Racing Action caught on Video

((((ADD FOR WEST GEORGIA SPEEDWAY DVD SALES))))

Ok If you want to watch your racing features down at West Georgia Speedway, well we can help you.

All DVD's of are made and produced by myself, Tino Patti and if you ever need a copy of a race, or want to see who hit your car, or maybe you just want to sit back and watch the racing action of Saturday Nights features.


SIMPLE : CALL 770-361-3019 cell line
OR: 770-942-9888 Home line

And ORDER a copy of the race that you need, prices never change they are $20 for "EVERYONE" no exceptions made in any way.

There is a lot of time and effort I put into my work and I try and make sure that all driver's are happy.

So please spead the word, and let others know that if they would like a DVD of the races at West Georgia Speedway then I will be more than happy to have a copy for them on the next Saturday Night of racing, or some have taken the time to come by my home and pick up copies. That is when I get to take their photo, because I never know who will be the next star in racing.

Thank You to all Drivers that Purchase DVD's and I hope that we can work together all season long.

There is one secret I will give away and that is most of the top drivers buy the DVD and watch their races, and see what they did wrong ,and what they can improve on.
It's kind of a LEARNING Tool.

Thanks again,

Tino Patti

A Freelance/Video Journalist
and contributing writer for MSA magazine

What'ca doing thing Wensday?

"Well the race is over, the results are in, and it's "HUMP DAY"

HAVE TO HAVE MY COFFEE FOR THIS INTENSE WORK!

Well here we go again, time for the new blog, of course it will be about those daring men in their flying machines, they call race cars.

To be honest, I was having as bad if not worst luck on Saturday night than I have ever had in a LONG TIME. I know drivers have trouble with their race cars, and they are not to happy, well guees what that is the same way I was feeling as the long night wore on. My trouble began when my broadcast video camera, decided that it want to make my night pure horror, as it stopped while filming twice, and that was not good, then the DVD recorder went on vacation, and that left me back at the controls of the camera, like the old day's, filming with tape, and now having to copy that tape over and burn it to a DVD, don't think I am not tired now because I am. My main problem is that I have to watch the race at the same time I am making the master copy, once that is over we can move on to duplicating the DVD's and that is not a hassle.

Race car driver's are a rare breed, I mean they work hard all week, and on Saturday nights they give the crowd their moneys worth of pure excitement. What is fascinating to me, is that these men work all week on a job, and come home and work to the wee hours of the mornings on their race cars, so that when Saturday arrives all they have to do is load the car up, head to the track and get ready to see who else shows up in their division.

During the Sportsman race, did anyone see that fight that took place on the outside of the track that halted the race, and sent the ambulance and some police cars? I was filming and had to maintain focus on the race, but since the race was "Red" flagged and stopped, I was shooting the ambulance and I caught Brian Duke running as fast as he could to stop the trouble, in which he did a great job. What I think happened and this is just from this reporters vantage, was that someone said something to someone and they took offense and belted someone in the mouth. Now that is a lot of "Some" don't you think ?. At least all the driver's behaved and raced hard, and that what racing is all about, having the fun and having a family track where families can come and enjoy a race.

Listen I speak from experience, I was filming 7 Flags Speedway in Douglasville, Ga. Families and friends would come out to watch some hard charging races. UNTIL the County, heard from a home builder that wanted to buy all kinds of land, he did and the race track was closed and put several super people out of work, plus racing was OVER in Douglas County, and it was all because some people complained to their county government to have the track closed. So you see a few "Idiots" can ruin racing for everyone, so please let's not have this happen to West Georgia Speedway, where Sammy Duke and is family have worked so hard to build a track that has become a center for entertainment on a Saturday nights.

I will ask this last question, if West Georgia Speedway was closed, how do you think that would effect the drivers, are they willing to drive to Dixie Speedway, or Rome?, I don't think so but I do think some would hang up the sport, I mean those that run in smaller races. I was looking at the monitor, and you want to see some racing drama, watch the pure mini car #5 be taken out, and he ends up on the front straightaway sideways. The driver who I have no idea is, leans out of the drivers window, and "POINTS" at the car the slowly passes him in line, because they are under caution, and he does what most race car drivers do that are mad,"He Points at the driver that caused him to wreck", as if saying "Your Time is coming" These little moments of a race most people that are in the pit area miss, but from uptop where I am filming, I try and catch all the action, and some times it gets ugly then again there are some times you just shake your head and say what is going to happen next week in this feature race between these two drivers. I tend to think they will forget it and come out racing harder next Saturday Night.

Too All those that were in the fight, I mean the fans, they should be banned, for a time, then again "I do not" and "will not" make any calls, that is up to the management at West Georgia Speedway and Sammy Duke and his Son Brian Duke.

