Another Drag Strip Facing the Wrecking Ball

January 26, 2008

Newport TN – Established nearly 40 years ago, English Mountain Dragway may end up as just another “History of Drag Racing” book if developers have their way.

Nestled in the foothills of English Mountain the wonderfully nostalgic track has been a haven for area racers and their families since it opened, drawing in drivers and fans from mikes away.

Rumor has it that some of the sports greatest legends have left a fair share of rubber here while on their way to “Thunder Valley” in Bristol.

Standing in the bleach box and drifting back in time is almost spiritual, conjuring up images of slingshots and gassers from years gone by. One can only imagine the stories this track could tell and the secrets it must hold.

Located just off Interstate 40 the property enjoys an outstanding location with excellent access, tremendous views of the Great Smoky Mountains and a recently expanded county infrastructure, making it a Prime Target for commercial developers.

Now, after nearly 15 years the current owner is ready to retire and has placed the local racing facility up for sale.

A local real estate broker and long time racer is spearheading a drive to keep the former IHRA track out of the hands of developers if at all possible, vowing to exhaust every effort in finding a new owner that will keep the drag strip intact and operating.

To find out more about the track and what you can do to help, please log on to the web at: SaveTheTrack.com.

Bar's Leaks/Rislone Jr. Drag Racer Spotlight: Brenda & Brandon Seraphine                   Seraphine duo set to take SoCal Jr. Drag Racing by storm

June 17, 2007

FULLERTON, Calif. - Sometimes racing just runs in a family's blood.  Such is the case for the Bar's Leaks/Rislone Engine Treatment sponsored Jr. Dragster team of Seraphine Racing. After parents Jeff and Debbie Seraphine raced drag boats and funny cars for years, it should come as no surprise their son and daughter Brandon and Brenda Seraphine are following in their footsteps, blazing down the strips of Southern California.

Brenda, 15, driver of the Rislone Engine Treatment Jr. Dragster, battled back from a nasty, wind related crash last season to win the Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway Track Championship in her first full season of driving. She is currently a freshman at Fullerton High School where she is an honor student and cheerleader.

"I grew up going to the races with my Dad when he raced his boats and Funny Car," said Brenda. "Now he is letting me drive a race car and it's the best thing in the world for me because I love going fast.  I hope one day I can drive a Funny Car like my dad did or "Fast" Jack Beckman when I get older. I also hope I can get my Rislone Jr. Dragster another good finish in points this year."

Brandon, 12, driver of the Bar's Leaks Stop Leak Jr. Dragster, is an avid motorcycle rider and plays Little League Major's baseball.  He is currently a student at Orangethorpe Elementary School in Fullerton, Calf. He currently is battling for the track championship at Team Possibilities Raceway in San Diego in only his second full year behind the wheel.

"I have a great time when I go to the races as I get to be with all of my racing friends." added Brandon.  "When we race each other it's a lot of fun win or lose. This year I have a very good chance to get my Bar's Leaks Stop Leak dragster a championship like my sister did last year, which would be so great.  One day I hope to drive a Top Fuel Dragster like Tony Schumacher."

Father Jeff, raced drag boats for ten years before switching to asphalt in 1995 to race the California Independent Funny Car Association circuit, going on to win the series championship and rookie of the year honors.  He raced the CIFCA circuit for another ten years before focusing on Brenda and Brandon's Jr. Dragster careers in 2005.  Mother Debbie has been the crew chief of the family's racing efforts for over twenty years.  The team also receives assistance from John and Theresa Cooper, as well as Artie and Garrett Proctor, who have been Brandon's baseball managers for the last four years.

 "I feel like I am living a dream with my two kids racing and my wife right beside us these days," commented Jeff. "I am having so much fun at the Jr. Dragster race tracks I feel like a big-time Top Fuel Crew Chief. With the help we are receiving from Clay Parks and the folks at Bar's Leaks and Rislone, they have made our team look like a Top Fuel team. We're all very thankful to Clay Parks and Bar's Leaks/Rislone for having faith in our team to represent their great company."

Clay Parks, V.P. of Marketing & Development for Bar's Leaks and Rislone, is excited about having a successful racing family like the Seraphine's as a part of their Jr. Dragster program.

"The Seraphine's are just a great racing family," stated Parks.  "Brenda and Brandon are winners both on and off the track.  We're very pleased to have them representing the Bar's Leaks Radiator Repair and Rislone Engine Treatment brands on the West Coast."

The Bar's Leaks Stop Leak/Rislone Engine Treatment backed team will compete this season at the entire NHRA Division 7 Series, Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, Team Possibilities Raceway, Barona Drags, LA County Raceway, Auto Club Fomoso Raceway, Irwindale Dragstrip and Southwestern International Raceway. The team will also be the topic of a feature on the Outdoor Channel later in the year.

Bar's Leaks line of automotive chemicals is well known, well trusted, and maintaining the product standards you have come to expect in your vehicle maintenance throughout the years. Technologies change, but standards should not. Your vehicle is important and Bar's Leaks has the solution!  Whether it's one of our classic products like our Stop Leak, or one of our newer innovations like Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Repair or Rear Main Seal Repair, Bar's Leaks has you covered. Find out more at www.BarsLeaks.com.

The flagship Rislone product is Rislone Engine Treatment.  America's best-selling engine treatment has been enhancing automobile engine performance for more than 85 years. Rislone Engine Treatment reduces friction & wear, quiets noisy lifters & valves, and removes & prevents sludge build-up. New Rislone products include: Rislone Compression Repair with Ring Seal, Rislone Oil Stabilizer with Engine Treatment, Rislone Transmission Stabilizer with Stop Slip and Rislone Power Steering Stabilizer with Stop Leak. Find out more at www.Rislone.com.

Seraphine Racing Jr.Dragster team is truly a family affair.

Extreme Vibration Caused Eric Medlan’s Severe Head Injuries

NHRA officials stated on Friday that extreme vibration in Eric Medlen’s funny car caused his severe head injuries that led to his death.

The explanation was given during a pre-event driver’s meeting at Houston Raceway Park prior to first-day qualifying for the O'Reilly Spring Nationals.

Medlen died March 23, four days after a test session crash at Gainesville, Fla.

Extreme vibration shook Eric's head violently from side to side, his head was hitting the sides of the roll cage.

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