Life Of A Super Star!!!!

That last time we talked, Sandy was headed to Piedmont Dragway to run the Renegade race on a Thursday night. Some may ask, did he win? Well, not exactly. You see, Sandy unloaded off the trailer with a 4.46 to end up in the #2 qualifying position. Then the rain set in and the race was cancelled until the following Saturday night. How did he do? The thing is he didn't go back. No, he is not a quitter. He had already made plans to attend the wedding of one of his good friends in Raleigh, NC. To me, that just shows that when Sandy is your friend, he is a friend you can count on. I know a lot of people that would have said, I'm sorry your wedding is on the day of my race, you should have planned better. But Sandy attended the wedding and his friend knew he could have been at the races. That guy will remember what Sandy did and that is why Sandy is blessed with many, many friends.

I wanted to show you the cake that was made for Sandy for his 40th birthday party. It was a beautiful cake with a picture from Benson Dragway I do believe. Sandy sent this pic of some of the people in and around his garage having a good time. Above the garage is the hang out/game room. Their is a pool table and some games as well as many pictures from his days in racing. His dad Lucien, as well as Sandy use to be involved in road racing. I am not to familiar with the term here, but they had some cool cars. Sandy's dad use to own the former Nascar Skoal Bandit Oldsmobile as well as the former Skoal Bandit Indy car. He purchased these cars and ran them in some sort of road racing circuit. Now maybe I'm wrong, but that would be freaking awesome. Anyway, lots of cool pics to seen in Sandy's game room. I think their is even a hood scoop that was nitrous tested hanging on the wall.

Well, after the race at Piedmont/wedding, Sandy was off a week and then headed to Rockingham, NC for the rescheduled divisional race. Since I am healing from my leg accident, I get to sit in the comfort of my air conditioned home all the time. Which by the way, I'm tired of sitting. From my understanding, it was way hot at that race. But Sandy's thinking was, since it is so hot, let's drive two cars this weekend. The other car was the awesome wheel standing Ford Mustang of Mark Young. I don't know the story of how he ended up in the car, but it didn't take but a second for Sandy to say yes. You see, Sandy also builds the engines for Mark's cars, so it is a little easier to drive someone else's car when you know what they have. By the way, Sandy qualified #2. I would love to tell you he won with the Super Stocker, but a .010 red light in the third round ended his day. Our old pal Tracy Robbins had a .005 package against Sandy anyway. Tracy also went to get runner up honors that day. The Top Sportsman car did not fair as well as the Ford Mustang. While warming up the car Sunday morning, the starter broke. Thanks to help of Tommy Arthur, the starter was replaced while Sandy was winning 1st round in the Super Stocker. Sandy had to run Stacy Hall first round in TS and was on the losing end of the race. The margin of victory at the finish line, .001. To the house. We'll gett'em next time.

Sandy has this weekend off and has been working hard on a special project for the Cavalier non stop. Details later, but he hopes to have it at the next race. When is the next race for the Flea. You know what happens on the first Thursday of every month at Piedmont Dragway. That's right, the Renegade race is next week. Temperatures are supposed to be really cool for that race. Not. Come on people, we are getting close to the 4th of July. If you are a racer, don't go to the track and complain about the heat when you know you have to put on a fire suit and crawl into a car. OK, that's my tyrate for the day. Supposed to be the biggest race of the year for these guys. I think you qualify on Thursday and race on Saturday. Just like the last one, minus the rain.

One last thing, the bottom photo is the trophy Sandy received in Rockingham. You say he didn't win the race. Maybe Best Appearing or Best Engineered. Nope. It was the award handed to the first round loser. Thanks for the added pain. You see, Super Stock racer Ashley Parker's wife made this clever little iron man with a tire to present to the first round losers of their friends. Aren't we all thrilled. No, it really was pretty funny. Sandy took it in stride. Good thing they don't really hand these things out or no racer would have enough room. Ha Ha.

Well, come support Sandy this coming Thursday at Piedmont. Bring plenty of water, as well as food. Sandy has to eat. Plus, bring plenty of help. You can never have too much help. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend and I can't wait to go racing. Take care of you.

Don

Renegades Tonight!!!!!

Yes my friends, the Renegades are running tonight at Piedmont Dragway. The defending champion is our very own Sandy Wilkins. As you may remember, the last time out, Sandy defeated good friend Stacy Hall of Chesnee, SC. The great thing about that race was, it contained two small blocks running on one system. The winning time for Sandy was 4.45 and Stacy ran a 4.46. Close competition. Their will be a ton of cars trying to get into a 16 car field. You need to go to this race if you are in the area tonight. A must see. Plus, Sandy could probably use the help.

No, this pic in not my new dragster. It is Steve and Brenda Corker's new American Race Cars dragster. It is a beauty. They received the Best Engineered Award at Coastal Plains Dragway a couple of weeks ago. We all know that Steve is the defending World Champion in Top Sportsman but he is also a winner in Quick Rod. Steve wanted to start out the new year with brand new equipment, thus the American Race Cars dragster. The second thing he did was order a brand new 565 ci big block chevy from Sandy Wilkins @ Wilkins Racing Engines. Now most hard core fans know Sandy Wilkins as a small block genus. He has taken his 432 ci small block with a power glide to a best of 6.74 @ 204 mph. With those credentials, surely he can produce with a big block. Well, Steve Corker's car ran a 4.82 @ 141 on it's maiden voyage, and then it was converted over to Quick Rod mode. Both Steve and Sandy were pleased with all the numbers from the first 565 produced by Wilkins Racing Engines. Not bad for a small block guy. If you are looking for an engine, Sandy can build you what ever you need, from a 432 small block, to a 565 big block, to a 700 cubic inch pro mod engine. He can do it all. Just ask Brian Williams, the winner from last month's Big Dog.

That leads me to an engine that he has for sale. Well, it is actually mine. It is a 522 Par Racing Engine that I purchased from Scott Duggins new. I raced it in Quick Rod most of the time, but ran Top Dragster in the 1/8. It has run 4.90 @ 140 in the eighth and 8.90 @ 170 in the quarter. Because of my accident, I would like to sell this engine to help off set some medical expenses. My firm asking price is 8 grand. If you are not interested in the engine, you can buy me a dragster to put it in when I get better. Now that's a plan. Just contact Sandy if you are interested. Thanks!

Don