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

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "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"

Hillary Young
6 years ago
Views:

1 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 Pro BMX See story on page 6 Randy Shipp s GSX Drag Bike See story on page 7

Gary Campbell s Beautiful Mid-Six Second Top Dragster Mesa, Arizona resident Gary Campbell, a self-employed business owner of RCD Industries, started racing in 1986.

Gary didn t know the Lord at that time and God put him through some real trials to get his attention, one was losing both mom and dad in 1994.

The race day was a disaster, along with his relationship to Anna due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He was at the bottom of the barrel.

He remembers a gruesome face confronting him and he cried out Devil you have no more hold on me! Everything went bright white! WOW. I do believe God!

2 Gary Campbell s Beautiful Mid-Six Second Top Dragster Mesa, Arizona resident Gary Campbell, a self-employed business owner of RCD Industries, started racing in On his first date with future wife Anna, Gary mentioned he liked drag racing and thought about buying a front engine dragster. He did, and they ran the car for several years. Gary didn t know the Lord at that time and God put him through some real trials to get his attention, one was losing both mom and dad in One day while filling out a tech card in 1994, Gary had an eye opening experience. He realized his NHRA number ended in 666! The race day was a disaster, along with his relationship to Anna due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He was at the bottom of the barrel. That evening Gary locked himself in the bathroom and cried out to God. If you are real I want to know now! He remembers a gruesome face confronting him and he cried out Devil you have no more hold on me! Everything went bright white! WOW. I do believe God! With a new rear-engined dragster, Gary was rookie of the year in 1995 in the Arizona Super Eliminator series. In 1997 he was champion again, and runner up in He was runner up again in 2004, winning two Wallys and many successful finishes over the next few years. He raced, he won, he ministered, he was on local TV, and he simply enjoyed the combination of family, fun, and fellowship at the track. But in 2006, Gary felt the call to ministry and sold off his entire racing operation, started attending Bible school at a local Calvary Chapel in Tempe, AZ, and in 2007 was asked to step-out in planting a new church, Calvary Chapel in Mesa, AZ as assistant pastor. As we all know, there are seasons in life, and his season of an assistant pastor ran its course through Gary decided to jump back into racing, buying a front engine car to compete in the Top Dragster class a new mission field. Christian, husband, father, grandfather, businessman, and racer is what makes Gary Campbell tick. He loves the Lord, loves his family, loves racing, and loves to demonstrate his love for the Lord to others. Gary is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ as evidenced in the pictures of the car below: Jesus the name above all names as seen: in the flames of the eagle s head ; the cross of salvation; and the proclamation of being prepared for the Lord s eminent return is wonderfully depicted on the cars incredible paint job rightly named Returning Thunder, but more importantly it s also painted in Gary s heart for eternity. Gary s life glows with a gleam in his eyes of Christ s saving grace. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed keep that dusted off and in use (1 Timothy 4:12,14). To God be the Glory! Connect To Team RFC 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. page 2

Ted Moncure s TRD Baja Series Tacoma Stock Mini Off-Road Truck Championship race teams aren t born overnight they require commitment and dedication.

The Moncure family and their friends had supported Ivan The Iron Man Stewart s Toyota-PPI Trophy Truck for years in the Mexican desert, and didn t know what to do with all of their free time when

This group of family and friends started racing a Toyota Tacoma in SCORE in 2003, and in 2004 they won their class in the Baja 1000 and the 7S class championship that year.

3 Ted Moncure s TRD Baja Series Tacoma Stock Mini Off-Road Truck Championship race teams aren t born overnight they require commitment and dedication. Bill, Ted and Nick Moncure founded Long Beach Racers (LBR) in The Moncure family and their friends had supported Ivan The Iron Man Stewart s Toyota-PPI Trophy Truck for years in the Mexican desert, and didn t know what to do with all of their free time when Toyota pulled out of factory offroad racing after the Baja in This group of family and friends started racing a Toyota Tacoma in SCORE in 2003, and in 2004 they won their class in the Baja 1000 and the 7S class championship that year. The team is known as the Toyota Tacoma experts, having raced several Tacoma s in various classes over the last nine seasons. In 2006, Ted Moncure and Dan Stump were looking for a way to put their passion for desert racing together with their love for the Lord, so they contacted Team RFC and invited them to send someone to lead a chapel in their pit at the Baja RFC sent Steve Hanson, a young chaplain who was looking to minister to off-road racers. Steve jumped right in and volunteered to help prep the race truck, and got to know everyone on the team. Chappy Steve soon became an instrumental part of the race team as well as a fixture at off-road races throughout the Southwest US and Mexico. In 2007 LBR gave Joe Bacal, a friend who had recently survived cancer, a chance to co-drive in their truck at the Baja Joe talked the driver into letting him get into the left seat and set a blazing pace. In that race Chappy Steve donated the power steering lines off of his Toyota 4-Runner to the LBR Tacoma and then had to drive halfway down the Baja peninsula with manual steering, just another way that Steve shows love to racers in tangible ways. In 2011 Toyota asked LBR to build a race truck to promote the launch of the new TRD Baja Series Tacoma. This truck debuted at SEMA and the LBR crew teamed up with celebrity action sports star Andy Bell to race in the Baja This season Andy and the LBR crew lead the points championship in the SCORE Stock Mini Class, having won the Baja 500 and beating all of the Stock Full trucks, including their old friend Joe Bacal. Long Beach Racers are an all-volunteer army made up of people with diverse beliefs. They meet at their shop on Tuesday nights to work on their race truck, and the Moncure s believe that glorifies God by showing people what living life abundantly looks like. page 3

