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Father & Daughter Set To Compete In The NHRA Gatornationals

By Katie Sullivan

Corning, CA, 2/27/2012. – Katie Sullivan of Kalifornia Katie Racing is staged to be competing alongside a new rider to the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class. This isn’t just any rider however, this new rider hold’s a special place in Katie’s heart. For the first time ever in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle class, a team will be competing with both father and daughter riding.

Charlie Sullivan, 51, owner of Sullivan Drilling Inc., has been racing since he was a teen. In addition to competing on many different drag bikes, Charlie also enjoyed some time behind the wheel of an alcohol funny car. Raising three children, he spent 15 years at local tracks running Jr. dragsters and has said, “I wouldn’t trade the time we spent together as a family at the race track for anything.” Charlie put his racing aside when Katie set her heart on racing drag bikes. They raced together for the first year until Katie moved to a faster bike and a higher competition level, then Charlie took on the role as her crew chief.

“I can’t even explain how much my father has done for me,” says Katie, ” I have worked so hard to get where I am today, but none of this would be possible without my dad and my whole family.” Katie, 21, a full time business student and owner of Tough Girl Designs, goes on to say, ” To watch my dad out there competing with me again is beyond incredible. There isn’t a person in the world I think deserves it more than he does.”
The Sullivan Family Race team also went on to talk about the support they have received from so many people. Katie stated ” The support from our family, friends, and fans has been really amazing. We also are continuing partnerships with MotoWear International, JP’s Paint & Body Works, and Girls For A Change. We owe such a huge thank you to all the people standing behind us.”

The Sullivan Family Racing team is headed to Valdosta, GA to test their equipment and get a few rides down the track in. The next weekend, both Sullivans will compete side by side in the Gatornationals, happening in Gainesville, FL, March 8 – 11. As of now Charlie’s plan is to just run the one race in Gainesville, fulfilling a dream years in the making, and both Charlie and Katie could not be more excited.

About Girls For A Change:

Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national organization that empowers thousands of teen girls to create and lead social change. GFC provides girls with professional female role models, leadership training and the inspiration to work together in teams to solve persistent societal problems in their communities. Explore our web site to learn more about how you can join our movement and how girls are transforming our world and reinventing girl culture through GFC! www.girlsforachange.org

Hillary Will is the New Driver for Dote Racing Top Fuel Team

Hillary Will Top Fuel Driver — In 2008, Hillary Will from Fortuna, CA earned her first career victory at Topeka, Kansas.

Monroe, Ohio – The Dote Racing Top Fuel team , Monroe, OH, has tapped Hillary Will, Avon, IN, to drive their 300+ MPH dragster in the Full Throttle NHRA Drag Racing series starting in 2012.

The team, led by crew chief, Doug Kuch will begin their season in Gainesville, FL on March 9-11. The team is actively seeking marketing partners and aims to compete the full season in 2013 and beyond. They will begin testing this October.

Connie Dote, the team co-owner said, “Doug Kuch and the guys have been working diligently all summer to get everything ready. Now that we have hired Hillary, I think we have all the right parts and people in place.” Sue Dote, co-owner added, “I hope to be more competitive than ever and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Hillary, a native of Fortuna, CA, won the 2008 NHRA Summernationals in Topeka, KS and went to three finals enroute to a fourth-place finish in NHRA Top Fuel that year. She has had International success as well, winning the Inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial USA vs Austrailia Race in Sydney, Australia.

“I couldn’t be more excited; I am so thankful for this opportunity,” said Will. “I miss driving, I miss winning, and I miss being part of a team. The Dote Racing Team is exactly where I want to be. Like me, they began racing in the sportsman classes and have a strong passion for racing. I can’t wait for our team to be in the winner’s circle and I’m looking forward to many successful years of racing with them.”

Hillary Will in the Dote Racing Top Fuel Dragster.

About Dote Racing
The Dote Racing Family, a three generation race team started competing in the mid 80’s with Lynn and Sue purchasing a Henry J drag car. Mike Dote, Lynn & Sue’s son, and his wife Connie, soon followed in his parent’s footsteps. Mike, Connie, and daughters Camie and Joanna began competing weekly and winning in NHRA’s sportsman categories. Then they decided to take their passion for racing to the next level. The Dote Racing family started racing top fuel in 2010 and has run 10 races thus far.

The 22nd annual “Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial” at Silver Dollar Speedway will be Saturday, May 5th.

By Gary Thomas

Chico, CA – February 23, 2012…The 22nd annual “Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial” at Silver Dollar Speedway will be here in early-May and to get a head start on things lap money is on sale for the prestigious event.

If anyone would like to purchase a lap please contact Dave and Dianne Durica at Durica1414@sbcglobal.net or 916-988-5958.

All of the money goes back to the racers and helps make this event unique and special like it has been for so many years. The laps cost $100 and are split between the top 3 in the A-main and LCQ each lap. The leader gets $50, 2nd place $30 and 3rd place $20.

In addition to lap money if anyone has anything they would like to donate for the event contact Dave and Dianne to give them the details.

There is already $500 up for grabs to the fast qualifier courtesy of Jason and Robyn Meyers in memory of “Carwash” Mike Avilla. In fact the fast time award at the Bradway Memorial will be known as the “Carwash Mike” fast time award.

The Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial is considered the cornerstone event for the Cancen Oil King of the West Sprint Car Series presented by Goodyear and will take place on Saturday May 5 in Chico.

Last season’s edition of the Bradway Memorial saw an epic main event that featured four different leaders during the 40-lapper and in the end it was Clovis resident Peter Murphy, who charged from 15th starting to claim the huge victory. Roger Crockett finished second and also put on a thrilling charge after starting 18th in the feature.

For more info on the Cancen Oil King of the West Sprint Car Series presented by Goodyear visit http://www.kwssprints.com and for more on Silver Dollar Speedway log onto http://www.silverdollarspeedway.com.