Three drivers walked away from last weekend’s Fourth Annual World Footbrake Challenge with wallets much heavier than when they arrived in Thunder Valley.
Steve Alford of Angier, N.C. drove his 1971 Ford Pinto to victory in Friday’s first $10,000-to-win shootout event. Alford defeated Manny Sousa from Bradenton, Fla. in the final round. Alford had a .020 reaction time and a 7.022 elapsed time (7.02 dial-in) at 94.75 mph. Sousa’s losing effort combined a .017 reaction with a 5.803 E.T. (5.78 dial-in).
Jacob Rutledge from Houston, Ga. raced to the win in Saturday’s main event, collecting $10,000 in the process. Rutledge used a .005 R.T. in a final round that saw his competition, BJ Bianchi of Palmetto, Fla. turn on the red light for jumping the start. Rutledge’s winning pass was a 7.984 E.T. (7.97 dial-in) at 86.37 mph. Bianchi’s finished his run with a 6.890 E.T. (6.76 dial-in).