A newly-formed stock car racing team, Team Dippel from Drayton, has successfully steered through its first season at Full Throttle Motor Speedway in Varney.
Team Dippel members include Drayton residents Isaac and Luke Dippel, Richard Geerlinks of Moorefield and former Mapleton resident Tyler Arnold, who now resides in New Hamburg.
In his second year of competition in the fun stock class at the speedway, 13-year-old Isaac Dippel finished the season with 10 wins, 24 top five finishes and 25 top ten finishes, earning 1,824 points for an overall first place finish.
Nicknamed “Lightning,” Isaac says racing is fun, win or lose.
“I’m still number 18 and I’m driving a 2006 Chevy Cobalt that has more horsepower than the car I drove last year. The Cobalt gives me the power to pull away in the straight,” Isaac said. “I like my car because it’s quicker and smoother.”
With his only fear being the wall, Isaac hopes to continue racing for a number of years, moving up to the mini stock class, with the possibility of another vehicle in his future.
“The only thing that I wish would change in racing is the competitiveness. There are some drivers who need to take a more relaxed approach to the races. They need to have more fun,” Isaac said.
Joining Isaac on Team Dippel is his younger brother, Luke.
Just 10 years old, Luke continued to work on a car while doing an interview for this article. Competing in the kid stock class as number 01, Luke has earned the nickname “Thunder” at the track. His accomplishments this season include seven wins.
“When people ask me why I race, I say because I’m allowed,” Luke said.
“I was scared at first but not anymore. It is fun.”
Unfortunately Luke was in the wrong place at the wrong time on the track and was involved in a collision. His 1998 Dodge Neon, painted to resemble the General Lee of Dukes of Hazzard fame, was destroyed in the mishap.
A 1996 Dodge Neon was quickly found to replace the car lost on the track. Using parts from the original car, the team had Luke back on the track after a three-week layoff.
Competing in the kid stock class, Luke had to meet all the requirements set out in the track rules and regulations. These include vehicle weight limitations, front-wheel-drive-only vehicles, mandatory window nets and roll cages. Along with various mechanical rules, no air bags are permitted and radiators must only contain water. All tires must be DOT (US Department of Transportation) approved, standard, passenger car, street type tires.
Safety equipment is inspected by speedway officials prior to each race. Mandatory five-point safety belts and shoulder harnesses, worn by each driver, must be manufactured within the past five years. Seat belts are required to be in good repair with no visual damage. Also mandatory are full-face helmets designed for multiple impacts and manufactured with fire retardant materials. Head and neck restraints, a neck collar, single-layer or greater fire suits, fire retardant gloves and racing shoes are also compulsory.
Moorefield resident Richard Geerlinks, who joined Team Dippel this racing season, played an important role in Isaac’s first year of driving at the Speedway.
“He was like my partner and teammate last year, even though there wasn’t a team. He helped work on my car. This year he bought the car I drove last year and he’s doing really well,” Isaac said.
In his first year on the track, Geerlinks accumulated 1,450 points for a 10th place finish in the fun stock class. Geerlinks’ number 18 car came away with two top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
Team Dippel truck driver Tyler Arnold joined the team late in the year, competing in the V8 pure truck class. In his first season on the track, Arnold raced his purple #12 truck in the last 10 races, earning 10th place in the standings. Arnold accumulated nine top-five and 11 top-10 finishes and came away with 745 points.
Eliza and Dave Dippel, parents of Isaac and Luke, both get extremely nervous during each of the team’s races. Still, they are excited for each team member and continue to support the team.
Team Dippel members are thankful to all their sponsors: Dippel’s Family Garage Inc., Elmira Auto Supplies, Meulensteen Tire and Auto Services, Franklin Construction, Struyk Energy Systems Ltd., and Bob Schieck.
With entry fees, pit fees, fuel costs, tires, repairs and driver equipment, the prize money does not cover the cost of running a car, making sponsorship important to the team’s success.
The racing season at Full Throttle Motor Speedway runs from April to September, weather permitting.
Schedules and information can be found online at www.fullthrottlemotorspeedway.com or by calling 519-369-6969.
