BURFORD AND HIGGS ENJOY SECOND WIN OF SEASON
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit Snap-On event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 11) In spite of the heat, racers turned out to enjoy another day of bracket racing at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. Both J.D. Burford (Sportsman) and Dan Higgs (Super Pro) enjoyed their second Atlanta Dragway win of the year. A father-daughter team from Buford, GA (John Oliver - Sportsman) and Kiley Oliver (13-17 Jr Dragster) had a great day up to the final round in their respective classes. However, each succumbed to a red
light start in the final round.
Just one month ago, Dan Higgs from Acworth, GA enjoyed his first 2007 Atlanta Dragway Super Pro win, and he repeated that feat again with his '92 Racecraft dragster. This time, Higgs met Thomas Bell in the final. Bell's Toccoa, GA based '05 Undercover dragster actually had the starting line reaction time advantage, but dropped off enough ET by the finish line to allow Higgs to take the win stripe by a narrow .0019 seconds. Higgs posted a 5.49 at 124.22mph (5.48 dial), and Bell's mount went 4.79 at 142.16mph (4.77 dial). Stacy Blanton ('05 Undercover dragster - Jefferson, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Higgs quietly said, "I didn't do anything. Everyone just seemed to give me each round. My best reaction time was .016 seconds. My main concern was to get it to the staging lanes."
The "Mayor of Hickory Flat", Dickey Forrester, earned another Pro win with his Hickory Flat, GA based '67 Camaro against Jacob "Lucky" Rutledge from Hoschton, GA. Forrester left the starting line with a nice holeshot advantage (.018 react to Rutledge's .039 react) and turned it into a win light with a 6.569 at 101.77mph (6.54 dial). Rutledge was determined to take the finish line first, and did so by .013 seconds, but his '79 Capri went too quick, breaking out with a 7.605 at 91.14mph. Alton Clements III ('71 Mustang - Central, SC) and Jessie Wilson ('70 Nova - Tallapoosa, GA) claimed the semi-finalist purse. "I finally corrected all my previous mistakes. But it's about time, I've given him (Rutledge) a couple before," added Forrester.
Sportsman racer J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC has been racing at Atlanta Dragway for a couple of years now, and began racing in two classes for the 2007 season, to gain seat time and improve as a racer. His efforts first paid off during the recent Night of Fire event on June 23, when he won the super tough Pro class. Burford enjoyed his second win in tonight's Sportsman
class, taking on John Oliver from Buford, GA in the final round. Oliver's '99 Durango left the starting line just a hair too early, turning on the red light with a so-close -.001 second time. Burford's '07 Corvette went on to a 13.70 at 104.87mph (13.67 dial), and Oliver's machine put a 16.76 at 80.80mph (16.54 dial) on the scoreboards. Cumming, GA racer Mel Abney has been on a streak lately, winning several races, and moving to the top of the class in Sportsman points (440 points) with his '67 Camaro. Tonight, however, he lost to good friend J.D. Burford in the semi-final round. Scott Reynolds ('05 Chevy pickup - Cartersville, GA) was the other semi-final
finisher.
A few minutes prior to the Motorcycle final, eventual winner Howard Bowman from Homer, GA was kidding Jay Rhyne, saying, "You got the delay box; all I got is this Sharpie (marker). Bowman then used the Sharpie to put a 9.41 dial in time on his wife Kathy's completely stock '06 Harley Davidson, and backed it up with a dead-on 9.418 at 71.97mph. Rhyne's Athens, GA based '81 Kawasaki ran well, but was second across the big end stripe with a 7.76 at
86.33mph (7.72 dial). "I knew it would take something good to beat him. It only took me 10 years to do it! I also want to thank my wife Kathy for letting me use her bike," added Bowman. Paul Cavanaugh ('02 Hayabusa rocketship - Loganville, GA) and Scott Reynolds ('03 GSXR Suzuki - Cartersville, GA) were the semi-finalist pair.
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA won his second event in a row, this time against Bailey Denton (13 - McDonough, GA) in 8-12 Jr Dragster action. Hutchins had a slight reaction time advantage, which worked in his favor after Denton took too much finish line stripe and broke out with an 8.906 at 72.95mph (8.93 dial). Hutchins posted a good 8.95 at
72.10mph (8.92 dial) for the win. First year racer Becky Granneman from Kennesaw, GA (10 years old) earned her best finish to date with a semi-final round appearance. (Granneman's dad is Mark Granneman, who has two Atlanta Dragway Pro championships.) The other semi-final finisher was Mitchell Hennessee (12 - Dallas, GA). Hutchins' finish put him only 10 points out of
the lead, with 400 points (Chris Bowden is leading with 410 points).