Northwest Chaplain Mark James praying with Sarah Shaw ministock driver

Praying a blessing over the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series event held

In June at the LODRS event at Lebanon Valley (NY), Northeast Chaplain

From left to right: Bob Lang, NHRA Northeast Division Director; Frank

win in Pro Stock Eliminator at the O Reilly Route 66 Nationals in

win at the O Reilly Northwest Nationals in Seattle, WA, and third win

Chaplain and long time friend Jim Jack, who first started praying with

Dragster driver stops for a chat and a hug with EE.

Mike Griffith pray with driver Larry Kindley at the LODBRS Mid America

The boat Nuclear Fishin is in the Stock Eliminator Class.

Southeast Chaplain John Dunham assists at the Eastern Conference Junior

4 Northwest Chaplain Mark James praying with Sarah Shaw ministock driver (left) and with Pete Trammell driver of an ASA modified car (below). Praying a blessing over the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series event held in Lake Elsinore, CA in April is Steve Hanson, Dirt Sports Director. In June at the LODRS event at Lebanon Valley (NY), Northeast Chaplain Claire Laterza held a mini rodeo for the kids. From left to right: Bob Lang, NHRA Northeast Division Director; Frank Aragona with his son Frankie; Claire Laterza; Emma Aragona (horse race grand winner);and Cassie Diamond. Erica Enders re-writes history becoming the first woman in the NHRA to win in Pro Stock Eliminator at the O Reilly Route 66 Nationals in Chicago, IL in July 2012, and backs up her first win with her second win at the O Reilly Northwest Nationals in Seattle, WA, and third win in Brainerd, MN in August Chaplain and long time friend Jim Jack, who first started praying with Erica when she was a ten year old Jr. Dragster driver stops for a chat and a hug with EE. Northeast Chaplain Mike Zullo performs a wedding for Jim and Diane Knights. Drag Boat Series Chaplain, Craig Garland and South Central Chaplain Mike Griffith pray with driver Larry Kindley at the LODBRS Mid America Summer Nationals in Chouteau, OK. The boat Nuclear Fishin is in the Stock Eliminator Class. Bob Ream Jr poses with his sprint car at Canyon Speedway Park (AZ). Southeast Chaplain John Dunham assists at the Eastern Conference Junior Finals at Bristol Dragway (TN) in July. Dan & Claire Laterza (front row left), RFC Northeast Region Directors held a training conference at Maple Grove Raceway (Reading, PA) with NHRA Division Director Bob Lang in attendance, along with Jay Blake (center), owner of the Permatex TAFC, and driver Todd Veney (on the left), and eleven chaplains from their region. page 4

Southwest chaplain Jerry Chester prays for Richard Phillips in his

Rockabilly Rod Reunion at LVMS over Memorial weekend 2012.

their burnouts at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA Tutle &

(Gary and son Travis, Pro Mod drag boat racers from Texas) present

Three members of the Rose family race and worship together.

let their church congregation know more about the ministry of RFC.

driver of the Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Extreme Pro Mod pose with

