We are just a few weeks away from what has become an annual event and highlight for us here at RAM Clutches. On September 13th and 14th, the RAM Clutches Nationals, put on by The Southeast Gassers Association, rolls into Knoxville Dragway.
When ex-Pro Mod racer Quain Stott came to us and told us that he was starting a period correct group to bring old-time drag racing back into the spotlight, we were immediately on board.
Adhering to a strict set of rules (which includes mandating manual transmissions), this group consists of a wide range of vehicles and classes. Even some big-name hitters from the early days of drag racing have gotten involved.
This is an excellent environment for our RAM single disc drag racing clutches, and it has also spurred development and serves as a proving ground for several new RAM clutch units that are finding their way into stick shift drag racing nationwide.
Supporting Stick Shift
RAM’s support of grassroots stick shift racing goes well beyond the Southeast Gassers. Many other groups around the country put on a series of events throughout the year and get great support from their fans and tracks. Like Pro Stick out of Maryland, Ozark Mountain Super Shifters in the Midwest, UMTR North and South in the Ohio region, CCRA in North Carolina, and the Rocky Mountain Super Shifters in the Colorado region.
All these groups put on tremendous shows with cars that run in various classes. Some even produce elapsed times in the low 7-second range in the quarter mile.
A fantastic event started a few years ago by long-time Pro Mod racer Ken Regenthal runs each year during the summer in North Carolina. Aptly dubbed the ‘Stick Shift Nationals,’ it attracts racers from many of these groups and brings them to one location for a weekend. The event typically features several races including the main shootout, Friday night race, and second chance races. Hundreds of competitors make the trek to this event each year!
This racing style takes me back to my younger days with my brother sitting in the stands at the US Nationals where we would watch our favorite Modified eliminator and Competition eliminator cars run. If you are a diehard drag racing fan and have never made your way out to see one of these stick shift groups race, you owe it to yourself to do so.
If you’re in Knoxville for the RAM Clutches Nationals on September 13th and 14th, please stop by the RAM booth and say hello!
These are all great shows that will take you back to the glory days of drag racing. Do you race with a stick shift group that we have not mentioned here? Tell us about your group and perhaps we can get involved and provide support to you as well!