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 June 4, 2025
PRO / STICK – 2025 marks our 30th season!!
NEXT EVENT:
The Stick Nationals are at Farmington Dragway on June 14. This is a non-points race for Pro Stick. The next Pro Stick points race is on June 28 at Mason-Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown Maryland.
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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
Saturday May 24 at Beaver Springs:
53 cars attending
Curfew at midnight with four cars still in\split purse evenly
RAM Clutches reaction winner: Ronnie Ward
Sunday May 25 at Beaver Springs:
48 cars attending
Winner: Clark Knudsen
Runner-up: Matt Bergenstock
Semi-finalist: Howie Reith
RAM Clutches reaction winner: Dean Leyh
2025 POINTS STANDINGS
AS OF JUNE 4
POINTS LAST_NAME FIRST_NAME MAKE_CAR
151 KNUDSEN CLARK 88 MUSTANG
137 CLITES CODEY OLDSMOBILE
120 HUTTON DANNY CHEVY II
120 LEYH DEAN VEGA
110 CARASEA LARRY CORVETTE
104 REITH HOWARD CHEVELLE
100 KIRCHNER COLTON MONZA
100 KITCHEN ERIC 69 CHEVELLE
100 LEYLAND FRED 68 CHEVELLE
100 SOLTES JOHN 69 MACH I
100 WINES KEVIN 69 CAMARO
94 RHODES ART 73 NOVA
94 WEBER TERRY AMX
90 BRANDT TERRY 85 MUSTANG
87 BERGENSTOCK MATT PICKUP
85 WARD RONNIE 79 MUSTANG
81 KUHN PAUL TATER MUSTANG
80 ARMITAGE DOUG MUSTANG
80 LONG LEONARD GFORCE MUSTANG
80 MCGANN TED 67 FIREBIRD
80 MILLER RONALD 72 NOVA
80 TIBBINS RANDY 88 MUSTANG
70 CHARCALLA ANDREW 86 MUSTANG
70 HOYLER DAN 89 MUSTANG
70 JENKINS JAY BERETTA
70 LAROSE RON NOVA
70 LAROSE MIKE SUPER BEE
70 WHITE RUSS 68 GTO
70 WHORTON JOHN 71 NOVA
60 CHARCALLA MARK A. FALCON
60 CROSTEN HOWIE CHEVY II
60 DEREMER LARRY CAMARO
60 FREELS SAM CAMARO
60 LAROSE TIM NOVA
60 RIGGLEMAN TIM DAYTONA
60 STULL SONNY PICKUP
50 BRADY ED GFORCE MUSTANG
50 COOK ROBERT MALIBU
50 CORBIN GREGG 70 NOVA
50 SHAFFER CHRIS 66 FURY
40 BAKER KEVIN 65 NOVA
40 CARD M S10
40 GASSMANN CHUCK 67 CAMARO
40 GIANNAKARIOS NIC MONTE CARLO
40 KELICAN CHRIS MAVERICK
40 MARKS BILL MUSTANG
40 SHORT DORAL MUSTANG
40 SLUSHER DAVE MALIBU
30 HOUSE FRED & KRIS TBIRD
30 MORGAN TOM 55 CHEVY
20 CHARCALLA MARK R. 90 MUSTANG
20 GOLLIDAY HARRY 67 CAMARO
20 HORN KEITH 55 CHEVY
20 KLINGER SCOTT ROAD RUNNER
20 LEITZEL ZACH VINTAGE MUSTANG
20 RYNTZ DAN MUSTANG
20 SMITH LARRY TRANS AM
20 TWIGG JEFF 67 CHEVELLE
20 HARNER K MUSTANG
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!