David Rampy: Multi-Class Champion

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News from the Christian Motorsports International, Inc. Family of Ministries Vol.

David Well it started with bicycles. I always had a love for speed beginning with trying to pedal my bicycle fast. After that it was fast motorcycles and I just worked up the chain.

Paul Popular wisdom talks about Alabama being circle track country and yet you ended up drag racing. How did that come about?

1 News from the Christian Motorsports International, Inc. Family of Ministries Vol. 2011, Issue #3 David Rampy: Multi-Class Champion Team RFC Executive Director Paul Neighbors recently visited with champion drag racer David Rampey. Paul How did you begin in racing? David Well it started with bicycles. I always had a love for speed beginning with trying to pedal my bicycle fast. After that it was fast motorcycles and I just worked up the chain. When I was old enough for a motorcycle license, I got one. I enjoyed my dirt bike, going fast, jumping, just the excitement of speed. Then it translated into cars. Paul Popular wisdom talks about Alabama being circle track country and yet you ended up drag racing. How did that come about? David I get asked that a lot because, like you said, I was surrounded by dirt tracks; not many asphalt tracks. Of course Talladega came along a little later. I think I got started with drag racing on the streets. It was an easy thing to go out with a bunch of guys and street race. I got involved with that and it progressed from there. There were circle tracks around, but I never hung around people that raced those so I guess it never rubbed off on me. Paul David, I understand that you have competed in both the IHRA and NHRA and done very well with both associations. David Yes, sir. I got my start with IHRA and I ve won 3 IHRA World Championships and 3 NHRA World Championships. Photo courtesy of autoimagery.com Paul And you ve done those in multiple classes? David Yes, in IHRA I won in the [10.9 seconds] class, the first championship. I won the next year in the again. I won the next year in the 9.90 class. That s when I started running some NHRA stuff and I won a Super Gas championship which is a 9.90 also. Then I won a Comp championship, then a Super Comp championship. That s a bunch of different classes there. Paul It really is. You ve done some bracket racing as well. Is that to keep your skills up? David When I first started racing, I was doing bracket racing. I did a good bit of that. At that time bracket racing was starting to get good money-wise. Even after I started doing the NHRA and IHRA stuff, I was still doing bracket racing up until a couple of years ago. I had a lot going on with all of the national events we try to run. It seemed like it was getting harder and harder to win because those guys are professionals in their own deal. They were doing it every week and I wasn t. I just finally phased out my bracket program and I don t do a whole lot of that any more. Paul That makes sense. Now, your first NHRA national event win came in 1983? David Yes, sir. Paul Tell me about that. David I had driven a race car for my father-in-law who Photo courtesy of autoimagery.com continued on pg 2

David Rampy cont. from pg 1 wasn t yet my father-in-law. I met him at different bracket races and he had some Super Stock cars. I think it was around 1980 when I first drove for him.

I had an entry for a national event. My father-in-law said, Why don t you take the Super Stock car and run the Cajun Nationals? Then you can use your entry. So I did.

