The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
High school students form drag-racing club
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 17, 2007
When members of the new drag-racing club at Milan High School drove its overhauled 1974 Chevy Nova to the Milan Dragway last month for the High School Nationals, the car's paintjob was still wet.
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It had only been painted the night before.
That's how close to the wire it came after five members of the fledgling club began working on the car April 23 to ready it for the Nationals, which were just five days away.
The car, donated to the club by high school teacher Sue Kohlfeldt, needed a lot of critical attention, including engine and ignition repair, body work, a fresh paintjob, newer wheels and tires, and refurbished breaklines and suspension system.
All on a budget of $250.
And in five days.
"It was rough, but we got it done," said senior Ron Barnes, who with his friend Dan Bradford spearheaded the campaign to get a larger contingent of fellow Milan High School students to participate in the Nationals. "It wasn't all about building a car. The club was about getting as many kids with a license as possible to come out and race."
Barnes said in years past Milan High School has been underrepresented at the High School Nationals, held every spring and fall at the Milan Dragway, and he wanted to do something about it.
After all, he said, "That's our home track."
Barnes and Bradford, who have been friends since about the eighth grade and share a passion for drag racing, set about getting the word out.
It worked. And well.
Even Barnes and Bradford were surprised by the response.
Fifteen licensed Milan students raced and about 30 or so showed up to cheer them on while grilling hamburgers and hotdogs. Some of the racers even won.
Senior Josh Mullins, driving a modified Camaro, placed first in bracket one, for cars running the one-quarter-mile track in 12 to 13.99 seconds.
John Poulos placed second in bracket four, for cars running 18 seconds and slower, and technology teacher Jeff McVeigh finished second in the instructor's league, driving his 2004 Chevy Malibu.
"I just stepped on the gas," said McVeigh, who had never drag raced before but became interested after students approached him about helping to support and organize the club.
"It was a lot of fun," McVeigh said. "Really, once you start going down the track, that's when it's exciting."
The Milan students also won the Car Cram contest, piling, twisting and squeezing 25 kids into a car.
As for the Chevy Nova, which was built for students to race who didn't have a car, it turned out not to be that fast, according to Barnes. With its six-cylinder engine, it could only average runs of around 19 seconds.
There's always next year, though, and Barnes said he expects the turnout of Milan High School students to be even higher.
"You do it one time and you have to go back," Barnes said. "A lot of kids know what's going on now."
Barnes said that even after graduating he intended to continue working with the club he helped found.
"Our car's going to be even faster next year," he promised.
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