MADISON, Ill. –Ron Rathgeb Jr. - barely - became the only repeat champion in the 2002 Gateway E.T. Bracket Drag Racing Series. Six first-time champions were crowned after the season that went from April to October on the Gateway quarter-mile. In addition, three of the eight classes were decided by 10 points or less.
Rathgeb, a 17-year-old from Godfrey, Ill., repeated as Street E.T. champion in the narrowest race of the year. He edged 2000 Street E.T. champ James Bouckaert of Arnold, Mo., by just three points, 632-629. Third place went to Paul Hagen of Fenton, Mo. With 491 points.
A year ago, Rathgeb also swept to the High School title, but gave that crown up to Troy, Mo., driver Torrey Graf, who won that points battle 435-374. Kristina Garcia of St. Louis was third at 362.
Longtime Gateway racer Tim Foley of Florissant, Mo., who has suffered his share of disappointment, finally broke through to Super Pro 1/4 Mile, edging Jeremy McKague of Chamois, Mo., 431-427. Dan Smith of Affton, Mo., was right behind at 421 - and no less than three other drivers - Brian Suhre of Worden, Ill. (413), Scott Offerman of Highland, Ill. (407) and Jon Tignor of St. Charles, Mo. (402) were within 29 points of the lead after the final night's activity. Foley was second in Super Pro 1/4 and 1/8 mile last season.
The Junior Dragster title was claimed for the first time by Jerry Bonifield of Fairview Heights, Ill., who edged Travis Pour of Red Bud, Ill., by just nine points, 420-411. In third place was Jeffrey Matta of Mt. Olive, Ill., at 378.
It was just a 10-point margin for first-time Pro Bike champion Noel Clark of Staunton, Ill., who scored a 503-493 win over Frank Linders of Washington, Ill. A furious late-season rally by Linders passed Dusty Katich of Collinsville, Ill., who was third at 489.
Katich scored a handy victory for the Inaugural Street Bike class title, amassing 541 points to 372 for Don Klarer of St. Charles, Mo. Ron Bone was third at 355.
Greg Sesti of Weldon Springs, Mo., a former track champion in Super Pro 1/4 Mile, took this year's Super Pro 1/8 Mile title, 503-429 over Clay Tyler of Wood River, Ill. Brian Gardner of O'Fallon, Mo., was third at 416.
Mike Vishino of St. Louis won his first Pro E.T. class championship by a relatively comfortable margin (572-493) over James Bouckaert of Arnold, Mo., who wound up the year runnerup in two categories.
The winners will receive their awards, and shares of the points fund, at the annual Gateway E.T. Bracket Series banquet, set for Saturday night, Feb. 1. The site and times will be announced shortly along with other details.
The 2003 Gateway E.T. Bracket Drag Racing Series schedule is tentatively set to start April 11-12. A full schedule will be released later this month.
Rathgeb, a 17-year-old from Godfrey, Ill., repeated as Street E.T. champion in the narrowest race of the year. He edged 2000 Street E.T. champ James Bouckaert of Arnold, Mo., by just three points, 632-629. Third place went to Paul Hagen of Fenton, Mo. With 491 points.
A year ago, Rathgeb also swept to the High School title, but gave that crown up to Troy, Mo., driver Torrey Graf, who won that points battle 435-374. Kristina Garcia of St. Louis was third at 362.
Longtime Gateway racer Tim Foley of Florissant, Mo., who has suffered his share of disappointment, finally broke through to Super Pro 1/4 Mile, edging Jeremy McKague of Chamois, Mo., 431-427. Dan Smith of Affton, Mo., was right behind at 421 - and no less than three other drivers - Brian Suhre of Worden, Ill. (413), Scott Offerman of Highland, Ill. (407) and Jon Tignor of St. Charles, Mo. (402) were within 29 points of the lead after the final night's activity. Foley was second in Super Pro 1/4 and 1/8 mile last season.
The Junior Dragster title was claimed for the first time by Jerry Bonifield of Fairview Heights, Ill., who edged Travis Pour of Red Bud, Ill., by just nine points, 420-411. In third place was Jeffrey Matta of Mt. Olive, Ill., at 378.
It was just a 10-point margin for first-time Pro Bike champion Noel Clark of Staunton, Ill., who scored a 503-493 win over Frank Linders of Washington, Ill. A furious late-season rally by Linders passed Dusty Katich of Collinsville, Ill., who was third at 489.
Katich scored a handy victory for the Inaugural Street Bike class title, amassing 541 points to 372 for Don Klarer of St. Charles, Mo. Ron Bone was third at 355.
Greg Sesti of Weldon Springs, Mo., a former track champion in Super Pro 1/4 Mile, took this year's Super Pro 1/8 Mile title, 503-429 over Clay Tyler of Wood River, Ill. Brian Gardner of O'Fallon, Mo., was third at 416.
Mike Vishino of St. Louis won his first Pro E.T. class championship by a relatively comfortable margin (572-493) over James Bouckaert of Arnold, Mo., who wound up the year runnerup in two categories.
The winners will receive their awards, and shares of the points fund, at the annual Gateway E.T. Bracket Series banquet, set for Saturday night, Feb. 1. The site and times will be announced shortly along with other details.
The 2003 Gateway E.T. Bracket Drag Racing Series schedule is tentatively set to start April 11-12. A full schedule will be released later this month.