2 David Rampy cont. from pg 1 wasn t yet my father-in-law. I met him at different bracket races and he had some Super Stock cars. I think it was around 1980 when I first drove for him. I ran some personal and NHRA stuff. Then I went back to my IHRA stuff. I had entered a Sports National race. Something had happened, maybe it got rained out, but I didn t go back. I had an entry for a national event. My father-in-law said, Why don t you take the Super Stock car and run the Cajun Nationals? Then you can use your entry. So I did. It was the same car I drove back in 80. I went down to the race and everything kinda fell into place. I had a good weekend. The car ran good and I was able to win my first NHRA national event. Paul That s pretty exciting because you have quite a few impressive credentials, things that are significant in terms of running multiple classes and getting to the final rounds in more than one class and having double wins in the same event. David Yes, sir. I have been very fortunate. I tell people this, it s kinda like a broken record, but I ve been blessed to have good people in my life. I think God wanted me to race. I had the ability, but I didn t have much else to go with it. I didn t have the money. He put the right people in my life at the right times. It s weird how it all worked out. I ve had a lot of opportunities to drive a lot of different things for other people. Paul That s great. That s exciting. How many national event wins do you have in NHRA? David Seventy-nine. Paul How many times have you doubled up wins in the same event? David Four times. Paul That s amazing. I love it because you have accomplished so much in drag racing. You ve made a living out of it. You actually ran in a professional class for a while. David Right. Yes, for two years we ran Pro Stock. That s another thing, because as a kid I looked at the magazines and saw all the professional racers and never had a desire to do Top Fuel or Funny Car, but it was very interesting. My niche was always Pro Stock. You have dreams of doing different things in your life. It was a dream of mine to run Pro Stock. To be able to do it for a couple of years was awesome and tough and very frustrating at times. We never won a race, but we did get runner up once. We finished in the top 10 the first year we ran. The second year, we finished 11th or 12th. To have the opportunity to do that was pretty awesome. Paul David, how long have you been making a living as a full-time racer? David I actually worked a job up until Paul You ve been very blessed to be able to follow your passion and your gifting. It s exciting to hear. David It is. I have people who ask me how long I m going to race. I don t have that answer. I tell people that as long as God blesses me with a sponsor and we have money and good help to be able to go, then I ll continue to race a while longer anyway. I feel like God has always controlled my racing sport. I don t have the finances to do it on my own. Any time God wants me to quit, He knows how to stop it. Paul David, you speak of God. Tell me a little bit about the place of faith in your life and your history and how that works for you today. David I was born and raised in a Christian family. My parents were good Christian people. They took us to church every Sunday. We were from a small town so we just had Sunday morning and Sunday night services. We didn t have a Wednesday night program. It was a really small church. It was the same church my grandparents went to. At age 14, I was saved. I led a decent life for the first few years. Then I went astray like a lot of teenagers. But God always had a pull on me. I would go out and do things and I would feel guilty about doing those things. I would tell myself, this is not right, you ve got to quit this. But I kept doing them. When I would do stupid things, God would allow things to happen to me that were not good. Things would happen when I was doing things I shouldn t. I think He was telling me that I got to quit this. I was very fortunate to live through some of the things continued on pg 6 page 2

President s Perspective GOD IS AWESOME by Larry Smiley Linda and I have survived another U.S. Nationals. Indy 2011 was no ordinary Big Go. NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Darin Bay made a smooth and fast run on the 1320 then lost control and went over the guard wall. I arrived on the crash scene to find a large debris area.

God is Awesome. He is ever-present when His children humble themselves and seek Him to watch over their loved ones.

