(Commerce, GA – June 4) Lisa and Mike Ramsey of Commerce, GA were thrilled to watch their children, son Hunter (13 years old) and daughter Taylor (18) meet each other in the13-17 Jr Dragster final, held at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA. By defeating his sister, Hunter enjoyed his first Atlanta Dragway win. Other first time Atlanta Dragway winners included Michael Goodwin in the 6.50 Index class and David Beatenbo in the 7.50 Index class.
"I want to thank God and my savior Jesus Christ, and give them the glory," said 6.50 Index winner Michael Goodwin immediately after defeating Sean Garner from Oxford, GA. Goodwin, who has been racing since 1968, has won at other tracks, and finally caught that elusive win at Atlanta Dragway with his Jefferson, GA based '70 Dart. Goodwin's reaction time allowed him to take the big end stripe 0.04 seconds before Garner's '89 S-10 Blazer did, with a 6.59 second 93.17mph pass. Garner was close, running 6.54 at 104.59mph. Points leader Stan Sinack ('69 Dart – Lilburn, GA) earned the honor of being the sole semi-finalist. "I also want to thank my wife Cathy for putting up with me," added Goodwin.
David Beatenbo from Bowman, Georgia also enjoyed his first ever Atlanta Dragway win, in the 7.50 Index class. Beatenbo met the very likeable Danny Towe in the final, and used a slightly better react, along with a closer to the index 7.52 at 88.76mph for the win. Towe was only .02 seconds behind, posting a 7.53 at 89.91mph with his Lawrenceville, GA based '70 Mustang. Mel Abney ('65 Chevy II – Cumming, GA) earned the semi-finalist portion of the purse. Beatenbo's '67 Camaro actually belongs now to recent 11.0 Index winner Wade Bryant, but Beatenbo is the person who built the car 30 years ago and then sold it to his brother in law Wade. "Thanks to Wade and Travis (Bryant) who have been part of my family for 36 years now," added Beatenbo.
Charlie McCulloch from Kennesaw, GA is no stranger to the Open Comp Full Body winner's circle, having earned the 2009 Atlanta Dragway championship in the class. McCulloch was near perfect for the win this time, posting a .012 react and then a 0.01 over 6.94 second pass at 98.02mph (6.93 dial) in his '98 Mustang. Opponent Dickey Forrester ('67 Camaro – Hickory Flat, GA) also had a very good .024 reaction time, but his car slowed a bit to 6.96 at 98.55mph (6.91 dial in time). The semi-finalist pair was Jeff Wagner, brother of last week's Sportsman winner Steven Wagner, and Sean Garner, who had just finished runner up in 6.50 Index. "Between here and Silver Dollar, I love drag racing. Thanks to Atlanta Dragway for having this series, and also for providing a great track preparation," added McCulloch.
Twelve year old "Good Time" Charlie Smith from McDonough, GA earned his second 2011 8-12 Jr Dragster win against first time finalist and second generation racer Austin Bowden of Homer, GA. Smith, hot off a final round appearance last week, earned the win this week with a little bit better reaction time, and also by running closer to his estimated elapsed time (dial-in) with an 8.94 at 72.00mph (8.92 dial). The nine year old Bowden was already happy with his final round appearance, and recorded a 13.11 at 49.51mph (13.00 dial). Another second generation racer, Christopher Kittle (10 – Oxford, GA) and Mackenzie Butler (12 – Jackson, GA) earned the semi-finalist trophy. "I want to thank my pretty mom for taking care of the rest of the family so I could race," added Smith. He also thanked Pop Pop (Gary Smith) and his dad Kevin Smith for helping.
Although it was close, thirteen Hunter Ramsey from Commerce, GA earned his first ever Atlanta Dragway win by crossing the finish line 0.02 seconds before his sister Taylor (18), also from Commerce, in the 13-17 Jr Dragster class. Because of his better reaction time, Ramsey had the luxury of scrubbing off a little elapsed time at the finish line, posting an 8.06 at 79.58mph (7.90 dial). Taylor crossed the stripe with an 8.02 at 80.19mph (7.90 dial). Last week's winner, Bailey Denton (17 – McDonough, GA) and Brittney Hellemn (15 – Buford, GA) took home the semi-finalist trophy for their efforts. "Thanks to my dad for supporting me for the win," said Hunter. Taylor then had a mischievous smile and said, "That's ok. My first race win earned a "Wally" trophy. Dad Mike Ramsey said, "It feels good. I wasn't rooting for either one of them."
EVENT: Summit ET and Jr Dragster event at Atlanta Dragway in 2011
6.50 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Michael Goodwin '70 Dart Jefferson, GA 6.59 93.17 (6.50)
R/U: Sean Garner '89 S-10 Blazer Oxford, GA 6.54 104.59 (6.50)
Semi: Stan Sinack '69 Dart Lilburn, GA
7.50 INDEX CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: David Beatenbo '67 Camaro Bowman, GA 7.52 88.76 (7.50)
R/U: Danny Towe '70 Mustang Lawrenceville, GA 7.53 89.91 (7.50)
Semi: Mel Abney '65 Chevy II Cumming, GA
OPEN COMP FULL BODY CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Charlie McCulloch '98 Mustang Kennesaw, GA 6.94 98.02 (6.93)
R/U: Dickey Forrester '67 Camaro Hickory Flat, GA 6.96 98.55 (6.91)
Semi: Sean Garner '89 S-10 Blazer Oxford, GA
Semi: Jeff Wagner '71 Duster Braselton, GA
8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Charlie Smith 12 McDonough, GA 8.94 72.00 (8.92)
R/U: Austin Bowden 9 Homer, GA 13.11 49.51 (13.00)
Semi: Christopher Kittle 10 Oxford, GA
Semi: Mackenzie Butler 12 Jackson, GA
13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Hunter Ramsey 13 Commerce, GA 8.06 79.58 (7.90)
R/U: Taylor Ramsey 18 Commerce, GA 8.02 80.19 (7.90)
Semi: Bailey Denton 17 McDonough, GA
Semi: Brittney Hellemn 15 Buford, GA
