Old Drag Racers Reunion - Panama City, Florida September 28-30, 2007
FATHER AND SON WIN MOTORCYCLE TWO DAYS IN A ROW, BRYANT WINS FIRST RACE IN SNAP ON TOOLS DAY AT THE RACES
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Snap-On Tools Day at the Races at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 19) In spite of the heat, hundreds of Snap-On Tools customers enjoyed the 2007 edition of the Snap-On Tools Day at the Races. Snap On Tools representatives gave their customers free passes to either race or watch their friends race at Atlanta Dragway. They also got the chance to look at many of the latest Snap On Tools on display in the Snap On
booth, including their new three bay "war wagon".
Daryl Johnsey won the Snap On Motorcycle class approximately 20 hours after his stepson, Allen Hitt, won the Atlanta Dragway NHRA National Dragster Challenge event. Woody Bryant enjoyed his first ever bracket racing win with a dead-on pass in Pro class.
The lucky top finishing racers in each class were awarded various Snap On Tools for their efforts. Prizes included a Snap On roll away base cabinet for the Super Pro and Pro winners, a Snap On floor jack for the Motorcycle winner, Snap On cordless impact wrenches, Snap On creepers and many other fine tools.
Bill Rimmer, Jr brought his Outlaw '92 Trans Am to make exhibition passes. The twin turbocharged machine wowed spectators with a 7.43 second pass at 198.61mph and another 7.44 second pass. Rimmer was also preparing his car for the upcoming World Street Nationals.
Justin Knott was the first winner of the day, winning the Burnout Contest. Knott smoked up the entire starting line with his '04 Chevy 2500 Duramax powered truck.
"I'm out of retirement. I had to before Donny Jr used up all my parts," exclaimed Super Pro winner Don Brown Sr from Buford, GA. Brown met Commerce, GA racer Marty "John Force Jr." Wiles in the final round, and took the win stripe with his '03 Spitzer dragster by a mere .022 seconds before Wiles. Wiles' '23 Altered had been on the mark all day, running between 5.08 and 5.10 seconds, but unfortunately it slowed a bit in the final to a 5.13. Wiles' long smoky burnouts were great crowd pleasers (which is why he earned the nickname John Force Jr). Brown's machine posted a 5.09 at 135.08mph (5.08 dial). Wilhelm saw a 5.13 at 132.90mph (5.10 dial) on the scoreboards. Brown thanked his grandson Ryan, Celeste and Gary Peebles, and Michael Dobbs. "I had a really good time. I want to thank God, my wife Linda and
Hank," added Wiles. Thomas Bell ('05 Undercover dragster - Toccoa, GA) and Travis Bryant ('67 Camaro - Bowman, GA) were the semi-final prize winners.
Another member of the Bryant family enjoyed a great day at the races. Woody Bryant, also from Bowman, GA won his first bracket race, in Pro class, with his '82 Camaro. Bryant received the instant win when his opponent, first time racer Dwight Ellis ('88 Mustang - Washington, GA), turned on the big red foul bulb at the starting line. Ellis was thrilled he made it that far
in his first race, and definitely improved the chances of someone seeing the for sale sign in the window of his car. He thanked his Snap on rep, Vonne Price, for giving him the entry. Knowing he already had the win, Bryant was even more thrilled to see his time slip, a dead-on 12.030 at 110.31mph (12.03 dial). Bryant thanked his wife Paula, Wade Bryant and engine builder David Beatenbough for all their help. David Trimble ('72 Ventura II - Lilburn, GA) was the lone semi-finalist.
Motorcycle winner Daryl Johnsey enjoyed winning Motorcycle class less than 20 hours after his stepson, Allen Hitt won the Motorcycle NHRA National Dragster Challenge during Saturday's Summit event. Johnsey's '82 Kawasaki ZRX750 was close to the mark, running a breakout 12.29 at 105.68mph (12.32 dial), but the infraction was the lesser one after Stanley Russell of Gray, GA turned on the bright red foul bulb with a too quick reaction time. His '04 Suzuki GSXR1000 carded a 10.39 at 128.42mph (10.35 target). Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler ('00 Ninja - Woodstock, GA) and Zach Hulsey ('00 Suzuki - Clermont, GA) ended the day in the semi-final round. "My bike wasn't the oldest one here, but it was close," added Johnsey. Johnsey may well have been the oldest rider, however. "If a red light got me this (Snap On cordless impact wrench), I'm good. We had a great time," said Russell.
