GREENVILLE FAMILY PHYSICIAN J.D. BURFORD, MICHAEL BRUCE AND JORDAN THURMOND SCORE FIRST WINS AT POWERADE NIGHT OF FIRE
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Powerade Night of Fire event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - June 23) Fans came from all over Georgia and several neighboring states to Atlanta Dragway to enjoy the Powerade Night of Fire, featuring the largest fireworks display in North Georgia, the Jet racers of Elaine Larsen, Paul Miller and Les Shockley, Dixie Pro Mods, the Coca Cola cash grab, hundreds of bracket cars and much, much more. J.D. Burford, a
family physician from Greenville, South Carolina, enjoyed winning the top spot in the tough Pro class for the first time with his totally stock Corvette. Joining him in the Super Pro winner's circle for the first time was Michael Bruce. Jordan Thurmond also enjoyed his first win, in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class.
After a moment of silence for the nine fireman who recently lost their lives in Charleston, the event was opened with a prayer by Racers For Christ pastor Lloyd Shanks. The national anthem was then played, followed by the first exhibition passes of the Jet racers.
Elaine Larsen brought her Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Jet Dragster to the track and thrilled fans with her fire and smoke show, taking on Paul Miller, her teacher and mentor. She announced to the crowd she was going to take him to school, but the teacher didn't cut her any slack on the race course. Larsen actually ran a faster mph than Miller in the last exhibition
pass (268mph vs. Miller's 262mph, but he was a little quicker with a 5.74 second elapsed time, to Larsen's 5.80 second pass. The National Guard came to the track to do some recruiting, and brought several of their people, along with two Humvees and one of their boom trucks. One of the Humvees got pressed into service as the tow car for Les Shockley's Shockwave jet truck
after they discovered their tow rig would not fit under the control tower. The National Guard folks were more than happy to help. North Georgia Tractor from Cornelia, Georgia had a display of Grasshopper lawnmowers, along with some New Holland tractors, for people to see, touch and ask questions. At the end of the evening, a drawing was held to give away a Schwinn Sting Ray
III bicycle to a lucky fan who had purchased a junior ticket for the Night of Fire. Young Blake Riley was thrilled to be the lucky winner.
Michael Bruce enjoyed his first ever Super Pro win with his Covington, GA based '99 Worthy dragster. Bruce met former track champion Thomas Bell of Toccoa, GA in the final, and although Bell had a stellar .009 react in his borrowed Vega (his dragster is broken at the moment), Bruce's dragster was on its game, carding a 5.071 at 136.81mph (5.07 dial). Bell had been running 6.29s all evening, but the car slipped a bit to 6.32 at 109.10mph (6.29 target) in the final. Don Brown Jr, who won a Summit race recently, earned the lone semi-finalist honor. "Finally! Thanks to mom and dad, my wife Dana, son Ryan, uncle Barry, Tommy Motes, John Clifton, J.D. Reid, Jeff Wilkerson and all my friends," added Bruce. He has made it to several finals in the past, including in the Malibu his dad now races, but was able to close the deal tonight.
J.D. Burford, a family physician from Greenville, South Carolina, has been making the trip to Atlanta Dragway for a couple of years now, simply enjoying bracket racing with his friends. In addition to Sportsman, he began racing the much tougher Pro class in 2007, and was thrilled to win his first ever Pro event with his completely stock (except for tires) '07 Corvette. He added some autocross tires to his car for the Night of Fire so he could break them in, and ended up putting several heat cycles on the rubber by the end of the evening. Burford did not have an easy run, as he had to beat Jacob Rutledge, Toby Barnes and several other racers en route to his final round appearance. The final was no easier, as he faced Rickey Morris' Ellenwood, GA based '80 Malibu. (Rutledge, Barnes and Morris have many championships in different classes and each has been racing several decades.) In the final, Morris actually had the reaction time advantage, but his car fell off the pace a little, posting a 7.01 at 97.07mph (6.95 dial). Burford kept the hammer down in his Corvette, and took the win stripe .006 seconds ahead of Morris with an 8.72 at 83.31mph (8.71 dial). Toby Barnes ('70 GTO - Newnan, GA) and Al Hause ('72 Cutlass - Grayson, GA) were the semi-final pair. "This is fantastic! I'm thrilled to experience the victory," exclaimed Burford.
Joe Goddard of Stockbridge, GA comes from a family of winners, although they have taken a several year hiatus from racing. After a two year absence, Goddard entered his quick '89 Silverado in Sportsman competition, and enjoyed taking the win light against former champ Mel Abney's Cumming, GA based '67 Camaro. Goddard's reaction time and closer to the dial 13.75 at 96.31mph (13.70 target) closed the door to Abney's chance of victory, after his mount slowed a bit to 13.08 at 104.12mph (13.00 dial). Jamie Starace ('88 Camaro - Locust Grove, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse. The Goddards are currently rebuilding Allen's wheelstanding Nova, with Joe and Allen planning to share driving duties.
