Long-time Whisnant Performance crew member Dennis LaMonte Passes at age 44.

Dennis LaMonte Passes Monday January 9, 2006

I was shocked and saddened when I checked the news page on CompetitionPlus.com and read that Dennis LaMonte had passed away on Monday. I didn't know Dennis well, but I had met him several years ago while he was crewing for Reid and Mark Whisnant and we would occasionally chat when we ran into each other at the track. Dennis was always friendly to me and seemed like a great guy. I had just talked to Dennis on the phone Sunday January 1 about Reid Whisnant. The New Year has started off shockingly for Georgia's extended drag racing family. Dennis was 44. My condolences to Dennis' family and friends.

Rest In Peace Dennis.


From CompetitionPlus.com:


Dennis LaMonte passes

(1-11-2006) - Longtime drag racing chassis builder Richard Earle dropped us a note that Dennis LaMonte passed away suddenly on Monday January 9th from heart failure, at his home in New Smryna Beach, FL. Dennis crewed with Reid and Mark Whisnant's Pro Stock teams. He was involved in the racing industry with his father, Tony (World of Proformance) off and on for the last 20 years. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 A.M. Wednesday January 11th at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, New Smyrna Beach, FL.

In Lieu of flowers a trust fund has been set up at the Wachovia Bank for his son,Vincent

Vincent LaMonte Trust Account, c/o Wachovia Bank, routing #063107513, account #1010138493646

Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 406 South Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach, is in charge of arrangements.

Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic March 31- April 2, 2006

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic to be held at the Cumming Fairgrounds (Cumming, GA) March 31- April 2, 2006. Legendary Ford drag racer Dick Brannan is putting together a great event for all automotive/racing fans - especially FORD fans! Check GeorgiaDragRacing.com for updates as they become available.
For more information, check the Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic website.

Summit Racing Equipment Continues Title Sponsorship of NHRA Southern Nationals by Signing Multi-Year Agreement

Details on NHRA.com

New! More Marvin T. Smith Photos From SGMP Testing

More Marvin T. Smith photos from SGMP! Click on the link to view them:
Marvin T. Smith SGMP Test Session Photos

Southeastern Dragway Officially Closes After 50 Years of Operation

After 50 years of operation, Southeastern Dragway (also known as Southeastern International Dragway) near Dallas, GA has officially closed. Track Operator Gene Fuller made the announcement today. Another sad day in the history of Georgia drag racing. The Dallas dragstrip opened July 4th, 1955 and was the last remaining Atlanta area drag strip from the early years.

Over the years, most of the top names in drag racing have raced at Dallas. This track will always have a special place in my heart as I saw my first nitro funny cars race there in 1970. A 50th Anniversary race was held in the summer of 2005 with funny cars once again headlining the show. I have many great memories from that track and I'm sure you do, too.

Rumors about the track closing have been floating around since track owner and builder Marvin F. "Red" Jones passed away in 2005. The closing of Southeastern Dragway was caused by the same thing that usually happens to drag strips that survive very long - the property became increasingly valuable as the surrounding property has been developed. I'd like to thank Gene Fuller for all of his dedicated work over the years keeping the dragstrip operating and making it a fun place to go. I'd also like to thank Gene for his hospitality over the last several years to the gang from GeorgiaDragRacing.com. We will miss Dallas.
R.I.P. Southeastern International Dragway 1955-2006.

If anyone would like to purchase timing equipment, PA system equipment, fire extinguishers, lights, guardrails or other equipment and materials used in the operation of a dragstrip,please call Gene Fuller at 770-943-1539. A detailed list will be available soon.

Wally Booth "Rat Pack 1" 1968 Camaro Pro Stocker Now Available From RSC!

If you like diecast models, RSC has reproduced another great Camaro Pro Stocker in 1:24 scale - Wally Booth's 1968 Rat Pack 1! Its a beauty!

A review will follow soon, but click here if you'd like to see more photos.

You can order the Wally Booth 1968 Rat Pack 1 Pro Stock Camaro from RSC.

Be sure to check out RSC's other diecast Pro Stockers: Bill Jenkin's '68 Camaro and the Mopar Missile '72 Duster (Sox & Martin's '72 Duster is sold out).

Photos Needed of the Cappalingo & Milboer Chevelle Super Stocker

This white with white convertible top car was reportedly raced at Savannah Dragway as a SS/EA or SS/FA. The car looked like a '72 Chevelle ('71-'72 front sheet metal) but was really a 1970 Chevelle - the famous Ray Allen Truppi-Kling '70 Chevelle. The car was supposedly in the South during the mid 1970s till the early 1980s. It may have raced around the Atlanta area, too. If you have photos of this car or a way to get in touch with someone that does have photos (or info), please contact us as soon as possible.

The Hahn & Zorian Hemi Colt

The Hahn & Zorian Hemi Colt - Blast from the past photo courtesy of NHRA Hall of Famer Jon Zorian. I don't have information about this car (yet), but the designation is B/A. I'm guessing, but I'd bet this car ran as a match race Pro Stocker, too! Thanks, Jon. Update: Stewart Pomeroy let me know this photo was shot at a Warner Robbins points meet about 1976. Thanks for the information, Stewart.