Renee and Gary Bingham have drag raced for many years. Since 1990 they have traveled together along the IHRA tour and captured four world championships. The 2005 season is going to be a bit different though with an additional helping of God’s work on their plates.

Last year Renee was moved by the Lord to found God Speed Ministry, now the official ministry of the IHRA. This year will be the first full season for God Speed and its involvement with IHRA.

"God Speed Ministry will be 1 year old April 27^th. We became the official ministry of IHRA in November of 2004. We have superb Divisional Chaplains who have a heart for God and a passion for ministry to the IHRA family. Attendance at Chapel Services is growing. Division 9 is the only division to have multiple events thus far. Our attendance at Rockingham, our first race, was around 80 and at Mooresville, our 4^th race, attendance was over 180," explained Renee.

"We are here to meet the needs of the IHRA family: racers, fans, crew, sponsors, and officials. We will provide chapel service at every IHRA event – national, Pro Am, Junior Dragster and Bracket final as well as support to anyone who needs it. We have chaplains on call for emergencies, for counseling, for prayer, for a shoulder to cry on and for sharing the joys of salvation and insight into the victorious Christian life. We pray for each event: it’s safety and success."

God Speed Ministry is a non-profit group of Christian racers supporting the sport of drag racing and the friends that comprise it all. Renee serves as the overseer and head Chaplain within the organization. She also performs the day-to-day tasks of operating the ministry, in addition to updating the web page found at www.godspeedministry.com.

Renee’s devotion to the ministry is key because this newest facet of her life consumes a full-time roll. She serves God Speed in addition to being a wife, a mother, secretary for the family business and computer operator for the IHRA national events.

Renee and Gary have been married for nearly 29-years. They have two wonderful daughters named Christy Bingham Rice (25) and Lisa Bingham (20). Christy and husband Dwayne Rice also have an 18-month-old son named, Levi. The youngster is the sole grandchild of Renee and Gary.

Gary has harbored much of the family notoriety by winning 4 IHRA World Championship. His first title came via the 1988 Top ET World Championship, the same year he won the Race of Champions event. His Top Sportsman World Championships came in succession from ‘94-96, making him the first driver to score three Top Sportsman World titles. Along the way he has appeared in 48 total IHRA final rounds, winning 28 times! A total of 16 national event and 12 divisional trophies can be credited to his driving.

"We were married June 6, 1976. It will be 29 years this June. Gary began racing in 1978 and I was right there with him. I even hand lettered his first car," explained Renee. " My mother always told me that if I wanted to have a good marriage, I needed to be involved in the things my husband enjoyed doing. And that is good advice."

Currently Gary competes in Top Sportsman. His official team sponsors include Doug Herbert Performance of Lincolnton, North Carolina, Tom Johnson Camping Center of Marion and Charlotte, and Fleetwood RV’s.

The rest of the racing family is female driven.

Christy Bingham Rice, the duo’s eldest daughter, began racing in 1999 and led the national points in Quick Rod during 2000 before finishing 2^nd in her division and 8^th in the nation. She won Top Dragster at the 2002 Shreveport LA nationals.

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Click to visit our sponsor's website

She married Pro Stock racer Dwayne Rice in November 2001. They live in Grove City, OH where both are involved in the family business, DR Excavating. Christy is also attending Franklin University in Columbus OH and is the mother of Levi.

"Levi is 18 months old," explained Renee. "He is the apple of our eyes, our pride and joy."

Christy plans to resume racing in Top Dragster sometime this year while still helping Dwayne and the team in Pro Stock.

Lisa Bingham, now 20, has only begun her racing career this year, in Quick Rod. She got her license in 2002 but has been concentrating on her academics. She graduated Valedictorian from high school in 2002. She attends High Point University, NC, where she is now a junior. Her major is Human Relations with a minor in Math. She consistently makes the Dean’s List and was recently inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society and will soon be inducted into the Human Relations honor society.

She is quickly making her presence known in the Quick Rod ranks with impressive runs and victories over some of the class’s top racers.
Gary and Renee not only race together, they work together. Gary and business partner, Lenny Hutchinson, own and operate Complete Auto Repair Service (C.A.R.S.) in Kings Mountain, NC. Renee works as the secretary for the business.

"C.A.R.S. was opened in September 1984. We celebrated the business’s 25^th anniversary last year. We do all mechanical automotive repair, from oil changes, tune ups, to rebuilding engines. We have 2 other mechanics, Jack Rosenthal and Chris Brown. Gary also builds power glide transmissions for racers and Lenny is an expert at setting up rear-ends for street and strip," explained Renee.

With the work at the shop, a family to raise and an abundant amount of responsibility on his shoulders, why did Gary want to head out on the traveling tour to race. The answer is similar to that of many top IHRA drivers.

"Gary had won every track championship around our area before going to his first IHRA Bracket Finals in 1988 where he won the Champion of Champion race and the Top E.T. World Championship. It was that win that gave Gary the financing to have Stroupe Race Cars of Kings Mountain build a Cavalier to compete in Super Rod. We went to our first IHRA national event, the Winter Nationals in Darlington SC in 1990," said Renee. "The lure of winning a World Championship, attaining sponsorships and TV recognition were the stuff dreams were made of and IHRA offered that potential. Gary had the drive and God given abilities to make it a reality."

