Dee Channel

                              
                              DEE CHANNEL - OWNER/BROKER

                                       Channel Realty

                                         www.DeeChannel.com

Dee and Bob Channel were owners of Baton Rouge Transmission of Gonzales, LA, and had been racing at State Capitol Dragway, in the Comp. Street Class, for a long time.  The Channels gray pickup truck was one of the best running 12 second vehicles at the track.  Bob and Dee both drove the truck in eliminations at different times.  The truck, a heavy, 4,500 pound, 1965 Chevy, short bed, pickup turned 12-teens quite easily.  The fastest time was 12.100 sec. in November of 2000, at the Louisiana Drag Classic.  This husband and wife team were very competitive, with each other!  They loved to run against the clock and then compare time slips to see which one could do the best time in the gray pickup.

Dee & Bob are sponsors of the Comp. Street Class at the O'Reilly - Louisiana Drag Classic.  They awarded a $100.00 prize to the first person in Comp Street Class to get a perfect reaction time (.000 light).  

Dee Channel sponsored the Comp. Street Class in the 2001 O'Reilly Auto Parts - Louisiana Drag Classic because she was impressed with the last race put on by Bracket Masters & United Drag Racers.  "All of their goals are worthwhile and the people in the club are some of the finest people in racing that we have ever met".  

On May 13, 2001, Bracket Masters Racing Team voted co-owner of Baton Rouge Transmission of Gonzales, Dee Channel, into their club membership, with Bob Channel coming in with Dee.  

Bracket Masters Racing Team Members, Dee & Bob, were singled out for service above the call to duty at the Louisiana Drag Classic - During a recent Friday Test & Tune, one of the club members broke his transmission.  He had planned to drive to Chicago and race in a NHRA event after the Memorial Day weekend.  After leaving the track, Bob and the club member drove to his shop, Baton Rouge Transmission of Gonzales, at Midnight.  Bob worked until 3:00 AM to repair the transmission.  Sat. morning both Bob and the other team member were on their way to the races.  Now that's real Teamwork!

Dee Channel was selected to be the Publicity Committee Chairperson for Bracket Masters.  Her skill in working with people, and her outgoing personality, will be a big asset heading up this committee.  

11/10/01 - The Tribute race is a huge success!
Bob and Dee Channel, Eddie Stears (S&H Creations -Photos) and Bracket Masters Racing Team helped sponsor this race in Eunice (Louisiana Raceway), to show our appreciation for Owner Arthur,  and Track Manager, Bo Jack, November 10, 2001.  Baton Rouge Transmission of  Gonzales purchased Winner and Runner Up Trophies for each class.  Winners got a free entry to the next racing event at Louisiana Raceway.   Proceeds of the race went to finance renovations at the track.   It is to our benefit to keep this facility open.  This is the only place where Fast Cars are welcome to Test & Tune on a regular basis in our area.  

Dee worked her tail off for the race.  She distributed Flyers at Louisiana Dragway on several occasions and she has also obtained permission from State Capitol Dragway to distribute Flyers there!  Everyone got on the bandwagon in supporting Louisiana Dragway. 

The racers were happy, the owners were happy and the sponsors were very happy.  See the winners at:  Louisiana Raceway Tribute Race Trophy Winners

1/28/02 - Bob Channel passed away at approximately 9:00 PM Sunday night, 1/27/02.  
Dee was with Bob when he had a massive heart attack at home.  Medics were called but Bob could not survive.  
Dee asks that all of the racing community and friends pray for her.  She knows Bob is in a better place, and is happy.  
We will all miss Bob and we know he is safe in the arms of the Lord. 

Bob Channel

2/1/02 - Dee is doing well and with help from friends she is shutting down the transmission shop.  Work that was in progress is being sent to other shops for completion.  Work that had not started will be returned.  Several people have picked up transmissions that Bob completed.  Dee estimates that it will take approximately 3-4 months to complete the closing.  

