Local dragsters race for a cause

From left, Austin Miles, 8, of Florence, Ethan Smith, 9, of Florence, Tyler Gibson, 12, of Darlington, Taylor Jenkins, 15, of Florence, and Candice Sturkie, 16, of Darlington, pose with their dragsters Friday in Florence.

By: Lou Bezjak | SCNOW
Published: May 06, 2009

FLORENCE — Children helping children.

That will be the theme Saturday at Darlington Dragway as the Florence Junior Dragsters will put on a benefit to raise money for McLeod’s Children’s Hospital.

“There are a lot of our club members who have children or grandchildren who have been treated at McLeod Children’s Hospital, or know a child that has received services at McLeod,” said Jenkins, a
treasurer for the Club. “And we thought this would be a great way to involve the children of our club and give back to our community at the same time.”

Jenkins along with her brother, Ethan Smith, Sr., came up with the idea. The Junior Dragsters, whose ages range from 8 to 16, had a car wash last year for the Billy Hardee Home for Boys and raised $3,000.

But this year, the club wanted to try an event that centered around racing. Monies raised from selling t-shirts and donations will to go McLeod, and Darlington Dragway owner Bill Wilson also will donate all the drivers’ entry fees.

As of Tuesday, 15 dragsters were registered, but the club is hoping to have more than 30 for the event. The goal of the races is to raise $5,000.

“We are going to have a lot of fun and, hopefully, we are going to have a lot of cars,” said Terry McCutcheon, who is also the President of Drag Racer’s Association of Florence.”

For the ones racing, it’s an opportunity to give back.

“I want to race for my friend who got shot with a bb gun and want to try and raise money for him,” said 8-year-old Austin Miles.

Miles is one of several Junior Dragsters who will be racing. Others include Tyler Gibson, Ethan Smith, Jr. and Candice Sturkie and Taylor Jenkins.

For Taylor Jenkins and Sturkie, it’s a chance to compete against the boys much like NHRA Ashley Force does.

“My dad has been round racing for a long time and it’s something I always wanted to do,” said Jenkins, who hopes to move to dragsters eventually. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The group competes against other clubs in races every Saturday and Sunday at Darlington Dragway and other venues such as Midway Drag strip in Greeleyville and in Pageland.

The races are set up like normal drag races with heats and eliminations. Some can go up to 80 mph and maximum times each car can run are based on the age group.

Races payout usually between $200-1,000.

“You want to win because you get more money,” Miles said.