Georgia Drag Racing News

Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events from GeorgiaDragRacing.com.

Friday, April 21, 2006

GM Performance Parts Set to Unleash All New Power Shop

NHRA's Warren and Kurt Johnson help unveil new mobile display at The Year One Experience

Drag racing simulator offers enthusiasts the feel of power first-hand

Fully operational ZZ572 big-block crate engine on display

DETROIT - As the leader in providing high performance solutions to the automotive aftermarket, GM Performance Parts (GMPP) has developed an extensive line of factory-engineered parts and accessories. From chrome dress-up pieces to the legendary 720-horsepower ZZ572 big-block crate engine, GMPP offers everything for the automotive enthusiast looking to upgrade his or her ride.

This weekend at the annual convention of horsepower, style and speed- known as The Year One Experience in Braselton, GA - GM Performance Parts will unveil an all-new mobile exhibit, the GM Performance Parts Power Shop. The exhibit will travel cross-country, making appearances at NHRA, NSRA, Goodguys, and Super Chevy events giving performance enthusiasts an up-close look at GM Performance Parts, and offering an interactive experience in a drag racing simulator.

"GM Performance Parts is working to raise the bar in the high performance automotive aftermarket, and we feel our new Power Shop reflects that forward-thinking philosophy," said Eric Cunningham, marketing director, GM Accessories and Performance Parts. "The Power Shop is an innovative marketing approach that we feel is vital to growing our sales in this segment, and we couldn’t have picked a better location for its debut than the Year One Experience."

"The Power Shop is designed to both inform and entertain customers, giving them an opportunity to see what we have to offer and, to feel the power of our line of high performance parts," said Cunningham. "With people from all levels of the hot rodding community converging on Braselton this weekend, we expect to have a full house for our opening event."

The GM Performance Parts Power Shop’s innovative and interactive floor plan offers several ground-breaking features. Playing a prominent role will be the fully operational GMPP ZZ572 big-block crate engine, which is the first of its type on a touring display. Fans will also be able to feel the power first-hand by competing in the revolutionary drag racing simulator, where they will strap into a highly responsive Super Gas dragster and get the full sensory experience of rocketing down the quarter-mile. Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson and noted drag racing instructor Frank Hawley partner to add to the realism, acting as on-screen guides to take would-be racers through the ride.

Finally, the area will showcase a wide spectrum of GM Performance Parts products, from GM Cat-Back Exhaust Systems, plus-sized wheel displays, and replacement engines to a line-up of completely dressed GMPP crate engines. Before leaving the exhibit, visitors will have the chance to enter a sweepstakes where the grand prize is a GMPP LS7 crate engine valued at $17,495.00.
Assisting GM Performance Parts officials during the Power Shop's opening weekend will be two men whose names are synonymous with horsepower, NHRA Pro Stock standouts Warren and Kurt Johnson.

"Warren and Kurt are the most successful father
and son team in drag racing history and we're excited that they are taking time from their busy racing schedules to represent GM Performance Parts and to spend time with their fans and fellow gearheads," said Cunningham.

"We share a common goal with GM Performance Parts, namely to be the very best in our respective fields," said six-time champion Warren Johnson. "The GM Performance Parts Power Shop reflects their philosophy of working with automotive enthusiasts to bring the very best to GMPP customers, and we're looking forward to christening the display at the Year One Experience, and spending time with people who have a passion for all things automotive. Besides, maybe we can pick up a few pointers from the drag racing simulator!"

GM Performance Parts continues to set the standard for performance and value. Enthusiasts who crave the latest technology, maximum horsepower and the expertise and confidence backed by GM, can purchase GMPP crate engines, blocks, heads and components, from GM dealerships and GMPP Authorized Centers nationwide. For more information or to locate the closest GM dealership visit
www.goodwrench.com.

Contacts:
Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing


Cheryl McCarron
GM Performance Parts Communications

Monday, April 17, 2006

Heather Williams' Nostalgia Funny Car Driving Debut at Atlanta Dragway



Heather Williams enjoyed her debut in a '79-1/2 Camaro Nostalgia Top Fuel Funny Car, owned and tuned by Virgil Hartman. Photo by Tim Glover.

Summit Snap-On Event Results from Atlanta Dragway April 15, 2006

by Tim Glover


BARNES AND HUTCHINS EARN SECOND WINS IN NEW SEASON

(Commerce, GA - April 15) In addition to lots of race cars and great weather, everyone who came to Atlanta Dragway enjoyed an opportunity to watch Top Fuel Funny Car exhibition passes by several teams. There was even a Pro Stock Harley Davidson, which ran 7.87 and 7.90 second passes at 168 plus mph speeds. Both Toby Barnes (Pro class) and Dylan Hutchins (8-12 Jr Dragster class) enjoyed their second Atlanta Dragway victory of the season.

Heather Williams enjoyed her debut in a '79-1/2 Camaro Nostalgia Top Fuel Funny Car, owned and tuned by Virgil Hartman. She was making short hops today en route to earning her license. Jeff Arend had his Erie Top Fueler on track, also making several short hops. Former Jr Dragster competitor Lloyd Shanks, Jr, son of RFC chaplain Lloyd Shanks, Sr, was learning how to drive
his dad's Super Pro Beretta in order to earn his competition license.

