GMP Harold Dutton Drag Hag Fairlane Diecast Now Available
Georgia's GMP now has Georgia Drag Racing legend Harold Dutton's Super Stock Ford Fairlane available as a 1:18 scale diecast. If you're not familiar with GMP's quality diecast, you really need to check out their great products. GeorgiaDragRacing.com hopes to provide a full review of the Dutton Fairlane in the near future. Check the articles section on this site for reviews of other GMP drag racing diecast models.
GMP's Harold Dutton Ford FairlaneGMP Drag Hag Photos
Blast From the Past Photo - Billy Christian's Asphalt Angel
Billy Christian and his Asphalt Angel '55 Chevy at Calhoun, GA 1964. Thanks to Hugh Greeson for taking the shot and Wayne Holland for submitting it.
Blast From the Past Photo - Bunky Bobo's Hemi Hurricane II
Lamar "Bunky" Bobo and the Hemi Hurricane II funny car at the 1967 US Nationals. Thanks to Hugh Greeson for taking the shot and Wayne Holland for submitting it.
Blast from the Past Photo - Pete Robinson
Pete Robinson and his Ford Cammer AA/FD at the 1967 US Nationals. Thanks to Hugh Greeson for taking the shot and Wayne Holland for submitting it.
JACK BECKMAN TO REPLACE WHIT BAZEMORE AT DON SCHUMACHER RACING
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 12, 2006) - Don Schumacher announced today that NHRA Super Comp champion and Top Fuel racer Jack Beckman will replace Funny Car driver Whit Bazemore at this weekend's Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and for the remainder of the 2006 POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Beckman, 40, of North Hills, Calif., recently earned his NHRA Funny Car license driving the Matco Tools Funny Car, which will retain the Matco Tools sponsorship through the end of 2006.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," said multi-team owner Don Schumacher. "When Matco Tools informed me at the U.S. Nationals that it was moving its primary sponsorship to another team for the 2007 season, I was left with little choice but to look at my options for 2007 and beyond.
"I had already been in discussion with Jack for a number of months as we were attempting to find a way to work together. When Matco Tools made its surprise announcement, I had to look towards the future, which helped me decide to place Jack in the Matco Tools Funny Car before the end of the season.
"I could not assure Whit that I would obtain a sponsor of the caliber of Matco Tools to support a Funny Car, and with drivers accruing Skoal Showdown points as of the 2006 U.S. Nationals, I believe this was the right decision. Whit also assured me that he had other opportunities to consider as well.
"My wife Sarah and I have enjoyed not only a solid professional relationship with Whit, but a rewarding personal one since he joined DSR in 2001," added Schumacher. "He is an excellent driver, an extremely marketable personality, and I have no concern about his finding a seat with another well-funded, championship-caliber team."
In order for DSR to make a smooth transition to a new sponsor for the car, Matco Tools had informed Schumacher that it agreed with the driver change.
Bazemore's plans for 2007 are undetermined and he remains involved with DSR for the time being.
"Don and Sarah Schumacher have given me the greatest of opportunities in my professional career," said Bazemore, "and I want to thank them both not only for those opportunities but for their friendship. Don has said that the door is always open for me to return to his team and to me that means more than anything. We enjoyed a lot of great victories together and we also weathered some tough times together.
"I have a lot of friends at DSR, especially on the Matco Tools team. And I can honestly say that I hope they end up in the winner's circle again this year very soon, because they deserve it."
Since joining DSR in 2001 with Matco Tools backing, Bazemore drove to two championship runner-up finishes and has won 13 national events to date.
ORSCA at SGMP
by Marvin T. Smith
SGMP ORSCA photosORSCA brought its brand of heads-up, street car-style racing to South Georgia Motorsports Park the weekend of September 8-10. Featuring Outlaw 10.5, Limited Street, EZ Street, 5.30, 6.0, and 7.0 racing, the event brought in over 200 cars according to the promoter, Johnny Fenn. The action was wild and wooly until Mother Nature stepped in and ended the event with rain.
