PCMS hosts MDRA event, third weekend

The Montana Drag Racing Association (MDRA) was present last weekend at the Hi-Line Drag Strip as the Phillips County Motorsports (PCMS) Group held it's third weekend of the year.

"The Hi-Line Drag Strip is a really nice strip and they always have really nice people," said Linda Michel Treasurer for the Montana Drag Racing association. "Every one is always cooperative and it is just a really happy place to be."

The weekend served as the second MDRA event in a four track event series. The first MDRA race was held in Anaconda in June, the next will be in Lewistown this August, and the last race will be in Billings in September.

"It just brings in racers that are in the MDRA circuit," Michel said. "They race once at each track in Montana."

Linda and her husband Ralph came down for the two day event that started on Saturday, July 20, and ended on Sunday, July 21, but the couple has been to the Hi-Line Drag Strip every year.

Michel went on to explain that each race is different given the areas feature different racers that may not be seen on other tracks.

"Like here we have racers from Canada that we don't usually run into in Billings or other places," Linda said. "When we go to Anaconda, there are racers from Idaho and you just meet a really nice network of friends from all over the place."

Given the Michel couple travels all over the state, they were asked what drag racing means to them.

"It means everything," Ralph said. "We are retired and it's all we do."

Linda reaffirmed the family's love for races stating that the couple would often go on dates to drag racing events.

"Then we got married, got careers, had family, and everything took over," Linda said. "When he retired, we were right back into it."

The event also featured a barbecue feed by the Stahl family of Glasgow. Linda mentioned that the meal was a testament to how the racers in the area were. Ralph was having issues with a tire on his 1964 Mercury Comet on Saturday and he pointed out that the local racers were quick to assist.

"These people here in Malta are just great," Ralph said. "We have a little tire problem and our cohorts down the road had a tire problem. The guy got on the speakers and by golly if the guy from the Cenex didn't just come over and change the tire for him. That is unheard of in the big city. It's a good place to have a race track and we will support it as best as we can."

His car is special to him because he graduated in 1964. He also shared that the MDRA was started in 1964.

Ralph shared his aim for each race.

"We just aim for consistency," Ralph said. "It seems like everyday is different because of the weather. The amount of wind you have, the amount of humidity you have all affects how the car runs."

Despite the storms coming through town late last Saturday, Ralph thought that the weather and mosquito conditions were fair.

The winners from last Saturday's racing event included Raylee Parker of Billings who nearly won both Junior Dragster races last weekend, winning Saturday's event with a dial time of 9.57, reaction time of .0611, elapsed time of 9.6461, and top speed of 67.90. Parker was Sunday's runner up.

Saturday's Sportsman class was won by CJ Caven of Havre, who had a dial time of 7.89, reaction time of .0379, elapsed time of 7.9161, and top speed of 82.83. Havre's Jack Gingery won the Box Pro with a dial time of 6.03, reaction time of .0670, elapsed time of 7.9161, and a top speed of 113.04. The No Box Pro was won by Mark Thielen of Billings who had a dial time of 7.22, reaction time of .0104, elapsed time of 7.2274, and top speed of 93.63.

The winners from Sunday included Rayce Schultz of Swift Current who had a dial in of 8.19, reaction time of .0574, elapsed time of 8.2573, and top speed of 76.98. Havre's Josh Viall won the Sportsman class with a dial in of 7.88, reaction time of .0669, elapsed time of 7.88, and top speed of 84.30. Wayne Solberg of Richland won the Box Pro class with a dial time of 5.80, reaction time of .0155, elapsed time of 5.81, and a top speed of 115.24. Glasgow's Kyle Stahl won the No Box Pro Class with a dial in of 6.48, reaction time of .1204, elapsed time of 6.4804, and top speed of 107.09.