****** BTE WFC Post Race Wrap Up ****** WFC VIII is officially in the books. We were blessed to have the best weather forecast we’ve ever had in our 8 years on the mountain and with the huge crowd that arrived, the great weather was much needed. Footbrakers from 23 states and 2 countries got things started on Thursday with test n tune and a $3,000 to win gambler’s race which wrapped up late Thursday night. When the dust settled, Footbrake veteran Jim Wood claimed the win over one of the up and coming stars of our sport, Dylan Kiser. 170 racers battled it out for the big check and the great racing was just a sign of things to come throughout the weekend. Beautiful blue skies shined down on us Friday morning as did 418 entries in the NitroPlate Triple 10 race featuring a $10,000 ‘big check’ for the last racer standing. The plan was for 2 time runs but the huge crowd forced a decision to cut it back to 1 time run. NitroPlate Friday had 2 races scheduled and they wouldn’t be run to completion if not for the change. The racers embraced the change in the schedule and it was obvious they were ready to compete. When the race reached round 7, it was evident that the WFC winner’s circle would see a face never seen before as each remaining competitor would be a first time winner should they get the final win light. When all was said and done, the quiet but competitive, Matt Obertanec took his AMC Spirit for a victory lap over one of the hottest drivers on the east coast, David Smith Jr. The lone semi-finalist was many time big stage winner, Austin Welch. In standard WFC style, we started the Friday night $3,000 to win gambler’s race in round 7 and 119 racers took one more shot at winning some cash on the event’s second day. After all of the Friday racing came to a close, the Thunder Valley winner’s circle saw another new face as ‘Big Bucks’ Bob Mullaney took the win over one of the best Footbrake racers in the mid-south, David Bell. ‘Bucks’ used a 4 round string of double 0 lights to take the check. He certainly needed it in the final as both he and Bell left the tree with double 0 bulbs. A long day that saw 537 entries complete 2 races, was done and Saturday’s action was right around the corner. NitroPlate Saturday started with Maggart Tire/Hoosier purchasing 50 dozen donuts to feed the entire entry list, as well as anyone else on the grounds that wanted to start the day off with a delicious pastry. With another beautiful weather day in sight, the entry total rose to an amazing number of 436. The 10K race was the only action scheduled on the track for Saturday and the racers were treated to a wonderful meal prepared by Gardendale Performance Saturday evening. Our great friends Jimmy and Robin Wesson brought a large staff to help feed over 750 people in the free Saturday night dinner. The meal was prepared to perfection and anyone that wanted seconds had plenty of food to choose from. As the rounds clicked off, something special was taking place. A first time WFC competitor was making his way to the final round to face the youngest WFC winner in the event’s history. Darryl Rediker captured the biggest win of his young racing career over Joe ‘Cool’ Hutto who was visiting the WFC for the first time. Many time big buck winner and all around great racer, Dave Dissinger was the lone semi-finalist. The race finished just before the 1 AM curfew which left little time to rest before Sunday’s 9 AM start. NitroPlate Sunday started off with Steven Lyons delivering the word of God to a large audience. When the message was delivered, the new entry time trial had a handful of racers ready to go down the track and round 1 was waiting right behind them. Another beautiful day awaited 387 entries and with no time trial, the race would most definitely finish at a decent time and help get everyone home at a reasonable hour. As the race moved into the late rounds and racing rigs departed Bristol Dragway, another special day was in store for this highly anticipated event. At 3 cars, brothers, Richard and Steve Alford would face one another for the right to compete in the final round of the weekend against a first time WFC finalist, Vic Ellinger of Wiseco. The Alfords are two of the most accomplished Footbrake racers in the country while Ellinger has made his name known through many wins in Super Pro and No Box competition. Steve rose to the challenge and defeated Richard as Ellinger took the single. When the final win light lit, it was in Vic Ellinger’s lane as he took his first big buck Footbrake win over Alford. A huge winner’s circle celebration ensued as Vic was greeted by a large crowd of his Ohio/Pennsylvania based friends, which included Friday’s winner, Matt Obertanec. The weather for the weekend was some of the warmest we’ve had in the 8 year history of the WFC. Coalburg Racing Promotions provided the racers with free iced down bottled water in the staging lanes all weekend. 160 cases of water got disposed of by the racers and their supporting crew members. Huntsville Engine and Performance also provided every buyback racer with a Bluebell Ice Cream product all 3 days of the 10K races. So ‘The World’s Greatest Footbrake Race’ was done for another year and it would be hard to call it anything other than amazing. The spirit and enthusiasm displayed at this event is unmatched and the many supporters it gets each year has helped make it a ‘bucket list’ type event for Footbrake racers around the country. A very large list of sponsors contributed and helped create a monster sized list of winners regardless of how they performed on the track. Special thanks to BTE, NitroPlate, Hoosier/Maggart Tire, Wiseco, Quick Fuel Technology, BRODIX, JEGS, Mountz PRO, K&N, Lucas Oil/Plourd Racing Products, Huntsville Engine and Performance, Loose Rocker Promotions, Bud McNasby, Gardendale Performance, Plattinum Products, Bristol Motor Speedway staff and the WFC staff. This race wouldn’t be possible without each of you. Round prize and special award winners were: Hoosier Tires – Austin Welch, Wesley Roberts and Bob Mullaney Wiseco Pistons – C J Jones, Nick Bowman and David Bell Quick Fuel Technology – Johnathan Surratt, Joe Hutto and Nick Hastings BRODIX – Steve Alford, Thomas Holley and Francis Reynolds NitroPlate – Chris Moren, Jeff Riedel and Houston Burch JEGS – Matt Dadas, Jerry Cline and Billy Janousek Mountz PRO – Van Greer, Kevin Pollard and Brad Plourd NitroPlate Bounty winners were Tyler Bohannon, Charlie Roberts and Jeff Riedel Jegs Hard Luck Award – Jamie Nowling – (Engine failure on Thursday. Went to junkyard and got one to put in for the remainder of the weekend) BRODIX Long Distance Award – Billy Janousek from Pflugerville, Texas (1134.65 miles) Loose Rocker Promotions Free Entry – Matt Nowling Bud McNasby Bracket Racing School Entry – Chuck Turocy As always, a very special thank you goes out to Steve Stites. He works hard every year trying to find ways to make this event better and he sends me out to the crowd to present it. Without his drive, passion and forward thinking mentality, the WFC would be nothing more than a dream. Thank you Steve! You’re the reason for this gathering of talented racers each year and we should all be thankful for people like you in our sport. A little bit of rest is necessary and plans for the 3rd version of the BTE Southern Footbrake Challenge will be made soon. Holly Springs, Mississippi will once again host the biggest Footbrake race in the mid-south. Dates and times will be released in the fall. Thank all of you again for another unbelievable experience. We’ll see you next year
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 21:42:39 +0000
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