Rain and mud could not stop racers from putting on a show during the Southern Gap Dirt Drags on Sept. 12.
Competitors ranging from young Power Wheels drivers to experienced ATV, motocross and UTV racers battled difficult track conditions across 15 divisions.
Event organizers thanked the racers and spectators who stayed through the wet weather. Although most divisions were completed, worsening conditions eventually forced officials to stop the event before every scheduled race could be held.
McKenzie Stiltner captured the Power Wheels division, finishing ahead of Maverick Ratliff.
Ashton Ratliff won the ages 3-8 ATV and motocross elapsed-time division, with Jenna Stacy placing second. Ian Viers took first place in the ages 9-12 division, followed by Hunter Justus and Hunter Bowman.
Maddox Hinkle won the MX 65cc-100cc heads-up division. Cameron Cole placed second, and Brantley Deel finished third.
Shaun Robinson collected two victories during the event. He won the ATV 2-Stroke Open division and took first in the ATV 201cc-400cc class. Justin Underwood and Tasha Underwood completed the top three in the 201cc-400cc division.
Robinson also placed third in the ATV 501cc and up division, which was won by Dillon Hacker. Kendall Blevins finished second.
Hacker earned another victory in the MX 251cc and up class, finishing ahead of Keaton Matney and Noah Hubbard.
Jase Hurley won the MX 101cc-200cc division, with Mikey Ratliff placing second and Maddox Ratliff third. Ryan Cline claimed the MX 201cc-250cc division, followed by Hurley and Leland Cordill.
Canaan McClanahan won the UTV 801cc and up non-turbo division, with Logan Fuller finishing second.
Dillon Stanley took first place in the UTV Turbo Stock Open class. Kyler Yates finished second, and Fuller placed third.
Fuller returned to win the UTV Non-Turbo Open division, finishing ahead of McClanahan. Homer Waters captured the UTV Turbo Open championship.
Meagan Shrader won the Powder Puff Open division, while Addy Boyd finished second.
The track records set after the event were Justin Grizzle’s 4.119-second run in the SXS division, Michael Lee’s 4.230-second mark in the ATV division, and Hacker’s 4.617-second run in motocross.
The Southern Gap Dirt Drags are scheduled to return Sept. 26, with organizers hoping for sunnier weather and improved track conditions.
SOUTHERN GAP DIRT DRAGS
Sept. 12
Power Wheels
McKenzie Stiltner
Maverick Ratliff
Ages 3-8 ATV and MX — ET
Ashton Ratliff
Jenna Stacy
Ages 9-12 ATV and MX — ET
Ian Viers
Hunter Justus
Hunter Bowman
MX 65cc-100cc — Heads Up
Maddox Hinkle
Cameron Cole
Brantley Deel
ATV 2-Stroke Open
Shaun Robinson
MX 101cc-200cc
Jase Hurley
Mikey Ratliff
Maddox Ratliff
MX 201cc-250cc
Ryan Cline
Jase Hurley
Leland Cordill
MX 251cc and up
Dillon Hacker
Keaton Matney
Noah Hubbard
ATV 201cc-400cc
Shaun Robinson
Justin Underwood
Tasha Underwood
ATV 501cc and up
Dillon Hacker
Kendall Blevins
Shaun Robinson
UTV 801cc and up — Non-Turbo
Canaan McClanahan
Logan Fuller
UTV Turbo Stock Open
Dillon Stanley
Kyler Yates
Logan Fuller
UTV Non-Turbo Open
Logan Fuller
Canaan McClanahan
UTV Turbo Open
Homer Waters
Powder Puff Open
Meagan Shrader
Addy Boyd
Track records
SXS — Justin Grizzle, 4.119 seconds
ATV — Michael Lee, 4.230 seconds
MX — Dillon Hacker, 4.617 seconds
