day, 1 & Tha Nallas DAact Tie SDALLASC0ST Nallae DA The Dallas Post Dallas, PA \AlnAnonecAawu hina DA 41Q0Q9 47 Wednesday, June 24, 1992 Sports\Week Keefer wins races by the numbers By ERIC FOSTER Post Staff When most people think of drag racing, they think of fast cars. When David Keefer talks about dragracing, he talks about fast drivers. A fast car may have thou- \sands of horsepower firing it om the starting line like a “rocket. A fast driver gets off of the starting line first — and in bracket racing, that's what of- ten wins the race. “Speed has nothing to do with it,” said Keefer, 37, of Kingston Township. “I've won trophies just goofing around. When my car has broken, I've won with my pickup.” Bracket racing makes it pos- sible for a good driver to win in a slower car through a handicap system. At the beginning of the race day, drivers take trial runs to see how quick they can cover ‘ he quarter-mile stretch. =’ Then at the the beginning of each race, they write the time they think they'll run on the window of the car, down to one hundreths of a second. They slower car gets the difference between the times in a head start. Each driver wants to get to the finish line first, but not by too much. The catch? If a driver runs faster than they predicted, he automatically loses. “It's areal game of numbers,” ; yd Keefer. “It used to be that e first guy at the finish like went home with the trophy.” When races are won or lost in ina or thousandths of a econd, evenweather variations can affect how a fast a car runs. So Keefer, who manages the Liggett and Platt factory in Swoy- ersville, has a barometer and computer which he uses to ad- just the time he predicts his car will run as the day progresses and the air pressure changes. Now on his third car, a 1990 Meng rear engine dragster, he LIFE IN THE FAST LANE - Kingston Township resident David Keefer stands with his 1990 Meng rear-engine dragster. Keefer competes in "bracket racing" by estimating the time it will take for his car to cover the 1/4 mile track, usually only 8.9 seconds. (Post photo/Eric Foster) builds his own engines and transmissions, and does his own welding and painting. Sponsors of the car include Pizza Perfect in Shavertown, Kroll's Baseball Cards, Auto-Glass Unlimited, Bonner Chevrolet and Jack Williams Tire Co. The latest car is built with a tubular frame made of the same substance as ten-speed bicycle frames, and weights only 1,500 pounds without a driver. It'll will go from O to 120 miles an hour in 5 1/2 seconds, and to 150 mph in the high 8 sec- onds. The 355 cubic inch Chev- rolet motor, generating 500 horsepower, will carry the car 60 feet in a second and a quar- ter. Traveling a quarter mile usually takes 8.9 seconds. The run takes about agallon of 107 octane racing fuel. “You have to have your hel- met against the pads in the roll cage,” said Keefer. “Because if it isn’t, it will be.” Keefer, who often brings home a couple of thousand dollars aftera weekend of winning races, has been driving drag racers as a professional hobby for the past seven years. But his fascination with rac- ing has been lifelong. “I started when I was seven or eight years old with go carts,” said Keefer. “When I used to go to the grocery store with my mother, she used to buy hot rod magazines. I spent my summers at Numedia raceway before I was old enough to race.” “If I could do anything full- time, it would be this, bracket racing. I've got about four or five close friends who do this for a living,” said Keefer. “With a family it's tough because if you get in a slump you still have to pay the mortgage. You can't go to the drag strip and win $500 a weekend. You won't even cover your expenses.” In his car, Keefer stops the car on the starting line, pushes a button on the steering wheel, takes the foot off of the brake and floors the engine. The car stays in place until he takes his thumb off of the button. Once the thumb leaves the button, the car takes off. To perfect that action of taking his thumb off of the button in the same amount of time, time after time, so he can predict how quickly he'll run a quarter mile, Keefer prac- tices. He has a full-size Christ- mas Tree, the series of lights that tell a drag racer when to start, in his living room. “I actually quit drag racing for awhile when I first got mar- ried,” said Keefer. Though he tried other sports like hunting and water skiing, racing lured him back. They've been a tremendous help,” said Keefer, of his family, which includes his wife, Carol, daughter, Jennifer, 15, and son, David Jr., 17 “For years I'd be out working on my race car and they would come out to spend time with me or bring my din- ner.” : David Jr., a junior at Dallas, has already caught the racing bug, winning arace in his pickup truck last spring. Keefer sees his son's interest in racing as a positive alternative to the lure of drugs on teens today. “It will keep you so occupied with time and no capital you won't have time for drugs,” said Keefer. e.ittle League Indians pull into tie for 1st with Rangers & ; STANDINGS + National L WL ! Reds 15 . 