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2/2/03
- (Reggie's Update) I attended the Pro Stock Super Bowl at Houston Raceway
Park with Hank Robinson and "Haystack" on 02/01/03. The
weather was perfect and the racing lived up to expectations. The Pro
stock cars were running 6.70"s at over 202 miles per hour. This
was even done when the temperature rose to about 66 degrees. There
were twenty Pro Sock cars that tried to qualify for the sixteen-car field.
Among them were Jim Yates, Ron Krisher, Tom Hammond and Bruce Allen.
The Mopar teams had five cars, with drivers, Bo Nickens, Vinny Barone,
Greg Stanfield Kenny Koretsky and Nick Fratt. I thought I might get
to see the new Dodge Stratus but none of them were present. I gave
one of the crew of the Tom Hammonds team the Bracket Masters web page
address and asked him to send us information on the team sometimes during
the season. He said he would give it to their web page person with
the request for racing information.
Back to racing. Jim Yates had the fastest qualifying session with a
6.743 at 203.65 miles per hour. However, Greg Stanfield ran a 6.779
at 204.26 miler per hour pass to take the top speed for the event.
Talked racing with a lot of people, most of who also expressed their
sadness with the tragedy that had struck the space program.
The racing also included Pro Mods, Pro Stock Bike, Nitro Harleys and the
Super Classes (Super Street, Super Gas and Super Comp). We had the
chance to enjoy the hospitality of the Warren Family who was competing in
Super Comp class with there 2001 plus corvette convertible.
2/14/03 - (Reggie's Update) - I
won Super Pro @ SCD on Friday night! I had a long week at work.
Just wanted to go make a few passes and make a last pass on my old Slicks.
I just ordered a new Slicks from Pro-Fab. Had to do some minor
adjustments to the car after I got home from work, so by the time I
arrived at the track, I only got one time trail. Decided to run Super
Pro, because I like to compete with the electronic drivers, with my
non-electronic car. My opponent, broke and could not make the
finals. The winning solo pass was 10.73 @ 123.57 mph. I did
not intend to run fast on a very slippery track.
3/1/03
- Reggie and Viola took the Jr. Dragster kids, along with the teams Jr.
Dragster, and rolled in the Annual Maringouin Mardi Gras Parade. The
kids had a ball throwing beads and candy to the record crowd at the
parade.
Reggie and Viola at Parade
3/9/03 - Attended the 1st Annual
Cajun Nationals on March 9, 2003 at No Problem Raceway. The race was
billed as Mopar versus Ford versus those other cars. The only
maintenance that was performed on the car was a change in Jet Size from 92
all around to 95 all around with gaskets provide by Skip Holbert and a
quick check of the valve settings. I am really starting to like the
cars current valve set up. I have checked the valve adjustment at
least three times and did not have to perform any adjustments. I had
already installed new rear slicks so I was ready to race.
The first and only time trial at the Cajun Nationals was a 10.58 seconds
in the quarter mile at 124.93 miles per hour with a 60-foot time of 1.456
seconds. These were the best times yet for the cars current engine
combination.
The first round came and there were about 8 Mopars, 10 Fords and it looked
like at least 100 Chevy's in the non-electronic (foot-brake) class.
The Mopars and Fords were paired with Chevy's first round. I won the
first round. I dialed in a 10.59 and ran a 10.85 at 105.61 miles per
hour after I slowed down to ensure that I did not break out. The
second round came about three hours later. I red lighted.
However, the car ran well all day, nothing broke and we, my brother Ronald
served as my crew chief. We had a very good race day.
4/9/03 - Reggie and teammates
accompanied Mrs. Mary Durusau, Community Relations Manager-Bank One, on a tour of the Glen Oaks High
School Auto Tech program. She enjoyed her visit and was impressed with the
program, the youth, the instructor and the involvement of our team with
the program.
Reggie will become Director of
the new Baton Rouge SMART Program when the official papers are drawn up
and registered with the State of Louisiana later this month. The BR
SMART Program will encompass all work that is being done with the Glen
Oaks Auto Tech program and the teams Jr. Dragster program. This is
everything to do with educating and helping young people.
