PRO
STICK Racing â
WELCOME!
Real Race Cars Have A
Clutch! By popular demand, in 1996 a few
long time stick shift bracket racers got together and
held a race at the famed 75-80 dragway in
Maryland. The class became known as Pro
Stick. Over the years since, this
Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia based group continues to attract new cars
and grow in spectator popularity. This
site is intended to provide information to our racers and fans. For additional information, call
240-271-0876.
To purchase our popular "Real Race Cars”
logo t-shirts, go to the Pro Stick Racing Facebook page and click on the 'shop'
button. You may also call / text
240-271-0876 to place an order.
PRO STICK NEWS
The site was last updated on April 29, 2025
PRO / STICK – 2025 marks our 30th season!!
NEXT EVENT:
Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 at Beaver Springs Dragway, PA
(1/8 mile)
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All
events are now 1/8 mile
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Farmington Photos: Todd Dziadosz is the official photographer at the Stick
Nationals in Farmington. See the photos
at www.tdspeedshotz.com ! Please tell your Gear Jammer friends!
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Please be mindful:
The
first area to address is the use of social media such as Facebook or the
like. We do not need anyone from our
group posting negative remarks of any type on social media regarding any track. This is true for our group Facebook page as
well as your personal page. The bottom
line is that negative remarks not only make the author look unprofessional,
they are seen as a negative reflection on our entire group.
The second topic is the use of alcohol at the track. If racers choose to drink AFTER YOU LOST, that is your call, but please do so responsibly. Again, please consider the reflection on yourself and on our entire group. However, if a driver is caught drinking while still racing in competition, you will be immediately barred from racing with the group for life, period.
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Continuing
News:
1. Bill Smith is a Racers for Christ
Chaplain. If you are in need of Bill’s
services, please contact him at 717-479-8772.
2. RAM
Clutches continues to sponsor our reaction award!!
3.
SAFETY - We wish to stress the importance of safety. The safety equipment is there for YOU. Tighten your seat belts, strap your helmet
firmly, wear your neck collar and other required equipment. If your car runs in the eight second zone,
strongly consider purchasing a Hans device.
It only takes one accident for a life changing event, don’t think it
can’t happen to you. Be proactive and
protect yourself.
4.
Todd Dziadosz attends many events and our
banquet. He continues to send in either
updated car pictures, or ones that had not been on the site before. If you would like the photo of your car
updated, please contact Todd through www.tdspeedshotz.com and he will take care of you, and check out his
site for pictures!
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
Without the support of the people below our
program would not be possible. Please
support those who support us, it is that simple.
Sponsors
in alphabetical order within group:
Local Area Sponsors:
Commercial Graphics and Signage of
Frostburg, MD 240-580-0681 Shawn Miller
ITI Trailers and Truck Bodies, Inc. – Double L Motorsports 814-634-0080 Lenny Lottig
JSC
Race Cars (James Smith) of New Oxford, PA
717-465-5400
Joe
Bowman Auto Plaza – www.joebowmanautoplaza.com
Performance Industry Company
Sponsors:
Black
Magic Clutches – Cale Aronson – www.blackmagicclutches.com
G-Force
Transmissions – Cleona, PA www.gforcetransmissions.com
Liberty Transmissions – Taylor, MI www.libertysgears.com
Long Shifters – Cleona, PA www.gforcetransmissions.com
Mickey Thompson Tires – Stow, OH www.mickeythompsontires.com
RAM Clutches – Columbia, SC www.ramclutches.com
RAM
Clutches sponsors the reaction time award.
Of those drivers appearing for first round, the person with the best
reaction time during all time run sessions (further clarified under Bye Runs
below) will receive $25. The winner is
posted on the board in Eric’s trailer, check after the second time run
session. Bring your time slip to the
trailer if you think you qualify for the best reaction time. The reaction time award applies only to runs
made during the Pro Stick time run sessions that we make as a group. Note: All time run sessions count
toward the reaction award.
Also,
RAM Clutches will provide gift certificates to the top five points finishers
beginning with our 2024 season.
Todd Dziadosz
always has pictures of our cars on his site.
