Pre-Gatornationals Testing At South Georgia Motorsports Park- Photos by Marvin T. Smith

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South Georgia Motorsports Park opened its gates March 9-11 to all racers wishing to test prior to the Gatornationals. Numerous NHRA pro teams, some IHRA and ADRL teams, and some sportsman teams came out under beautiful blue skies to try out their new set-ups.

The largest contingent was the NHRA Pro Stocks. Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Warren Johnson, Kurt Johnson, Allen Johnson, Tom Martino, Tom Hammonds, Mike Edwards, Rickie Jones, Bob Benza, Dave Northrop, Larry Morgan, Steve Spiess, Ron Krisher, V. Gaines, and Johnny Gray all made runs. Anderson paced the field with a new track record elapsed time of 6.558 at over 210 mph on Wednesday morning, and ran many other high 6.50s seemingly at will. Mike Edwards ran a good 6.60 at 208 which paced one afternoon session in the heat. Jason Line and Allen Johnson also ran in the high 6.50s at least once during the event.

NHRA Pro Stock Bikes included Matt Smith, Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, Karen Stoffer, Mike Berry, Rendell Harris, Shaun Gann, Wes Wells, Steve Johnson, Joe DeSantis , and Angie McBride. Smith (low et at 6.909), McBride, Hines, Johnson, and Stoffer all ran in the 6.90s.

Pro Mods stars at the event included Chip King, Billy Gibson, Rickie Smith, Brandon Switzer in Mike Castellana’s car, Jay Payne, Rick Stivers, Mike Knowles, Joe Baker, and Tim Tindle. Joe Baker paced the field with a 5.98 at 240, but Stivers, Payne, and King all ran in the 6.0s, and Gibson ran an early shut-off 6.15 to show his potential. Rickie Smith had the best eighth mile time at 3.908 at 191 mph in his new nitrous Camaro and backed it up with a second run of 3.93 at 190.

Robert Patrick ran his IHRA/ADRL Pro Stocker to a fine 6.35 at 220.48 and Trevor Eman made several passes in his car.

Paul Romine brought out his new Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car Mustang, and cranked off a 5.95 at 244 and a 5.96 at 235. Mick Snyder tested his Alcohol Funny Car, and other sportsman worked on their set-ups. It was a great session.

Marvin T. Smith