With all of the cost of traveling and racing, sponsorship support was needed. The Binghams have been blessed many seasons with strong supporters. But Renee chose to assist the program one step further by working at the IHRA national events. Her employment helps to offset some of the costs of travel.

"I worked in the control tower of 3 local tracks, 2 of which hosted IHRA W.C.S. events. There were no divisions at that time. IHRA race director, Robert Leonard asked me to come to the national event at Bristol TN in May of 1990 for a trial work experience. If I liked it, I could work the 2 Darlington and 2 Bristol national events and any select event I wanted to travel to," continued Renee. "Since the Spring Nationals at Bristol in 1990, I have worked every national event except for 5 or 6 in the last 15 years."

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Click to visit our sponsor's website

As a hardworking wife and mother, Renee still makes time for her faith. Her devotion to Jesus Christ is a commitment that she has held sacred for 34 years.

"I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 13 years old," stated Renee. "My mother and grandmothers were the heroes of my faith. My dad’s mother, Corrie Ridings Grigg, raised 7 children by herself, no welfare, no public job. Just her, God and a farm. She taught me a lot about faith, the Word of God and depending on God as your source for everything. My mom’s mother, Barbara Goins, read lots of Bible Stories to me, making them come alive. I still have the Bible Story book she gave me as a preschooler. My mother, Irene Grigg, is a living example of love, forgiveness and giving – the attributes most characteristic of a disciple of Christ. She lives the Bible for me."

Gary and Renee have taken on a whole new way to their lives by stepping into the public eye and declaring their devotion to God Speed Ministry. But when they are not on the road, they have strong ties to their home church.

"Gary and I attend a small country church, Mary’s Grove United Methodist, near our home in Kings Mountain," said Renee.

Hopefully the Christian family at Mary’s Grove will pray for the Bingham’s as the Word of the Lord is spread from one race to the next. What exactly are the goals for the God Speed Ministry in the future?

"It is our vision to build a community of faith within the family of IHRA drag racing, its participants, sponsors, officials and fans. We want to help them walk in the abundance of life that Jesus came to give them, to experience the ultimate victory that every racer and person seeks," said Renee. "Future plans are to have a choir at Chapel Service, a Children’s Joy Jubilee, Youth concerts and outreach – possibly coordinating with Campus Crusade to do outreach on high school and college campuses, Bible studies and family activities."

With all of the activity and movement within the IHRA ministry, a great amount of work is being created. It will be too much for one woman to accomplish. What can the general racing population do to assist Renee and her team at God Speed Ministry?

"We are asking for volunteers to lead the Children’s Ministry, sing at events as special music or in the choir, to do hospital visits, to contribute devotions and inspiration for the website, invite people to Chapel Service, whatever God lays on their heart. This is God’s ministry and He works through all His people, not just a few," she continued. "We want to be a positive influence to enrich the lives of those the people we meet while bring glory and honor to God."

The growth of the ministry thus far has been a miracle. A vast array of excitement is buzzing within the Christian racing community.

"We had a hospitality night in conjunction with Farmington Raceway Park showcasing Rock Solid, a contemporary Christian band. At Mooresville, a youth group from Lenior, N.C. came to worship through creative dance. They were a powerful group of passionate young people. Many in the congregation were standing and cheering as they worshipped God with their whole heart, soul and bodies. They inspired us and encouraged us to serve and worship as completely as they do," stated Renee.

"We have taught the Word of God and discipled people, strengthening their walk with God. There are at least 11 new believers in the body of Christ as we share the love of God. It is truly amazing and awesome. We are seeing the power and glory of God manifested here and now in changed lives, healed bodies and restored relationships."

The ministry maintains a web site for all to view. It is the connecting locale for news, ministry and discipleship. Connections have been made with believers and those searching from Puerto Rico, Canada and all across America.

"We update our site as often as possible, sometimes twice daily, and sometimes only weekly. We provide prayer concerns, ideas, inspiration, the Word of God," said Renee. "This ministry can’t be all things to all people but we can connect people with other ministries that fulfill the needs in their lives. Bible Studies, on-line Bibles in audio and the written word, information on such needs as neo-natal deaths, children and youth resources for their churches or communities, issues on death, drugs, health issues, family concerns, etc. So we provide links for each age and stage of life until we have the resources in place."

Much can be said of the Bingham’s racing career and now in regard to the preaching aspect of the family. What is more important is what they have to say about the Lord and, upon his behalf, to the world.

"God is so awesome, holy and loving. He came to save the lost sheep, heal the broken hearted, heal the sick in body, mind and spirit, and gave us the Holy Spirit to be our Guide in this world. He is the ultimate crew chief. He never misses a call on the set-up for the run or execution of that run. His offer of guidance and wisdom is free to all who ask. And it will always work if we do our part and obey.

Obedience is the often the part where we fail. It may not make sense or we think it will make us look foolish. But God says that His ways are not our ways but are higher. If we want the high life, we must trade our thoughts and our ways for Gods. He is the creator of this world. He built the car (the world), engineered the engine (us), knows the ultimate tune-up (best way to live), and can never fail. He is the ultimate victor (world champion) and He wants to adopt us into His family and pass on the family business and winning ways to everyone who wants to accept His offer."

Godspeed.   

Return to Contents
 

Return to Contents

Return to Contents