Please visit www.tdspeedshotz.com to view and purchase
pictures of our cars. There are pictures
available from various events and the banquet.
PRO STICK CLASS RULES AND SAFETY
INFORMATION
WARNING
Drag racing is hazardous. Injury to participants or spectators is possible in all areas of the racetrack. Promoters, organizers, etc. assume no liability for injuries. You are attending the event at your own risk. Your attendance acknowledges your acceptance of all risks associated with racing, and releases all other parties from any liability.
Always keep your speeds down in the pit area to 5 MPH or less. There are spectators, small children, golf carts, etc. moving around all the time, and they are not always paying attention.
1. The vehicle
must use a transmission that is clutch operated off of the starting line. A clutchless type
transmission is also permitted (Lenco type or
similar).
2. The class ET cut-off is 4.75 through 7.39
eighth mile.
RULE EXCEPTION for cars
running 7.40 through 7.65 1/8 mile.
These cars may run if you meet any one of the following criteria
stated in 2a, 2b, or 2c.
2a) If you
traveled with the group from track to track running at least five events in
2007, and at least five events in 2008, you are grandfathered in and you may
run.
2b) If
your car is a legal, currently registered NHRA or IHRA stock class car, you may
run.
2c) If
your vehicle is a 1979 model year or older, you may run.
3. The class will run on a five tenths bracket
style full tree with handicap dial in.
4. Absolutely no
type of delay devices are permitted. A delay device is ANY mechanism, electronic
or otherwise, that can be adjusted to create ANY delay between the driver
reacting to the tree, and the car moving forward. For example, no pedal magnets with release
buttons allowed.
5. MSD type
ignition and/or 2 step / 3 step is permitted.
6. No street
legal tires are permitted on the rear axle.
7. No dragsters
allowed.
8. No front wheel
drive vehicles allowed.
9. No hydraulic
throw-out bearings with release buttons allowed.
10. Once in
eliminations, you must drive the same car in all rounds. This rule does not apply to a run-off of a
rain-out of a previous event.
11. Courtesy staging is recommended. Wait until both cars are pre-staged before
either car stages.
12. NHRA, IHRA, or other host track sanctioning
body, and local rules apply.
13. Absolutely no use of drugs or alcohol will be
tolerated.
14. The use of nitrous oxide is NOT permitted.
15. In appreciation of our sponsors, it is
suggested that their decals be displayed on both sides of the car.
16. During random elimination rounds, once you
pull in to the staging lanes and have secured your spot, do not move your car
in an effort to avoid running any particular opponent, or in an effort to
run a particular opponent.
17. In the spirit of our group, monitoring run
data, and based on that data, making real time changes during that same run
to affect performance of the vehicle is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to, no use
of traction control, slew rate control, or ARC modules. A random inspection of the vehicle may be
done at any time.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION
It is the
responsibility of the driver to take their car to the pre-race tech.
Inspection. The host track officials
will check driver credentials/safety equipment, and vehicle safety equipment as
described in the NHRA/IHRA/WDRA rulebook.
The track may disqualify any driver or vehicle for failure to meet these
requirements. All drivers must be a dues paying member of the sanctioning bodies of NHRA, IHRA,
and WDRA. The decision of host track
officials regarding win/loss disputes, crossing of boundaries, or infractions
of any rules (sanctioning body or local) is final.
Safety Suggestions For Your Own
Good:
1. If you are
unfamiliar with a track, always look around before making any runs to get
yourself familiar with the surroundings and operation of the track. Pay special attention to the shut down area of the drag strip should any emergency type
situation occur.
2. Consider
wearing a SFI neck collar no matter how fast your car is.
3. Tighten down
your seat AND shoulder belts before every run.
Loose belts will do you no good.
Event Registration and Drivers Meeting:
The racer entry fee for most races will be $60. The
entry fee is paid at the gate. Anyone
can run with the group as long as they meet the specific track rules, and our
group rules. Check the white board in
Eric’s trailer for pertinent information pertaining to each event. You can locate the trailer by looking for the
Pro / Stick Racing flag at the yellow Chevelle H118. Make sure Eric knows you are at the track for
tracking of your points.