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/ .
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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Don Brown Sr '03 Spitzer dragster Buford, GA 5.09 135.08 (5.08)
R/U: Marty Wilhelm '23 Altered Commerce, GA 5.13 132.90 (5.10)
Semi: Travis Bryant '68 Camaro Bowman, GA
Semi: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Woody Bryant '82 Camaro Bowman, GA 12.030 110.31 (12.03)
R/U: Dwight Ellis '88 Mustang Washington, GA (foul) 18.58 61.00 (14.30)
Semi: David Trimble '72 Ventura II Lilburn, GA
Semi:
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Daryl Johnsey '82 Kawasaki ZRX750 Cartersville,
GA 12.29 105.68 (12.32)
R/U: Stanley Russell '04 Suzuki GSXR1000 Clermont,
GA (foul) 10.39 128.42 (10.35)
Semi: Jimmy Heisler '00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA
Semi: Zach Hulsey '00 Suzuki Clermont, GA
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ABNEY WINS THIRD RACE IN FOUR EVENTS, RAMPLEY SCORES PERFECT RUN, HITT WINS THE MOTORCYCLE NHRA NATIONAL DRAGSTER CHALLENGE
FROM: Tim Glover
EVENT: Summit Snap-On event at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
(Commerce, GA - August 18) Former Sportsman champ Mel Abney furthered his lead in the 2007 Sportsman points series with his third win in just four events. Super Pro racer Joe Rampley bought his '86 Regal a few months ago, and entered just his fifth event today. He was rewarded with his first ever perfect run (.000 reaction time and 5.280 on a 5.28 dial) during round two, and then went on to a semi-final finish. "I've been looking for that 25 years," added the happy Rampley. Motorcycle racer Allen Hitt enjoyed winning his first National Dragster Challenge event, in just his second attempt.
Former Super Pro track champion Lloyd Kaylor experienced a broken torque converter in his dragster recently, so he brought out his faithful '87 Regal to race. The Winder, GA based car performed almost flawlessly, carrying him to the Super Pro win against "John Boy" Smith from Bowersville, GA. Kaylor was first off the mark with a .015 second react, and then crossed the win stripe with a dead-on 7.626 at 87.85mph. Smith was also dead-on, running 6.284 at 107.39mph (6.28 dial), but an otherwise good .024 react relegated him to runner up. Recent Georgia transplant Walt Mesik ('04 Miller dragster - Madison, GA) and Joe Rampley ('86 Regal - Gainesville, GA) finished in the semi-final round. "I brought the car because the dragster broke. However, it might not take that much of an excuse to bring it back again," added Kaylor.
"This win is for Ray and Elizabeth Brown," stated Pro winner Chris Carlile after the race. The former track champion actually crossed the big end stripe with his Canton, GA based '69 Camaro behind Bruce Wilson's '85 S-10 pickup, but got the win after Wilson broke out ever so slightly with a 7.413 at 89.62mph (7.42 target). Carlile's machine carded a 6.47 at 107.93mph
(6.45 dial). Carlile has only been to the track three times in 2007. Wilson's truck was sporting the engine that carried him to the 2001 NHRA Division Two ET finals win (it was in a '67 El Camino at that time). Roger Kobos ('78 Monte Carlo - Covington, GA) and Dickey Forrester ('67 Camaro - Hickory Flat, GA) were the semi-final pair.
