Talbert, Phillips, Hastings and Foley earn the "BIG CHECKS" at the World Footbrake
Challenge V
Bristol, TN: --First, I would like to apologize for the late reply. I rushed
away from Bristol and had to be in Pensacola, Florida on Monday for meetings and
just got home. It has been killing me not to be able to tell all of the WFC supporters
thank you.
What a great show you all put on. The weather didn't cooperate at all over the weekend
but plenty of racing got done despite the rain. You couldn't ask for a better crew
than the Bristol Dragway Staff. They simply do not quit. Congrats to all of the
winners and late round finishers in the $10K main event races. Ed Talbert got his
1st WFC win on Friday by defeating a 1st time WFC racer, Todd Atkinson. Sunday saw
two 1st time WFC finalists as well with Steve Foley besting Nick Hastings.
The 1000' shootout was everything we dreamed it would be and MORE. Being at the
far end and watching everyone rolling through the 1000' mark was awesome. You all
looked like you were having a blast and the race itself was insane. Great job by
Seth Phillips to claim the title over Ed Talbert in that historic race.
The WFC sponsors, headed by our presenting sponsor BTE, played a major role in the
success of the event. We couldn't begin to thank them all enough and we are blessed
to have each of them and we hope they see their way back to a partnership with us
for WFC VI.
Gardendale Performance cooked an AMAZING feast for 400 people on Saturday night.
The food was delicious and we certainly hope to be able to do that every year from
now on. It looked like everyone enjoyed it and had a great time.
Steve and I are humbled once again by the attendance. 282 Friday entrants and 287
Sunday entrants showed us that Footbrake racing is alive and well and confirmed
that you great WFC supporters are the best folks on Earth. It is truly an honor
to serve each of you. We hope and pray that we get the opportunity to do it for
years to come. The overwhelming concern for Steve and me during the rainout on Saturday
and iffy Sunday weather was just another testament that our supporters are the perfect
customers and we wouldn't want to work for anyone else. Thank you all from the bottom
of our hearts. You are what makes this event so special.
Last, but not least, I must give my yearly thank you to my partner, Steve Stites.
There isn't anyone on Earth that I would trust any more than I do him to handle
the business end of the WFC. He works tirelessly to make sure that every i is dotted
and every t is crossed so that we can go to Bristol each year and put on a great
event for our racers. He ALWAYS has the racer's best interest at heart when he is
building the WFC format and I have learned a ton from him over our 5 year partnership.
Steve is always in the background while I get a lot of undeserved praise for this
event but he is what makes the WFC a great race. It is his vision and his amazingly
great feel for what the racers want and need that has made this event the premier
Footbrake race in the country. Steve, I love you and I thank you for allowing me
to be a part of YOUR vision. I'm glad you picked me buddy.
Good luck to all of you the rest of 2011. Be on the lookout for the WFC VI announcement
soon. Be safe and God Bless.