McCulloch Conquers Open Comp in Atlanta

Foul-free Finals, McCulloch Conquers Open Comp

By: Amy Glover

(Commerce, GA – July 11) Today’s Saturday Insanity ran smoothly, allowing racing-enthusiasts a chance to test their vehicles, while others came to compete in the unique event. The 6.50 and 7.50 Index classes mean a set ET goal for racers, competing to stick closest to the determined index. The Open Comp (Full Body) category is basically bracket racing with a pro-tree. The Old School category is about the old days of racing, making whoever crossed the finish line first the victor. The track also got a visit from Diana Harker of the KDH Racing team, who came to test and tune her family’s Integration 4.0 Inc. Top Alcohol Dragster. Harker’s dragster blazed past the 1/8 mile mark in 3.86 seconds at 191.87 mph, a sufficiently exciting run of several the team made. Racers and fans had their fill of fun, making it home before dinner time (as races often have late-night finishes).

Matt Bates (Loganville, GA) and Paul Smith, Jr. (Alpharetta, GA) were the 6.50 Index finalists; Bates raced a ’70 Datsun against Smith’s PINKS-ALL-OUT-winning ’98 Corvette. Bates reacted first with a .023 light, Smith, Jr. following with a .059 reaction time. Mid-track, Smith’s Corvette coughed up, slowing while Bates continued to the finish line, crossing first in 6.77 seconds at 87.12 mph. The Corvette finished in 8.18 seconds at 60.27 mph. Bates was humble about the win, thanking his dad John “a whole lot” for his entire operation: “It’s his car, his truck, his trailer, and it’s a lot of mutual work.” Matt Ward (’69 Camaro – Fair Play, SC) was the 6.50 Index semi-finalist.

Jacob Rutledge (Hoschton, GA) brought a borrowed ’94 S-10 to the 7.50 Index final, against Ricky Page (Monroe, GA) in a ’90 Mustang. Both racers are points leaders in the Saturday Insanity competition, competing to maintain their ranking. Rutledge left the Christmas tree with a .035 light, jumping just ahead of Page, who cut a .077 green light. The two stayed close until the finish line, Page running the quarter mile in 7.53 seconds at 90.58 mph. However, Rutledge’s better light allowed him to close in at the top end, securing victory with a 7.56 ET at 87.25 mph, making for a .013 margin of victory. Rutledge thanked truck owner David Simmons for giving him a ride while he’s still putting his car together. He also thanked his wife Holly, “for sending me racing today,” and his son Tyler, “for being my pit crew.” The win was Rutledge’s first in a couple of years, after proving himself a well-seasoned, tough competitor. The 7.50 Index winner from the last Saturday Insanity, Stephen Rhoads (Rutledge, GA), made it to the semi-finals in an ’80 AMC.

The Open Comp (Full Body) class final featured Harold Wilson (’74 Nova SS – Winder, GA) against the previous Saturday Insanity’s Open Comp winner Charlie McCulloch (’98 Cobra – Kennesaw, GA). Wilson had the handicap with his 8.68 dial-in next to McCulloch’s 7.01 prediction, leaving first with a .077 green. McCulloch launched after him with a .039 light, chasing Wilson to the win stripe, where both broke out – Wilson ran an 8.62 ET at 78.14 mph, McCulloch breaking out less in 6.99 seconds at 95.62 mph. McCulloch thanked fellow Open Comp racer from Knoxville, Shane Williams, for calling him up to remind him of the race. He also thanked Tim Matherly at MV Performance and Pro Line Racing Engines. Bill Boomhower (’65 Plymouth – Walhalla, SC) and Eric Lewis (’85 Mustang – Cornelia, GA) ended their day in the semi-final round.

Bobby McNair (West Union, SC) and Mike Davis (Monroe, GA) raced in the Old School category final, McNair in a red ’95 Mustang, and Davis in a dark red ’66 GTO. The race started fairly close, Davis leaving the line with a .052 reaction after McNair’s better .033 green light. McNair held it to the end, finishing first in 6.42 seconds at 110.28 mph, Davis following with a 6.94 ET at 100.61 mph. McNair, an Atlanta Dragway veteran, felt the win a belated (by one day) birthday present. He thanked his wife Greta, and hopes for “more people to come out” to the event. John Cox (’67 Pontiac Tempest – Loganville, GA) and Alex Hill (Unspecified car – Cleveland, GA) were the Old School semi-finalists.