[Ed Carpenter]

Back in 2013 I think? My son and I attended the Northern Class Nationals in Columbus put on by Michael Beard. We got the long tow award. 21 hrs or so to get there. I put together the SS/K shootout. While we didn’t have a successful weekend with the (we broke everything possible on it) we had a great time. It was a fantastic event. Michael and team had an amazing number of sponsors. There was extra bonus races etc besides the S/SS races. I loved it because I got to see and meet people you only read about or see on Nhra tv etc racing. I really really enjoyed and was very frustrated and felt so bad for Michael and his team especially when the second one he put on was poorly attended. I too was guilty of not attending that second one and I’m sorry for that. For those with S/SS associations in your division you are fortunate. We don’t have one here in D4. I don’t have the resources, time, or the expertise to start one. I don’t even run SS anymore but my heart is still there. Every race I attend I always go to the starting line for SS. It’s just a special class. I don’t have the answers. I do know when I put on the SS/K shootout I got 27 sponsors on board. It was a lot of work with a lot of no’s. But I was persistent and got all I could. It takes a lot of time and effort. We should all be a little more appreciative of the work these men and women put into these non-NHRA events.,Good luck and safe racing to everyone this year. After 4 years away, I will be racing this year. Look forward to seeing everyone at the track.