West Michigan Sand Dragway held their third through
fifth point series events of the 2009 season during June and the 4th of July
weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the top performers at these early season
events.Special Events
Kip Martin in the Primal Scream Jeep came in to the 4th of July weekend Quick 16 Shootout just hoping to qualify. He was able to do just that and more. Kip went through eliminations and ended up in the final round against Grand Haven neighbor Mike Page in his potent Chevy Blazer. They were relatively even off the line, but it was Martin forcing Page into a break out at the stripe for the victory and $800 check.
Another of the big events over 4th of July weekend was the 3.5 Index class on Friday night. Thirteen entries gave it their all going after the victory. The final round would be sort of be a preview of Saturday night’s Quick 16 Shootout as it was a pair of Grand Haven residents facing off. The match up would be Trent Everett Jr. in his dad’s small block Chevy-powered Funny Jeep versus Page’s Blazer. As in the other race, Page would fall just short of the victory with a slim red light handing the win to Everett, who ran a 3.48 en route to the win.
Q16 Shootout Final Round: Kip Martin (Near Lane) on the way to the win over Mike Page.
Trent Everett (Far Lane) on his way to the 3.5 Index class victory over Mike Page.
Pro Classes
The only repeat winner in the Pro bracket categories was Dylan Beld with his Snowmo-bike taking the June 6 and July 4 Pro ATV class wins. Trent Everett also had a great stretch with a win on July 4 in Pro 1 along with a runner-up finish the event prior. John Ramlow had a great run with a win on June 20 and semi-final finish on July 4.
Dylan Beld scored back-to-back wins in the Pro ATV class on his Snowmo-powered ATV.
Trent Everett was the Pro 1 winner on July 4.
John Ramlow emerged victorious in the Pro 2 class on June 20.
Kip Martin won the Q16 Shootout on July 4 and the Pro 2 class on June 6.
Sportsman Classes
Corey Urbain was the stand out competitor in the Sportsman bracket classes in this three race stretch with back-to-back victories in Sportsman 1 then a semi-final finish on July 4. The other Sportsman classes saw different winners in all three events. John Schultz got his first win on June 20 in the Sport 2 class. Former point series champions Rich Wood (ATV) and Tom Bray (Sport 2) took their first wins of the season on June 6. Mark Groenink topped a tough Sport 1 class on July 4th for another win with the “Gone Green” Blazer.
Corey Urbain scored back-to-back wins with his Nothin' But Trouble Jeep in the Sportsman 1 class.
Rich Wood was the ATV class winner on June 6.
Sportsman 2 Final Round on June 6: Tom Bray (Far Lane) taking the win over Dan Genge.
Junior Classes
Alexandra Rammacher dominated the Junior Dragster class with June 20 and July 4 class victories. Three different winners emerged in three races in the Junior ATV class with Emily Moll placing at each event scoring a win, runner-up, and semi-final round finish. The same was to be said for the Mighty Midgets class, also with three different winners. Defending class champ Josh Rammacher took a win on June 6 and runner-up on June 20 to put himself in a good position in the points chase.
Photo Extra
Jay Poortenga with another wheels up launch in his "Drag Nasty" Funny Jeep.
Jim Bailey laid down some impressive 3.3's with his "Blue Thunder" Dragster.
Kathy Ellington made the trip from Ohio and ran a best of 3.32 in the Q16 Shootout.
Willie Berzley was another of the cars in the 3.3 range in the Q16 Shootout.
Frank Martuscelli won the June 6 Pro 1 class and returned for the Q16 Shootout on July 4.
Nick Disselkoen had a tough crash with the Compromised truck during Friday's T&T; fortunately, Nick emerged relatively unscathed.
Brian Ambs brought his car out for the first time in a while and proceeded to lay down a 3.16 on Friday before parts breakage took him out for the weekend.
Dave DeLoof put in a couple solid runner-up finishes in the Pro 1 class in June.
Matt Peel (Near Lane) drove Ed Engel's Dragonfly Buggy in 3.5 Index competition while Jim Coatney (Far Lane) was a victim of a two car crash during time trials on Saturday. Jim was able to walk away from the incident.
ATV Open Bracket July 3 Final Round: Steve Ewing (Near Lane) on his way to the win against Josh Goodale.
Ryan Poortenga (Far Lane) took the July 4 Pro Truck win over Jim Brantley.
NSDN Photos.