4/27/03 - Reggie and family went
to Memphis, TN for the Tri-State Racers event and Reggie and the Duster
went 4 rounds before losing with a red light. This was a 1/8 mile
event and Reggie was on the lights and the car was running good all
day. Memphis has the new LED lights in the Christmas Tree.
This was giving everyone trouble all day but Reggie seemed to have
mastered them, until the last round. The LED's cause you to add
approximately .03 to your normal reaction to get a good light.
Toshia, Justin, Viola and Reggie Jr. all had a good time. The kids
helped with the teams Jr. Dragster on Sat. and Sunday.
7/12/03 - Attended the Bracket
Race Saturday at No Problem Raceway Park. I had not gone for a while
due the constant rain forecast in the Baton Rouge area for the past few
weeks and family activities. The last time out was at State Capitol
Dragway about a month ago. I knew the rain chance was high
(30%) but I would be okay if I got in one pass. Arrived about 3:00
p.m. and only got in one pass before the rain started about 6:30 p.m.
The car ran a 10.66 at 124+ in the heat of the day, with high humidity,
off the trailer. I finally changed the starter on the car from the
original equipment type to a smaller and lighter after market starter.
The starter seems to work okay, but time will tell.
10/9/03 - Update by Reggie:
The BMRT had its 4th annual Louisiana Drag Classic at NPRP on October 4,
2003. Due to my obligations to the team at this event I did not
bring my car. However, being co-crew chief with Skip Holbert on the
BMRT Jr. Dragster was lots of fun. The BMRT youth were there to
support the teams Jr. Dragster and help with anything that was requested
of them at the event including T-shirt and Media Book sales. Jeremy
Hebert did the driving of the teams Jr. Dragster and lost in the second
round after breaking out with a 10.71 on a 10.74 dial in. The driver
did a great job, the crew chiefs decided on the dial in and told him to
drive it all the way through. My wife and children, my racing team,
attended the event and we all had a very productive and fun day.
Oct. 5, 2003 - Woke up around 3:30 am and drove to Houston Raceway Park to
participate in the Fourteen Annual Houston Mopar Show and Race. The
weather was perfect for the event. I wish I could have done
something about the early morning fog on the drive over. My brother
Ronald attended the race with me and served as my Crew chief. There
were lots to see and do. The car show had cars that can only be seen
at this type of event including Hemi power plants.
We got in two time trails before eliminations began. I was using the
shift light that I installed and the car on the last time trial made a
pass of 10.60 mph at 125.19 miles per hour. We won the first round
and took in some more of the car show and watched some of the actual
eliminations. We lost in the second round due to my opponents better
light, I thought that I had caught him before the traps. We had a
great racing weekend and returned home later that Sunday.
12/26/03 - Reggie, Director
of The Baton Rouge
SMART Program , received word from the IRS that our application for 501(c)(3)
Tax Exempt status for the combined Glen Oaks Auto
Tech Program and Jr. Dragster Program is APPROVED!
The new organization will be able to raise funds (donors get a tax
write-off) to provide financial help to the GOHS Auto Tech program and the
Jr. Dragster Program. This will enable the new organization to solicit
Tax Exempt donations to give annual scholarships to qualified youth that
plan to attend college or a trade school.
3/6/04 - Reggie has a new tow
truck! A beautiful 2004 blue Dodge 2500 SLT, long wheel base, 4-door,
diesel pick-up truck. It is loaded with all the things to make
towing a dream. Excellent towing capacity (13,000 lbs), factory
installed tow hitch, power swing-out mirrors, power seats and
windows. Reggie is very, very happy. Now he will have a Mopar (Dodge
Truck) towing a Mopar racecar (Duster).
3/19/04 - Reggie was out testing
Friday night in the Duster. Reggie can't wait to get on the road in
that new tow truck! Oh, bye the way, the car ran well too.
March 25, 2004 - Reggie participated
in the Glen Oaks High School Car Show. Reggie is the Director of the
Baton Rouge Smart Program and has volunteered several hours over the past
two years in the Auto Tech Program. He is also a Band Parent.