3 President s Perspective GOD IS AWESOME by Larry Smiley Linda and I have survived another U.S. Nationals. Indy 2011 was no ordinary Big Go. NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. We had cacklefests extraordinaire and a wheel standing Lil Red Wagon that was really a wagon. Nostalgia cars were there in abundance. We even had one ill-fated jet car exhibition. Darin Bay made a smooth and fast run on the 1320 then lost control and went over the guard wall. I arrived on the crash scene to find a large debris area. NHRA s Safety Safari worked carefully to extract Darin from the wreckage while I stood with his very concerned wife. God had His hand upon Darin this evening as he only sustained a mild concussion. God is Awesome. He is ever-present when His children humble themselves and seek Him to watch over their loved ones. We start every race praying for safety and continue those prayers for every aspect of His ministry. Earlier this year Chaplain Dave Fankhauser was approached by Bristol Raceway Ministries about getting some drag racing testimonies to incorporate into a racing bible that they were preparing. Dave interviewed several racers and crew chiefs and presented those to BRM. They had 30,000 bibles printed. Dave called before Indy and asked how many bibles I thought we would want. I asked for as many as he could carry easily in his car which turned out to be 400 bibles. God is Awesome. Dave took 98 bibles to his small church in Tellico Plains, TN and handed them out to have the congregation lay hands on them and pray for the person who would receive each bible... to find the Lord personally when they opened the bible to read it. I was inspired from the faith that Dave s church expressed. I had our chaplains set out the remainder of the bibles on the tables at chapel Sunday morning. I explained at the beginning of the service that we were going to have a quiet time of prayer over each of these bibles and instructed them to take the prayer covered bible to someone that God had put on their heart or leave them on the tables and we would give them out as God s Holy Spirit led. A couple told one of our chaplains that they were comforted when they read the story of John Medlen s loss of his son Eric. They had a son die in Iraq about the same time as Eric and John s personal story meant so much to them about the Lord calling sons home...as it seems in our eyes, just too early. As the service ended one of the drivers was sitting at the table reading the plan of salvation, no one else around and in no hurry to leave. God is Awesome. Fewer than 75 of the bibles were left at the end of the two services to pass along and by the time we left Monday only a handful remained. I ask you to send up a prayer over these bibles that God s divine assignment would be fulfilled. Isaiah 55:11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (NLT) Two Ways to Find Team RFC on the Web! Have you seen Team RFC s website recently? There are more pictures and more regional news available, as well as contact information for RFC staff across the country. Come take a look at On the web site there is a link for devotionals. Each week one of the RFC staff authors a thought for your reflection. Check them out weekly and look through some that have been archived as well. Also take a look at the Team RFC Online Store where you will find apparel, patches, caps, decals and more! As we continue into the fall season, keep returning back as we add items to this store! You can also find Team RFC on Facebook! Look us up at page 3

Team RFC North Central Region staff really enjoy ministry to children.

6 Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Brian Hough before a run at Woodburn Dragstrip (OR).

Chase Stockton dedicates his racing efforts to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in honoring his mother, Laura

West Central Region chaplain Dirk Currier prays with competitor Travis Sorokie and crew before a run at Brainerd

Sorokie has competed since 1994 and runs an event winning campaign in his 1985 Super Stock Z28 Camaro.

need to talk to you and ask humbly your blessing for what I m about to do.

Chaplains Stew Burns, Dirk Currier, and William Zahorsky serve as greeters outside the Schumacher Racing

4 Team RFC North Central Region staff really enjoy ministry to children. They set up their RFC Kid s Corner at Summit Motorsports Park (Norwalk, Ohio) during the Cavalcade of Stars weekend. Northwest Region RFC Chaplain David Cookman gets in the middle of things as he prays with multi-time NHRA Division 6 Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Brian Hough before a run at Woodburn Dragstrip (OR). Jim Jack and Anita Olsen in her Top Dragster at the LODRS event in Bakersfield, CA on May 20, Chase Stockton dedicates his racing efforts to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in honoring his mother, Laura Stockton, who is battling this disease. Prayers are appreciated for Laura and her family. West Central Region chaplain Dirk Currier prays with competitor Travis Sorokie and crew before a run at Brainerd International Raceway (MN). Sorokie has competed since 1994 and runs an event winning campaign in his 1985 Super Stock Z28 Camaro. Travis lives his faith publically through this prayer posted on his Facebook page: Before I start my engine Lord I need to talk to you and ask humbly your blessing for what I m about to do. I give you all the credit for it s only by your grace that I have reached this starting line to run another race. Chaplains Stew Burns, Dirk Currier, and William Zahorsky serve as greeters outside the Schumacher Racing Hospitality Compound, site of the Sunday morning Racers For Christ chapel service at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, MN. Chaplains Lee Taylor and John Bauer at the NHRA U.S. Nationals recently held at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana. Hunter Schuerenberg won the September 4th MSCS Sprint Car feature at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. After pulling into Victory Lane, Hunter took time to kneel at the back of his car, thanking the Lord for his win. page 4

The Southern Drag Boat Association Race Texas Shootout took place in Waco, Texas over the

South Central Region Director Craig Garland conducted a chapel service attended by 365

Following chapel there were 17 people who made public proclamation of their faith in Jesus

Glenn Kreider and Mike Oginsky praying with a newly saved young lady after morning chapel

