"Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

We are here, parked and ready to race at this beautiful facility~ There are rumors that this race has been postponed and that couldn't be farther from the truth! The track is open for parking until about 9 tonight! We have a little chance of rain here around 6-7 tonight, but right now it is just overcast.


Patsy

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Here are some pictures that we took today at this beautiful racetrack:


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/051_1.jpg
This is out on the road as you come in. Really nice landscaping!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/052_1.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/053_1.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/055_1.jpg
50 amp service and water when you need it!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/056_1.jpg
Looking up the track from the sandbox

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/037_1.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/031_3.jpg
Looking down the track from the starting line


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/030_3.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/029_3.jpg
The Tower


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/028_4.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/027_4.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/024_5.jpg
Handicapped viewing area


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/025_3.jpg
Bleachers with seat backs!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Looks like a great place.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

It is amazing to see especially if you saw it before the facelift and I hope all the rumors are true that the track will be extended to 1\4 mile in the near future.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

50 amp service for 25 a day! Sign me up!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Nice track

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Galot = Get a load of this! True

Casey Miles

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Here are a few more pics:


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/2016/063.jpg
this is where they do tractor pulls


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/2016/059.jpg
nice equipment here, too.


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/2016/065.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/2016/064.jpg
The old bleachers


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/2016/058.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/057_1.jpg
This is in the drive thru scale house! Cap't Jack, we are ready for you!!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/047_1.jpg
Some of the stuff here came from Daytona


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/048_1.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/043_1.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/041_1.jpg

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/038_1.jpg
lots of pavement everywhere!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/033_2.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/034_2.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/014_2.jpg
They also have a restaurant here!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/022_5.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/023_4.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/020_4.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/019_4.jpg
We are in North Carolina! No confusion here!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/008_3.jpg
Scoreboards that you can read!!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/003_6.jpg
50 amps!!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/001_6.jpg
And here is one left over from Bowling Green!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Any fuel there for sale? Race there in the 70's and 80's. big change! Will be there tonight!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

It is 72 this morning and overcast, going up to 90 later this afternoon. There is a little chance of rain showing for Friday night. Right now Sunday is the only day that there is more than just little showers! Saturday's chances are in the later afternoon. So ya'll come on down! There is parking and tech today along with test and tune. Then a Big Dog Pro Mod show to watch tonight!


More later!


Patsy

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Oh, Mitch!
On the road (242) coming into the track, there is a VP place that said race fuel available. Maybe someone from the track here can tell you if any other is here.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Some color commentary on GALOT from the local media. Also - the grandstands are from the backstretch at Daytona.

BENSON - Clinton's Earl Wells isn't interested in doing something half-heartedly.

Once he got a taste of tractor pulling with his son-in-law John Strickland driving, Wells leapfrogged several classes up the competition ladder. He hauled the GALOT ("Get a Load of This") tractors to meets all over the country in a specialty built trailer that rivals anything in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition.

When a former employee and friend, Kevin Riven-bark of Wallace, got him hooked on drag racing, Wells went in whole hog with a two-car team. Rivenbark and team manager Todd Tutterow of Yadkinville will both compete on NHRA's 10-race Pro Modified circuit.

Wells' latest endeavor in the deep end of the pool is his purchase of Dunn-Benson Dragstrip, now rechristened GALOT Motorsports Park.

But there's more - much more - than just a name change to a raceway that opened in 1957. We're talking whole-hog makeover.

"Nothing against the former owner of this place - he did what he could do within his means and he did a lot of good things, a lot of upgrades - but we're building on what he started. We're going to carry this thing to the next level."

Wells has the means to see that plan to fruition.

He and two partners started S&W Concrete in 1986, then sold it to construction giant Titan, whose headquarters are in Athens - that's Greece, not Georgia - in 2007. They still have two related companies.