Lets see some good clean racing now that we know that Sammy Duke has made some great improvements to West Georgia Speedway, and if you get a chance and want to see some great racing action, come on down on Saturday Nights and watch the hard charging action, from all the features.

Also STOP the rain that I hear is heading this way Saturday Night, so that we can get some racing action in. what'ca say?, on this "HUMP" day.



Thanks, so much, and leave some comments!


Tino Patti A Freelance Photo/Video Journalist an Correspondent for MSA magazine

Drivers on Saturday Nights and Hard working men during the Week

"They drive HARD on Saturday Nights, but Drivers WORK hard during the week"

West Georgia Speedway, comes alive on Saturday Nights, as driver's come from far and near, to race down at this "Historic" Southern racetrack.
But have you ever wondered what these brave men do during the week when they are not behind the wheel of a race car?.
Short by sweet, they are Hard working, family men, that take care of their families every need. Plus they come home from work and work on a race car now that is loyalty. Some of these drivers have their own companies, and some just work for other folks.

Lets start off with Modified Mini Car driver, #06 of Richard Bagby. Now here is a driver that has been around racing almost all of his life, but Richard has a family and takes care of his wife and their sons, and still has time to race on Saturday Night down on the fierce track, called West Georgia Speedway. Richard has been known by this writer for some time, I have followed his driving career, from the fast and furious Sportsman cars, of the late great 7 Flags Speedway, now closed. I have seen him drive the Super Late Model Cars, but when you are in that category, that is when the money is more than racing is worth, unless you have big time sponsors. So Richard or "King Richard" as I will always call him, still drives but he dropped down to the Modified Mini class, and in this small class of cars, the upkeep is still there, the only thing is there are no huge bills. Richard is the kind of driver, that wants to win and if he can he will beat you, he has won several major races at West Georgia Speedway and is one of the most likable drivers.



But Monday through Friday, Richard is hard at work fixing the everyday consumers car, as he owns his own Automotive shop. in Lithia Springs. It's called "Neighborhood Auto Center" and he can be reached at his business at 770-941-4180. So if you need you car or truck worked on I suggest strongly, using Richard Bagby. When you get there you will be greeted with that warm smile, that only Richard has, and also see how clean and up to date his equipment is. His staff know and how to work on any type of car or truck, that should make you happy and at ease.
One thing about Richard he has a loving wife, she stands behind him in everything and to me that is fantastic. Richard is blessed with 2 sons Landon Bagbey 11 years old and has his modified mini car ready, plus his eldest son, Richard, who drives and competes in the same feature as his father, so you see this is a racing family.

Now lets move on down the list to the Hobby Cars, and there you will find this huge bear of a man, that has a heart of gold, and he is also the ultimate family man and hard American worker. I am talking about none other than the #3 hobby car, of Jeff Carter. Who races on Saturday nights like he was sent out of hell. The Carter's own and operate "Carter's Wrecker Service, out of Stockbridge, Ga. His slogan is catchy "We are wreck Amended" , and if you think he just tows small cars, forget it, this big man, has a BIG Truck and Tows BIG things, like Bus's, tractor trailers, and what ever needs to be moved, so this Big man Works Big and Hard, and takes care of his family with pride. If you ever need anything towed that is BIG call him at 770-505-0438.
I believe it was the first year I saw this red and yellow, #3 with the checkered top race, and he never let me down, because while I was filming I had no idea who he was, never met the man. As the race was going on, his car was toward the back of the pack so I really never thought anything about him, I generally are watching those front 5 cars, because that is where the race is. Well as the race was winding down, I knew it would be over soon and I had already written on my note pad the winning driver, "But like a flash" here comes the number 3 car of Jeff Carter, he made his way around turn 2 and I was watching him close on the backstretch and that is when he was gaining big time on the leader, it was then that as he rounded turn 4 that my wildest dream happened, he passed the lead car, and with that I yelled "Where did the MAGIC MAN Come from". That is what happens in racing, you may think you know the winner, but hey wait you might not know that somewhere in the field of cars is a "Magic Man". Racing is strange and I am so happy to see Jeff Carter and his family and crew back again for another season of racing at West Georgia Speedway. Jeff has always been a prankster, and Saturday Opening season 2009, Jeff would pull a good one on me , and you know what he really had me to believe his car was not ready because his wife was telling me on the phone prior to the race, that Jeff would not have his car, and that they had 6 men working on it and still were not able to get the car race worthy. I was even told by his loving wife Lisa Carter that some man was down at the shop and was going to paint the car, BLACK and YELLOW. When I heard this my heart sunk so deep that I did not know what to say, except, "I can't believe that, and why?". Then without hesitation, he took me to his car hauler and told his daughter Hailey, to get behind the wheel and unload this bad boy of a car, it was then that I went into shock, because all that time I was thinking his car was not ready and when there is no Carter in the race I can get upset. Here is what I witnessed , take a close look. There was the famous #3 in the famous Red and Yellow and behind the wheel Haily was pulling out the car, it was amazing. This photo shows Jeff taking the car to the scales, and I call it. "HI HO SILVER AWAY", as the big engine roars and the dirt flies through the breeze on this nice Saturday afternoon at the Speedway. Racing, is so special, I mean, we are all locked up during the winter months, and then the month of March arrives and it becomes a festive time, where old men meet and share dreams, and young men get their first time on the race track, it is a special occasion non like any other sport. Fans come by droves and bring their friends. There seems to be a bonding, and a happy spirit around, until that Green flag flies then we have a war on the track, a good sports war.