Chaplain Terry and Theresa Miller of Austin, MN won the Super Street class in Earlville,

North Central Region Director Glenn Kreider conducts a chapel service in the tower at

Team RFC President Larry Smiley leads the Sunday morning chapel service at the

Racer s Prayer decal is available to people who request one while making a donation of any

5 The Southern Drag Boat Association Race Texas Shootout took place in Waco, Texas over the Labor Day Weekend. South Central Region Director Craig Garland conducted a chapel service attended by 365 guests (shown in part here). Following chapel there were 17 people who made public proclamation of their faith in Jesus Christ through the ordinance of Baptism. Glenn Kreider and Mike Oginsky praying with a newly saved young lady after morning chapel service at Norwalk, Ohio - Cavalcade of Stars weekend - 05/15/2011 West Central RFC Chaplain Terry and Theresa Miller of Austin, MN won the Super Street class in Earlville, IA over the Labor Day weekend, in their Knowin Where I m Goin 1963 Chevy II. Jim Jack and Jeg Coughlin, Jr. at the Jegs Pacific Division SPORTSnationals in Fontana, CA on May 14, North Central Region Director Glenn Kreider conducts a chapel service in the tower at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH. Team RFC President Larry Smiley leads the Sunday morning chapel service at the Fram/Autolite NHRA Nationals held at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA While supplies last, A Racer s Prayer decal is available to people who request one while making a donation of any amount to Team RFC. They are resistant to sunlight and chemical fading. Pro Mod ( Short Fuse ) drag boat owner Gary Tutle, of Tutle and Tutle Trucking in Cleburne,TX, surprised SDBA Chaplains Craig and Beverly Garland when he met their need for a newer pickup. Joey Moriarty, Total Seal Piston Rings company owner, pilots his #51 Dirt Late Model Stock Car past the Racers For Christ billboard at Canyon Speedway Park, Peoria, Arizona. page 5

Heeding the Call Team RFC often receives requests for staff to cover local tracks, races, and car shows. Sometimes we don t have staff available to meet these requests.

602-524-4691, or send us an e-mail at TeamRFC@TeamRFC.org. One of the joys as a chaplain with Team RFC is praying with the many great people we meet in racing.

6 Heeding the Call Team RFC often receives requests for staff to cover local tracks, races, and car shows. Sometimes we don t have staff available to meet these requests. If you, or someone you know, would like to explore a possible call to be volunteer field staff for Team RFC, please contact a regional director, or call Jim Jack at work, , or cell, , or send us an at TeamRFC@TeamRFC.org. One of the joys as a chaplain with Team RFC is praying with the many great people we meet in racing. Field Ministry Director submitted this photo and caption: This is a photo from the late 1990 s at an IHBA race in Marble Falls, Texas with Troy Ferry and his Top Alcohol Hydro You re Next. Note old style RFC decals...on the boat and my hat too. David Rampy cont. from pg 2 I got into. Like I said there was always that pull there. I struggled through some years there, but kept going forward. I eventually met Kelly. She was a Christian and didn t approve of those things either. I got back on track. I know that God is very important in my life; always has been. Even when I was not doing what I was supposed to do, He was there pulling me. After I got married, I got back on course, going back to church when we were at home. When I m at the track, I go to the services that RFC has at the division and national races. I still feel guilty sometimes for racing. Being raised in a small town, Sunday was the Lord s Day and you didn t do anything else on Sunday. You did everything six days a week and on Sunday that was the day you went to church, went to your grandparents, sat on the front porch and talked, and enjoyed your family. You didn t work. It still bothers me a little bit, racing on Sunday. But that s when the races are, so I have to make a living. He s blessed me with this racing so that s how I justify it. Paul Well, David, for almost 25 years you ve been a member of RFC. How did that all start? How did you cross paths initially? David I don t know exactly how it started, but I knew I needed to go to church when I wasn t at home. It progressed into going a time or two at the track. Then I was going every time I was at a race. Paul How do you see the place of Team RFC in your racing life today? David I shouldn t say that I m quiet because once I get to talking to you I can talk til I m blue in the face. But I m kind of reserved a little bit in a lot of ways. I know that I m not involved in RFC like I should. I go on Sunday mornings to the service and then I get up and leave, but it s important. I could get more involved. I appreciate that we have it, the opportunity to go to church every Sunday morning when we re away from home because I am gone a lot. I appreciate the opportunity to go and hear someone preach to me. I have a lot of friends that are not saved. They all know that I go to church and I ask them to go from time to time. I know when I was not living like I should and people pressured me it kind of made me rebel a little bit. Now I say, We re going to church now. If you want to go, come on. I appreciate the fact that somebody puts in the effort to have a place for us to go on Sundays to worship God. Paul David, you and I had a fun little conversation last month where you told me the story about talking with your wife on the telephone after a chapel service on Sunday and you halfway repeated the message to her. How did she react to that? David (laughs) She didn t know what I was talking about to start with. She was like, What are you talking about? So I said that I better explain it and went through the points of the message. But like I said, it s important being able to go to church. Maybe a person doesn t have to go to church every week, but it always makes me feel better after going. Now I read my Bible daily and I do things like that. It s great to go and hear someone preach to you even though it isn t necessar continued on pg 8 page 6

