BELL WINS BACKTO BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS, FORRESTER SEALS PRO CHAMPIONSHIP WITH WIN
EVENT: Final Summit ET points event and Kingof the Track race at Atlanta Dragway in 2007
by Tim Glover
(Commerce,GA – September 22) The final Atlanta Dragway Summit ET Series pointsevent was blessed with great weather and enjoyed by many racers. In addition tothe final points event, the annual NHRA King of the Track event offered extra awards for the winners. Only two of the six championships were sealed prior to this event, and some of the other four were too close for comfort for the winners. All the points leaders coming into this last race did leave the event crowned as 2007 Atlanta Dragway Track Champion, and two of them even took home tonight’s event win as well.
Congratulations go to all the 2007 Atlanta Dragway track champions. The winners are: Thomas Bell (Super Pro –Toccoa, GA), Dickey Forrester (Pro – Hickory Flat, GA), Mel Abney (Sportsman –Cumming, GA), Ryan Coover (Motorcycle – Cartersville, GA), Dylan Hutchins (8-12Jr Dragster – Monroe, GA) and JackieLastinger (13-17 Jr Dragster – Lilburn, GA).
At the end of the Summit ET race, the annual NHRA King of the Track event was also held, where the four “big car” winners held a runoff to see who could lay down the best package (amount of time off of perfect for a single pass). All four contestants received a King of the Track hat, and the King of the Track winner, Keith Fuller, also received a coveted“Wally” trophy. Fuller (’96 Dragster, Lawrenceville, GA) had a 0.030 secondpackage, Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki, Athens, GA) put down a 0.069 second package (the exact same package as he did in the 2006 King of the Track event),Dickey Forrester (’67 Camaro, Hickory Flat, GA) was a little further off with a0.073 second package, and Scott Reynolds (’05 Chevy pickup, Cartersville, GA)finished the event with a 0.090 second package. For the first time, all four King of the Track contestants broke out (ran quicker than their estimated time)on their passes, with Fuller breaking out the least.
Super Pro winner Keith Fuller had a banner day at the track with his ’96 dragster, taking the win stripe a mere eleven thousandths of a second ahead of Bob Lutz’s Iva, SC based Mopar. Fuller posted a 5.61 at 122.47mph (5.59 target), and Lutz was off just a little more with a 7.42 at 90.46mph (7.39 dial). Paul Dooley (’80 Monza – Gainesville, GA) and Tommy Motes (’92 Undercover dragster – Loganville, GA) were the semi-finalist purse winners. Thomas Bell, who was also the 2006 track champ,had a 30 point lead over Wayne Brooks coming in to this event, but Brooks made an exciting finish, closing the gap to 10 (one round win) by the end (580 forBell to Brooks’ 570).
Pro winner Dickey Forrester from Hickory Flat, GA came in 40 points ahead of Jacob Rutledge of Hoschton, GA. Rutledge,a multiple time former track champion did not make it easy, as both took the points fight all the way to the final, where Forrester defeated Rutledge, both for the event and the season. The final points tally was Forrester – 720 and Rutledge – 670. Forrester’s ’67 Camaro was nearly perfect in the final, posting a 6.487 at 106.41mph for the win (6.48 dial-in). Rutledge took just a little too much stripe at the finish line, breaking out with a 7.471 at 92.70mph (7.48dial). Kim Ellington (’81 Camaro – Conyers, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Forrester almost won the 2006 Pro championship, but lost inthe runoff race after tying good friend Chris Carlile in the points.
Long time Sportsman racer Scott Reynolds from Cartersville, GA has enjoyed competing in two classes simultaneously this year. He scored theSportsman win this evening with his tow truck, a 2005 Chevy Silverado, against young Allen Long from Ballground, GA. Reynolds had the better reaction time in the final, and turned it into a win light witha 10.843 at 59.40 mph (10.79 dial). Long, who won the 13-17 year old Jr Dragster class at the final 2006 Summit event, crossed the finish line moments later with a 10.55 at 66.19mph in his truck (10.45 dial). The semi-finalists were Steve Wagner (’03 Neon – Jefferson, GA) and Adam Blalock (’88 Mustang – Eastanollee, GA). The newly crowned Sportsman champion, Mel Abney from Cumming, GA was also the 2003 champ. Abney came into tonight’s event with a lock on thechampionship, and finished the season with 590 points, 70 ahead of Buford, GA racer John Oliver (who won the final Summit ET event in 2006 with his ’99 Durango).
