South Mountain Raceway – “I hear the train a comin’”….
I know you heard that in your head, I know you did. And that either means you’re stuck in Folsom Prison with Johnny Cash… or… you’re in the staging lanes at South Mountain Raceway. I may have said it before, but I can’t help but think it every time a train passes through. There may be another track somewhere that lets you watch a train go by while cars are staging, but I sure don’t know about it.

Weather has played a big part in the activities of every track this year, but on this day, you couldn’t ask for better weather. The bucolic (one of former NHRA announcer Bob Frey’s favorite adjectives) setting of South Mountain Raceway can almost make you forget there’s a race going on. Almost.

A large number of SBRA and PA Posse members were on hand to take advantage of double points being available due to rainouts in the schedule and they made the most of their day, putting on a good show for the fans.

Speaking of putting on a good show, master showman, Mike Etchberger was in the house with his famous wheelstanding Willys gasser. Mike was joined by co-driver Dave Mickey who hadn’t been in the car for a number of years. Due to a number of circumstances, the car hadn’t been run much of late and needed some sorting out, leaving the car grounded, much to the relief of the rear bumper which has been the hardest working part on the car in years past. Even without the front tires launched high in the air, it was still a pleasure seeing this car making some pretty stout passes again!

Mad Scientist Jeff Bressler was in the house again with his incredible creation. I overheard one person lovingly call it the “Wheelbarrow Express.” Get a look at it and you’ll understand. It hadn’t been that long since I last saw it, but it was still hard to take my eyes off of it. It could possibly be the only car at the track that puts on a show just by sitting still!

It can’t be said enough, on a wonderful day like this, you just have to check out South Mountain Raceway if you’ve never been there before. Mike Natoli and his crew preside over a track that is like no other and will give you a unique experience of motorsports majesty. All of this, and the food’s good too! Still some weekends of racing left before it gets cold, so check the schedule and mark your calendar for the next big event! Be there!

DF Motorsports Magazine is a Summit Racing Equipment affiliate. Please use the links below to place your Summit order and support this site! Thank you for your support!