2 § Giants 11.5 « Dodgers 9 8 : Phillies 8 9 + Cardinals 7.10 + Pirates 6 12 I Astros 214 j@jjnerican League WL y wangers 152 ! Indians 15. 2 + Tigers 12 5 ¥ A's 7 10 » Red Sox 6:11 . Yankees 6 11 * Qrioles 0:17 Indians 6 - Rangers 2 Indians defeated Rangers to * share first place in the American 4 League. Ed Piekara held the Rang- ers to one run over the last five innings, striking out nine to pick up the win. Chuck Fehlinger hit a three run home run and Dan Son added a double for the Indians. Mike Faneck had three hits in- cluding a double and a triple for the Rangers. Tigers 18 - Orioles 5 Jonathan Samanas pitched well for the Tigers and was the winning pitcher. Nick Bloom had a double and Randy Knappman a hit for the Tigers. Yankees 5 - Red Sox 3 Winning pitcher Keith Zinn had two hits along with teammate Brian Sabatura for the Yankees. Marcus Sowcik led the Red Sox with two hits. Dodgers 12 - Astros 8 Jeff Eyet picked up the win on the mound for the Dodgers. Russ Wenrich and Matt Morris hit triples for the Astros. Tigers 8 - Yankees 3 Jason Baker, Tim Dickson, Jake Lanyon and Rick Lorah all had two hits for the Tigers. For the Yankees Steve Scoble hit a double while Charlie Martin and Matt Zinn each had hits. Phillies 10 - Dodgers 2 John Fagan pitched a no hitter striking out four batters for the Phillies. Dan Breymeier and Keith Sprau had the only hits for the Phillies. Rangers 1- AsO In a very exciting game the Rangers pulled out a close one as Kevin Pizzano struck out 14 bat- ters and scored the game's only run. Neil Dymond and Kyle Drop- pers teamed up to strike out nine while giving up only three hits. Jeff Faneck had a triple for the Rang- ers and Neil Dymond collected two hits for the A's. Indians 20 - Astros 14 In a real slug fest the Indians outlasted the Astros as Ed Piekara had four hits, Josh Yoh and Sean Hoskins had two hits each and Chris Tucker had a triple and an inside the park home run for the Indians. For the Astros Temperine had three hits, Matt Morris and Rich Samanas collected two hits apiece. BOYS SENIOR LEAGUE Avoca-Dupont 2 - Bmt. Blue 1 In a thrilling contest played at Lackawanna County Stadium Justin Jumper had a no hitter going into the last inning. Striking out eight while walking three Jumper gave up an RBI double in the seventh taking a tough loss. Chris Stularcyk doubled and scored on Brian Pietraccini's single in the fourth inning for Bmt.’s only run. CLOSE CALL - Keith Sprau of the Phillies slid in under catcher Ryan McDade of the Dodgers in Little League action last week. (Photo by Duncan Whitehead) Bmt. Blue 11 - Avoca-Dupont 10 Mike Tribendus went the dis- tance for Bmt. while collecting three hits including a double. Justin Jumper, Kevin West, Chris Stu- larcyk and Brian Pietraccini each had two hits for Bmt. Bmt. Blue 10 - Bmt. Red 6 Kevin West and Justin Jumper teamed up for Bmt. Blue to strike out four batters. Kavanaugh had three hits for Blue while Paley had two hits for Red. SENIOR GIRLS SOFTBALL Indians 23 - Yankees 3 Winning pitcher Nicole Naugle struck out six for the Indians while Therese Paxton hit a home run and Bridgette Temperine had three triples. Indians 12 - Northwest B 6 Winning pticher Bridgette Tem- perine recorded six strike outs while losing pitcher Kristy Killian struck out nine. Abby Russin had adouble for the Indians while Becky Elick and Oplinger had doubles for Northwest B. Indians 15 - Phillies 2 Kate Sallitt picked up three hits for the Indians while teammates Bridgette Temperine and Therese Paxton each hit a double. Beth Delescavage and Missy Brown had hits for the phillies. GIRLS MAJOR SOFTBALL Harveys Lake 13 - Cardinals 6 Winning pitcher R. Shaver re- corded four strike outs for Harveys Lake. Susie Walters and Marissa Michaels had doubles for the Car- dinals. Cardinals 9 - Red Sox 7 Marissa Michaels recorded six strikeouts as the Red Sox ended the season in first place with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses. Kelly Spencer led the Cardinals at the plate with a triple. The Red Sox finished in second place at 10 wins and four losses. Rebecca Beisel had two hits with a double and Maureen Paley also had two hits for the Red Sox. Softball all-stars begin play July 7 By CHRISTINA CONRAD Sports Correspondent As sure as the summer rolls around every year so does all-star tournament play in Little League softball. Selections for the Major League, Senior League and Big League District 16 teams were made on Friday, June 19. The Major League girls’ softball team from Back Mountain will compete in the District 16 tourna- ment with teams from Harveys Lake, Bob Horlacher, Exeter, Northwest Area, Avoca/Dupont, Nanticoke and Mountaintop. Their first game will be on Tuesday, July 7 versus Avoca /Dupont. The girls who make up the Major League all star team are, from the Red Sox, Rebecca Beisel, Nicole Bouthot, Maureen Paley, and Jennifer Stolarick; from the White Sox, Cari Cave, Robyn Considine, and Jennifer Gramps; from the Cardinals, Marissa Michaels, Kelly Spencer, Susan Walters, and Ceri Yankoski; and from the Dodgers, Nadalie Temperine. The manager of the all-star team is Kyle Yankow- ski from the Cardinals and the coach is