So, when Wells shows up at the dragstrip in a cowboy hat, overalls and cowboys boots, it's sort of like Jed Clampett has arrived. But unlike Uncle Jed, Wells is the furthest thing from an "aw, shucks" country boy. He's sure of where he's going, how he's going to get there and for the moment, at least, turning a profit takes a back seat to getting the job done to suit his vision.

Most noticeably, the racing surface has been ripped up and crushed for re-use as a base layer for the new track. The construction of concrete walls is underway for a track that's 18 feet wider than before, and then a fresh layer of concrete and asphalt will fill the space from one end to the other. The 300-foot-long concrete launch pad will have the infrastructure to be heated, allowing racing to start earlier in the year and end later. New scoreboards will be erected at the finish line. The age-old wood-frame timing tower will be razed and replaced with a two-story steel structure. Concession stands and storage will take up the first floor, and the second story will be used for race control, media and two plush suites.

At the other end of the facility will be a pit for mud bog racing, plus a track for pulling meets; an NTPA Grand National event is slated July 18-19. That portion of the property will also be the site of a three-day bluegrass and gospel music festival June 6-8.

Wells has hired a full-time track manager in Satch Gragg of Granite Falls, who spent 30 years helping the International Hot Rod Association put on events at the division and national level. Gragg served in nearly every capacity for IHRA: technical inspector, starter, race operations, and a division director.

Beyond the outward makeover, Wells has another goal for the facility.

"I want to create a place for family-oriented experience rather than, for lack of a better word, rednecks and drunks, so to speak," Wells said. "I'm trying to get the family aspect back into this facility.

"It's pretty much an extension of what we already had going on. I saw an opportunity to take something and make it a little bit better. I feel like we can make a No. 1 race track out of it."

Wells said he expects to spend "close to" a million dollars to give the place the makeover.

Some would ask if he's nuts to invest part of his fortune in such pursuits. I asked that question of him, too.

"Crazy?" he pondered.

Then he grinned.

"I passed that years ago."

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Seems like a fair price to me for not having to run a generator....especially when it's over 80 deg. outside.

Thanks for posting the pics Patsy & Larry.
That's a nice looking track

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Here are a few from today:


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/001_7.jpg
Mike Trueffel SS/BM


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/002_7.jpg
Eddie's GT/EA


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/004_4.jpg
Joel Warren SS


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/005_5.jpg
Jeff Warren A/S


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/006_4.jpg
SS/


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...2016/007_4.jpg
Adam Badgett FS/F

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

My partner in Loose Rocker Promotions, Anthony Walton, is the manager there. They've certainly raised the bar!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

VP sold at the track, not sure if any others will be there also.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

when I called a few weeks ago it was VP 112 and 110 out of a pump didn't have
C12 or C11 may need to call the track

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

This certainly might be correct, I didn't think to ask what flavors they had.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

I found out years ago that they didn't have VP 110/112 on the accepted fuels list, but of course that's what a bunch of the tracks in the region have.

I found a couple of stations around Columbus, OH that carry Turbo Blue for $7/gal. I'm going to save a ridiculous amount of money this year.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Well folks! From rigs pulling in slowly all day it has gone to a packed house! They are running the Big Mule Pro Mod series here tonight and there are 19 pro mods trying for 8 qualifying spots! It is crazy!! Also they are running a top bulb bracket race tonight. So if you get here and there is not a spot to park, there will be tomorrow after all these guys leave! We went with Super Gas racers Termite and Cindy to a great place to eat tonight. It was Lanes Seafood and Steak at Gregory's Vineyards! Thanks ya'll for inviting us!! Larry did test and tune today and the track hooked really well !! We are supposed to start at 9 in the morning. I have not seen a schedule so I don't know who is out first. So I guess we are off to bed for a good night's rest! More later. Patsy

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

I can't find the schedule i was looking at Weds., seems like S/ST started the 9am session. I'm 40 mins from the track in Goldsboro, coming over to watch/meet some of your great folks.

Donnie Lee

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

It is a pretty sunny day here at Galot! Super Street is out first shortly followed by stock. I don't know the schedule any further than that! Looks like lots more cars have pulled in overnight. Should be a full day of racing today! More later. And also thanks to Charles Myers for taking care of us here!!


Patsy

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Only 27 stockers made first run. Jack Zimmerman had a problem with transmission, I think.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Is Sunoco race fuels there????

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Yes

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Well as fate would have this year work has gotten in the way of me joining you there today. This race is closest to me at only about an hour and half so I will make the trip in the morning! I've heard 1 shot in the morning and then complete the race tomorrow.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Larry congratulations on the Class Win ! Galot looks awesome,Have a great time Good luck to you and Patsy

Jerry & Patty Terry

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Larry, try Meadow Village Restaurant, 7400 hey 50 east, Benson. Great food!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Got to Galot @ 9:15, rode around on bike looking at cars & got to meet Larry & Patsy Hill & get a look at their Pink Cuda (Very Envious), enjoyed conversation with them both, very friendly & Larry is tall, I'm 5-10 & looking in his car I'm sure I couldn't reach the pedals, (Congrats on Class Win). Also came across Rusty Davenport & his 2nd gen Gold Nova F/SA, spoke with him a couple mins., good looking car also. Rode some more and looked at more good looking cars. Watched thru second round of qualifying & had to leave about 12:45 to come home & finish some honey-do's, plus it was hot & getting hotter, hope to go back in the a.m.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Everyone had a shot at 3 runs today and we were finished by 3 pm. I know the track owner has to be discouraged by the turnout here. The qualifying sheets are up on DRC. Only 27 stockers and 23 super stockers. There should be at least 5 or so more stockers in the morning. I think we are getting 1 run, then go straight into eliminations. Hopefully we will get the race finished tomorrow since the bad weather looks to get here by Sunday afternoon.


Here are a couple of pictures from dinner last night at Gregory Vineyards:


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...8DA0919F59.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...A7E616A174.jpg
I had to buy some of this to bring home!!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...80C08791C3.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...16978AA6BA.jpg
Got a bottle of Sunset also!!


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...6045087E68.jpg
Winners circle ready!!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

You're right. I'm 6'0" and I can't fully reach the pedals.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

I am so disappointed that I couldn't make this race...I hope the owners aren't discouraged as well as this will be a tremendous venue for d-2 races for years to come. Believe me, if it wasn't for health reasons I would be there and still may try to come and watch if at all possible!

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Y'all leave the light on, I'm on the way.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Light turnout for sure!

TD - 4
TS - 8
COMP - 5

The majority of the STK and SS cars are from NC and SC. Is it the 1/8 Mile racing that's keeping racers away?

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

1/8 mile points meet? Who wants to run 1/8 mile? I'm not interested in 1/8 mile racing. I hope the facility is a big success in spite of that.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

I would not have expected a very big turn out for that event. It's an Un tested venue. Most hardcore NHRA guys won't race 1/8th mile. You can't expect racers to travel long distances for the meager purse that is posted. The owner/promoter will have to put on several more of these type events and entice the racers with bigger pay outs. To make that happen they have to put butts in the seats. If he makes it a 1/4 mile facility it might get better turn out. The weather could be a small factor too. Those numbers are similar to a 1/8th mile IHRA event in that area. Best of luck to all that made the trip there. I would have liked to go but just too far and real busy at work.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

Someone said at some point it will be 1/4. To bad I live so far away looks like a awesome place.

Re: "Live" from Galot Division 2 Divisional 2016
 

I think the vast majority of NHRA racers prefer 1/4 mile. All other NHRA races are 1/4 mile. It's a nice facility from the pictures I've seen, but I think if it was 1/4 mile it would do much better. Also, there is also a national event in D1 and a points race in D3. I think all of this effected the car count.