Thirteen year old Kelsey Lynn from Marietta, GA scored the big win in 13-17 Jr Dragster with an 8.01 at 81.63mph (7.97 dial). Her opponent, Kiley Oliver (16 - Buford, GA) made the win easier for Lynn by turning on the dreaded tomato colored bulb with a too-quick reaction time. Oliver went on to a 9.35 at 68.73mph (9.29 target). Jacquelyn Lastinger (14 - Lilburn, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy.
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: Dan Higgs '92 Racecraft Acworth, GA 5.49 124.22 (5.48)
R/U: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA 4.79 142.16 (4.77)
Semi: Stacy Blanton '05 Undercover Jefferson, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA 6.56 101.77 (6.54)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Hoschton, GA 7.60 91.14 (7.61)
Semi: Alton Clements III '71 Mustang Central, SC
Semi: Jessie Wilson '70 Nova Tallapoosa, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Burford '07 Corvette Greenville, SC 13.70 104.87 (13.67)
R/U: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA (foul) 16.76 80.80 (16.54)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi: Scott Reynolds '05 Chevy truck Cartersville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Howard Bowman '06 Harley Homer, GA 9.418 71.97 (9.41)
R/U: "Jay Bird" Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.76 86.33 (7.72)
Semi: Scott Reynolds '03 Suzuki Cartersville, GA
Semi: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Hayabusa Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.95 72.10 (8.92)
R/U: Bailey Denton 13 McDonough, GA 8.90 72.95 (8.93)
Semi: Becky Granneman 10 Kennesaw, GA
Semi: Mitchell Hennessee 12 Dallas, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kelsey Lynn 13 Marietta, GA 8.01 81.63 (7.97)
R/U: Kiley Oliver 16 Buford, GA (foul) 9.35 68.73 (9.29)
Semi: Jackie Lastinger 14 Lilburn, GA
Semi:
EVENT: Summit Snap-On event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 11) In spite of the heat, racers turned out to enjoy another day of bracket racing at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. Both J.D. Burford (Sportsman) and Dan Higgs (Super Pro) enjoyed their second Atlanta Dragway win of the year. A father-daughter team from Buford, GA (John Oliver - Sportsman) and Kiley Oliver (13-17 Jr Dragster) had a great day up to the final round in their respective classes. However, each succumbed to a red
light start in the final round.
Just one month ago, Dan Higgs from Acworth, GA enjoyed his first 2007 Atlanta Dragway Super Pro win, and he repeated that feat again with his '92 Racecraft dragster. This time, Higgs met Thomas Bell in the final. Bell's Toccoa, GA based '05 Undercover dragster actually had the starting line reaction time advantage, but dropped off enough ET by the finish line to allow Higgs to take the win stripe by a narrow .0019 seconds. Higgs posted a 5.49 at 124.22mph (5.48 dial), and Bell's mount went 4.79 at 142.16mph (4.77 dial). Stacy Blanton ('05 Undercover dragster - Jefferson, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Higgs quietly said, "I didn't do anything. Everyone just seemed to give me each round. My best reaction time was .016 seconds. My main concern was to get it to the staging lanes."
The "Mayor of Hickory Flat", Dickey Forrester, earned another Pro win with his Hickory Flat, GA based '67 Camaro against Jacob "Lucky" Rutledge from Hoschton, GA. Forrester left the starting line with a nice holeshot advantage (.018 react to Rutledge's .039 react) and turned it into a win light with a 6.569 at 101.77mph (6.54 dial). Rutledge was determined to take the finish line first, and did so by .013 seconds, but his '79 Capri went too quick, breaking out with a 7.605 at 91.14mph. Alton Clements III ('71 Mustang - Central, SC) and Jessie Wilson ('70 Nova - Tallapoosa, GA) claimed the semi-finalist purse. "I finally corrected all my previous mistakes. But it's about time, I've given him (Rutledge) a couple before," added Forrester.