His oldest son, Reggie Jr., is a member of the Glen Oaks Band and a member
of the Cleo Fields Band. Reggie was one of 6 team mates that had
cars at the show.
March 27,
2004 - Reggie took the little Duster to State Capitol Dragway and went all
the way to the Quarter-Finals before losing. The car, and Reggie,
were both performing very well. Reggie competed in the
Non-Electronic class. Reggie picked up his first check of the
year.
May 16,
2004 - Congratulations to Mr. Reggie Jackson Jr., for his graduation
from Glen Oaks High School. Reggie, Jr. is an excellent musician and
played in Glen Oaks High School Band and State Senator Cleo Fields'
Band. He will continue his education at Southern University and
hopes to play in their band.
June 12, 2004 - Reggie and Viola
traveled to Shreveport, LA to Red River Raceway to take part in a Bracket
Race with the Shreveport Racers. Reggie ran his Duster in the
Non-Electronic bracket and won three rounds before turning on the red light
in round four. Reggie was hitting his number and doing very well
before that last round. This was the first long trip for the new truck
and he and Viola really enjoyed the trip.
Video
from Shreveport (Very long download - not recommended for
telephone line download. Cable, DSL or T1 Line recommended)
August 7, 2004 - Reggie
and Viola Jackson, along with brother Ronnie attended the BMRT annual
Picnic. The Duster was running very good and Reggie won in the first
round, putting away an identical Duster in the first round. But like
the fate of the others members of BMRT, he did not make it past the 2nd
round of racing.
September 4, 2004 - Reggie ran in
the Louisiana Drag Classic's Super Pro Class. Reggie has a footbrake
car and he had won two rounds when the rains came and cancelled the race.
Reggie won $120 in purse money. Reggie has become one of the better
competition drivers in Bracket Masters. Always going a few rounds
before losing. Expect a win in the near future.
For the second year, Reggie and Viola provided the Sausage and Bread for the
Hospitality Breakfast for all of the racers. Everyone enjoyed the food
at the Hospitality.
October 2-3, 2004 - Reggie and
brother Ronnie went to Houston and took the Duster on their annual trip to
the All Mopar Event. It is held each year at Houston Raceway Park.
Reggie's car ran well, but he lost in the first round when he lit the red
eye. Reggie had cut some double-0 lights in time trials, but cut it a
little close, .498 red, in the 1st round. Reggie took his chances in
Super-pro, where there were only 20 cars, and the odds were a little better.
There were almost 100 cars in footbrake. There were some great looking
Mopars from all over the Southwest at the meet. Reggie said the
largest class was the Dodge Dakota class with over 150 entries!
March 23, 2005 - Reggie
participated in the annual Glen Oaks High School Auto Show. The kids
were really impressed with Reggie's Duster. Reggie works with the kids
on a regular basis, spending at least 4 hours per month in the classroom
with Mr. Lyons. Reggie always enjoys talking to the kids and answering
questions.
Reggie just purchased a new Pace,
28ft., trailer that will be rigged to carry his race car and the BMRT Jr.
Dragster. Justin Jackson will be 8 years old in May 2005 and he is
ready to get behind the wheel of the half-scale car. Reggie took the
Jr. Dragster home with him in his new trailer to fit Justin into the car.
April
30, 2005
- Still working on
getting the interior of my new 28 ft. Pace trailer installed with some
much needed help from friends on some items.
Trailer had to be returned to the manufacturer due to the form and fit
of the side door. The new doors fits fine, but it took weeks to
correct the problem which put me behind in my schedule.
May
1, 2005 - Attended the Mopar vs. Ford vs. Chevy a No Problem
Raceway. This was the first race that I got to use my new trailer. My
Pit crew was my son Justin, Brother Ronald and Ronald Jr.
The
first pass was the first of the Year 2005 for me. As soon as I left
the line I had a small amount of something coming into the car. This
doesn’t usually happen so I lifted and returned to the pits. Turned
out it was
only
a
small valve cover leak. The next pass during time trails the car ran a
10.65, so I dialed in a 10.65 during the first round. In the first
round I ran a 10.66 on a 10.65 dial in and lifted prior to the trap.