Seventeen cars qualified for the headlining Outlaw 10.5 class for cars weighing a minimum of 3000 pounds, with stock firewall, stock-style front suspension, mufflers, and any engine combination. At the head of the list was Rome, Georgia’s Steve Kirk, Jr. with a fine 4.542 163.33 in his colorful Camaro. The Killer B teammates, Marcus Birt and Jack Barfield, qualified second and third with 4.57 second elapsed times. Mike Hill, in his popular Mustang, was fourth with a 4.60. Cars from five states made up the field, with Lance Styck of Americus, GA anchoring the field with a 5.195 in his turbo Mustang.
Two rounds of eliminations were completed before the rains came. The best times in round one went to Kirk at 4.60, Barfield at 4.610, Birt at 4.72, and Jimmy Blackmon in his stock-appearing turbo Firebird at 4.77 166.39 for top speed of the round. In round two, Barfield ran a fine 4.584 to defeat Blackmon’s 4.589 at an even faster 166.66 mph. In a major upset, Marcus Birt fouled away a great 4.57 to lose to Craig Miller’s Savannah Camaro at 4.63. Not to be outdone, Steve Kirk again took low elapsed time with an improving 4.544 at 164.53. Kirk looked untouchable, but the rains put an end to the fun.
Limited Street, a class for stock appearing cars with any engine combination and any rear suspension but no wheelie bars, saw some wild action. Nitrous, turbos, anything goes! This class looked like a real barnburner with two cars in the 4.80s as the weather cooled just prior to the rain. There was a potential ORSCA record in the making, but again the rains came and prevented a back-up run. Sorry, but I didn’t get names. These Outlaw racers often like to preserve the street appearance of their cars and frequently don’t even put their names in the window, making identifications hard for inexperienced reporters.
In EZ Street, Langston & Eubanks Racing out of Southside, Alabama, set a new ORSCA record with a run of 5.053 seconds that bettered the old record of 5.14. This class is for stock appearing cars with full stock frame and suspension, and only bolt-on traction bars. Any engine combination is allowed as long as it doesn’t exceed 650 cubic inches. Only stock spoilers are allowed. No front-opening hood scoops are permitted, unless they were stock for the car raced. Wheelie bars are not allowed!
If you want to see some wild doorslammer action, check out an ORSCA event near you.
MOPAR SWEEPS ALL BUT TWO BIG CAR CLASSES AT HAYES MOPAR MEET 2006
2006 Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet at Atlanta Dragway
by Tim Glover
Photos
(Commerce, GA - September 9) The 22nd annual Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet 2006 was enjoyed by thousands of spectators and several hundred. In addition to the "Mopar versus the World", Junior Dragster, SRT and Diesel Shootout races, there were many other things to see and do on the grounds at Atlanta Dragway. Mark and Tim Hall brought their Dodge Monster Trucks, Raminator and Rammunition back to the track again. They paraded Raminator and Rammunition in front of the grandstands and then put on an exhibition near the end of the track for spectators. In racing competition, nine different classes were contested, and only two of the "Big Car" classes, Pro and Quick Diesel, featured a non-Mopar winner.
Mopar racers Gary Scelzi (NHRA Funny Car), and the newly teamed Dodge Boys, Richie "The Kid" Stevens and Allen Johnson (both NHRA Pro Stock) were on site, meeting and greeting the fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Stevens and Johnson made several high 6.7 and low 6.8 second, 200mph plus passes to thrill the crowd. Multi time Pro Stock champion Warren
"The Professor" Johnson, who lives in nearby Sugar Hill, also made laps for the fans, also hitting a 6.80 at 200plus mph.
Another exhibition car that generated excitement was the "biggest, baddest Silverline / Edge Cummins Diesel powered Scheid Diesel dragster driven by Eric McBride. McBride, who also campaigns the car occasionally in Quick 32 and Top Dragster, piloted the car to a 7.64 at only 168mph (due to a mid track clutch failure). It took off almost like a jet, but slowed on the top
end. Two weeks ago, the car, which ran in the eight second range in 2005, went an ultra quick 7.55 at 183mph.