5 Southwest chaplain Jerry Chester prays for Richard Phillips in his 7.0 Pro supercharged 32 bantam roadster at the NHRA Heritage Series Rockabilly Rod Reunion at LVMS over Memorial weekend Richard from Visalia, CA was the 2011 Heritage Series 7.0 Pro champion. Texas drag racers Tommy Phillips (near side) and Jesse Serna do their burnouts at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, CA Tutle & Tutle Trucking, Inc. (Gary and son Travis, Pro Mod drag boat racers from Texas) present Team RFC with a check for $15,000; donated to RFC for years of dedication in the world of motorsports. The check was accepted by RFC chaplains Craig & Beverly Garland. Three members of the Rose family race and worship together. Brad Rose races in Super Street, Chuck Rose races in Super Gas, and Matt Rose races in Super Comp. Rich Trimmer, Southwest Region Director, performs Grant and Danielle Walter s wedding. RFC chaplains, Larry & Mary Fredrickson from Boise, ID stand next to their 8 second altered. The picture was taken for an after church show of RFC race cars to let their church congregation know more about the ministry of RFC. Tommy D Aprile, RFC chaplain with the ADRL drag racing series, and driver of the Mel Bush Motorsports Pro Extreme Pro Mod pose with their car for a team photo. Northwest Chaplain David Cookman prays with A fuel dragster driver Gregg Lawrence and his crew at Woodburn Dragstrip (OR). RFC chaplain Joe Baggott takes a moment to pray at a riders meeting at a flat track event, before donning his leathers sporting the Team RFC logo and then twists the throttle wideopen at the checkered flag. 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.

Bobby became a chaplain after having an RFC chaplain pray for him at a race at LVMS.

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. RFC chaplain Jim Jack prays with NHRA Heritage Series (nostalgia drag racer and owner / driver), Bobby Runyon from Nevada who is also an RFC chaplain. Bobby became a chaplain after having an RFC chaplain pray for him at a race at LVMS. Seth Utz Leaves The Starting Gate In A Pro BMX Heat Race Seth Utz is a pro BMX racer and an intern with his youth department at his local church. He s been riding since he was four sixteen years of riding with racing in his blood. When he and his dad first watched a BMX race, a four year old kid, enamored by the racing, could have some fun and it grew from there. Seth recently started getting his feet wet in the mountain bike scene. He recently rode in the U.S. Open, getting a podium finish in his second race. Seth thanks John Kovachi for believing he could be good at mountain bike racing pushing him for the pro ranks. Seth surrendered his life to Jesus at sixteen. He went to a church camp having just broken up with a girl he thought the world of. He was heartbroken, down and felt nothing could help. God had different plans, and spoke into his life like never before. Seth realized he didn t need girlfriends, or BMX to be happy. He desperately needed Jesus, and knew in that moment if he didn t surrender his life, he was in for a hard time, forever searching for stuff to make him happy but never finding it. The feeling after the decision for Christ was indescribable, leading him on an incredible journey that s given him happiness, fulfillment and growth. Seth says, BMX is a community I love, but it needs Jesus Christ just like every other community. As a Christian, he s been given the commission to impact people for Christ, using his gifts and passion for racing. He feels every practice session, every national, or local event is an opportunity to impact somebody for Christ. When he shows up at the track, he knows he s there for something bigger than riding his bike. BMX allows Seth to share Christ with others, knowing the influence a person can have on others in the BMX community by riding his bike well. Therein lies his opportunity. Adults recognize him, kid s watch him, and he strives to be the church right in front of people. He will talk about his faith and spiritual life if given the opportunity. Seth recently found out his mom has cancer, and he says That has helped to build up my faith. He knows without God in complete control of his life, nothing is ever good enough. Even the dream of becoming a professional rider will become empty and pointless, unless God is first in everything. He knows we re all called to use our gifts and passions for glorifying our heavenly Father. Whatever challenges are in his future, Seth puts his whole heart into it, whether it s to be a professional athlete, a church leader, or just be a good friend. page 6

Randy Shipp Launches Off The Line In His Suzuki GSX Drag Bike In the amplified or expanded Bible, happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous is usually in parenthesis behind the word blessed.

Randy belongs to the Christian Motorcyclists Association, which has a sub-group called Fast Lane that caters more specifically to sport bike and ATV riders.