Many time Motorcycle track champion “Jay Bird” Rhyne from Athens, GA may not have won the 2007 track championship,but he did have the pleasure of taking the final round win with his trusty ’81Kawasaki against the newly crowned champion, Ryan Coover (’01 Honda –Cartersville, GA). Although Rhyne broke out a little, carding a 7.70 at87.36mph (7.72 dial), Coover’s red light start determined the outcome. Cooverwent on to a 6.10 at 115.65mph (6.18 dial). Tim Sutton (’71 Suzuki - Gainesville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. Coover came into the day with the points lead,and left with 330 points, 70 ahead of Jay Rhyne.
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins of Monroe, GA had a fantastic second half of the 2007 season in 8-12 Jr Dragster, taking the lead mid-season and ending the last race of the season with both a race win and the 2007 track championship. Hutchins defeated Dylan Kent (12 – Acworth, GA) in both the reaction time department and the finish line department, running a superb 8.912 at 72.35mph (8.91 dial). Kent was no slouch either, tightening the finish line up with an 8.909 at 73.69mph (8.90dial). Kent was also the runner up in the final race of the 2006 season. Brittney Helleman from Buford, GA was the solo semi-finalist. Hutchins finished with 560 points, 80 ahead of Chris Bowden, who led the early season points chase.
In what turned out to be a repeat of the previous Summit ET event, the final three players in 13-17 Jr Dragster were the same, as were the results. Blake Griffith (13 – Homer, GA) took the final round win light against a red-lighting Kelsey Lynn (13 – Marietta, GA). Griffith’s times were 9.25 at 70.77mph (9.16 target). Other than that, Lynn’s car was nearly flawless, posting a 7.989 at 82.66mph (7.97 dial). Ashley Riggs (16 – Madison, GA) was the semi-final trophy earner. Jackie Lastinger from Lilburn, GA ended her season with 520 points, with Kelsey Lynn coming in second at 480 points.
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 maybe 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: Keith Fuller ’96 Dragster Lawrenceville,GA 5.61 122.47 (5.59)
R/U: Bob Lutz Mopar Iva, SC 7.42 90.46 (7.39)
Semi: Tommy Motes ’92Undercover Loganville, GA
Semi: Paul Dooley ’80Monza Gainesville, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester ’67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA 6.487 106.41 (6.48)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge ’79 Capri Hoschton, GA 7.471 92.70 (7.48)
Semi: Kim Ellington ’81Camaro Conyers, GA
Semi:
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Scott Reynolds ’05 Chevy pickup Cartersville, GA 10.84 59.40 (10.79)
R/U: Allen Long ’00Truck Woodstock, GA 10.55 66.19 (10.45)
Semi: Steve Wagner ’03Neon Jefferson, GA
Semi: Adam Blalock ’88Mustang Eastanollee, GA
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MOTORCYCLE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jay Bird Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.70 87.36 (7.72)
R/U: Ryan Coover ’01Honda Cartersville, GA (foul) 6.10 115.66 (6.18)
Semi: Tim Sutton ’71Suzuki Clermont, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe,GA 8.912 72.35 (8.91)
R/U: Dylan Kent 12 Acworth, GA 8.909 73.69 (8.90)
Semi: Brittney Helleman Buford,GA
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13-17 JRDRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Blake Griffith 13 Homer,GA 9.25 70.77 (9.16)
R/U: Kelsey Lynn 13 Marietta, GA (foul) 7.989 82.66 (7.97)
Semi: Ashley Riggs 16 Madison, GA
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KING OFTHE TRACK VEHICLE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Keith Fuller ’96 Dragster Lawrenceville, GA (0.030 second package)
R/U: Jay Bird Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens,GA (0.069 second package)
Semi: Dickey Forrester ’67 Camaro HickoryFlat, GA (0.073 second package)
Semi: Scott Reynolds ’05 Chevy pickup Cartersville, GA (0.090 second package)
by Tim Glover
(Commerce,GA – September 22) The final Atlanta Dragway Summit ET Series pointsevent was blessed with great weather and enjoyed by many racers. In addition tothe final points event, the annual NHRA King of the Track event offered extra awards for the winners. Only two of the six championships were sealed prior to this event, and some of the other four were too close for comfort for the winners. All the points leaders coming into this last race did leave the event crowned as 2007 Atlanta Dragway Track Champion, and two of them even took home tonight’s event win as well.