Hartman Enterprises brought the Nitro Funny Car Showdown to the event, featuring Nostalgia Funny Cars. Although the bodystyles were reminiscent of '70s style Funny Cars, the safety equipment on the cars was up to date. The intent of the show was to thrill and excite the fans with old style Nitro Funny Car racing, and they definitely thrilled the fans. The first car down
the track, piloted by 18 year old Tisha Wilson from Kannapolis, NC, ripped off a 6.991 at 183.48mph. and then promptly exploded the bottom end of the engine, causing the body to exit the car on top of a huge fireball. After a while, when asked about the hair raising ride, she said, "That was cool! I'm ready to drive again." She has to make one more full power pass to earn her
license. The '70 Camaro Nitro Funny Car driven by Steve Nichols also suffered a less eventful engine explosion, putting the fans back on their feet again. Donnie Reeves, John "Bodie" Smith, and Ray Murphy also entered their Nitro Funny Cars in the exhibition.
Two ultra fast diesel powered exhibition trucks, driven by Greg Hogue ('00 Dakota - Whitaker, TX) and Keating Shelley ('97 1500 - Knoxville, TN) laid down thick diesel smoke trails en route to high eight second passes at over 150mph.
The Hayes Wholesale Parts booth was located on the manufacturer's midway, which stretched down the track behind the grandstands for nearly a quarter mile. Many different Mopar parts, both new and used, were available for sale on the midway.
The ever popular chassis dyno was available on site again, operated by Dave Dunbar with the Diesel Performance Motorsports Dynojet Chassis Dyno. They gave free dyno pulls on a first come, first serve basis, courtesy of Hayes Family Dealerships.
Pritchett Tire sponsored the burnout contest again for 2006, where contestants had approximately one minute to create the biggest smokescreen possible with their vehicle. Neal Smith of Montgomery, AL spun all four of his dually's tires, giving the crowd a good smoke show, along with two other contestants. However, the perennial crowd favorite, Diane Minette from
Hiwasse, GA, had the contest won not long after cracking the throttle on her '76 Dodge Maxi Van to the maximum open position. She wore the tire down to the inside air, much to the delight of the crowd. She dedicated her victory to the memory of her late son, Tim Booth. She then announced her retirement from the burnout contest, but before the other contestants could celebrate, she was quick to say her grandchildren, Timothy, Phillip and Keturah would
be following in her footsteps. Again, Minette was rewarded with a set of four new tires from Pritchett Tire.
A huge car show was held again in the paved pit area, featuring many varieties of vintage to brand new Mopars. Local racer Howard Bowman and his wife Kathy entered their immaculate '51 Military Jeep. Other notable cars on display were Duane Hattaway's Dahlonega, GA based 304ci V8 powered '72 Gremlin X and Debbie Eller's Dodge Rumble Bee truck. Jerry Hall from
Wetumpka, AL brought his very popular '70 Superbird to show.
The lone Mopar remaining in the Super Pro semi-final round belonged to Stan Sinack from Lilburn, GA. Sinack also made it to the semi-finals in 2005, but took it all the way to the winner's circle for 2006. Sinack had the potential bye run in round one, but was not able to take it until the semi-final round, due to an even number of cars each round. For the final, Sinack predicted his '69 Dart would run the eighth mile course in 6.61 seconds, and he did exactly that, with a .020 reaction time and a 6.610 at 104.22mph. His final round opponent, Brad Howard ('02 Miller dragster - Gainesville, GA) suffered a brake caliper failure while backing his car up
after the burnout, and chose to shut his car off. The lone semi-finalist was B.J. Pitman ('95 Tin Man dragster - Roswell, GA). As a reward, friend Bill Boomhower said Stan got to buy dinner for their crew at the nearby Applebee's restaurant. Sinack dedicated his win to the memory of the late Anthony "ZZ" Collins, who served as a starter for over 30 years at various tracks, including Atlanta Dragway.
By the semi-final round of Pro, the only Mopar left was the Walhalla, SC based '65 N/SS Belvedere owned and driven by Bill Boomhower. Unfortunately for Boomhowe, who was a semi-finalist in 2005, he finished in the semi-final round again. The Pro winner was Earl Talley from Bowling Green, KY (who won the 2005 Diesel Shootout with his '04 RAM). Talley won Pro with
his '87 Regal, taking on local favorite Chad Brewer, who was racing in a borrowed '67 yellow and black Camaro belonging to Dickey Forrester. Eight thousandths of a second separated the two racers at the finish line, and Talley got the nod due to a better reaction time with a 11.30 at 115.71mph (11.28 dial). Brewer broke out with a close 11.341 at 114.46mph (11.35 target). "I enjoyed this. It's a good program with something for everyone," said Talley about the Mopar Meet. He then added, "THAT was a drag race!"
