Goodguys' WCS Series Picks Up
Where it Left Off in Las Vegas
By John Drummond
Las Vegas, NV - After a 3 ˝ month break, the Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association's 5-race 2001 West Coast Championship Series resumes with stop number 4, the Fall Classic, September 22 & 23 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event is expected to attract well over 300 1972 & earlier entries from around the Western US who'll compete in 10 classes. Qualifications will be held Saturday, September 22, with final eliminations set for Sunday, September 23. In addition to the drag strip activity, the event features include a Manufacturer's Midway, a swap meet and a rod & custom show shine for 1972 & earlier vehicles. With a pit area full of exotic racecars, hot rods & customs, a festive weekend of speed and excitement is insured, perhaps taking some back to drag racing's "heyday" the 1960's.
Headlining the event will be the Professional classes including Top Fuel, A/Fuel, Pro Supercharged, Junior Fuel, A/GAS, and Nostalgia Eliminator. With only two races remaining on the Goodguys 2001 schedule, the competition figures to be fierce as racers eye class championships in all 10 divisions.
The Championship points battle in Top Fuel looks to be a two-car race between defending class champion Rance McDaniel (Champion Speed Shop) and the current season points leader Jack "The Sheriff" Harris. Hurting McDaniel 's repeat championship bid was his failure to qualify for the Spring Nitro Classic held here in May. In third place is Mike McLennan who drives for car owner's Dave Smith and Elton Allred of Sacramento. The "Strip" at LVMS still holds claim to the quickest all time run by a front-engined top fuel dragster when Iowa's Roger Lechtenberg ran a 5.87 here last October. Depending on temperatures, the Fall Classic could yield similar performances for the top fuel contingent. Twenty fuelers are expected to qualify for the event.
A/Fuel, Junior Fuel, A/GAS, and Nostalgia Eliminator feature heated points battles as well. Sean Bellemeur and archrival Jim Paul will renew their rivalry in Las Vegas, as will Bill Wayne and Wayne Ramay in Junior Fuel action. Ramay staked his claim recently as the only Goodguys Vintage Drag Racer to win an NHRA National Event when he won the Comp Eliminator category at the NHRA Autolite Nationals, August 5th at Sears Point. In Pro Supercharged, Steve Woods looks like a sure thing to rack up his third consecutive championship driving the "Hypocrite" 1948 Anglia. Both A/GAS and Nostalgia Eliminator look to be wide open points chases coming into the Fall Classic with several drivers in each class looking for an event win.
Event winners at the Spring Nitro Classic, held here at LVMS May 5 & 6 2001 include Howard Haight (Top Fuel), Sean Bellemeur (A/Fuel), Bill Wayne (Junior Fuel), Steve Woods (Pro-Super), Steve Castelli (A/GAS), and Don Tarros (Nostalgia Eliminator).
Professional Qualifying for the Goodguys Fall Classic is set for 11:00am and 2:00pm Saturday September 22nd with final professional eliminations set for 11:00am Sunday, September 23rd. General admission is $20 per day ($35.00 for weekend pass). Kids 7-12 $6 per day. Prices include pit pass. LVMS parking is free.
Current Goodguys 2001 West Coast Championship Series Professional Points Standings
Top Fuel 1. JACK HARRIS 257 2. RANCE McDANIEL 182 3. MIKE MCLENNAN 176 4. BILL DUNLAP 174 5. DENVER SCHUTZ 139
A/Fuel 1. SEAN BELLEMEUR 298 2.JIM PAUL 284 3. JASON RICHEY 202 4. KIN BATES 142 5. GREG UFFENS 118
Pro-Supercharged 1.STEVE WOODS 284 2. STEVE WOOD 240 3. RICH ROBERTS 234 4. HOWARD ANDERSON 136 5.GARY REINERO 62
Junior Fuel 1. BILL WAYNE 263 2. WAYNE RAMAY 219 3. MIKE CHRISMAN 186 3. SCOTT PARKS 186 5. DON ENRIQUEZ 167
A/GAS 1. MARK MAHOOD 278 2. SEAN RENTERIA 232 2. STEVE CASTELLI 232 4. BOB CLAYTON 158 5. JIM PACE 152
Nostalgia Eliminator 1. MIKE SAVAGE 187 2. SCOTT CHRISTLEIB 175 3. DEWAYNE SANDERS 154 4.BOBBY RUNYON 138 5. DAVE GRUZEN 135
Goodguys 12th Fall Classic Vintage Drags! Las Vegas Motor Speedway, September 22 & 23
WHAT: A Vintage Drag Race featuring over 350 1972 and earlier race cars competing in twelve different classes of competition. The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association events are a time capsule, taking spectators back to drag racing's glory days of the late 60's & early 70's. 250 mph front engined nitro guzzling Top Fuel Dragsters and screaming 200 mph gas coupes and sedans are the big attraction, while altered roadsters, Junior Fuel dragsters and vintage Funny Cars and hundreds of other timeless vehicles make these events unique. This event serves as the 4th of five stops on the 2001 Goodguys West Coast Championship Series. Racing classes include Top Fuel, A/Fuel, Pro Supercharged, Junior Fuel, A/GAS, B/GAS, C/GAS, Nostalgia Eliminator, Nostalgia II, Nostalgia III, and two sportsman categories. Entries are expected to pour in from around the country to compete at this event.
WHEN: Saturday, September 22nd and Sunday, September 23rd. Event gates open 8:00am to 5:00pm both days. Professional qualifying Saturday at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Final Professional eliminations begin Sunday at 11:00am.
WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The track is located at Exit 54/Speedway Blvd. off Interstate 15 just fifteen minutes North of downtown Las Vegas.
TICKETS: Tickets are available at the event only. General admission is $20 each day and includes FREE parking and PIT PASS. Juniors 7-12 $5 per day.
CAR SHOW: A hot rod & custom car show will be featured in addition to the racing. Hundreds of 1972 & earlier hot rods, custom cars, muscle cars & classics will be on display at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
PREVIEW: A special kick-off party/vehicle display will take place at Race Rock Café (495 Fremont St), Friday evening, October 27th.
John Drummond
(925) 838-9876 Ext. 129
L.V.M.S. (702) 644-4444
www.lvms.com or www.good-guys.com
