10-Year-Old Kyle Brown Takes First Place in Super Pro ATV
By Jeff Mills

BONNE TERRE, Mo. - (May 6, 2006) History was made Saturday night at Big River Sand Drags when 10-year-old Kyle Brown of Bloomsdale drove his small ATV "mini dragster" to a first place finish over the 27 other competitors in the track's most competitive class.

"I just kept looking at the (starting) lights and didn't worry about the other guy beating me, just sprint on down," Kyle said about winning the first place race over Jeff Griffin of Pevely.

Brown started driving his dragster in the Super Pro about midway through the 2005 season and the young racer quickly found out he had a lot to learn.

"Keeping my eye on the lights and keeping the car straight was the biggest thing I had to learn," Brown said.

The night didn't end as well for Kyle as he would have liked though as he squared off against second place finisher Kevin Betzer Jr. of Arnold in the top eliminator race. Like Brown, Betzer is one of the youngest competitors in the Super Pro ATV class, being only 13 years old. Betzer cut a better light time (4.29 to 4.75) and went on to pick up the victory in top eliminator race. (It's also well worth noting the speed of the two youngsters over the 300-foot sand track. During the top eliminator race Brown's dragster hit 64.94 mph while Betzer's ATV hit 71.02 mph.)

In other racing results, Allie Glatczak of Potosi was the first place winner in Pro ATV, but it was second place winner Nick Browers of Ironton winning the top eliminator race.

In ATV-1, Marcus Payne of Hillsboro was the top eliminator and first place winner while Allie Glatczak finished in second place.

In Junior ATV, Andrew Zack of High Ridge was the first place winner while second place winner Whitney Dee of Leadwood won the top eliminator race.

In Stock Buggy, Adam Smith of Fredericktown was the top eliminator and first place winner while Cody Sellers of Arnold captured second place.

In Competition Eliminator, Todd Dee of Leadwood was the first place and top eliminator winner while Vernon Henson Jr. of Valles Mines finished in second place.

In Vehicle ET, Philip Beaird of St. Louis was the first place winner while Gladys Edwards of Bonne Terre finished in second place.

Racing will resume on Saturday, May 20th at Big River Sand Drags. For more information on BRSD phone (573) 358-5009 or (573) 747-0566.