Gary Beisel from the Red Sox. The Senior League girls’ softball tournament will begin Tuesday, July 7, as well and they will be competing with teams from Moun- taintop, Kingston, Northwest, Wyoming-West Wyoming, Nanti- coke, Harveys Lake, Avoca/Du- pont, and Bob Horlacher. Back Mountain begins tournament play with Northwest Area. The Senior League girls’ softball all-star team from Back Mountain consists of Bridget Temperine, Katie Sallitt, Nicole Naugle, Ther esa Paxton and Abby Russin of the Indians; Amy Rogers, Erica Conrad, Suzanne Fisherand Cath Dymond of the Braves; Katie Kaleta, Kelly West, Kristy Woolbert and Michele Moleksy of the Yan kees; and Mary Ann Selinski of the Dodgers. The manager of the Sen ior League all star team is Ga Naugle of the Indians and the coac is Ted Fisher of the Braves. Also the team's score keeper is Jac Kaleta of the Yankees. The District 16 Big League all star team consists of girls betwee the ages of 16-18. The district wide team is made up of girls fro Northwest, Harveys Lake, Bol Horlacher and Back Mountain They are the only team in Distric 16, the largest district in the state of Pennsylvania, and go straight tq sectional play which begins onJu 26 with an opponent to be named later. Last year the team finished second in the state and has man returning players. The team is made up of Renee Lukashefski, Cherub Honeywell Heather Gray, Jen Lane, and Juli¢ Babcock of Northwest; Karen Stefanowicz, Jennifer Smith, Heather Ruger, and Mindy Main of Harveys Lake; Noell Brooks, Kell Janosky, Chris Conrad, Theresa Mathers, and Bridget Hozempa of Back Mountain; and Ann Faulls of Bob Horlacher. The manager o the team is Bob Gray of Northwes and the coach is Dick Conrad o Back Mountain. All-star tournament time is a super opportunity to see the talent in the Back Mountain area. dates are 8/1/81 to 7/31/82. 1/81 to 7/30/82. dates are 8/1/79 to 7/30/80. and wear shin guards. Back Mountain soccer tryouts begindune 29 All Back Mountain registered players in the following age group are invited to tryout for the following travel teams: U-11 Girls, 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2 and Thursday, July 9. Birth- U-11 Boys, 6 p.m., Monday, June 29 at Neuman Field and 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 8 at Dallas Elementary Field. Birthdates are 8/ U-12 Boys, 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 7 at Neuman Field. Birthdates are 8/1/80 to 7/30/81. U-13 Boys, 10 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Neuman Field. Birth- All players must wear a shirt with a number, bring a soccer ball Williams, Harter take June 21 Harveys Lake Yacht Club race The Harveys Lake Yacht Club held its weekly sailboat race on Sunday, June 21. The starting gun was fired at 1 p.m. by Race Chair- man, Frank Wadas. Wadas was assisted by Frank Wadas III and Scott Shuster. The course, triangular in con- figuration, started at the club house area, proceeded to Point Breeze then to Hanson's and concluded at the Yacht Club finish line. The race was sailed in steady winds of 10 to 12 knots. The tem- perature was in the 40 range with wind chill factor estimated to be in the 30's. Skies were overcast with the threat of rain which did not materialize. Commodore ClintondJ. Lehman, MD, posted the following results. First place: Joan Williams with Jane Harter as crew; second place, Dr. Lane Giddings with crew, Megan Murphy began the race but were credited with a DNF (Did Not Finish) due to sailing difficulties. Screenprinting softball team takes 3rd in tourney The Screenprinting USA soft- ball team of Dallas competed in a tournament in Lewisburg where they finished third in a 20-team field, June 13-14. The Printers won five of seven games, including four straight in the loser’'s bracket on Sunday before being eliminated. Dwight Barbacci led the offense with 14 hits in 27 at bats and nine runs scored. Scott Crisplel was 11 for 19 while Mike Grubb went 11 for 20. J.J. Mieclynski also had 11 hits and scored seven runs. Don- nie Spencer was 7 for 17. Tom Yoniski excelled on defense as he turned three unassisted double plays at first base. Other team members included Scott Miner, Kevin Ball, Walt Konopke and Ernie Slocum. The Screenprinting USA soft- ball team suffered its first Back Mountain League loss at the hands | of the Marina Cafe last week. Chris Williamson's sacrifice fly | in the bottom of the seventh scored | Tony Zielen for the winning run for a 6-5 victory. irem Women's Golf winners Winners of the weekly contest of Irem Womens Golf Association played on June 16 were: Flight A - Ellie McKeage; B - Connie Lizdas; C - Regina Whitesell; D - Evelyn Eck. Putting prizes were won by: Flight A - Mae Smith; B - Joann Freeman; C - Marion Saul; D - Kate Ichter. Junior Golf School starts July 7 Four Seasons Golf Club, Exeter, Junior Golf School starting July 17, Ladies Golf School starting July 7, 7-9 p.m. for four consecutive weeks. Four Season's Certified PGA Golf Progessional Rick Rydzewski will be conducting the golf school. To register call the pro-shop at 655-8869.
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