Suzuki Hayabusa against Homer, GA racer Howard Bowman. Because Bowman's '06 Harley was off the pace a little with a 9.74 at 71.61mph (9.42 dial), Cavanaugh had the luxury of easing to a winning 6.595 at 104.40mph (6.48 dial).
After the main event was done, Atlanta Dragway made good on its promise of a Gambler's race. Retired fireman Joe Rampley from Gainesville, GA ended the day on top in this class with his '03 Miller dragster. Rampley's performance was stellar, first with a perfect .000 second reaction time, and next with a near perfect 4.905 at 139.63mph (4.90 dial) in the heads up final. The other finalist was Jeremy Hancock of Commerce, GA, who turned in a near perfect, but unfortunately on the red side of the tree, -.003 second react. His '05 M&M dragster did back up its dial in time, running 4.907 at 136.84mph (4.90 target). After the race, referring to the paint job on Rampley's car, Hancock exclaimed to him, "That hurricane is mean!" One might think that old age and treachery won out again over youth and enthusiasm, but actually, the gambler's final was two excellent racers running nearly perfect passes, with Rampley's pass getting the nod this time.
Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2006 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA 4.75 141.61 (4.70)
R/U: Dennis Coover '03 Fab Concepts Cartersville, GA 4.86 141.39 (4.84)
Semi: Bobby Hattaway '67 Camaro Cleveland, GA
Semi: Barry Bruce '99 Undercover Covington, GA
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Barnes '80 LUV truck Palmetto, GA 11.894 111.00 (11.90)
R/U: Howard Warren '72 Maverick Douglasville, GA 11.114 120.94 (11.13)
Semi: Pete Wagner '71 Demon Jefferson, GA
Semi: Kyle Stephens '75 Camaro Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA 16.00 84.84 (16.10)
R/U: Kristin Cook '86 Camaro Auburn, GA (foul) 14.20 96.62 (14.08)
Semi: Sid Hopper '72 Plymouth Sebring Gainesville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Suzuki Hayabusa Loganville, GA 6.59 104.40 (6.48)
R/U: Howard Bowman '06 Harley Homer, GA 9.74 71.61 (9.42)
------------------------------------------------
GAMBLERS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA 4.905 139.63 (4.90)
R/U: Jeremy Hancock '05 M&M dragster Commerce, GA (foul) 4.907 136.84 (4.90)
Semi: Hank Wilhelm '96 Ed Quay dragster Commerce, GA
Semi:
posted by David @ 6:30 PM
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