Auto barrel racing may be a reality in Dallesport
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
It was barrel racing like you haven’t seen in Klickitat County. Not just one horse at a time; more like 200-400, and these horses don’t run on oats. It was the debut of Auto Barrel Racing.
“This is a beautiful place,” said Corey Eubanks, in explaining why he chose Dallesport for the second race of his newly formed Auto Barrel Racing. The ease of accessing a runway to race on, was another big factor for Eubanks, who said there is an incredible amount of red tape involved at other sites.
Auto Barrel Racing is drag racing with a few circles along the way. “It is the best test of a driver because it requires all driving skills,” said Eubanks.
Eubanks should know, he has been a stuntman since 1981, performing in more than 700 television episodes and 80 plus feature films, including recently released Transformers. He is the exclusive driver of the General Lee of The Dukes of Hazzard, performing more than 60 high flying jumps. Eubanks says he “got to destroy” two of the seven 1950 Mercurys used in Sylvester Stallone’s Cobra.
Last Saturday, 11 drivers entered the auto barrel racing event at Dallesport, competing for $1,000 first place prize. The race began like any drag race, staged in pairs and started when the light went green. Along the way were three barrels, 100 feet apart. The drivers circled the barrels turning the opposite direction from each previous barrel. Following the third barrel was a short sprint to the finish line. The race is designed to include power slides around the barrels. Touching a barrel is a disqualification, so is an extra circle. Reaction time and skill in left and right turns are key to winning. A good car doesn’t hurt.
However, all types of vehicles are eligible and all race in one division. The range of vehicles in Dallesport went from Corvette to Jeep, to Ford Fiesta, to Chevy 4x4 pickup.
The Fiesta proved to be the car to beat. Driven by 62 year- old David Mills, of Florence, Ore., it had a few improvements, such as bigger engine and beefed up suspension.
Eubanks, the son of game show host Bob Eubanks, is trying to sell the sport as a television reality show dubbed as an elite driver’s challenge. Each episode would be auto barrel competition in one of 16 locations across the country, including Dallesport.
Eubanks says they will be back in Dallesport on Oct. 18, for a night race. Entries can be made via the internet.
The inaugural competition of the sport was held in Houston, back in April. The next stop will be Long Beach. More about the sport is available at autobarrelracing.com.
High school players hit the gridiron
High school football teams began practice on Wednesday. Goldendale opens play against Columbia (White Salmon) in Goldendale Sept. 5. Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat travels to Lowell, Ore. for their opener, also on Sept. 5.
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