7 Randy Shipp Launches Off The Line In His Suzuki GSX Drag Bike In the amplified or expanded Bible, happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous is usually in parenthesis behind the word blessed. This pretty much sums up the ministry of Randy Shipp and Kevin Houseman, along with Randy s wife and some friends, as they all feel blessed! Randy belongs to the Christian Motorcyclists Association, which has a sub-group called Fast Lane that caters more specifically to sport bike and ATV riders. Randy races a 1215cc Suzuki GSX with a 10 over swing arm, 7 slick, slider clutch, and wanted a way to tie the two together. After discussions with CMA officials, permission was granted for the CMA / Fast Lane motorcycle drags to be held monthly during the summer at Ozark Raceway Park in Rogersville, MO (near Springfield). Special thanks to Mitch Chance for letting Fast Lane use their facility. Randy didn t realize it was going to turn into a blessings ministry. Randy felt he d been a little weak in the prayer department, so God arranged for him to be kicked out of the nest and fly! He says It s fitting that our bike races are on test-and-tune Fridays, as God seems to be testing and tuning me. He tries to pray blessings over every rider that will let them. They hand out a blessing sticker to put on the bike, and a Bible. He now realizes how important these blessings are after doing so many in Each time a bike is cleaned, the owner sees that sticker and thinks of Jesus. It didn t stop there. A guy named Don, a regular competitor, has a blessing sticker on his fairing. He says People ask him about that sticker all the time. That means he gets to tell them about Jesus! Their September race last year was scheduled on one of the days Ozark Raceway holds its biggest event: the Street Machine Shootout. In man s eyes this was a mistake because there were so many cars, the bikes were relegated to running during the day on Friday, and resulted in a poor bike turnout. Kevin wanted to pack it in, but then they decided to start blessing the cars and discovered God s plan. They blessed shootout cars and blown alky cars, even putting a blessing sticker on a jet funny car that tours the U.S. Once you start doing blessings it s hard to stop! The Bible says, Whoever is not against us is for us. Randy talked with Stan Roche (RFC West Central Region Director) and now has RFC Racer s Prayer stickers that will be given out with the blessings this year. Randy says, I don t know if this will lead to some kind of ministry partnership with CMA and RFC. I am not going to second guess God s plans. I just know that I enjoy both ministries and for me they both come together in drag racing a motorcycle. Serving the Lord while I am doing something I love does it get any better?! 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: Geico Firebird Raceway (ID) Mark Steele Steve Strobel (Strobel Motorsports) Matt Messer (Trail-Gear, Inc.) Lucas Oil Products Cheryl Eubanks Russell Eubanks Jim Golba page 7

President s Perspective by Larry Smiley Sacrifice and Hope I am deeply touched by the events that started at the Houston NHRA National Event. My dear friend Jim Christian gave me a very unique item.

Jim told me that these steel pennies were symbolic of the sacrifice the people in America made for the World War II war effort because of the shortage of copper.

In God We Trust is also printed on these and every penny that is minted in America. Jim instructed me to give this to the person that God wanted to have this penny.

I explained to John the significance of this gift and I told him God would lead him to the correct person that this penny would bless. Fast forward to the next race in Atlanta.

8 President s Perspective by Larry Smiley Sacrifice and Hope I am deeply touched by the events that started at the Houston NHRA National Event. My dear friend Jim Christian gave me a very unique item. Saturday afternoon Jim handed me a 1943 steel penny with a very defined cross stamped out of the middle. Jim told me that these steel pennies were symbolic of the sacrifice the people in America made for the World War II war effort because of the shortage of copper. He also explained that the cross stamped in these pennies were a symbol of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for all of God s creation and the hope that we have in Him. In God We Trust is also printed on these and every penny that is minted in America. Jim instructed me to give this to the person that God wanted to have this penny. I walked to the viewing area near the tower and saw John Medlen. God led me to give him the special penny. I explained to John the significance of this gift and I told him God would lead him to the correct person that this penny would bless. Fast forward to the next race in Atlanta. John Medlen is working in the John Force Racing trailer when a crewman tells John that a lady at the security rope is asking for him. She is the nurse / caretaker for a Marine veteran that is totally disabled. She tells John that this young man had talked with John s late son Eric at a race years before. This Marine was unable to talk without the aid of his caretaker since his injuries. John knew immediately that this Marine was the person to get the penny that represented Sacrifice and Hope. John explained very clearly to this young man that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for him and that his eternal hope could be assured by receiving the free gift of salvation. This young man was visibly moved and his caretaker was in tears as John put the penny on a steel necklace around this brave man s neck. John said that God s Spirit stirred within him to confirm the life changing decision made by this noble Marine. We have given away many of these steel crossed pennies to active duty military and veterans that have served faithfully. God has blessed our nation with liberty and freedom. I pray that we never forget that freedom is not free. Whether it is freedom from tyranny and terrorism, or freedom from sin, Jesus made the sacrifice with His life. That is our hope! 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. These pennies can be obtained at Rev. Steve Petty has produced and distributed over a million of these pennies. 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: Larry Smiley... President Dan Allen... Chairman 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 Rich Trimmer... Southwest Region Director Steve Hanson... Dirt Sports 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 and growing in those relationships. page 8

David Rampy: Multi-Class Champion

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