AHDRA

S  & S Jim McClure Nationals

Presented by

Drag Specialties

 

September 23rd & 24th

Virginia Motorsports Park

 

 

Elimination Day- Virginia Motorsports Park

 

6:30pm

A Top Fuel final that would certainly put a grin on ÒDa JudgeÓ.  Vancil and Turner pull off matching 6.41Õs and Turner takes the win by four ten thousandths of a second!

Turner-  .035  6.413  217.84

Vancil-  .081   6.417  215.31

 

Turner and the Mancuso Harley-Davidson team had just moments earlier taken the JIMS Pro Fuel win and Turner makes the round trip back to the starting line for what very well could have been the best final of the year.

A smiling Johnny Mancuso gave Phyllis McClure a giant hug and told her ÒThis was for JimÓ. 

 

Dan DeGood gave a moving tribute to Jim McClure in this morningÕs Chapel services held by the CMA, and the long time friend of McClure capped off his tribute with a win in the Syn3 ET class.  No doubt, a very emotional win for DeGood not only in memory of his friend but the timing of it also being his (DeGoodÕs) retirement year racing.

 

The weather channel predicted a rain out this morning, but someone else had a different forecast for this event J and it went off with only a 15-minute delay for the showers.

 

Thanks to all who participated to make it a fitting weekend to remember our Champion.

 

ÒRich or Lean?Ó

-Jim McClure-

 

 

 

 

The final numbers are still being entered on the ladder pages and will be coming up shortly.

Good night from Virginia Motorsports Park.

 

 

5:30pm

Racing has resumed!  Stay tuned as the numbers are posted as the rounds are completed.

 

 

5:00pm-

Rain Delay for showers.  We are set for the finals in some classes and the semis still ahead in a few sportsman classes.  It appears to be only a brief shower and we will be back underway when the track is race ready.

 

TodayÕs event has been smooth and very exciting for the fans on hand as well as the McClure family and their many friends.

 

In an effort to keep your ladderÕs updated in a timely manner, IÕm off the commentary end today to keep the tower running smoothly, but the ladders are being updated after each round for you.  We will be back when the showers pass through!

 

 

12:20pm

Good afternoon from the S & S Jim McClure Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.  TodayÕs action is brought to you in tribute to the 19-time champion, McClure and todayÕs opening ceremonies at 1:00pm will include a military flag honor tribute to McClure and the U.S. Military.

 

We are scheduled to fire up the first pair at 1:00pm.

TodayÕs numbers will be brought to you on the ladder pages and you will hear from us on this page with only breaking news or race delays.

 

 

 

Qualifying Day-Virginia Motorsports Park

 

7:30pm Qualifying completed from VMP. 

 

 

Final round notes from Sportsman qualifying:

 

Rucker Performance Super Gas

Blake Holliday clocks a 9.701 in the final round and takes over the No. 1 spot from Ocasio who is now No. 2 with his 9.708.

 

Performance Corner Super Eliminator

With three different leaders today, it was Cleve McConnell who ran the number of the day (10.904) against the 10.90 index.  Walter Halonski is No. 2 with a 10.911 and Maura Hall, who lead earlier, is 3rd with her 10.914.

 

S & S Super Sport

Denson Wright grabbed the top spot from Jack Wagner in Round No. 2 with a 10.301 against the 10.30 index and Mike Harrison was 2nd after 2 rounds.  In the 3rd and final round, Denson held on to No. 1. Greg Krenik improved and took over the #2 spot and Champion, Julia Holliday improved for the 3rd spot-moving Harrison to 4th.

 

ScreaminÕ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer

Erik Ryder stayed No. 1 for the day with his 9.28 and Douglas Horne stays 2nd with a 9.29.  Wanda Poff took over the 3rd spot with her best shot of the day (9.321).

 

SEP

Keith CarperÕs 11.502 kept him No. 1 all three rounds and Liz Davis finished No. 2 with a real close, 11.503.

 

Drag Masters Hot Street

Bruce Croneberger started his day with a 10.34 that resulted in a technical DQ, but he rebounded in the 2nd round with a 10.35 for the top spot-this time keeping it- and he bettered the number in the final round (10.328) to cap off his No. 1 spot.

 

 

 

 

SSC 124

Mike Roberts went from the bottom in round No. 1 to the top spot in Round No. 2 with a 9.581 which held for the day.  Michael Ray finished 2nd and Kendall Johnson was 3rd.

 

ScreaminÕ Eagle V-Rod

Lou Gerencer did just as Mike Roberts and moved from the bottom of the pack to the top and stayed there and in the final round Jamie McNaughton climbed up to the 2nd spot with a 9.526, moving Edmondson to the 3rd spot.

 

Casa Bella X-Mod

Greg Kuypers will finish the day at No. 1 in X-Mod racing in front of teammate Stephen Galati.  The leader board changed in all three rounds  today.