While completing that chore, Dee will continue to race, with the help of friends and team mates.  She ordered a new Holley 800 CFM Carb. for the race truck, just as Bob had instructed.  She is bent on getting the Race Truck into the 11's before long.  The new 383 that was completed and tested the weekend that Bob passed is certainly strong enough.  

5/15/02 - The work on the truck is finished.  In addition to the carb work, a major tune-up was done.  This included oil change (removed the standard Fram Filter and replaced with AC Delco Filter, spark plug cleaning and gap , cold and hot valve setting, dynamic carb float level adjustment with idle adjustment and setting the tach and shift light set points to Dee's specification (5500 RPM).  The starter was changed out and all primary and ground wires were checked for clean, tight connections.  The belt on the water pump was adjusted to stop it from slinging off during hard acceleration.  Much of the wiring under the hood was rerouted and corrected.  The battery box was moved to relocate the batteries to allow water to flow through the plates during acceleration, and the battery hold down rig was updated to meet NHRA specifications for size (min. 3/8' rod).   The battery water was raised to the maximum level.  All racers should periodically check their battery water, if you do not have a "No Maintenance" battery.  We suggest checking the water level at least three times during the Summer months and once or twice in the Winter months.  The constant charging that we place on our racing batteries causes the water to evaporate and the levels must be restored and checked frequently.  

5/22/02 - Dee has resumed duties as the Publicity Committee Chairperson.  She attended the Board of Directors Meeting on 5/14/02 and the Joint Meeting of BMRT and UDRONO, 5/22/02 and took notes of both meetings.
  

6/18/02 - A new starter was installed to try to solve the slow start problem.  Some wiring changes may be necessary to completely solve the problem.  

6/21/02 - Dee and John "Red" Williams took the Race Truck to State Capitol Dragway.  Skip observed and added technical help.  Dee got in one time trial and then drove into the semi-finals of Comp-Street class!  The truck ran a best of 13.11 sec., as some shifting problems plagued Dee all night.  The engine sounded good and felt even better but we think some work will be necessary on the transmission before the full potential of this setup can be extracted.

7/12/02-Dee has taken the truck to Keith Hunter, Transmission Repair Specialist, and he discovered a broken converter.  Keith will send the converter out for repair and put everything back together.  He has gone through the transmission and could not find anything wrong in there.  

8/6/02 - Keith finished the converter installation and Dee has the truck back.  She can't wait for Friday night at SCD to test it out.  

8/9/02 - Dee sent the following:  "I raced at SCD on Friday the 9th of August.  Cut a 5.13 light on my first run, and a 5.49 on my second run.  The truck still has a problem in the motor somewhere though".  The best it would do "standing on it" was a 13.25.  Stay tuned! 

8/24/02 - Dee Won 1st Place in the Comp. Street Class last night at State Capitol Dragway!  In her own words, here is what she wrote in the email:  
I got to the track late and made two time trials.  The truck timing was way off.  James Moore heard it popping, and came over and set the timing for me.  After that I ran consistently, and well.  The track was "hooking" beautifully (for me) Friday night at SCD.  I can't help feel that it is due to AJ's return recently to manage the track.  Things were running beautifully with "Meatball" (Kim Moranto) in the tower, and AJ managing, and Billy Jack on the line with the starter button.  It was like a "magical trinity" out there Friday night.  After my truck was timed properly....I ran consistent runs, 13.31, 13. 25 and 13.29.  Even though the truck is running slower than it used to (it used to run 12 teens all day long) it was consistent after the timing was set properly, and I could dial in with some assurance that if I cut a good light....I would be hard to beat.  After  two elimination runs, I was staring down the deadly "tailpipe" of the consummate winner, Terry Smith, "The Wagonmaster".  Everybody tried to soothe me with "well, you at least have a second place trophy Dee."  I grinned and mumbled "first place would be nicer."  We staged, and I was always the aggressor.  I broke the first light, then he did his, I triggered my second light, and he followed.  He left first, because he was dialed in in the 14's.  As my light traveled down, I counted "1, 2, 3, GO!"  I cut a 5.11 light on my launch vs. a low 6. on his.  I ran a 13.29 on a 13.20 dial in vs. his 3 to 8 distance on his 14.  So, I got him at the light.  That is where he always gets everybody....at the light.  I came home with a first place trophy in Comp. Street last night.  Congratulations Dee!

