NEWPORT-Opening day had to be put off a week due to snow, but a beautiful Spring weekend allowed English Mountain Dragway in Newport to start off their new racing season with a bang this past Saturday and Sunday.

"We had a good turn out for the opening weekend," said Race Director David Clevenger. "Some 300 or so people came out to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and some really great racing action."

On Saturday, Richard Newman of Rogersville took his Ford Mustang to victory lane in the Footbrake class defeating Bobby Mason of Morristown in his Oldsmobile Omega. Newman had a 7.31 Dial In, .003 Reaction and 7.317 ET while Mason had a 7.31 Dial In, .053 Reaction and 7.083 ET.

In the Trophy Class, Cory 'Mac' Smith of Dandridge took his Dodge Dakota to victory lane with an 11.45 Dial In, .067 Reaction and 11.479 ET. Cody Spears from the Tri Cities area finished runner-up in his Pontiac Trans Am with a 9.72 Dial In, .062 Reaction and 9.719 ET.

On Sunday, Van Greer piloted his Ford Escort to victory lane in the Pro Class with a 6.6 Dial In, .046 Reaction and 6.743 ET. Eddie Whitten of Waynesville, North Carolina, finished runner-up in his Ford Mustang with a 6.51 Dial In, .364 Reaction and 6.6 ET.

Doug Lephew of Morristown was tops in the Footbrake Class in his Chevrolet Vega Wagon with a 6.51 Dial In, .017 Reaction and 6.586 ET. The runner-up was Whitney Bolden of Morristown in her Chevrolet Camaro with a 6.98 Dial In, .062 Reaction and 7.057 ET.

The competition was stiff in Trophy, but Carolyn Clark of Newport weathered the storm in her Chevrolet Camaro with an 8.60 Dial In, .073 Reaction and 8.584 ET, earning the first gold cup of the season. Scott Webb of Sevierville finished runner-up after a red light start in his Ford Mustang with a 6.75 Dial In, -.010 reaction and 6.828 ET.

Action resumes this Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14, at English Mountain Dragway with test and trophy, and gambler races. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with time trials at 12:30 p.m. each day.