Congratulations go to all the 2007 Atlanta Dragway track champions. The winners are: Thomas Bell (Super Pro –Toccoa, GA), Dickey Forrester (Pro – Hickory Flat, GA), Mel Abney (Sportsman –Cumming, GA), Ryan Coover (Motorcycle – Cartersville, GA), Dylan Hutchins (8-12Jr Dragster – Monroe, GA) and JackieLastinger (13-17 Jr Dragster – Lilburn, GA).
At the end of the Summit ET race, the annual NHRA King of the Track event was also held, where the four “big car” winners held a runoff to see who could lay down the best package (amount of time off of perfect for a single pass). All four contestants received a King of the Track hat, and the King of the Track winner, Keith Fuller, also received a coveted“Wally” trophy. Fuller (’96 Dragster, Lawrenceville, GA) had a 0.030 secondpackage, Jay “Bird” Rhyne (’81 Kawasaki, Athens, GA) put down a 0.069 second package (the exact same package as he did in the 2006 King of the Track event),Dickey Forrester (’67 Camaro, Hickory Flat, GA) was a little further off with a0.073 second package, and Scott Reynolds (’05 Chevy pickup, Cartersville, GA)finished the event with a 0.090 second package. For the first time, all four King of the Track contestants broke out (ran quicker than their estimated time)on their passes, with Fuller breaking out the least.
Super Pro winner Keith Fuller had a banner day at the track with his ’96 dragster, taking the win stripe a mere eleven thousandths of a second ahead of Bob Lutz’s Iva, SC based Mopar. Fuller posted a 5.61 at 122.47mph (5.59 target), and Lutz was off just a little more with a 7.42 at 90.46mph (7.39 dial). Paul Dooley (’80 Monza – Gainesville, GA) and Tommy Motes (’92 Undercover dragster – Loganville, GA) were the semi-finalist purse winners. Thomas Bell, who was also the 2006 track champ,had a 30 point lead over Wayne Brooks coming in to this event, but Brooks made an exciting finish, closing the gap to 10 (one round win) by the end (580 forBell to Brooks’ 570).
Pro winner Dickey Forrester from Hickory Flat, GA came in 40 points ahead of Jacob Rutledge of Hoschton, GA. Rutledge,a multiple time former track champion did not make it easy, as both took the points fight all the way to the final, where Forrester defeated Rutledge, both for the event and the season. The final points tally was Forrester – 720 and Rutledge – 670. Forrester’s ’67 Camaro was nearly perfect in the final, posting a 6.487 at 106.41mph for the win (6.48 dial-in). Rutledge took just a little too much stripe at the finish line, breaking out with a 7.471 at 92.70mph (7.48dial). Kim Ellington (’81 Camaro – Conyers, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Forrester almost won the 2006 Pro championship, but lost inthe runoff race after tying good friend Chris Carlile in the points.
Long time Sportsman racer Scott Reynolds from Cartersville, GA has enjoyed competing in two classes simultaneously this year. He scored theSportsman win this evening with his tow truck, a 2005 Chevy Silverado, against young Allen Long from Ballground, GA. Reynolds had the better reaction time in the final, and turned it into a win light witha 10.843 at 59.40 mph (10.79 dial). Long, who won the 13-17 year old Jr Dragster class at the final 2006 Summit event, crossed the finish line moments later with a 10.55 at 66.19mph in his truck (10.45 dial). The semi-finalists were Steve Wagner (’03 Neon – Jefferson, GA) and Adam Blalock (’88 Mustang – Eastanollee, GA). The newly crowned Sportsman champion, Mel Abney from Cumming, GA was also the 2003 champ. Abney came into tonight’s event with a lock on thechampionship, and finished the season with 590 points, 70 ahead of Buford, GA racer John Oliver (who won the final Summit ET event in 2006 with his ’99 Durango).