The drivers meeting is usually 10 minutes after second
round of eliminations at Eric’s trailer, please plan accordingly. First and second round of eliminations is
always random pairings. At the meeting,
we will establish our race ladder sheet by drawing cards. We use a bracket type ladder sheet as is used
at local tracks. Lane choice may be discussed and determined by a coin
flip.
Bye Runs:
Bye run for first round:
Of all cars appearing for first round of eliminations, the driver with
the best reaction time during our time run session(s) will earn the potential
bye run and $25 from RAM Clutches. Both time run sessions count toward earning the potential first
round bye, the best light regardless of which session earns it. To determine a winner in the event of a tie –
If there is a tie BETWEEN time run sessions, the first session driver gets the
bye. If there is a tie DURING the same
session, we choose from those same drivers in the OTHER session (if we had only
one session, the faster car gets the bye). Check the board in Eric’s trailer
for the car number, especially if YOU had a good light, sometimes the track
makes mistakes on the run sheets!
During random rounds, if at the end of the line the bye
run car has a car to race, the bye run car gets lane choice.
Round
two and beyond: the bye run goes to the
winning driver having the best reaction time in the previous round. If there is a tie, we look back to the
previous round (or time session if need be) for those same drivers to determine
the bye.
When we establish a pairing sheet, bye run cars go to
the top of the sheet for the next round.
The bye run car should always pull to the designated bye
run spot at a specific track. Depending
on specific track rules, bye run cars may or may not have to go down the track,
but under full power is at the drivers option. One bye run per car per event maximum.
Break Runs: After the ladder has been established at the
meeting, if a car cannot make a run, the competitor gets a single run and this
does not count as a bye run. Single runs are conducted as stated in the
sanctioning rulebook.
Win/Loss: If you lose, you are out even if your
competition breaks after you lost. An
example of an exception to this would be as stated in the sanctioning rulebook
under disqualifications regarding crossing of boundaries (track officials make
these calls). Also, you or your crew
must check your dial on the scoreboards before pre-staging. Be proactive and be responsible, there have
been cases where the track makes mistakes.
No reruns due to incorrect dial-ins.
Rain: Some races have a posted rain date on the
schedule. If no elimination rounds
start, it can be expected that we will run the event on the posted rain date. In the event of rain after eliminations
start, a decision will be made depending on the particular situation. Some example situations would include:
1. If a few
rounds have been completed, we will usually split the purse among the remaining
drivers.
2. If we are down
to the last round or two, the purse may be split, or we may run the cars off at
another date as decided on by the remaining drivers vote. If we have a tied vote, the cars are to be
run off at a later date.
3. If an early
round starts and it rains before the round is complete, a decision will be made
depending on the exact situation.
Winners so far during the round will receive their points.
4. If a late
round starts and it rains before the round is complete, a decision will be made
depending on the exact situation.
Winners so far during the round will receive their points. Drivers still in will vote to make a
decision. If we have a tied vote, the
cars are to be run off at a later date.
Other:
Make
sure Eric has your current address and car number. Don’t use your engine size or the year of
your car for your number. That is not a
unique idea and duplicate numbers show up in the computer. Keep in mind that the track employees
change. They may not know how our
program works. Staging officials may
need reminded that we are on a ladder, etc.
From time to time, tracks at the start of our first time trial will by
mistake give us a Pro tree. If that
happens, do not go down the track. Instead just back out, cut the engine off, inform the
starter accordingly that we run on a full five tenths tree.
Points:
There is no charge to join the points
tracking program. The points program is
just for fun and bragging rights. It is
a good idea to track your own points and let Eric know if you think a mistake
has been made. Each driver receives 20
show-up points per event. Each driver
also receives 10 points for each round won including bye runs or singles if your
competition broke. The reaction winner
of each event will receive 5 points.
Additional points are awarded at each
event as follows:
Ø an
extra 11 points to the winner
Ø an
extra 7 points to the runner-up
Ø an
extra 4 points for a semi-final loss
Breakage and/or Points:
Let Eric know of breakage if you can not run. You
will get the show-up points for coming to the event with the intent of running
with the group, even if you broke before eliminations. Intent of running is indicated by bringing
your car to the track, paying your entry fee, filling out/turning in a tech
card, and NOT requesting a refund. There
are no refunds for breakage.
