(Photos by Caleb Sewell, Words by Stephen Smith)
November 4th in the small town of Shelby, NC a vintage championship gasser series wrapped up its 2017 season. Yes, we said a “gasser championship”, in the form of the ever-growing Southeast Gassers Association (SEGA). Founded, owned, and operated by 2006 IHRA Champion, Quain Stott, the series has expanded from a single small class of gassers to three, with talks of a fourth. There were three point’s classes this year, which yielded champions in A, C & D/Gas. Just like the classes of the original gasser era, the SEGA is split by pounds per cubic inch, (6lbs for A/Gas, 8lbs for C/Gas, and 10lbs for D/Gas).
Straight axles and straight drives are the foundation of an SEGA legal race car and have proven to provide true heads-up, first to the finish line, no breakout class racing at each event. While launching from a pro style tree with a plethora of back up girls that keep em straight, the caliber of gasser racing cannot be denied.
This year’s final race dubbed, “The Battle at Shadyside” began with the on-track firing of a real civil war cannon. 61 Gassers came from all over the southeastern United States and some as far as TX, MO, WI, MI, & Canada. In between rounds, exhibitions included Paul Combest’s H/Gas VW Bug, and A/FX match racing of the Huston and Hubert Platt tribute cars that are driven by their sons, cousins Rocky and Allen Platt.
The A & D/Gas champions were settled before Shadyside with D/Gas Champion Todd Oden in his “Double XX” ‘58 Chevy Delray. Todd and his Dad from Alabama formed this deadly duo for the first ever D/Gas SEGA Champion. A/Gas would find a familiar face in that of the 2015 returning Champion, Donovan Stott in his “White Trash” ‘48 Anglia. Donovan is the son of 2003 IHRA Promod Champion Mitch Stott (brother of Quain Stott). The C/Gas Championship started with three probable winners in that of Rusty Sampsel, Doug Dobbins, and Jerry Birch of the popular Chevy II “Freebird” of Birch Bros Racing. Michigan’s own Rusty Sampsel in the “Bad Banana” ‘55 Chevy that his late father raced in the 1960’s. Rusty would capture the feature win at the Shadyside battle, but he just couldn’t win the war. Doug Dobbins from right up the road in Hendersonville, NC would take home the 2017 C/Gas Championship. Doug and his wife Ingrid have been a powerful combination for the ‘66 “Medicine Man” Nova.
The SEGA mantra is as follows: “We make it our purpose to protect the overused marketing ploy of the ‘GASSER’ name, as we breath new life into heads-up class racing of the 1960’s.” Challenge their claims and go see for yourself as they open the 2018 season back in Shelby, NC on April 14th at Shadyside Dragway. Be sure to look for future race coverage here on Bangshift throughout the 2018 Southeast Gassers Association Championship Season.
My Christmas wish is that they come to Galot Motorsports Park next year!
Old school gassers rule! Period correct perfection.
Why tube axle only ? we had a NHRA legal D gas car in the late 60\’s and was stock A arm car. Also I think you claim must use clutch when shifting and some of your cars truly are not. Would love to come out and race with you guy\’s but my 1955 is A arm car and truly period correct clone of our D Gas car car of the 60\’s no timers throttle stop just MSD and 4-speed Jerrico on a 9 inch tire.
Anthony, clutch useage is constantly monitored and being researched for more efficient ways to determine.
The a-arm debate is the same as the automatic: If allowed, it would take over just as it did in drag racing. The SEGA is an attempt to freeze time and provide true heads-up drag racing. There are many groups that index/bracket race without these rules in place.
“Also I think you claim must use clutch when shifting and some of your cars truly are not.”
How can you tell?
Phil, we have spotters checking constantly for clutch engagement. We also randomly mount cameras in cars. We are also in the process of developing more proven methods for everyone’s accountability. It’s not perfect, but we’re striving for it.
In my opinion, the best nostalgia drag racing series going right now because of stick shift cars that must be actually “driven,” bad ass attitudes and close, heads up competition. Keep up the good work and the attention to your rules. The only possible improvement would be to use actual flagmen for starters. Unfortunately, I cannot see or participate as I live in California, where stick shift cars of any sort are sadly on the endangered list.
Thanks Gary!
Being we are a championship points series, it too difficult to provide consistency with flag men. Thanks again for the kind words!
“The only possible improvement would be to use actual flagmen for starters.”
The “Christmas tree” was already in use in 1967 making it period correct for SEGA racing.
Would like info about the rules.
Bob
Would like info about your rules.
I have a 78 Mustang two I would like to change to a gasser look.
Bob, Check out the rules at http://www.southeastgassers.com
We believe the peak and the fall of the original gasser era to be around 1967. Therefore, a ‘78 Mustang wouldn’t qualify. If you’d like to build something else, we’d love to have you. Thanks for inquiring!