GeorgiaDragRacing.com - Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events.
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Silver Dollar Raceway ResultsSilver Dollar Raceway RACE DATE: November 3, 2002FROM: Tim Glover EVENT: National Dragster Challenge at Silver Dollar Raceway DIKES HOLD FIRM AT SILVER DOLLAR RACEWAY Racers came from miles around for today's National Dragster Challenge race held at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, GA. What made todays race special is that NHRA "Wally" awards (a very nice trophy given to national and divisional event winners) were awarded to winners in each category contested. During the first final, announcer Bill Carey stated, "This is for the Wallys. This is for the Buckos." The majority of racers in late rounds said the money was good, but they were racing for that trophy. Father and son team Mike Dike Sr. and Jr. ruled the weekend at Silver Dollar Raceway, located in Reynolds, GA. Jr. has been in four different Sportsman finals in the past four races, winning last night and one other time, and runner up in the other two. Sr. won the 2001 Summit / NHRA Division Two ET Finals in Super Pro, getting an NHRA "Wally" award, and won another "Wally" in Super Pro during today's National Dragster Challenge event. Although previous weather forecasts predicted a clear day for Sunday, the chance of rain had increased to 70% by race time. It did hold up the show three times, but the crew just waited each time and the race was complete by 6:00pm, shortly before showers would have forced the show to be finished another weekend. "I feel relief," said track owner Ed Swearingen during the winner's circle photo session. He did have a rain date picked out in case rain did stop today's show. "Thank you for working that track," Super Pro winner Mike Dike Sr. from Hampton, GA told the Silver Dollar crew when the race was finished. (After the last two rain delays the crew dragged the track to help dry it.) "I also want to thank Mid State RV in Byron, Mike Gruber at Valvoline, Frank Papp at Mickey Thompson, Crane Cams, TCI, CPA Bill Amos, my crew chief of 30 years Cathy and my son Mike Jr., who helped me unload quickly today," added Mike Sr.. This morning, Mike Sr. was at Montgomery Motorsports Park for a race, but rain cancelled that event. He decided to come to Silver Dollar, and made it just in time to enter round one (no time trials). He guessed 4.99 for a dial, and won with a 5.02. Dike also had to earn his round two win, but got free passes in rounds three, four and five when his opponents went red. He then got past Bug McCarty in the semis, and slowed his 2000 Worthy dragster a bit in the final against Gray, GA racer Jerry Mays, running 5.08, 133.08 on a 5.06 target. Mays' '93 Undercover dragster was also off the pace a little, running 5.23, 131.78 (5.20 dial). Just before the final, his entire family was with him. Mays' wife, Dell commented, "Thank the good Lord he made it this far. Two years ago he faced Mike Dike in the final, and the rain cancelled that round. I really don't care if he comes in first or second." Bug McCarty ('27 Ford roadster - Hazelhurst, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. Thad Kitchens' car owner, Wayne Johnson, was more excited than he was about winning the "Wally" in Pro class. Kitchens' Lilly, GA based '80 Mustang. Kitchens had to work to win rounds one and two, but like Mike Dike, Sr., he received free passes in rounds three through five when his opponents turned on the red light. His final round opponent, Scotty James from Warm Springs, GA, actually had the better reaction time, but Kitchens got the win light and the "Wally" when James' '73 Maverick went too quick, breaking out with a 7.58, 89.08 (7.63 dial). Kitchens' machine went 7.08, 97.12 on its 7.05 dial. "We won this one for "Little Wayne", said Kitchens. He then added, "That's some tough boys we had to beat today." Jeff Hairington ('79 Malibu - Perry, GA) and Stockbridge, GA racer Robby Nelson were the semi-final pair. Jimmy Santos from Albany, GA (no relation to Top Alcohol champ Rick Santos) had only $7 to his name when he came to the racer gate today. Santos' friend, Johnney Thompson paid his entry, and was rewarded with Santos winning in Sportsman, plus a "Wally". Santos at least has the money to get back home to Albany now. Santos was on kill with his '79 Camaro, carding a .501 reaction time. However, the race was over as soon as his opponent, Terry Adams, fouled with his '97 Chevy Z71 pickup. Santos turned in a slight breakout 8.61, 78.89 (8.63 target). Adams chose to run his Meansville, GA based truck out, finishing with a 10.52, 61.95 (10.48 target). A large contingent of US19 Dragway racers were with him after the race celebrating the victory. Santos has been racing a few years, was the Rookie of the Year at US19 a few years ago. Ray Lloyd ('68 Barracuda - Sycamore, GA) took home the semi-final purse. SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN Win: Mike Dike, Sr. '2000 Worthy dragster Hampton, GA 5.08 133.08 (5.06) R/U: Jerry Mays '93 Undercover dragster Gray, GA 5.23 131.78 (5.20) Semi: Bug McCarty '27 Ford roadster Hazelhurst, GA Semi: PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN Win: Thad Kitchens '80 Mustang Lilly, GA 7.08 97.12 (7.05) R/U: Scotty James '73 Maverick Warm Springs, GA 7.58 89.08 (7.63) Semi: Jeff Hairington '79 Malibu Perry, GA Semi: Robby Nelson car Stockbridge, GA SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN Win: Jimmy Santos '79 Camaro Albany, GA 8.61 78.89 (8.63) R/U: Terry Adams '97 Chevy Z71 Meansville, GA (foul) 10.52 61.95 (10.48) Semi: Ray Lloyd '68 Barracuda Sycamore, GA Semi:
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