Tie breaker rule to determine the series
champion (if necessary):
If at the end of the season there are
multiple drivers tied in points for the championship, we will determine the
champion from those tied drivers by naming the driver with the most event wins,
then most runner-ups, then most semi-finals,
throughout the season.
2025 PRO STICK
SCHEDULE
Event info: All races are points races except
Farmington. All races are 1/8 mile
starting in 2025.
Saturday March 1 –
awards banquet in Boonsboro, MD.
Saturday April 26
at Sumerduck, Virginia (rain date April 27)
(1/8 mile)
Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 at
Beaver Springs Dragway, PA
(1/8 mile)
Saturday
June 14 – Stick Nationals at Farmington Dragway
(1/8
mile)(NO POINTS)
Saturday
June 28 - Nostalgia at Mason-Dixon Dragway, Hagerstown, MD
(rain
date June 29)
1/8
mile
Saturday
August 16 at Mason-Dixon Dragway, Hagerstown MD
(rain
date August 17)
1/8
mile
Saturday
and Sunday August 23 and 24 at US13 Dragway, Delmar, DE
1/8
mile
Saturday
& Sunday, Aug. 30 and 31 at Beaver Springs Dragway, PA
1/8
mile
Saturday
and Sunday, September 27 and 28
Nostalgia
at Keystone Raceway Park in New Alexandria, PA.
This
is a UMTR / Pro Stick joint event.
1/8
mile
See
www.keystoneracewaypark.com
Saturday
October 11 at Sumerduck, Virginia
(rain
date Oct. 12)
(1/8
mile)
Season
Finale - Saturday October 18 MIR at Budds Creek,
Maryland (no rain date)
1/8
mile
Participation
at our events:
All
cars are welcome if you meet our rules as posted on this website. There is no membership fee or dues, simply
pay your entry per event at the gate.
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2025 Pro Stick Series Race
Results
Sunday
April 27 at Sumerduck:
26
cars for first round
Winner: Tater Kuhn
Runner-up: Codey Clites
Semi-finalists: Bink Rhodes and
Terry Weber
RAM
Clutches reaction winner: Dean Leyh
2025 POINTS STANDINGS – COMING SOON
ITEMS FOR SALE / WANTED
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Wayne Whittington’s 81 Camaro is for sale, ad
revamped March of 2020: Now for sale as
a roller only. The car is set up for a
BB Chevy and a Lenco.
It is a square tube chassis with a funny car cage. Asking $18,000 – call 540-877-2751 or
540-247-4903.
Joie McCumbee’s
Chevelle is for sale, making room for a new car. The Chevelle is being sold less engine. Call Joie at 304-258-5894 for more
information.
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PRO STICK CARS!
Various
photos below are courtesy of either Todd Dziadosz or
Gordon Gipe.
2024 Pro Stick Series Champion!
Dan Hoyler – five time series champion
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2022 Pro Stick Series Champion - Danny Hutton
Number
2 in 2022 is Eric Kitchen – five time series champion
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2021
Series Champion and number 3 in 2022:
Colton Kirchner
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Number
4 in 2022 is Fred Leyland
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Number
5 in 2022 is Codey Clites
Number
6 in 2022 is the 2019 series champion Gregg ‘bull’ Corbin
Number
7 in 2022 is Ted McGann – two time series champion (2003 and 2004)
Number 8 in 2022 - Matt Bergenstock
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Number
10 in 2022 is Clark Knudsen
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Number
2 in 2021 is the series champion from 2012, Mark Charcalla
Number
4 in 2021 is the 2014 series champion Andy Charcalla
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Dave
Slusher is number 5 in 2021
Number
6 in 2021 is Mr. Mark Charcalla
Number
7 in 2021
Derrick
Clites
Number
9 in 2021 is the 2002 champ Russ White
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Number 10 in 2021 is the 2020 champ Chris Shaffer
Ronnie
Ward – number 5 in 2020
Number
10 in 2020 is our first ever series champion in 1997
Tim
Riggleman
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Number
9 in 2019 is Clarence Ford
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Larry Carasea 2018 Series
Champion
Number
2 in 2018 is James Smith – two time series champion Gforce
Mustang
Dean
Leyh in the Dave Wilson tribute Vega
Number
10 in 2018 is John Soltes
Number
7 in 2016 is Amanda Rupprecht
Number
9 in 2016 is Lynn Umberger
Number
10 in 2016 is Bink Rhodes
Leonard Long in the
Gforce Mustang
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Number
3 in 2015 is the 2010 series champion Ed Brady
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Number
4 in 2015 is Terry Brandt
Number
3 in 2014 is Bill Marks in his seven second Olds!
