(Commerce, GA – April 20) Several hundred racers converged on Atlanta Dragway for what turned out to be the first completed Summit ET event in 2013. Several families had a good day, with brothers Jacob and Adrian Wilson making it deep into the rounds (Jacob won – Adrian semis). Dad Mark Hancock made it to the Super Pro final, and son Jeremy Hancock jumped into Pro action with a friend's S10, and went to the semi-final round. Cole Sheriff got people's attention, competing in 13-17 Jr Dragster during the morning event, and then jumping into Super Pro action for the evening Summit ET event. Congratulations to former Atlanta Dragway Jr Dragster racer Valerie Clements. During the NMRA event at Atlanta Dragway on April 12-14, she took out the number one NMRA Edelbrock Renegade qualifier during second round action with an 8.46 at 162mph, and now has lane choice in the rain delayed final round that will be held at the Maryland event on May 3-5.
"It was all luck today," said Super Pro winner Gary Dunn. However, Dunn's Flowery Branch, GA based '82 S10 posted dead-on passes for the majority of the event, and repeated the feat in the final with a 6.268 at 109.17mph (6.26 dial) against Mark Hancock of Commerce, GA. Hancock's recently painted '74 Vega was on its game as well, and actually crossed the finish line stripe first, but broke out with a 5.946 at 111.66mph (5.95 dial) in the process. Brian Smith ('07 Undercover dragster – Flowery Branch, GA) semi-finalist finisher. Dunn gave his son Bailey credit for choosing the dial-in times, and thanked his father in law Winston Brooks, adding, "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be racing".
The Pro final was about a tight a race as possible. Winner John Norris of Royston, GA crossed the big end stripe first with a breakout performance of 7.492 at 91.53mph in his '86 Camaro (7.50 dial). Following close behind, Travis Bryant from Bowman, GA lost by 0.001 seconds after his '68 Camaro broke out slightly more with a 6.271 at 105.60mph (6.28 dial). Commerce, GA racer Jeremy Hancock drove a friend's '00 S10 pickup all the way to a semi-final round finish. Norris thanked Tri County Chevrolet, Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks, Wade Bryant Automotive and Atlanta Dragway. Norris asked Bryant to join him for the winner's picture, to which Bryant initially replied with a smile, "You kicked my butt. I don't want to be in the picture with you".
When asked about his winning Sportsman performance, Brandon Sams responded, "I wouldn't be there without God and my family supporting me. Sams' Canon, GA based '98 Firebird had a broken transmission, so his dad loaned him his truck to help stay in the points program. In the final, Sams met Jefferson, GA racer Steve Wagner's '71 Duster. Sams took the double breakout win with a 15.70 at 86.32mph (15.77 dial) after Wagner broke out even more with a 12.21 at 109.53mph (12.29 target). Mel Abney ('67 Camaro – Cumming, GA) and Russell Haskins ('13 Mustang – Marietta, GA) went home with the semi-finalist portion of the purse.
Tim Sutton of Clermont, GA became the first winner in the newly created Super Pro Bike class with his '83 Suzuki. Sutton met Scott Saemisch ('78 Kawasaki – Dacula, GA) for the final, and prevailed with a closer to the dial 9.03 at 137.62mph (8.90 dial) after Saemisch slowed to an 8.86 at 142.72mph (8.55 dial). David Fletcher ('84 Kawasaki – Lawrenceville, GA) and Jay Rhyne ('82 Suzuki – Athens, GA) were the semi-finalist pair. Sutton had tried a different clutch setup for the previous event, which did not work out, so he set it back to its previous tune-up for this event. "A BIG thanks to my wife Jennifer. She's awesome. She got everything ready, and helped all the way through," Sutton added.
Paul Lee from Mt. Airy, GA earned the first Street ET Bike class win with his '00 Hayabusa. Although he was second across the stripe with a 9.002 at 152.50mph (8.95 target), Lee took the win after opponent Jimmy "Cha Cha" Heisler ('00 Kawasaki – Woodstock, GA) went too quick with a 10.51 at 124.50mph (10.54 dial). Bill Benton ('76 Honda – Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Lee thanked his wife Kristen, son Bailey and daughter Alyssa for all their help. He then thanked Online Tire Deals, Livingood Motorsports, Ariail Tire, Don Chavous, Paul Cavanaugh and Michael Tlapa. He then thanked Jimmy and Eeman Heisler "just because they said so" and thanked Atlanta Dragway for the opportunity.
Ten year old Jacob Wilson from Tallapoosa, GA earned his first 8-12 Jr Dragster win against another Wilson (Wallace Wilson - not related – from Taylors, SC) in the final. Although nine year old Wallace Wilson's final round reaction time was 0.001 second better than Jacob's (0.076 vs 0.077), Jacob's 9.16 at 71.04mph (9.03 dial) turned on the win light after Wallace's machine slowed a bit to 13.20 at 49.99mph (13.00 dial). Jacob's relieved dad, Brian, added, "It's about time. This was his first win, and we hope it is the first of many." Nate "Hot Rod" Halsey (10 – Gainesville, GA) made it to his second semi-final round appearance in as many races, along with the March 30 event winner Christopher Kittle (12 – Oxford, GA).
13-17 Jr Dragster winner Brittney Hellemn may be using some of her winnings to help pay for her upcoming prom. The 17 year old from Buford, GA experienced a close finish against Austin Solesbee (15 – Sautee, GA), but prevailed with the win courtesy of a 7.92 at 81.45mph (7.90 dial). Solesbee took too much finish line stripe, breaking out with a two under 7.88 at 81.48mph (7.90 dial). Adrian Wilson (13 – Tallapoosa, GA) and Chris Bowden (16 – Homer, GA) took home the semi-finalist trophy. After the event, Hellemn commented, "It was a great race day. Just looking forward to a great year".
Charlie Smith (13 – McDonough, GA) jumped into a 7.90 car today for the first time, and enjoyed a win in the consolation event against 15 year old Cole Wood from Jefferson, GA.
