The 411 Dragway is known throughout the area for fast cars going down the one-eighth mile track racing each other for prize money and trophies. You get used to the noise of the powerful engines and the speed of the cars.
In August some different racing was going on at the historical track. The All Junior Dragbike Racing League came to town to show its wares to local fans. Unfortunately, the rain kept the drag racing fans from seeing the races for the league. That didn’t stop the racers; they stayed Saturday night and raced on Sunday morning.
The league is based in Ohio and includes two divisions of kids, racing drag bikes that look much like the ones that you see on the big tracks. The kids are split into two different divisions, the Junior/Junior, which is ages eight to 11, and the Junior/Senior, ages 12 to 16. They compete against each other just like the cars do.
The competitors came from all over, including Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. Sixteen bikes competed in this event, the first time they have traveled to 411.
“They were just super,” said 411 owner Donnie Phillips. “They want to come back more this year.”
The league is going through some rebuilding after being cut from sanctioning by the National Hot Rod Association. League officials are perplexed by the decision to remove the small bikes from the competition. “They abide by the same rules as the big bikes,” said Phillips. “They follow all the safety precautions that the full size bikes do. They wear full leathers, helmets and are very safety conscious.”
The league has been in operation for eight years and travels to many states to get the competition even.
“We travel to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina to make sure all the kids can compete,” said Ann Chamberlain, director for the league.
Sunday’s results showed Chase Stallings, Centreville Alabama, beating North Carolina’s Ray Faw in the Junior/Senior division. Kaylee Raudenbush from Pennsylvania beat Billy Rowe III also from Pennsylvania.
“We can’t wait to have them back,” said Phillips. “I just hope the weather cooperates a little better next time.”

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