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Number
5 in 2014 is Merv Moyer
Number
6 in 2014 is Bryan Wetzel
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Number
7 in 2014 is Gordon Foose
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Number
10 in 2014 is John Whorton
Number
4 in 2012 is Robert Cook
Number
6 in 2012 is Austin Lilley
2011
Pro Stick Series Champ – George Kull
Bill
Marks
Barry
Parson – number 7 in 2010
Mike
Rowe – number 3 in points for 2009
Kevin
Wines – number
7 in points for 2009
Paul
Hillier – Number 9 in points for 2009, 2005 points series runner-up
Number
2 man for 2008, and 2000 series points champ – Ron Settles
Wayne
Whittington – number 4 in points for 2008
Michael
(Desert) Ford – two way tie for number 9/10 in points
in 2008
Andy
Stone – Number 2 in points in 2007
Tom
Evans – Always a crowd favorite!
2006
points series runner-up Marvin Blume
Tommy
Hennigan
Tommy
Leopold in his beautiful 8-second Corvette
Jim
Martz in his 8-second Malibu
Rich
Horton
Mr.
Theodore Taylor Sr.
Jay
Jenkins in ‘Snoopy’
“The
Gentleman” Craig Goods
Ted
‘Smokey’ Taylor
Fred
House
Joe
White
Lonnie
Ewing
Ron
Miller
Glenn
Russell
Al
Matteucci
Chuck
Gassmann driving Eric Massey’s beautiful Camaro
Jeremy
Wible’s Camaro
Harold
Duffin’s Chevy II
Ernest
Oehm’s clean Camaro
Rick
Holladay
Charlie
Baesch – 64 GTO
Wayne
Pope
Sam
Freels
Shane
Kline
Dave
Shives
Schnoke Brothers
Craig
Jernigan
Bill
Belden
Kevin
Baker
Dennis
Henry
Matt
DeShong
Matt
Kuhlman
Terry
Wetzel
Jim
Bowman
Mark
Frank
Jeremy
Moyer
Randy
Tibbins
Rich
Nye
Mark
Petit Demange
Mark
Stafford
Mark
Fraley
Billy
Gimbel
Gary
Conte
Jim
Soresi
Jeff
Twigg
Bruce
Meacham
Jim
Stugart
Barry
Ehrhart
Matt
Walter
Galen
Geesaman
Ted
Shaffer
Craig
Grubb
Paul
Hillier
Ritchie
Burns
Dave
Snook
Greg
Lorsbach
Gary
Wisecarver
Shannon
Wisecarver
Rickey
Palmer
John
Haislip
Mike
Strickler
David
Phelps
Kevin
Murphy
Howie
Crosten
John
Voshell
Dave
Wilson
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Bill
Smith
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Ronnie
Hite
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Frank
Dean
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Rodney
Price
Brian
Barker
Paul
‘Tater’ Kuhn
Larry
Deremer
Raleigh
Johnson
Tyler
Bergenstock
Rick
Nicolau
Larry
Smith
Bobby
Cooper
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Jay
Jenkins
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Scott
Upole
Harry
Golliday in the Weber/Golliday
“Wild Child” AMX
Doral
Short
Jon
Gunter
Tim
LaRose
Ron
LaRose
Bill
Giannakarios
Nic
Giannakarios
Sonny
Stull
Scott
Klinger
Scott
Thomas
Dan
Ryntz
SEE YA AT THE NEXT PRO STICK EVENT!