Virginia ET Challenge report

Kenny Martin Wins Viginia 1/8th Mile ET Challenge

by Greg Gage/Bill Pratt Contact: Bill Pratt (bilden@erols.com)

Dinwiddie, Va., November 2, 3 - Royce Miller ventured south from Maryland International Raceway to promote the last east coast big money bracket race of the season. Virginia Motorsports Park was the site, and the Virginia 1/8th Mile ET Challenge was the race. A $10,000 winners purse was up for grabs both Saturday and Sunday, with $2,000 runner-up money and cash going back for several rounds.

Racing stopped on Saturday because of inclement weather, leaving eight drivers remaining. The prize money was split eight ways.

Sunday was beautiful, with clear blue skies but weather in the mid to upper 40s. Track conditions continued to improve throughout the day as the sun heated the track.

Chapel Hill, NC, racer Kenny Martin was the big $10,000 Super Pro winner Sunday as he defeated Mark Arthur of Sandy Level, VA. Martin recorded a .513 reaction time and ran 5.15 seconds at 133 mph to defeat Arthur's .514-initiated 5.35 at 128 mph. Both drivers drove 1996 dragsters.

Mike Alexander of Mechanicsville, VA, won the Footbrake category. He drove his '70 Camaro to a .553 reaction time and a 7.32 second, 95 mph win over Carlos DeJesus of Suitland, MD. DeJesus nearly recorded a perfect reaction time in his '70 Duster, but came up a little too quick with a fouling .499. He ran 7.39 seconds at 92 mph for the loss.

(End) Bill Pratt The Drag Racing List bilden@erols.com