B.J. Pitman's husband and crew chief, Mike Pitman, won a Run for the Money during the last Summit / Snap On event. Not to be outdone, B.J. won her way to the Super Pro winner's circle with her Roswell, GA based '96 Tin Man dragster. Close to her number all night, she nailed it again in the final against Randy Bruce's '78 Malibu with a dead-on 5.179 at 133.49mph. Bruce's
mount slowed to a 6.52 at 100.95mph (6.45 dial). Keith Fuller ('96 dragster - Lawrenceville, GA) finished his day in the semi-final round. "I couldn't do it without Jesus Christ. He is Risen!," said Pitman. She then thanked her husband for his help. Pitman enjoyed the winner's check, but she was actually more excited about the large winner's trophy, which was sponsored by Dunco Construction. "This is the first trophy I ever won!," exclaimed Pitman.

Toby Barnes of Palmetto, GA won the Pro class portion of the Spring Bracket Bash earlier this season with a dead on pass of 12.85 seconds, and came back this evening to claim another Pro win. The Nova Barnes raced at the Bracket Bash was already sold, but he kept the running gear, and put it into an '80 Chevy LUV truck. The dead on potential apparently stayed with Barnes, as he beat final round opponent Jacob Rutledge with a dead on 11.877 at 112.02mph. Hoping Barnes would break out, "Unlucky" Rutledge, who won the March 15 Summit race, "dumped" at the finish line with his '79 Capri, slowing to an 11.72 at 108.87mph (11.68 target). Jessie Wilson finished his day in the semi-final round with his Tallapoosa, GA based '69 Nova.

Former Sportsman champion Mardy Kennedy returned to the winner's circle again with his Auburn, GA based '64 Econoline pickup after fixing the transmission problems that hampered his efforts at the March 15 event. Tonight, Kennedy was a bit late in the reaction time department, but got a break when his opponent John Snapp's '68 Charger bogged off the starting line. With plenty of room at the top end of the track, Kennedy slowed to a winning 13.36 at 96.95mph (13.07 dial). Snapp's Conyers, GA based car posted a 14.11 at 99.03mph (13.53 target). J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC, who finished in the finals at the previous Summit / Snap On race, finished in the semi-final round this evening with his 2000 Corvette. "I want to thank the good Lord above, the armed forces who preserve our freedom, and my wife Joyce," added Kennedy.


Kyle Freese from Dacula, GA enjoyed the Motorcycle class win astride his '95 Honda. Freese met Scott Reynolds of Cartersville, GA in the final, and used a great .008 reaction time to help take the win at 11.60, 119.69mph (11.55 dial). Reynolds was a bit later on the starting line with his '97 Yamaha, but did run closer to his 11.19 dial, with an 11.22 at 125.57mph. Reynolds has been competing at Atlanta Dragway off and on since 1989, in a variety of two and four wheeled vehicles. Ryan Coover, son of long time Super Pro racer Dennis Coover, made it to the semi-final round with his '00 Honda CBR 600.

Three races, three finals, and two wins spell out young Dylan Hutchins' 2006 season so far. The 11 year old racer from Monroe, GA picked off yet another win light at the conclusion of the evening. He met 12 year old Kelsey Lynn from Marietta, GA in the final and won with a .01 over 9.01 at 72.86mph pass. Lynn took just a little too much finish line, breaking out with a 9.027 at 70.03mph. Hutchins thanked his family and Bill Gillen of Young Guns Motorsports for helping with the win. The lone semi-finalist was Blake Griffith (12 - Homer, GA).

Brandon Thompson of Douglasville, GA began racing Atlanta Dragway for the 2006 season, and enjoyed the 13-17 Jr Dragster final round win light with a close 7.95, 82.22mph pass (7.93 dial). Thompson, the 2004 and 2005 Southeastern International Dragway track champion, was the immediate beneficiary of a red light start by second generation racer Brandi Moulton
(15 - Lawrenceville, GA). Other than that, Moulton had a good pass, carding a 9.29 at 69.32mph (9.26 target). Thompson had a good mentor; his dad, Gary Thompson, is a seven time track champion of Southeastern International Dragway in Super Pro, including the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons. Harvey Snelgrove (14 - Dahlonega, GA) was the semi-final finisher.

SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: B.J. Pitman '96 Tin Man dragster Roswell, GA 5.179 133.49 (5.17)
R/U: Randy Bruce '78 Malibu Conyers, GA 6.52 100.95 (6.45)
Semi: Keith Fuller '96 dragster Lawrenceville, GA
Semi:
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Toby Barnes '80 LUV truck Palmetto, GA 11.877 112.02 (11.87)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 11.72 108.87 (11.68)
Semi: Jessie Wilson '69 Nova Tallapoosa, GA
Semi:
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA 13.36 96.95 (13.07)
R/U: John Snapp '68 Charger Conyers, GA 14.11 99.03 (13.53)
Semi: J.D. Burford '00 Corvette Greenville, SC
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kyle Freese '95 Honda Dacula, GA 11.60 119.69 (11.55)
R/U: Scott Reynolds '97 Yamaha Cartersville, GA 11.22 125.57 (11.19)
Semi: Ryan Coover '00 Honda CBR Cartersville, GA
Semi:

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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA 9.01 72.86 (9.00)
R/U: Kelsey Lynn 12 Marietta, GA 9.02 70.03 (9.04)
Semi: Blake Griffith 12 Homer, GA
Semi:
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brandon Thompson 14 Douglasville, GA 7.95 82.22 (7.93)
R/U: Brandi Moulton 15 Lawrenceville, GA (foul) 9.29 69.32 (9.26)
Semi: Harvey Snelgrove 14 Dahlonega, GA
Semi: