T&S National - DT

T&Sdirt trackHenryetta, Ok November 7, 2020 dirt track

VMC Racing Frames AHRMA National Championship

By: Tom Schuman / Photos by: Kenny Lau - Awesome Shots

After traveling for nine and a half hours from Athens, Alabama, I finally pulled into Nichols Park and had to stop for a minute to enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding area. As I made my way in, I was greeted by Sherri Parker and some of her helpers with big smiles and a bag of candy, welcoming me to the Vintage National Finals. As I drove in to find a parking spot, I was amazed at the turnout for MX, Cross Country and Trials. All I could think about, at that moment was, “Will we have anyone show up for our Flat Track event on Saturday evening?”

I parked my trailer near the right field fence of the ball diamond. When I took a look at the track inside the ball field, I had to step back and collect my thoughts. First off, we will be racing under the lights on Saturday evening. Many MX and CC riders had not seen a flat track race, so we needed to put on a good show for them and the spectators. Second, how do we get the riders on and off the track for each event? Last, but most important, was the safety of the riders. With a small and narrow track, how many riders can we line up at the starting gate and have on the track at one time? Well, not to bore you anymore with my concerns, I’ll simply tell you that the racing was outstanding and the riders showed everyone that it does not matter the size track you race on; indoor, 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, whatever. Build a track and riders will show up to race. That Saturday night in Henryetta, OK, T & S Racing and AHRMA working together, made it happen.

Now to the racing results:

500/750 Classic 1. Mike Newton (42M) 2. Gary Moore (32M) 3. Jeff Durand (79) Seventies Singles 1. Ricky Parker (44) 2. Jack Young (18) 3. Shannon Slocum (27) Seventies Singles 50+ 1. Ronnie Jones (18) 2. Joey Raborn (12) 3. Mark Zeissler (65) Sportsman 100 1. Mike Collier (448) 2. Robert Collier (47) Sportsman 250 1. Bryan Johnson (95) Sportsman 600 1. Ricky Parker (94) 2. Shannon Slocum (27) 3. Jim Ewing(1) Sportsman 750 1. Jeff Durand (79) 2. Luke Sayer(76U) 3. Beno Rodi (3) Seventies Two Stroke 1. Shannon Slocum (27) 2. Henry Sansing (63) Super Senior 1. Gary Pettis (708)

A big THANK YOU goes out to Trampas & Sherri Parker and their workers for going the extra effort to include AHRMA Flat Track in their program. With plans already in the works for next year, I heard mention of a 1/4 mile track. As I mentioned earlier, build it and they will come.

When I loaded up and started my nine and a half hour drive to Athens, I could not help but think about what the small town of Henryetta accomplished this weekend. Thank you Henryetta! We’ll be back next year!