(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – When we first heard the SEG was going to make the haul to Mt. Park Dragway we knew for sure this was a must-see event.  This is the furthest-North event they’ve had and Quain Stott had lined up 30 period-correct gassers for the show.   Now let me clarify this ‘period-correct’ that is attached to the Southeast Gassers.  They do no mean all gas classes and all inclusiveness to what made up the class from its inception till its demise.  Specifically they have rules sourced from the 1967 NHRA rule book for A/G and C/G (and recently added D/gas) for cars with straight or dropped front axles.  There are a host of rules added to this that keep the classes easy to police and the fun factor high.  It is heads-up racing in each class and Quain expects folks to run all-out and put on a show.  This is strictly three-pedal racing with no electronic aids.  A few allowances have been made here and there, but word is in 2017 the rules will be enforced even tighter.  The race was slated for September 10^th and though there was a threat of rain later in the day….the show was a GO.  Bracket racing was also taking place and filled in between qualifying and elimination rounds for the SEG.  We’ll bring you that stuff later.  Sadly, after one round of gasser qualifying the storm front blew in and thwarted any further chance at racing.  Some of the Gasser folks had to pack up and leave, but the majority stayed on to complete the program on Sunday…!!!  In this gallery we’re showing 7 of the competitors both in the pits and in action.  They are:

C/Gas     White Lightning ’53 Chevy sporting a small-block driven by Josh Owens.  Definitely a player in this group.

C/Gas     Sunshine Express ‘51 Anglia driven by Sonee Hall packing a 427, a T101, and a 9” Ford.

A/Gas     Grand Illusion ’41 Willys owned/driven by the ringleader, Quain Stott.  Equipped with a 331ci SBC, Hightower trans, and a 9” diff.  Word is the name comes from Quain’s hobby as an amateur magician.  I think it’s a trick.

C/Gas     Obsolete II ’63 Chevy with James Beard from Ripley, TN.  Under the Orange paint is a 377ci SBC, Autogear M23, and a 12-bolt.

C/Gas     Sour Grape Chevy II wheeled by Art Beeler and powered by the class-favored small-block Chevy.

A/Gas     Skairlane ’55 Ford motorvated by the completely awesome 427 SOHC.  Jeff and Amanda Jacobson brought this down from Wisconsin to wow the crowds.

A/Gas     Southern Flyer ’63 Falcon making the trek from Green Creek, NC.  Gabriel Burrell commands the potent SBF sending power through a Hightower trans back to a 9”.