Tim Sutton from Clermont, GA has raced Motocycle class for years, and visited the track tonight, along with his entire family, who cheered him on. Sutton's '71 Suzuki actually broke out slightly, but the race was already over the moment points leader Ryan Coover lit up the cherry colored bulb with a too quick -.029 react. Sutton posted a 5.758 at 115.54mph (5.76 dial). Knowing it was all over, Coover chose to run his Cartersville, GA based '04 Kawasaki on out to an otherwise good 6.48 at 96.27mph (6.45 dial). Paul Cavanaugh ('02 Hayabusa - Loganville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. Sutton's wife, Jennifer, added, "All the rounds were
tough." Sutton then thanked his mom, dad and all the family and friends who came with him to the event.
Jordan Thurmond (14 - Statham, GA) enjoyed his first ever win by taking the final round win light in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Taylor Griffith from Homer, GA won the 2006 Night of Fire, and was well on his way to making it two in a row in 13-17 Jr Dragster. Griffith turned 17 years old today, and was looking forward to a double celebration, but Thurmond saw things differently. Griffith had a stellar .001 reaction time, but then broke out by a very small margin (.003 seconds) with an 8.247 at 80.05mph (8.25 dial). Thurmond enjoyed winning, courtesy of a 7.93 at 81.20mph (7.90 dial). Taylor's brother, Blake Griffith (13 - Homer, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. The Thurmonds thanked their family and friends for all the support,
including Bill Gillen.
Wesley Mayfield (10 - Gainesville, GA) won the first event of the 2007 season in 8-12 Jr Dragster, and repeated the feat again with a .01 over 8.99 at 72.38mph (8.98 target) with his Young Guns powered machine. His opponent, points leader Chris Bowden (10 - Homer, GA) made his fifth final round appearance of 2007, but barely broke out with a 9.187 at 79.16mph (9.19 dial). New racer Charlie Smith (8 - McDonough, GA) enjoyed making it all the way to the semi-final round.
Keith Baker from Dothan, AL qualified his '63 Corvette in the number one spot for the Dixie Pro Mod exhibition with a 4.18 elapsed time, and was the best in each round, including the final. Baker tripped the eighth mile finish line beams with a 4.153 at 178.14mph for the win, a mere .008 seconds ahead of Johnny Pilcher ('63 Corvette - Enterprise, AL). Pilcher's machine
laid down a 4.165 at 175.37mph for the runner up purse. Ben Ledford ('41 Willys - Kennesaw, GA) and Jamie Hancock ('04 Corvette - Opelika, AL) were the semi-finalists.
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 2007 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/ .
:
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Michael Bruce '99 Worthy dragster Covington, GA 5.071 136.81 (5.07)
R/U: Thomas Bell '72 Vega Toccoa, GA 6.32 109.10 (6.29)
Semi: Don Brown, Jr. '03 Spitzer dragster Buford, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Burford '07 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.72 83.31 (8.71)
R/U: Rickey Morris '80 Malibu Ellenwood, GA 7.01 97.07 (6.95)
Semi: Toby Barnes '70 GTO Newnan, GA
Semi: Al Hause '72 Cutlass Grayson, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Goddard '89 Silverado Stockbridge, GA 13.75 96.31 (13.70)
R/U: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 13.08 104.12 (13.00)
Semi: Jamie Starace '88 Camaro Locust Grove, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Tim Sutton '71 Suzuki Clermont, GA 5.758 115.54 (5.76)
R/U: Ryan Coover '04 Kawasaki Cartersville, GA (foul) 6.48 96.27 (6.45)
Semi: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Suzuki Hayabusa Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wesley Mayfield 10 Gainesville, GA 8.99 72.38 (8.98)
R/U: Chris Bowden 10 Homer, GA 9.187 79.16 (9.19)
Semi: Charlie Smith 8 McDonough, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jordan Thurmond 14 Statham, GA 7.93 81.2 (7.90)
R/U: Taylor Griffith 17 Homer, GA 8.247 80.05 (8.25)
Semi: Blake Griffith 13 Homer, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
DIXIE PRO MOD CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Keith Baker '63 Corvette Dothan, AL 4.153 178.14
R/U: Johnny Pilcher '63 Corvette Enterprise, AL 4.165 175.37
Semi: Ben Ledford '41 Willys Kennesaw, GA
Semi: Jamie Hancock '04 Corvette Opelika, AL
-----------------------------------------------
EVENT: Powerade Night of Fire event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - June 23) Fans came from all over Georgia and several neighboring states to Atlanta Dragway to enjoy the Powerade Night of Fire, featuring the largest fireworks display in North Georgia, the Jet racers of Elaine Larsen, Paul Miller and Les Shockley, Dixie Pro Mods, the Coca Cola cash grab, hundreds of bracket cars and much, much more. J.D. Burford, a
family physician from Greenville, South Carolina, enjoyed winning the top spot in the tough Pro class for the first time with his totally stock Corvette. Joining him in the Super Pro winner's circle for the first time was Michael Bruce. Jordan Thurmond also enjoyed his first win, in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class.