Sportsman racer J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC has been racing at Atlanta Dragway for a couple of years now, and began racing in two classes for the 2007 season, to gain seat time and improve as a racer. His efforts first paid off during the recent Night of Fire event on June 23, when he won the super tough Pro class. Burford enjoyed his second win in tonight's Sportsman
class, taking on John Oliver from Buford, GA in the final round. Oliver's '99 Durango left the starting line just a hair too early, turning on the red light with a so-close -.001 second time. Burford's '07 Corvette went on to a 13.70 at 104.87mph (13.67 dial), and Oliver's machine put a 16.76 at 80.80mph (16.54 dial) on the scoreboards. Cumming, GA racer Mel Abney has been on a streak lately, winning several races, and moving to the top of the class in Sportsman points (440 points) with his '67 Camaro. Tonight, however, he lost to good friend J.D. Burford in the semi-final round. Scott Reynolds ('05 Chevy pickup - Cartersville, GA) was the other semi-final
finisher.
A few minutes prior to the Motorcycle final, eventual winner Howard Bowman from Homer, GA was kidding Jay Rhyne, saying, "You got the delay box; all I got is this Sharpie (marker). Bowman then used the Sharpie to put a 9.41 dial in time on his wife Kathy's completely stock '06 Harley Davidson, and backed it up with a dead-on 9.418 at 71.97mph. Rhyne's Athens, GA based '81 Kawasaki ran well, but was second across the big end stripe with a 7.76 at
86.33mph (7.72 dial). "I knew it would take something good to beat him. It only took me 10 years to do it! I also want to thank my wife Kathy for letting me use her bike," added Bowman. Paul Cavanaugh ('02 Hayabusa rocketship - Loganville, GA) and Scott Reynolds ('03 GSXR Suzuki - Cartersville, GA) were the semi-finalist pair.
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins from Monroe, GA won his second event in a row, this time against Bailey Denton (13 - McDonough, GA) in 8-12 Jr Dragster action. Hutchins had a slight reaction time advantage, which worked in his favor after Denton took too much finish line stripe and broke out with an 8.906 at 72.95mph (8.93 dial). Hutchins posted a good 8.95 at
72.10mph (8.92 dial) for the win. First year racer Becky Granneman from Kennesaw, GA (10 years old) earned her best finish to date with a semi-final round appearance. (Granneman's dad is Mark Granneman, who has two Atlanta Dragway Pro championships.) The other semi-final finisher was Mitchell Hennessee (12 - Dallas, GA). Hutchins' finish put him only 10 points out of
the lead, with 400 points (Chris Bowden is leading with 410 points).
Thirteen year old Kelsey Lynn from Marietta, GA scored the big win in 13-17 Jr Dragster with an 8.01 at 81.63mph (7.97 dial). Her opponent, Kiley Oliver (16 - Buford, GA) made the win easier for Lynn by turning on the dreaded tomato colored bulb with a too-quick reaction time. Oliver went on to a 9.35 at 68.73mph (9.29 target). Jacquelyn Lastinger (14 - Lilburn, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy.
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: Dan Higgs '92 Racecraft Acworth, GA 5.49 124.22 (5.48)
R/U: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA 4.79 142.16 (4.77)
Semi: Stacy Blanton '05 Undercover Jefferson, GA
Semi:
-----------------------------------------------
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA 6.56 101.77 (6.54)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Hoschton, GA 7.60 91.14 (7.61)
Semi: Alton Clements III '71 Mustang Central, SC
Semi: Jessie Wilson '70 Nova Tallapoosa, GA
-----------------------------------------------
SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: J.D. Burford '07 Corvette Greenville, SC 13.70 104.87 (13.67)
R/U: John Oliver '99 Durango Buford, GA (foul) 16.76 80.80 (16.54)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA
Semi: Scott Reynolds '05 Chevy truck Cartersville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Howard Bowman '06 Harley Homer, GA 9.418 71.97 (9.41)
R/U: "Jay Bird" Rhyne '81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.76 86.33 (7.72)
Semi: Scott Reynolds '03 Suzuki Cartersville, GA
Semi: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Hayabusa Loganville, GA
-----------------------------------------------
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA 8.95 72.10 (8.92)
R/U: Bailey Denton 13 McDonough, GA 8.90 72.95 (8.93)
Semi: Becky Granneman 10 Kennesaw, GA
Semi: Mitchell Hennessee 12 Dallas, GA
-----------------------------------------------
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kelsey Lynn 13 Marietta, GA 8.01 81.63 (7.97)
R/U: Kiley Oliver 16 Buford, GA (foul) 9.35 68.73 (9.29)
Semi: Jackie Lastinger 14 Lilburn, GA
Semi:
posted by David @ 9:12 PM
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