In the second round I dialed in a 10.65 and ran a 10.66 but lost the
race on the lights. My opponent had a better reaction time. After
more seat time this shouldn’t happen. I got to use my new trailer, the
weather was perfect and nothing broke. I would call this a very good
day.
May 14, 2005 - Reggie attended the Battle on
the Bayou at Louisiana Raceway and helped out at the gate with the
tickets, releases and the kids.
May 27, 2005 -
Reggie took his Non-Electronic Duster to State Capitol Dragway and
after looking at the amount of cars in Super Pro, he decided to try his
luck against the other three Electronic cars. In the first round
against Bryant's Vega Panel, Reggie dialed in 10.73 and cut a good
light and ran 10.736 for the win light. In the second round
(finals), he ran against Robert's quick 8 second truck, which had to
give Reggie a big spot. Reggie ran a 10.733 on his 10.73 for the win
and the trophy. Congratulations Reggie!
June 3, 2005 -
Visit To Summer
School Get them while they are young! Bracket Masters Racing Team
took 4 cars, including the Jr. Dragster, to visit the
Summer Program at God's
Way Christian Academy and make a presentation to the kids using the
SMART Program materials. During our visit, Mr. Willie Beathley
introduced the film and gave a brief history of our organization. The
children were happy to look at the race cars, but the thrill of the day
was getting to sit in the Jr. Dragster and act like they were
driving. Many of the kids asked some very good questions.
The cars that were present were, Mr. Warren Birkett with his M/SA
station wagon, recent winner of class at a national event, Mr. Willie
Beathley with his 9 second small block Chevy wagon, Mr. Glend McDonald
with his 9 second big block Chevy Camaro, and Mr. Skip Holbert handled
the teams Jr. Dragster. Also supporting the event were Mr. James
Richardson and Mr. Reggie Jackson, Director of Baton Rouge SMART
Program.
June 18, 2005 -
My role changed today from Driver on my own car to
Crew Chief for my son Justin Jackson. With the Bracket Master
Racing Team Jr. Dragster in tow we attended the O’Reilly Auto
Parts Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge event at No Problem Raceway
on Saturday June 18, 2005.
After a very rainy night and early morning we got
there and went through what had been a planned training session
for the Crew Chief and the Driver. We were not ready to run the
car yet because it is too fast for Justin, I need to install a
throttle stop to slow the car down.
We were greeted with open arms by our fellow Jr.
Drag Racing League families. When I say families, I mean the
other drivers from ages 8 to 16 and both parents and
grandparents. They offered their help with our new adventure as a
father and son team. This is help that we both will need and
accepted with open arms. I got a lot of new ideas for the car,
mostly safety items from looking at the 40 plus cars involved in
the event.
With a golf cart on loan from Hank (Hank’s Auto and
Performance) we could observe starting line procedures and go to
the end of the track and watch the end of the race procedure which
included where and how to exit the track. The Jr. Dragsters run
one-eight of a mile and not the quarter-mile that I am use to
running. The starting line procedure involves a lot of crew help,
using the remote starter and backing the car up after the
burn-out.
Justin spent most of the day going from trailer to
trailer as the other drivers showed him the ropes. One family
even had a practice Christmas Tree which Justin soon found himself
deeply involved with. We enjoyed the day and look forward to
racing with the other youth and their crews.
July 29, 2005
- Reggie, Viola and Justin went to No Problem Raceway Park to teach
Justin to drive the Bracket Masters Racing Team Jr. Dragster.
Justin was coached by his mom and dad while he made some passes on a straight section of
the road course. After the training session, Justin made his
first pass on the drag strip!
Reggie and his mom, Viola, were proud of Justin's progress.
July 30, 2005 - Justin and Reggie took
the teams Jr. Dragster to the Homeowners Association at the Elvin
Drive BREC Center.
August 5, 2005 - State Capitol Dragway -
Photos Also see
BMRT Jr. Dragster
2005 Page3
August 13, 2005 - No Problem Raceway Park
- Justin competes in his first real competition! After
running time trials in the fourteen second range, the dragster
developed carburetor problems and it had to be cleaned and reset.