After a moment of silence for the nine fireman who recently lost their lives in Charleston, the event was opened with a prayer by Racers For Christ pastor Lloyd Shanks. The national anthem was then played, followed by the first exhibition passes of the Jet racers.
Elaine Larsen brought her Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Jet Dragster to the track and thrilled fans with her fire and smoke show, taking on Paul Miller, her teacher and mentor. She announced to the crowd she was going to take him to school, but the teacher didn't cut her any slack on the race course. Larsen actually ran a faster mph than Miller in the last exhibition
pass (268mph vs. Miller's 262mph, but he was a little quicker with a 5.74 second elapsed time, to Larsen's 5.80 second pass. The National Guard came to the track to do some recruiting, and brought several of their people, along with two Humvees and one of their boom trucks. One of the Humvees got pressed into service as the tow car for Les Shockley's Shockwave jet truck
after they discovered their tow rig would not fit under the control tower. The National Guard folks were more than happy to help. North Georgia Tractor from Cornelia, Georgia had a display of Grasshopper lawnmowers, along with some New Holland tractors, for people to see, touch and ask questions. At the end of the evening, a drawing was held to give away a Schwinn Sting Ray
III bicycle to a lucky fan who had purchased a junior ticket for the Night of Fire. Young Blake Riley was thrilled to be the lucky winner.
Michael Bruce enjoyed his first ever Super Pro win with his Covington, GA based '99 Worthy dragster. Bruce met former track champion Thomas Bell of Toccoa, GA in the final, and although Bell had a stellar .009 react in his borrowed Vega (his dragster is broken at the moment), Bruce's dragster was on its game, carding a 5.071 at 136.81mph (5.07 dial). Bell had been running 6.29s all evening, but the car slipped a bit to 6.32 at 109.10mph (6.29 target) in the final. Don Brown Jr, who won a Summit race recently, earned the lone semi-finalist honor. "Finally! Thanks to mom and dad, my wife Dana, son Ryan, uncle Barry, Tommy Motes, John Clifton, J.D. Reid, Jeff Wilkerson and all my friends," added Bruce. He has made it to several finals in the past, including in the Malibu his dad now races, but was able to close the deal tonight.
J.D. Burford, a family physician from Greenville, South Carolina, has been making the trip to Atlanta Dragway for a couple of years now, simply enjoying bracket racing with his friends. In addition to Sportsman, he began racing the much tougher Pro class in 2007, and was thrilled to win his first ever Pro event with his completely stock (except for tires) '07 Corvette. He added some autocross tires to his car for the Night of Fire so he could break them in, and ended up putting several heat cycles on the rubber by the end of the evening. Burford did not have an easy run, as he had to beat Jacob Rutledge, Toby Barnes and several other racers en route to his final round appearance. The final was no easier, as he faced Rickey Morris' Ellenwood, GA based '80 Malibu. (Rutledge, Barnes and Morris have many championships in different classes and each has been racing several decades.) In the final, Morris actually had the reaction time advantage, but his car fell off the pace a little, posting a 7.01 at 97.07mph (6.95 dial). Burford kept the hammer down in his Corvette, and took the win stripe .006 seconds ahead of Morris with an 8.72 at 83.31mph (8.71 dial). Toby Barnes ('70 GTO - Newnan, GA) and Al Hause ('72 Cutlass - Grayson, GA) were the semi-final pair. "This is fantastic! I'm thrilled to experience the victory," exclaimed Burford.
Joe Goddard of Stockbridge, GA comes from a family of winners, although they have taken a several year hiatus from racing. After a two year absence, Goddard entered his quick '89 Silverado in Sportsman competition, and enjoyed taking the win light against former champ Mel Abney's Cumming, GA based '67 Camaro. Goddard's reaction time and closer to the dial 13.75 at 96.31mph (13.70 target) closed the door to Abney's chance of victory, after his mount slowed a bit to 13.08 at 104.12mph (13.00 dial). Jamie Starace ('88 Camaro - Locust Grove, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse. The Goddards are currently rebuilding Allen's wheelstanding Nova, with Joe and Allen planning to share driving duties.
