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Dirt Drag Racing Report 6 - 07 June 22, 2007

Hog Gas 96 & 19

I have been having a tough time this week trying to decide what to write. There has been conflict brewing at the track. Several of the top teams are considering a boycott of the July 15th race. There were no Top Fuel A bikes at the last race in part because it was Father's Day and part because of the condition of the track.

The day started out with a good, straight and well packed track. It could have had some more water early in the morning but it was in good shape. The issue is the tractor that is used to groom the track doesn't do an effective job. The whoops come back after a couple of rounds, the ruts are light filled and show right back up.

The comments I've heard are it's a safety issue. Paul Williams had a wild ride on a bye run in Top Fuel B and barely kept from wrecking at the end of the track. The other comments I've heard are Joe Brookman the promoter, doesn't listen to criticism or advice.

The bikes are getting faster and faster. Track records are awesome to break; but, only if it's under safe conditions. The best solution I've heard is a larger tractor with better smoothing and packing ability. The only reason I have been doing this report for the past 4 years is to support the track and the sport; by getting more people interested in dirt drag racing. To support a boycott is really against my nature!! But I definitely understand what the other riders are saying.

Back to race day…
It turned out to be an excellent Father's Day for Rannings Racing. Since Jacob hasn't even placed since the 250 was stolen, we set him up on another bike to get some more track time. He raced our '96 Harley Sportster in the Hog Gas Class. The second round put father and son up against each other. I was shaking like a leaf when they made their pass. Bill won but it was a good and close race. They ended up with 1st and 2nd at the end of the day. We had a blast!! Because of the change to one loss elimination in any class with more than 10 bikes, we lost two of our regular team members.

I have a couple of pictures of Paul Williams on the old Smoker bike in the Top Fuel B class. It was only his second race back on the track after a long spell at track promoter. His bye run scared the bigeezus out of us all. He was crossed up before the finish line, had it straightened out and got crossed up again. We thought sure he had wrecked but a spectator on top of a truck could see that he had kept it up and gone down the return lane.

There were 6 girls that competed in various classes Sunday. It's wonderful to see the female population out there having some fun. No, I won't be on the track, I am far too busy in the pit area to even think about racing. One picture shows Teihyanna White, #71 in the 50-60 mini 4 wheel, I called her the pink girl. Another is Brittney Smallwood #819 in the 70-90 2 wheel class, she placed second. Her dad always makes a spectacular show in the Pro Gas Class. In the 500 - 700 4 wheel, Shonda Bailey placed 1st. In the 301 - 350 4 wheel class Jamie Call #555, I posted a picture of one of Young Gunz Team members. Us girls spectating just love to see more girls competing!!

Mini 4 wheel “The Pink Girl”	Third Place in Mini 4 wheel	Brittney Smallwood
	Jesse Smallwood comin at ya!!	Eagle Beers “Donut King”

Jesse Mathias


395 & 77


Jason Plummer & Paul Williams


Dean Keeter and Jesse Mathias


555 on the right, Jamie Call

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