Many time Motorcycle track champion “Jay Bird” Rhyne from Athens, GA may not have won the 2007 track championship,but he did have the pleasure of taking the final round win with his trusty ’81Kawasaki against the newly crowned champion, Ryan Coover (’01 Honda –Cartersville, GA). Although Rhyne broke out a little, carding a 7.70 at87.36mph (7.72 dial), Coover’s red light start determined the outcome. Cooverwent on to a 6.10 at 115.65mph (6.18 dial). Tim Sutton (’71 Suzuki - Gainesville, GA) ended his day in the semi-final round. Coover came into the day with the points lead,and left with 330 points, 70 ahead of Jay Rhyne.
Twelve year old Dylan Hutchins of Monroe, GA had a fantastic second half of the 2007 season in 8-12 Jr Dragster, taking the lead mid-season and ending the last race of the season with both a race win and the 2007 track championship. Hutchins defeated Dylan Kent (12 – Acworth, GA) in both the reaction time department and the finish line department, running a superb 8.912 at 72.35mph (8.91 dial). Kent was no slouch either, tightening the finish line up with an 8.909 at 73.69mph (8.90dial). Kent was also the runner up in the final race of the 2006 season. Brittney Helleman from Buford, GA was the solo semi-finalist. Hutchins finished with 560 points, 80 ahead of Chris Bowden, who led the early season points chase.
In what turned out to be a repeat of the previous Summit ET event, the final three players in 13-17 Jr Dragster were the same, as were the results. Blake Griffith (13 – Homer, GA) took the final round win light against a red-lighting Kelsey Lynn (13 – Marietta, GA). Griffith’s times were 9.25 at 70.77mph (9.16 target). Other than that, Lynn’s car was nearly flawless, posting a 7.989 at 82.66mph (7.97 dial). Ashley Riggs (16 – Madison, GA) was the semi-final trophy earner. Jackie Lastinger from Lilburn, GA ended her season with 520 points, with Kelsey Lynn coming in second at 480 points.
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 maybe 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: Keith Fuller ’96 Dragster Lawrenceville,GA 5.61 122.47 (5.59)
R/U: Bob Lutz Mopar Iva, SC 7.42 90.46 (7.39)
Semi: Tommy Motes ’92Undercover Loganville, GA
Semi: Paul Dooley ’80Monza Gainesville, GA
———————————————————————————————————————————————
PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dickey Forrester ’67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA 6.487 106.41 (6.48)
R/U: Jacob Rutledge ’79 Capri Hoschton, GA 7.471 92.70 (7.48)
Semi: Kim Ellington ’81Camaro Conyers, GA
Semi:
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Scott Reynolds ’05 Chevy pickup Cartersville, GA 10.84 59.40 (10.79)
R/U: Allen Long ’00Truck Woodstock, GA 10.55 66.19 (10.45)
Semi: Steve Wagner ’03Neon Jefferson, GA
Semi: Adam Blalock ’88Mustang Eastanollee, GA
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MOTORCYCLE CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jay Bird Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens, GA 7.70 87.36 (7.72)
R/U: Ryan Coover ’01Honda Cartersville, GA (foul) 6.10 115.66 (6.18)
Semi: Tim Sutton ’71Suzuki Clermont, GA
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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Dylan Hutchins 12 Monroe,GA 8.912 72.35 (8.91)
R/U: Dylan Kent 12 Acworth, GA 8.909 73.69 (8.90)
Semi: Brittney Helleman Buford,GA
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13-17 JRDRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Blake Griffith 13 Homer,GA 9.25 70.77 (9.16)
R/U: Kelsey Lynn 13 Marietta, GA (foul) 7.989 82.66 (7.97)
Semi: Ashley Riggs 16 Madison, GA
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KING OFTHE TRACK VEHICLE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Keith Fuller ’96 Dragster Lawrenceville, GA (0.030 second package)
R/U: Jay Bird Rhyne ’81 Kawasaki Athens,GA (0.069 second package)
Semi: Dickey Forrester ’67 Camaro HickoryFlat, GA (0.073 second package)
Semi: Scott Reynolds ’05 Chevy pickup Cartersville, GA (0.090 second package)
posted by David @ 10:20 PM