page 7 Team RFC Insights: The Volunteer Chaplain by Paul Neighbors, Executive Director Humanly speaking, the backbone of the Team RFC ministry is the volunteer chaplain.

Other chaplains are the best recruiters. People also see decals on race cars or run across a chapel service.

The process begins with the mailing of an information packet which includes an 8 page application form to be completed and returned with a $50 application fee.

The applicant also provides the names of three references and completes a release form for the background check. When the application is received, a two-page form is sent to each reference.

Once approved at that level, the background check takes place. When that is clear, the field ministry director evaluates that application. Next, the final review is done by the executive director.

We ask for a commitment to serve at three events annually to maintain active status. As volunteers, these are busy people and many serve at the three to five event level.

7 page 7 Team RFC Insights: The Volunteer Chaplain by Paul Neighbors, Executive Director Humanly speaking, the backbone of the Team RFC ministry is the volunteer chaplain. Currently there are 343 chaplains serving in 39 states and 3 Canadian provinces at more than 2,000 motorsports events annually. Volunteers come to RFC in many ways. Other chaplains are the best recruiters. People also see decals on race cars or run across a chapel service. They may respond to our newsletter, find our web page, or see RFC listings on volunteer service websites. Then comes the phone call, , or letter to inquire about becoming a chaplain. The process begins with the mailing of an information packet which includes an 8 page application form to be completed and returned with a $50 application fee. This fee covers a background check and the first uniform shirt. The application includes biographic information, Christian testimony, and questions about spiritual gifts and disciplines. The applicant also provides the names of three references and completes a release form for the background check. When the application is received, a two-page form is sent to each reference. The application is completed when those are returned. A regional director pours over the application, references, and conducts an interview seeking guidance on the suitability of the applicant. Once approved at that level, the background check takes place. When that is clear, the field ministry director evaluates that application. Next, the final review is done by the executive director. We are grateful for each volunteer. These are men and women who have chosen to offer part of their service to the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of Team RFC. We ask for a commitment to serve at three events annually to maintain active status. As volunteers, these are busy people and many serve at the three to five event level. The typical involvement is in the eight to fifteen event level. And yet there are others who may serve twenty, thirty, forty or more times each year. We thank God for each and every volunteer; without them the ministry of Team RFC as we know it could not exist. 3rd Annual Racers For Christ Golf Tournament November 9, 2011 Mountain Meadows Golf Course in Pomona, CA Four Player Best Ball Scramble - Open to Everyone! Arrive at 10am; Shotgun Start at 11am $75.00 per player To Register - Please send a check to: JDR Products, th Street #12 Buena Park, CA Please note the names of the players with your payment Silent and Live Auction on the day of the Tournament The IN-N-OUT Mobile Cook-Out Truck will be on-site to provide lunch for all participants We are seeking Auction Item Donations There are still Hole Sponsorships available as well Please contact Jim Jack for more information: Presented by

David Rampy cont. from pg 6 ily something you want to hear or maybe it doesn t apply to you on the particular Sunday. But still, there s somebody there who needs to hear it.

