(Photos and words by David Whealon) – Back a few weeks ago Galot Motorsports Park hosted for the first time ever the MRA’s (Mud Racers Association) form of getting after it on the dirt on 200’ of our NC soil. Racing on dirt has been around for many generations and the MRA has some of the finest dirt drag competition going. In 2007 the National traveling roadshow was formed with unity in mind with a standardized set of rules to bring racers from all over together without any conflicting complications that they may encounter when racing at multiple tracks with contrasting rule packages. From Street Stock all the way up to Open Paddle classes these guys put on one helluva show. Anywhere from Blown Alcohol burning paddle-tire dirt rails to Nitrous spewing Jeeps to naturally aspirated F150’s, the show was jam packed with dirty rooster tail excitement. As an added bonus, Gary Macon, the proprietor of the Galot’s dragstrip Hot Rod Grill, called on some of his Dirt Dragbike buddies to join the show, bringing their Nitro Harleys, Suzukis and more badass bikes to run 300’ as opposed to the 200’ the MRA ran on. Watching these almost essentially out of control 2 wheelers slam down the track was a sight to see.

Our North Carolina soil was good to racers in three classes of MRA competitors. Dave Kurtz driving “Split Personality” set a new 200’ record of 2.739 in Renegade Cuts and Travis Shoemaker took “High Roller” to a new 200’ record of 2.277 in Modified Paddles. And showing up with the sole purpose of setting a new record, Rick Young took his Jonathan Pickett tuned “Outta Control” blown Hemi beast to a blistering new Open Paddle 200’ record of 1.951.

As all the good reviews came in about the awesome venue we have tucked away in our Johnston County farmland hopefully this will become a permanent fixture on the MRA’s schedule for many years to come.