Sportsman featured an all Mopar final, with a '68 Dart facing off against a '73 Satellite. Old age and treachery won out again, with the 61 year old Peter Thiessen from Snellville, GA taking the win by breaking out less at the finish line with his '68 Dart. Mike Utes, who is 43 and comes from nearby Homer, took the big end stripe first by .028 seconds, but broke out big time with a 17.354 at 79.61mph pass (17.47 dial). Thiessen also broke out, but by a lesser margin, 19.910 at 68.82 with his 225 ci slant six motivated Dart (20.00 dial). Michael Duvall ('69 Mustang - Blairsville, GA) said he had a good day after finishing in the semi-final round. Thiessen said he saved the best for Utes, because he knew he would need it to win.
Chase Mullinax of Buford, GA (14 years old) won a heads up 13-17 Jr Dragster final against 15 year old Matt Gillen of Gainesville, GA. Both of their cars did a great job; Mullinax winning with a 7.936 at 81.93mph (7.94 dial) and Gillen (who won the 2005 event) taking the runner up spot with a 7.937 at 80.81mph (7.94 dial). Gillen made it easier for Mullinax at the starting line by turning on the big red bulb with a too-quick react. Jennifer Jarrett (13 - Cartersville, GA) and Megan Marsh (15 - Anderson, SC) ended the day in the semi-final round.
8-12 year old Jr Dragster points leader Joshua Sisson (13 years old - Gainesville, GA) pulled off the win in his class today, winning for the second year in a row. Both racers broke out in the final, but a heart-breaking -.003 red light took Dylan Hutchins (11 - Monroe, GA) out of
contention. Sisson recorded a 9.113 at 72.35mph (9.13 dial) and Hutchins posted an 8.971 at 73.24mph (8.98 dial). Cole Wood (8 - Jefferson, GA) was the single semi-final finisher.
During the day, a contingent of Jr Dragster racers went trailer to trailer collecting donations to help out Atlanta Dragway worker Mark's newborn baby, (names withheld) who had to have a special helmet built to protect his head. The medical bills were weighing heavily on his family, and the Jr Dragster crew decided to help. During the day, over $800 was collected. After the
race was over, the winners and runner ups in both Jr Dragster classes got together, and unanimously decided to give all their winnings to Mark, which amounted to another $550. Their families were more proud of this gesture than they were about their children winning in the race.
The DHRA (Diesel Hot Rod Association) Pro-Street Diesel contingent brought some fast diesel powered trucks to the track. Thomasville, GA racer Philip Palmer had the quickest truck in 2005, and took the final round win again in 2006. This time, Palmer got the win courtesy of a red-lighting Jeff Garmon ('95 RAM - McDonough, GA). Garmon's truck posted an impressive 11.50 at 118.23mph in the heads up - no breakout race, which would have took the win
except for that pesky red light. Palmer's '94 Dodge was off pace with a 13.44 at 76.69mph. Buck Spruill ('03 Chevy - Roper, SC) and Stephen Long ('94 Dodge - Zebulon, GA) were the semi-final pair.
A DHRA Quick Diesel class was added for 2006, with a 12.00 second index. Brandon Myer's Sharpsburg, GA based '03 Silverado earned the win light with a huge holeshot advantage against Jim "Lucky Dog" Layden from Glenwood City, WI. Layden's '94 Dodge was actually closer to the index with a 12.10 at 114.16mph, but Myers took the stripe first with a12.14 at 114.19mph. Karl Miretter ('01 Dodge - Broadview, OH) ended his day in the semi-final round.