When I look back, I can see things that have happened, a lot of ups and downs, but through it all I know that God is going to take care of me.

8 David Rampy cont. from pg 6 ily something you want to hear or maybe it doesn t apply to you on the particular Sunday. But still, there s somebody there who needs to hear it. So I think it s always a good thing. Paul Well, David, I appreciate your time this morning. Any other thoughts before we close? David - Just that God is very important in my life. When I look back, I can see things that have happened, a lot of ups and downs, but through it all I know that God is going to take care of me. Like it says in the Bible, if He takes care of the birds, He will take care of us. Sometimes it ain t quite the way we want it to be, but He knows what s best. I do appreciate that RFC is there and what they do. I came from a Christian family so I have that background, but a lot of people didn t get that. So to be able to have church at the race track is very important. I m sure I could do better to help y all out, but (it s hard) with juggling a local church and everything else. I appreciate what you all have done for the sport and people who do go to the races. Paul Thank you again. I look forward to seeing you the next time we re at the same event. Gifts-In-Kind Update Team RFC continues to be the recipient of Gifts-In-Kind from many wonderful supporters. Gifts-in-kind can include vehicles, computers, office equipment, frequent flier miles and buddy passes, and prizes for raffles and drawings. More examples are printing, securities, real estate, antiques, and collectibles. Recent gift-in-kind donors are: LeDuc Racing Makita Power Tools Kartek Off-Road 4 Wheel Part Trail Ready Super Lite Champions Dougherty Racing Camburg Engineering McKenzie s Performance K & N Engineering Truxxx Manufacturing Parker Pumper Lucas Oil Off-Road Total Chaos AEM Electronics RC 10 Team Associated Mike s Race Photos US Wheels B & R Buggy Baja Racing of Texas Essential Direct Capitol Cyclery Jim Golba Ira McRoberts Sam Hamod The Christian Motorsports International, Inc. Family of Ministries Team RFC Racers For Christ Rodders For Christ Restorers For Christ Pullers For Christ Rockcrawlers For Christ RFC Garage RFC kids Iowa Speedway Ministries P. O. Box 1208, Gilbert, AZ, Ph: Fx: Dan Allen... Chairman Larry Smiley... President Paul Neighbors... Executive Director Jim Jack... Field Ministries Director Linda Jack... Office Manager Julie Thompson... Business Manager Shelley Boyer... Projects Coordinator Dan Laterza... Northeast Region Director Tom Ratliff... Southeast Region Director Glenn Kreider... North Central Region Director Craig Garland... South Central Region Director Stan Roche... West Central Region Director Scott Soper... Northwest Region Director Steve Hanson... Southwest Region Director RACERS FOR CHRIST MISSION STATEMENT To serve people in the world of motorsports in the name of Jesus Christ through providing fellowship, pastoral care, evangelism, and service. RACERS FOR CHRIST VISION STATEMENT To see the world of motorsports impacted for Jesus Christ by individuals entering into a personal relationship with Him & growing in those relationships. page 8

Randy Shipp s GSX Drag Bike. Seth Utz Pro BMX. Ted Moncure s TRD Baja Truck. Gary Campbell s Top Dragster. See story on page 3. See story on page 2

Randy Shipp s GSX Drag Bike. Seth Utz Pro BMX. Ted Moncure s TRD Baja Truck. Gary Campbell s Top Dragster. See story on page 3. See story on page 2 News from the Christian Motorsports International, Inc. Family of Ministries Vol. 2012, Issue #2 Gary Campbell s Top Dragster See story on page 2 Ted Moncure s TRD Baja Truck See story on page 3 Seth Utz