Tim Sutton from Clermont, GA has raced Motocycle class for years, and visited the track tonight, along with his entire family, who cheered him on. Sutton's '71 Suzuki actually broke out slightly, but the race was already over the moment points leader Ryan Coover lit up the cherry colored bulb with a too quick -.029 react. Sutton posted a 5.758 at 115.54mph (5.76 dial). Knowing it was all over, Coover chose to run his Cartersville, GA based '04 Kawasaki on out to an otherwise good 6.48 at 96.27mph (6.45 dial). Paul Cavanaugh ('02 Hayabusa - Loganville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. Sutton's wife, Jennifer, added, "All the rounds were
tough." Sutton then thanked his mom, dad and all the family and friends who came with him to the event.
Jordan Thurmond (14 - Statham, GA) enjoyed his first ever win by taking the final round win light in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Taylor Griffith from Homer, GA won the 2006 Night of Fire, and was well on his way to making it two in a row in 13-17 Jr Dragster. Griffith turned 17 years old today, and was looking forward to a double celebration, but Thurmond saw things differently. Griffith had a stellar .001 reaction time, but then broke out by a very small margin (.003 seconds) with an 8.247 at 80.05mph (8.25 dial). Thurmond enjoyed winning, courtesy of a 7.93 at 81.20mph (7.90 dial). Taylor's brother, Blake Griffith (13 - Homer, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. The Thurmonds thanked their family and friends for all the support,
including Bill Gillen.
Wesley Mayfield (10 - Gainesville, GA) won the first event of the 2007 season in 8-12 Jr Dragster, and repeated the feat again with a .01 over 8.99 at 72.38mph (8.98 target) with his Young Guns powered machine. His opponent, points leader Chris Bowden (10 - Homer, GA) made his fifth final round appearance of 2007, but barely broke out with a 9.187 at 79.16mph (9.19 dial). New racer Charlie Smith (8 - McDonough, GA) enjoyed making it all the way to the semi-final round.
Keith Baker from Dothan, AL qualified his '63 Corvette in the number one spot for the Dixie Pro Mod exhibition with a 4.18 elapsed time, and was the best in each round, including the final. Baker tripped the eighth mile finish line beams with a 4.153 at 178.14mph for the win, a mere .008 seconds ahead of Johnny Pilcher ('63 Corvette - Enterprise, AL). Pilcher's machine
laid down a 4.165 at 175.37mph for the runner up purse. Ben Ledford ('41 Willys - Kennesaw, GA) and Jamie Hancock ('04 Corvette - Opelika, AL) were the semi-finalists.
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 2007 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to http://www.atlantadragway.com/ .
:
------------------------------------------------
SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Michael Bruce '99 Worthy dragster Covington, GA 5.071 136.81 (5.07)
R/U: Thomas Bell '72 Vega Toccoa, GA 6.32 109.10 (6.29)
Semi: Don Brown, Jr. '03 Spitzer dragster Buford, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Burford '07 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.72 83.31 (8.71)
R/U: Rickey Morris '80 Malibu Ellenwood, GA 7.01 97.07 (6.95)
Semi: Toby Barnes '70 GTO Newnan, GA
Semi: Al Hause '72 Cutlass Grayson, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Joe Goddard '89 Silverado Stockbridge, GA 13.75 96.31 (13.70)
R/U: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 13.08 104.12 (13.00)
Semi: Jamie Starace '88 Camaro Locust Grove, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Tim Sutton '71 Suzuki Clermont, GA 5.758 115.54 (5.76)
R/U: Ryan Coover '04 Kawasaki Cartersville, GA (foul) 6.48 96.27 (6.45)
Semi: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Suzuki Hayabusa Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Wesley Mayfield 10 Gainesville, GA 8.99 72.38 (8.98)
R/U: Chris Bowden 10 Homer, GA 9.187 79.16 (9.19)
Semi: Charlie Smith 8 McDonough, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jordan Thurmond 14 Statham, GA 7.93 81.2 (7.90)
R/U: Taylor Griffith 17 Homer, GA 8.247 80.05 (8.25)
Semi: Blake Griffith 13 Homer, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
DIXIE PRO MOD CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH
Win: Keith Baker '63 Corvette Dothan, AL 4.153 178.14
R/U: Johnny Pilcher '63 Corvette Enterprise, AL 4.165 175.37
Semi: Ben Ledford '41 Willys Kennesaw, GA
Semi: Jamie Hancock '04 Corvette Opelika, AL
-----------------------------------------------
posted by David @ 9:07 PM
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