Mel Abney from Cumming, GA has been on a tear in Sportsman, and further increased his points lead with his third victory in the past four events. Seeing he had some reaction time advantage over his final round opponent Scott Preves, Abney tapped the brakes on the top end a bit to slow his '67 Camaro to an 8.53 at 82.92mph (8.48 dial). Preves broke out with a 10.84 at 62.00mph (10.86 dial) in his Monroe, GA based '93 Lumina trying to stay ahead of Abney. Adam Blalock ('90 Mustang - Eastanolee, GA) and Scott Reynolds ('05 Chevy truck - Cartersville, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round. "I really enjoy running the eighth mile course. You don't have as much time to think (as compared to running quarter mile) and it's
easier on the parts," added Abney.
Tonight's event was a big hit for Motorcycle winner Allen Hitt of Cartersville, GA. Hitt, who used to race at the now closed Southeastern International Dragway. Hitt enjoyed his first Atlanta Dragway win against Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler of Woodstock, GA. In doing so, Hitt not only won the "Wally" trophy and cap awarded to the National Dragster Challenge winner, he also received the RFC day winner's trophy as well. Scott Reynolds ('03 Suzuki - Cartersville, GA) and Paul Cavanaugh ('02 Hayabusa - Loganville, GA) won the semi-finalist portion of the purse. Heisler's wife, Eeman Heisler, added with a smile, "He let him win. He's very kind."
Nine year old Cole Wood from Jefferson, GA won today's 8-12 Jr Dragster event the moment his opponent, Dylan Hutchins (12 - Monroe, GA) left the starting line with the red light glowing (due to a too-quick -.039 reaction time). Wood kept the pedal to the metal, putting a breakout 12.82 at 50.16mph (12.90 dial) into the books. Hutchins run was otherwise nearly perfect, running 8.902 at 73.01mph (8.90 goal). Wesley Mayfield (11 - Gainesville, GA) and John Gordon (12 - Hiram, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy for their efforts. Hutchins did pass points leader Chris Bowden today, and now Hutchins is leading the chase with 460 points to Bowden's 430.
Seventeen year old Chuck Hardy from Hiram, GA took the 13-17 year old win against 14 year old Morgan Wood of Hoschton, GA. Seeing he was ahead of Wood, Hardy trimmed some ET and speed off the run, ending with a race-winning 8.11 at 76.25mph (7.93 dial). Wood slowed much further to an 8.52 at 78.81mph (7.94 dial). Leighann Mayfield (14 - Gainesville, GA) moved
into the third spot in the points with her semi-final finish Brett Bowman (16 - Homer, GA) was the other semi-final finisher.
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/ .
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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Lloyd Kaylor '87 Regal Winder, GA 7.626 87.85 (7.62)
R/U: "John Boy" Smith '71 Vega Bowersville, GA 6.284 107.39 (6.28)
Semi: Joe Rampley '86 Regal Gainesville, GA
Semi: Walt Mesik '04 Miller dragster Madison, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.47 107.93 (6.45)
R/U: Bruce Wilson '85 S-10 pickup Tallapoosa, GA 7.41 89.62 (7.42)
Semi: Roger Kobos '78 Monte Carlo Covington, GA
Semi: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming, GA 8.53 82.92 (8.48)
R/U: Scott Preves '93 Lumina Monroe, GA 10.84 62.00 (10.86)
Semi: Adam Blalock '90 Mustang Eastanolee, GA
Semi: Scott Reynolds '05 Chevy truck Cartersville, GA
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Allen Hitt '92 Honda Cartersville, GA 7.77 91.33 (7.70)
R/U: Jimmy Heisler '00 Kawasaki Woodstock, GA 6.79 103.58 (6.28)
Semi: Scott Reynolds '03 Suzuki Cartersville, GA
Semi: Paul Cavanaugh '02 Hayabusa Loganville, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Cole Wood 9 Jefferson, GA 12.82 50.16 (12.90)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe, GA (foul) 8.90 73.01 (8.90)
Semi: Wesley Mayfield 11 Gainesville, GA
Semi: John Gordon 12 Hiram, GA
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Chuck Hardy 17 Hiram, GA 8.11 76.25 (7.93)
R/U: Morgan Wood 14 Hoschton, GA 8.52 78.81 (7.94)
Semi: Leighann Mayfield 14 Gainesville, GA
Semi: Brett Bowman 16 Homer, GA