The DPM (Diesel Performance Motorsports) Diesel Shootout featured street driven diesel trucks that were still plenty quick. The appropriately named Billy Ram, who lives in N. Augusta, SC, got the automatic win in the final after opponent John Tallant from Tupelo, MS reacted too quick with a -.008 reaction time in his '03 Dodge. Ram's '04 Dodge was close to the number
anyway, posting a 13.142 at 102.69mph (13.15 target). Tallant went on to a 13.12 at 104.39mph (13.05 dial). Lavon Miller ('01 Dodge 2500 - Plain City, OH) earned the semi-finalist purse.
A pair of SRT-8 powered Mopars finished their day in the SRT Shootout final, an '06 SRT-8 Charger piloted by winner Tom Welch from Blairsville, GA and an '06 SRT-8 300C driven by 2005 SRT winner Kitt Hock of Hayesville, NC. Hock said he came back to win this again, but came up a bit short with a 13.70 at 103.40mph (13.50 dial). Welch, who has never raced before, took the win light with a 13.57 at 98.16mph (13.40 dial). "Beginner's luck" was one of his comments. Chris Hill ('05 Dodge - Highlands, SC) and Jeff Wagner ('03 Dodge - Jefferson, GA) finished in the semis.
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 .
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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Stan Sinack '69 Dart Lilburn, GA 6.610 104.22 (6.61)
R/U: Brad Howard '02 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA broke (5.00)
Semi: B.J. Pitman '95 Tin Man dragster Roswell, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Earl Talley '87 Regal Bowling Green, KY 11.30 115.71 (11.28)
R/U: Chad Brewer '67 Camaro Kennesaw, GA 11.34 114.46 (11.35)
Semi: Bill Boomhower '65 Belvedere Walhalla, SC
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Peter Thiessen '68 Dart Snellville, GA 19.91 68.82 (20.00)
R/U: Mike Utes '73 Satellite Homer, GA 17.35 79.61 (17.47)
Semi: Michael Duvall '69 Mustang Blairsville, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joshua Sisson 13 Gainesville, GA 9.11 72.35 (9.13)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA (foul) 8.97 73.24 (8.98)
Semi: Cole Wood 9 Atlanta, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chase Mullinax 14 Buford, GA 7.936 81.93 (7.94)
R/U: "Mad Matt" Gillen 15 Gainesville, GA (foul) 7.937 80.81 (7.94)
Semi: Jennifer Jarrett 13 Cartersville, GA
Semi: Megan Marsh 15 Anderson, SC
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DHRA PRO-STREET TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Phillip Palmer '94 Dodge RAM Thomasville, GA 13.44 76.69
R/U: Jeff Garmon '95 Dodge RAM McDonough, GA (foul) 11.50 118.23
Semi: Stephen Long '94 Dodge Zebulon, GA
Semi: Buck Spruill '03 Chevy Roper, SC
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DHRA QUICK DIESEL TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH INDEX
Win: Brandon Myers '02 Silverado Sharpsburg, GA 12.14 114.19 (12.00)
R/U: Jim Layden '94 Dodge Glenwood City, WI 12.10 114.16 (12.00)
Semi: Karl Miretter '01 Dodge Broadview, OH
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DPM DIESEL SHOOTOUT TRUCK HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Billy Ram '04 Dodge N. Augusta, SC 13.14 102.69 (13.15)
R/U: John Tallant '03 Dodge Tupelo, MS (foul) 13.52 104.39 (13.05)
Semi: Lavon Miller '01 Dodge Plain City, OH
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SRT CLASS CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Tom Welch '06 SRT-8 Charger Blairsville, GA 13.57 98.16 (13.40)
R/U: Kitt Hock '06 SRT-8 300C Hayesville, NC 13.70 103.40 (13.50)
Semi: Chris Hill '05 Dodge Highlands, NC
Semi: Jeff Wagner '03 Dodge Jefferson, GA
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Eddie Ware Wins Pro Mod at the IHRA eMax Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers
Eddie Ware (Marietta, GA) won Pro Mod, set Low ET (6.035) & Top Speed (235.89)and set the record! Congratulations Eddie!
Pro Mod RecapLagana won Top Fuel, Gilbertson won Nitro Funny Car, Patrick won Pro Stock and Atchison won Alcohol Funny Car.
Drag Race Central RecapIHRA.com
