Donning attire that looks better suited for a voyage in the space shuttle, speed merchants gathered at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Their mission: do the gravity dance with consummate skill. They competed against the clock in replicars built for greasy speed on the road course, autocross, and dragstrip. The Run 'N' Gun has been the racing event for kit cars since 1985. Started so manufacturers could test kits by racing them, the Gun is now for hobbyists bent on seeing how swiftly their racing skills and the cars they've constructed will allow them to go.
There were traditionally three days of events for the different racing contests. But for the '06 Gun, a fourth day was added for those who'd like to attend a three-hour seminar on car setup and preparation presented by two-time national SCCA champ Morris Clement. Almost everyone who attended the clinic achieved better results the next three days, as their cars were optimally configured to perform in the three distinct events.
Drivers and cars were categorized into specific classes based on the driver's racing skill, whether the car is powered by a four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engine, whether the car is a small- or big-block V-8, and what sort of tires the vehicle has (street or slicks). The specific classifications are:
Run 'N' Gun 2006 Class Key
46s = 4-6 Street
46pr = 4-6 Prepared
46p = 4-6 Pro
Ss = Small-Block Street
Spr = Small-Block Prepared
Sp = Small-Block Pro
Bs = Big-Block Street
Bpr = Big-Block Prepared
Bp = Big-Block Pro
Papr = Power Adder Prepared
Pas = Power Adder Street
N = Novice
This assures all participants are in a field of their peers. A direct result of the well-organized two-day road course proceedings, there were no wall taps or accidents. Honing racing skills and achieving best ever times while being safe occurred throughout the Gun.
Most also improved their cone-carving abilities at the 'cross and achieved straight-line speed and amazing elapsed times at the strip on the Gun's last day.
With so many categories available to the racers, Top Gun plaques were awarded to 11 different participants. We won't list all the winners here. They know who they are. Doing the gravity dance in the least amount of time in each of the three contests was what all the racers wanted to accomplish. Posting this information is most meaningful to the Gun's combatants. They raced gravity and the clock, not other contestants.
Proving not just Cobras ruled...
Proving not just Cobras ruled at the Gun, Rory Meier challenged the autocross in his '32 Ford highboy roadster replica. He's in his early 20s and ran in the Novice class. We caught him getting a bit sideways here. Dave raced best on the road course.
How does 440 horsepower sound...
How does 440 horsepower sound to the rear wheels? Jerry Fink's three-rotor Wankel turbo-powered Laminer Viking made prodigious power. He ran in the 4-6 Pro class.
Morris Clement gave the Wednesday...
Morris Clement gave the Wednesday car setup seminar to an appreciative audience. He built and owns the #96 Kirkam 427 Cobra. Gateway's Dan Harman is no doubt asking Morris how he's able to drive so fast in the winged aluminum and titanium land rocket.
While Dave Wood led in his...
While Dave Wood led in his #13 SPF Daytona Coupe that ran in the Small-Block Street class, Rory Meier, in the #69 '32 Ford highboy roadster, a Novice contender, was not far behind.
Randy Schrantz has won his...
Randy Schrantz has won his class at Pikes Peak several times with his Shell Valley Cobra. He did great at the '06 Gun as well, running in the Small-Block Pro class.
Down the front straight from...
Down the front straight from the track's photography birdcage, Chuck Spera's #97 WCM Ultralite looked like it might take flight. Chuck ran strong in the 4-6 Pro class.
Super Stalker owner John Meyers,...
Super Stalker owner John Meyers, in his #55 4-6 Pro class racer, crossed the start/finish line countless times during the two-day road course event. He did great at the autocross and the dragstrip, too.
Dave Wood conferred with Dan...
Dave Wood conferred with Dan Harman en route to the pits. Lee Dahmer, #11 and in the Big-Block Prepared class, awaits one of his many stints on the road course.
If the wheels on Johnathan...
If the wheels on Johnathan Blevin's #203 roadster look a bit big, you have a keen eye. They're actually for a Type 65 Coupe he's building. He ran the Cobra in the Small-Block Pro class.
The #18 Cobra Scott Johnson...
The #18 Cobra Scott Johnson owns is campaigned in the Big-Block Prepared class, while #15 runs in the Big-Block Pro class. Jerry Fink's #172 Viking is ultra fast. He ran in 4-6 Pro, as did John Meyers in #55 and Chuck Spera in #97.
Red, white, and blue crossed...
Red, white, and blue crossed the three hues every time Rick Lake raced across the front straight's start/finish line. Rick ran his Cobra in the Big-Block Street category. A smart guy, he has had fun at the Gun many years.
Repeat Run 'N' Gun enthusiast...
Repeat Run 'N' Gun enthusiast Hershal Byrd pilots his GT40 in the Small-Block Street class.
With his #96 Kirkham 427 Cobra,...
With his #96 Kirkham 427 Cobra, Morris Clement owns one of the most technically advanced racetrack-ready Cobras in existence.
The Big-Block Prepared class...
The Big-Block Prepared class included Mat Tweehaus in his #520 Cobra.
When Dean Lampe had fuel in...
When Dean Lampe had fuel in his car, he ran strong in the Big-Block Prepared class.