Local residents come in contact with Roxana Gallaher each day through her work in the Brandon Township offices.
However, Gallaher and several other Brandon and Goodrich residents have another thing that unites them ? the thrill of drag racing.
Gallaher, who said she started getting involved with drag racing in 1969, said she and her friends participate in races throughout the state of Michigan and root each other on, often helping one another with their cars.
‘It’s the thrill of it when you take off and put the pedal to the metal,? Gallaher said. ‘It’s a very safe sport ? the cars are safer than what we drive.?
She said she doesn’t drive anymore, but still helps out with the pit crew. One of the more popular tracks they go to is the Ubly Speedway, which is located in the Thumb area of Michigan.
‘There are four big races there each year,? she said.
Mike Potvin of Ortonville, one of the group members, said Ubly only has about ‘half a season? of races (approximately five races per year) compared to past years. Still, he said it is a good place to race because ‘they keep it up real nice.?
Gallaher said several members of the group head to Canada on occasion to race. One of those people is Ortonville resident Jerry Ashby, who recently came back from a trip to Grand Bend, Canada.
Ashby said he first became interested in drag racing when he was growing up and going to school in the 1960’s. He said after a break from the sport, he resumed his involvement in 1993, and can be found these days racing a 1979 Malibu or a 1963 pickup truck.
‘We’ve all been friends forever and race different cars,? Ashby said of his race participation. ‘I think it’s the competition ? it really is an individual thing. There’s a saying in the sport that you ‘cut the light, run the number and pick up the check.??
Potvin agreed the group camaraderie is another reason he stays involved with the sport. ‘Everyone helps one another,? he said.
Goodrich resident Dean Poppeck incorporates his love of racing into his daily life as the owner of Poppeck Performance, 8385 Washburn Road, Goodrich.
Poppeck, who has raced for about 30 years, has maintained the same car for about 20 years ? a 1980 Plymouth TC3, which was rebuilt in 1986. ‘It had a ladderbox suspension, struts in front, and an extensive wheelbase of 10 inches,? he said. ‘Maintaining the car is kind of an ongoing process.?
He worked for an engineering company in Rochester before deciding to start his own business, which he has run for the past seven years.
Poppeck said drag racing, for him, is an extension of the city racing he and his friends did as youngsters. ‘Everyone used to race in the streets back in the city,? he said.
He said he and his friends get out to the races and participate in as many as they can. ‘We go every weekend if it’s not raining ? whoever pays the best purse, that’s where we go.?