KuyperÕs is seeking a win over the undefeated Galati and put an end to his own 4 for 4 runner-up finishes.

 

Syn 3 ET

Jim Day held the #1 spot all day with a .003.  Although Mark Thompson marked the .003, the MPH breaks the tie and Thompson will be 2nd.  Pete Crowe finished 3rd (.005).  Kevin Neff was 4th (.008) and rounding out the double zeroÕs was Ed HillegassÕs .009 for the 5th spot.

 

 

6:00pm

Pro Qualifying completed and the sportsman are on the track to wrap up their session.

Stay tuned for the Sportsman numbers and highlights.

 

Final round notes from Pro Qualifying:

 

ScreaminÕ Eagle Top Fuel

 

Not a lot of changes to the Top Fuel order after a tire smoking final round.

The fans are still waiting for the 6.24 record back up from Shigematsu, however he has boiled the tire in both attempts today.

 

No word on the breakage, but apparently Doug Vancil has problems after todayÕs opening round and has missed remaining qualifying as they attempt to get it back on the track for tomorrowÕs show.

 

Drums Brancaccio tangled with foam block in his final round lap before crossing over the centerline into the other lane.  Scott Ianaro was the bike in the other lane and although he was slow enough to avoid any danger, the rules allow him to take a re-run after Brancaccio tripped the timing clocks.  If the order changes following the re-run, we will update the postings on the result pages.

 

 

JIMS Pro Fuel

Armon Furr keeps his No.1 spot from his earlier 6.66 at 202mph and Jay Turner takes over the No. 2 spot with his best of the day- 6.67 at 194mph.  Fagan is now 3rd.  Simmons is 4th after his best lap of the day in the final round-6.890 at 192mph.

 

 

 

Kresto Pro Drag

Tripp Nobles enters the Pro Drag field in the final round of the day (on a bike owned by Dave Lytton) and shook up the order with a 7.50 at 170mph for the top spot..but it was a short lead for Nobles on the ÒNitro ShackÓ entry when Rick Moore sealed the deal to hold #1 all day with his best of the day- 7.466 at 174mph.

 

 

S & S Pro Gas

Dirk Higgins held the No. 1 spot all day and sealed it with his best of the day in the final pass (7.453) on the ThielÕs Wheels bike under the direction of tuner- Jon Miller.  Connie Cohen holds on to the No. 2 spot (7.486) and Sternotti is 3rd with a 7.79.

Karen Wagner brought out her best of the day in the 3rd round with a 8.34 for the 4th spot. 

Champion, Mike Lozano is off pace today and is in the No. 6 spot out of 7 in the field.

 

Samson Pro Modified

Eddie Lee came alive (just as he did at Bristol Dragway) to take over the top spot with a 8.31 at 156mph.  Tom Caldwell improves (8.322) for the No. 2 spot and Venia goes faster himself (8.324) for the 3rd spot.  Former leader, Shaun Reno is now 4th with a 8.325.  The numbers are tight in this field!!

 

 

G2 Street Pro

Simon saysÉÓI want my No. 1 spotÓ.  And so it is.  Andy Simon clocks a 8.78 at 157mph to take over the lead in his 3rd and final lap of the day.  Jeff King moves to 2nd and Zach Johnson finishes the day 3rd with his 8.94 from round No. 1.

 

 

3:20pm

The Pros are now complete with a 2nd session and we have resumed with the Sportsman classes that were interrupted.

 

The 2nd session brought fans to their feet awaiting the back-up record attempt from Tak ShigematsuÕs earlier 6.24.  It will have to wait, as Shigematsu had problems early on his 2nd run, but remains on top with the 6.24.  Making improvements in the Top Fuel round was Bob Malloy and the H-D of Seaford team.  Malloy came off the trailer today with a 6.36 and improves with a 6.351 at 202mph and maintains the No. 2 spot.

 

Ray Price and the Samson Exhaust team put in a new motor between rounds and were doubtful they would make a Round No.2 lap- however, they did indeed make a pass and successfully-moving to the 3rd spot with a 6.48 at 216mph (the current top speed).

 

In JIMS Pro Fuel, Armon Furr is on the top of the chart with a round No. 2 6.66 at 202mph, much to the pleasure of Bill Furr.  In fact, half the field reached the six second zone in the Pro Fuel category including Fagan, Breckenridge, Streeter and Simmons.

 

Shaun Reno is the No. 1 man in Samson Pro Modified keeping his 8.325 best, while Tom CaldwellÕs best was a 8.33 for the 2nd spot.

Noticeably absent this weekend is the Champ and pointÕs leader, Junior Pippin who is taking care of health related issues.  We wish you well Junior here from VMP and look forward to seeing you in Rockingham.  Also in our thoughts and prayers this weekend is Bob Shay from the Dale Raudenbush team.  Shay underwent surgery last week and is currently still hospitalized while recovering.  Hang in there Bob, we are thinking of you and wish you well.

