Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes: News and Notes from Day Two at Byron Dragway
Following the official first day of racing at Cordova Dragway, Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes rolled into day two at Byron Dragway. A huge crowd of spectators greeted the racers, as well as the Summit Racing Sick Ward Presented by Peak Performance participants.
After about two hours of racing on the track, Mother Nature decided to spoil the party with a rain shower that didn’t fully quit for over an hour. The Byron Dragway crew went about drying the surface and had made decent progress, but as 1.30pm approached, the grim reality began to take shape that another storm was heading for the track within 20 minutes.
With some A and B group radial cars yet to make their first pass of the session, and the D group not even in the staging lanes yet for their first shot at the track, Tom Bailey and crew made the tough yet fair decision to cancel the day.
The cancellation meant no times would be counted for day two, and now the weekly average will be based on a four-day average instead of five days.
Bryant Goldstone, who currently sits in second place overall and first in Unlimited Iron, had the quick time of the day at 6.81, but at just 185 mph as the car got out of the groove a few times, forcing Bryant to lift.
The incoming overall leader and top of the Unlimited class, Steve Morris (pictured, far lane) struggled a little on his first and only run, clocking a 7.08 at 209 mph in the Boostmaster wagon. Alex Taylor (near lane) was the only other driver to clock a six-second pass on day two, but it came with a hefty price tag. On her 6.97 at 200 mph pass, a lot of smoke exited the ’55 Chevy at the finish line.
Alex hopped out of the car quickly and discovered a small engine bay fire, which was extinguished quickly by Bryon’s safety crew. Post inspection revealed two dead cylinders, and Alex has officially withdrawn from competition.
Ed Ensor, who laid down the quickest and fastest naturally-aspirated pass in drag-and-drive history on Monday with a 7.49 at 182 mph, and followed it up with a 7.51 at 183 mph.
Canadian Pat Mykar’s ProCharger-fed ’67 Chevelle clocked an 8.01 at 172mph on day one, and he backed that up with an 8.13 at 179mph on day two.
The leader of the Rowdy Radial class, Andy Cook and his 2005 Pontiac GTO, stayed consistent to his 5.23 from day one of racing with a 5.27 on day two on the eighth-mile format.
After the race was called for weather, a large contingent of rides hit the road together to the first check point at Historic Auto Attractions, where some spirited burnouts kept a large contingent of people smiling.
Between the first and second checkpoints was The Boar’s Nest, which proved to be a popular attraction for most participants.
The final checkpoint of the day was Mars Cheese Castle, where a ton of cheese and supporting food items were available to visitors.
Day three of Sick Summer Presented By TBM Brakes will visit Great Lakes Dragaway in Wisconsin. Gates to spectators open at 8am, and racing goes from 9 am until 3 pm. Tickets are available at the gate.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Motion Raceworks.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com