Dee's Winning Trophy 8/23/02

9/27/02 - Dee attended the Friday night Street Races at State Capitol Dragway and with the help of team mates John and Stephanie Collins, the got the truck to run down into the "Thirteen Teens".  John has taken over the mechanic's work on the race truck and has found many things that needed to be fixed or reworked.  Due to tight clearances in the motor, they are going to have to change plug types.  They found water in the fuel cell that will probably dictate protecting the fuel cell from the elements.  With any luck, John will have Dee running in the 12's again in no time. 

11/1/02 - John Collins, driving Dee's Race Truck, ran an amazing 11.92  on his last run Friday night at State Capitol Dragway!  His other sensational runs were:               12.02
                        12.04
                        12.05
                        12.05 seconds
John had to overcome some mechanical problems, but in the end he got everything working to perfection.  Dee has found herself a mechanic!  

11/08/02 - Dee was back in the drivers seat tonight and went all the way to Runner-Up in the very tough Comp-Street class.  Congratulations Dee!

January 2003- Dee has joined the real estate professionals of, Investment Realty, a CENTURY 21 system office:  (Dee has moved to her own firm, March 2006.  Visit her at www.DeeChannel.com)

http://www.DeeChannel.com

2/26/03 - Dee was one of nine team members to go to Glen Oaks High School for a visit by Baton Rouge Mayor, Bobby Simpson.  The team is supporting the Auto Tech Program at the school and the Mayor was invited to see the excellent program.  The Mayor and Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Clayton Wilcox, were impressed with the students and the support the team has given to the program.  Dee gave drag racing instructions to the women in attendance.  

10/9/03 - Dee has been hard at work in her Real Estate business and has not been able to race lately, but she took time out of her busy schedule to take part in the 4th Annual Louisiana Drag Classic, October 4, 2003 at No Problem Raceway Park.  Dee was part sponsor of the Jr. Dragster Class and she devoted most of her day to selling T-shirts and Media Books under the big tent.  She also purchased many items and contributed to the preparations for the Hospitality Breakfast. 

Dee has sold her beloved 1965 gray Chevrolet pick-up truck and is looking around for a street machine that she can drive to the track and race on Friday nights.  She really misses the thrill of racing and can't wait to get back into the drivers seat.  

10/12/03 - Dee was elected to the office of Secretary of Bracket Masters Racing Team at the annual election meeting.  

12/14/03 - Dee has agreed to become the first sponsor of the 2004 Louisiana Drag Classic.  She and Keith Hunter of Powertrain Transmissions will sponsor the Jr. Dragster Class.  Dee is a Real Estate Associate Broker with Investment Realty, a Century 21 affiliate. 

3/25/04 - Dee and Kimm attended the Bracket Masters Racing Team Car Show at Glen Oaks High School.  The team had 5 team cars and the teams Jr. Dragster at the event.  Dee sponsored the teams Jr. Dragster class in the 2003 Louisiana Drag Classic.  
Dee and Kimm

Oct. 24, 2004 - Dee stepped down as Secretary to devote more time to her real estate business. 

January 10, 2006 - Dee has moved to a new firm, Bon Terre Realtors, L.L.C.
where she is an Associate Broker.    www.DeeChannel.com

March 29, 2006 - Dee is the proud owner of Channel Realty! She sent the following email: 
My web address is still www.DeeChannel.com and my new, 2 room suite (facing S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.) is at 3851 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 11 (2nd floor).  It is known as the Sherwood Abbey Building.   Channel Realty is across from the big Cingular office bldg., which is next to the big "Community Coffee Bldg." with the big 4000 letters out front.
We are all happy for Dee and wish her the best of luck in her new venture!

Read accounts of the Tribute Race and See Other Photos

Dee's Photo Page                      Comp. Street Winners Page

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