 

In G2 Street Pro Zach Johnson came off the truck with a 8.940 at 150mph for the lead spot in todayÕs opening session, while Andy Simon wrestled his power-house to the track from a huge wheel-stand and came away with a troubled 10-second number.  In Round No. 2, Simon recovered well and clocked a 8.935 at 155mph for the No. 2 spot.  But it was a 8.871 from Jeff King that was best and he sits in the top spot in front of the performance favorite, Simon and Johnson is now 3rd.

 

Rick Moore is on top in Kresto Pro Drag with a 7.537 at 174mph and it is Dirk Higgins on top in the S & S Pro Gas field (7.457) in front of NHRA Pro Stock rider, Connie CohenÕs 7.486.

 

We are in the 3rd and final round of Syn 3 ET qualifying currently and then we will bring out the final Pro session at approx 4:30pm.

 

Stay tuned for more numbers from todayÕs show- coming up soon.

 

2:10pm

Round Two qualifying still underway.  The sportsman session has been interrupted to return to the Pros.  So far in the Sportsman qualifying order, it is Jim Day holding on to his top spot in Syn3 ET while Maryland couple, Keith Carper and Maura Hall have grabbed No. 1 spots in their respective classes.  Maura takes the top spot from Bill Rowe Jr in Super Eliminator while Carper got the SEP pole with a 11.502, in front of a close 11.503 from Liz Davis.

 

Sportsman qualifying continues after the 2nd Pro session of the day. 

 

 

 

12:45pm

Breaking News..Tak Shigematsu just runs a 6.24!!!  (212mph).

The track is race ready, just ask the Top Fuel field who brought out a thrilling round of six second blasts and it was Shigematsu topping it off with the record 6.24.  HeÕll try to back it up this weekend right here at VMP!!!

 

The numbers from the round are coming up.

 

12:15pm-

ProÕs are on the track for opening session and we are under a brief delay for a track clean-up.

 

Super Gas fans- your results are coming up shortly.  There will be a re-run in the class following the Pros and we will post the numbers following that run.

 

10:00am- Sportsman qualifying on the track although a large oil down in the water box during the Destroyer session has us on a competition hold currently.

 

In Syn3 ET qualifying, Jim Day of Sharon, PA leads the order with a .003 and right behind him is Roberta SeamanÕs .021.  J.W. McConnell has a .034 for the third spot, Bob Drapp is 4th with a .038 and Tom Levak Jr. rounds out the top five spots with a .040.

 

The track is clear and qualifying now continues in the V-Rod Destroyer class.  Stay tuned for the numbers from todayÕs opening session.

 

7:30am-  Good morning from VMP.   Track officials are busy getting the track race-ready and the riders are taking their wee hour walks down the track as we prepare for todayÕs qualifying sessions beginning at 9:00am.

 

For Doug Vancil, the track was in prime shape for his 6.35-218mph pass in yesterdayÕs test session and the Vance & Hines/ Drag Specialties team will look to maintain that Òright tuneÓ for todayÕs slightly different weather forecast.

 

YesterdayÕs conditions were pleasant and in the upper 70Õs under partly sunny skies.  Today, the forecast calls for warmer conditions, reaching the upper 80Õs later in the day.

 

We expect 300 riders to compete here this weekend at the S & S Jim McClure NationalÕs. 

 

On the Top Fuel roster so far here at the event honoring Top Fuel legend, ÒDa JudgeÓ are; Bill Furr, Tommy Grimes, Jay Turner, Tak Shigematsu, Tracy Kile, Doug Vancil, Mike Romine, Bob Malloy, Drums Brancaccio and Dean Comunal. 

 

Tii Tharpe and the Team 911 posse brought out their McClure built ride especially for this weekendÕs event.

 

Tharpe and Comunal both have what is said to be the last two bikes built by Jim McClure.  Riding the bike under the ownership of McClureÕs son, Jimmy and wife, Phyllis is Mark Conner.   Including Vancil and Kile thatÕs (5) Overkill engines competing in the field so far.

 

Sportsman qualifying is set to begin at 9:00am and the ProÕs are expected to take the track at 11:30am.  Stay tuned for the results from todayÕs rounds.

 

 

 

Competition Schedule

 

Friday,  September 22, 2006

Competitor and Racer Gates open 10:00am

Test and Tune: 3:00-8:00pm

 

Saturday, September 23rd

Sportsman Qualifying begins 9:00am 

Pro Qualifying begins 11:30am

 

Sunday, September 24th

10:30am- Sportsman eliminations (as needed to narrow the fields to 16 or less)

 

Opening ceremonies- 12:45pm- Special Tribute to Jim McClure.  Flag Honors presented by Ft. Lee Color Guard and parade tribute by Hampton Roads-South Side Harley-Davidson H.O.G. Club.

 

Opening round Pro Eliminations- 1:00pm