They got it running just in time to get into the staging lanes and
make 1st round. Justin cut a .019 light and was off and
running, but the tune-up on the carb. was too good and he broke
out with a best ever 12.95 sec pass.
August 25, 2005
- Reggie Jackson, Director of
Baton Rouge SMART
Program, presented a $750 check to Mr. Nikita Isaac, recent
graduate of Glen Oaks High School and the Glen Oaks Auto Tech
Program. Nikita has enrolled at Southern University and will be in
the Engineering Electronics Program. We are certain that Nikita
will reach all of his goals to become an Automotive Engineer. The
SMART program is funded by donations from Chase Bank and State
Representative Avon Honey.
SMART will award three scholarships in
the 2005-2006 school year. The amount of each scholarship will be
$1000. They will be awarded at Glen Oaks High, Capitol High and
McKinley High Auto Tech Programs.
September 6,
2005 - The Baton Rouge SMART Program will donate $1500 to
hurricane Katrina relief
by purchasing uniforms for displaced children enrolling in the
East Baton Rouge School System at Glen Oaks High School and
Capitol High School. SMART will also collect funds from
other organizations and individuels to help in this effort.
It is estimated that over 2000 displaced students will enroll in
the EBRSS. SMART would like to outfit 100 kids with uniforms
and shoes.
We attended the Lone Star Shootout on October
15th and 16th at Houston Raceway Park.
This was a Mopar only race that in the past had been hosted
by the Houston Mopar Car Club (HMCC). This year the race was
hosted by D&M Promotions, which happened to be there initial
attempt at race promotions. I can understand very much what
it takes to put on a race; the Bracket Masters have been
there before. The weather was perfect and I should end the
story there, but I won’t. We (Reggie and Ronald) towed over
on Friday to make sure that we would get enough time trials
to race on Saturday and then again on Sunday as in the past.
However, the new promoter format had time trials on Saturday
with racing on Sunday. I should have called the contact
phone number, but I did not. I will call the race promoter
from now on. We planned on meeting fellow Mopar Show Car
participant Henry Turner there after he had informed us that
he would be racing his beautiful Dart Sport and not showing
his Mopar panel truck this year.
When we got to the gate and finally understood
the race format, we decided to run Super Pro with the fast
movers. If I cut good lights they will have to decide
whether to lift in the traps. We had a good time at the
races, once I got over the $ 120.00 one day entry fee (First
place paid $ 2500.00). My fellow Mopar racers were very
friendly and we went from car to car to see how each one of
us changed our cars so no two were a like. Most of our
suspensions and engines were modified but there were tricks
to be learned from each.
We finished early on Saturday, did a few minor
maintenance items on the car and drove down to a nearby small
town near the coast for super. We got to the track early on
Sunday morning and were ready to race. The car count was
low, but with the damage to the nearby towns caused by Rita
and the lack of hotel space I could understand why. I won
the first round after the 8 second car that I was paired
against broke out. I had dialed in 10.65 seconds and ran a
10.67. I had a 0.015 RED LIGHT in the second round and my
racing day was over. In addition, to losing the second
round, I heard a noise in the engine on the return road and
pulled over. A fellow racer towed me back to my trailer so I
did not have to move all of my stuff. We watched all of the
finals, picked up my winnings, which paid the entry fee and
bought a couple gallons of racing gas and headed home. There
were a couple of six second late model Dodge Stratus and a
8.0 second 1967 (+/-) GTX that was driven by a sixteen year
old young lady. The car went down the track like it was on
rails. In addition, to the drag racing there was a car show
with a lot of rare muscle cars.
This was my first tow out of the Baton Rouge
Area, except Eunice with my enclosed trailer. My long wheel
base Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins had no problem and at times I
forgot the 28ft trailer was in tow.
11/13/05 - Justin Jackson was presented with an
official membership letter, welcoming him to the Bracket Masters
Jr. Dragster Team.
12/26/05 - Reggie
and Viola attended the BMRT Christmas Party
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