IT'S A JOKE, PT II

We ran a joke 1320 note about "Hooters Air" helicopters invading the as yet unsold Atlanta Dragway a couple of days back and evidently some people took us seriously. At least the folks at Atlanta Dragway seem to believe our readers might be fooled by the entry and requested that we set the record straight -- so here goes.

The track definitely hasn't been sold and the U.S. Army 'copters are part of the Georgia Governor's Task Force Drug Suppression unit that uses Atlanta Dragway property for their annual training exercise. Make of that what you will.

So remember, kids: The track hasn't been sold and absolutely do not do any drugs while at Atlanta Dragway. (photo courtesy Atlanta Dragway) [7-26-2005]

VP RACING FUELS ANNOUNES IHRA CONTINGENCY PROGRAM

VP Racing Fuels will have their own separate contingency program for IHRA racers. The program will be effective at the upcoming ACDelco Canadian Nationals.

"Because IHRA has an exclusive agreement with its Official Fuel sponsor, it precludes us from working directly with IHRA to administer this program," said Bruce Hendel, Global Sales Manager for VP. "So we'll manage it ourselves, and ask racers simply to provide the appropriate documentation to us." [7-26-2005]

ATLANTA DRAGWAY TOO HOT TO HANDLE?

Remember those old Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movies, where the two stars, when faced with some kind of adversity, would suddenly say, “Let’s put on a show!”? Maybe Atlanta Dragway general manager Ray Wilkings got the following idea from that.

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It was egg-frying hot at the Georgia track last Saturday, July 23, even at 7:30 p.m. -- how does 97 degrees grab ya? That’s what our weather station registered. So, just before completion of the quarter-finals in all categories, Wilkings figured that maybe it would cool down some by sunset, and besides, there were plenty of racers standing around with nothing more to do than watch the races. He quickly decided to put on a Quick 16 show right on the spot. It was successful, even with the high temps and all, with 18 brave souls signed up to race for a 70-percent payback, at $50 per entry. The 18 were laddered up, and within an hour and a half, Jesse Young of Danielsville, Georgia had won, while Conyers, Georgia dragster boy Tommy Motes got runner-up. Most entries were 5-second dragsters, with a smattering of 6-second door cars to round the field out.

Wilkings said it was so successful that he is scheduling more Quick 16 races after completion of Atlanta’s regular bracket program. Kudos to Wilkings for putting it on. And the Agent would like to know if other tracks around the country are doing similar things to keep their racers cool and happy. If so, e-mail us. [7-26-2005]