Like I said for every good man, there stands a strong woman, and that is of course Lisa Carter, she is the backbone of this racing team, and her levels of strength were tested as she watched her boy, Robbie Carter take his Black and Yellow #3 and finish in 11th place in his first Pure Mini race of his life. Next week he will be passing car's like they are standing still, he is the son of the "Magic Man".


Now to the man, that drives a very fast Crate car, and is always putting on a show for the fans, and that is Mark Knight. His car is the #K17 and when he races you know you are in for a good fight on the race track, because if he can beat you he will. Mark is a humble man and has a wife named Rhonda of 16 years, so they have been together for a while, they have 2 sons, one is named Matthew age 15 and Ryan age 12. I just wonder if these to Knight boys have racing in their blood. So background regarding Mark Knight he was born in Chattanooga, TN. in 1967. He started racing at West Georgia Speedway in 1999, in the hobby car division. Mark ran Hobby too the year of 2005, then he started running Modified Hobby where he won about 10 races in Modified Hobby. He then switched over to Crate car racing in June of 2007, he would go on to win 2 races that season. Then in 2008 Mark would go on a win 15 races, and he felt like he was at the top of his game. Now the 2009 racing season is here and Mark started at the Ice Bowl, in a Late Model car, where he was quoted as saying "We did alright". But he really had a blast at the "Bama Bash" he ran great in the Super street division and in Late Model Super Street he started 22nd and finished 8th. In the Late Model division he qualified 13th out of a total of 33 cars, he started 5th in a Heat race and finished 3rd so that put him 7th in the feature race, that had to be a killer because he was racing against some of the best drivers that were around. Dale McDowell and Clint Smith, racing against them was a dream, but on the 1st lap Mark had car problems, his drive shaft broke. Now he is back at West Georgia Speedway in his Crate Car, he ran a great race, he didn't finish the race but what a show he put on for the fans at West Georgia Speedway. What is sad is that he told me that times are tough, and he did not expect to be driving as much as he did he years before, so we will be missing that #K17 blue crate car, every weekend at West Georgia Speedway, lets just hope and pray that Mark will be back and be better, because if anyone can put on a show, Mark Knight is your driver. When he is not racing he is a Grading Supervisor, and that takes some skill in that, so you see Mark Knight is the all American driver, hard worker and hard charging force on the track. Thanks Mark for all the great seasons, and we hope you return to take some more checkered flags at West Georgia Speedway.

See you at the races Saturday Night,


Tino Patti Freelance Video/photo Journalist plus a MSA correspondent

Racing Results for Opening Night at the "Burg"

Racing Results for Opening Night at "The Burg"

West Georgia Speedway, did not let anyone down, as the place was packed with drivers, and with fans. This should make Sammy Duke the owner very proud, as people were still arriving even after "Hot Laps" had begun.

We have the following results of the top 3 cars in each class, so lets get going.
In the Modified Mini class, the winner was the #07 of long time winning car Frank Long, he was followed in 2nd place by #19 of Richard Dale and coming in close in third was long time champion driver Richard Bagby.
In the Enduro class, the winner was car #M4 driven by Winford Minnex, in his purple hot rod. He was followed by Charlie Garrett driving the hard charging #GT13 and finishing in 3rd place was #12 of Gary Brand.


In the hot Hobby car race we saw the #42 of Chad Wallace and in a close 2nd place was the legendary #69 of Rosco Collins. Coming in 3rd was the #B1 of Mark Smith. The Famous #3 driven by Jeff Carter, came in 4th
Then we had an Intermission, so that everyone would be ready for the start of the Crate Car race plus Sportsman event. One thing for sure is that the money tree was growing as the concession stand up top was filled with hungry race fans and that was good for Sammy and the Dukes. The line was long, but the food was great, so it never mattered how long you waited in the line, all the food was tasty, and hot when you got it.
The Crate car proved to be somewhat exciting, Mark Knight in his famous K17 was flying around the track trying his best to catch the #8 car driven by Michael Keener, who at one time was the promoter of the late great 7 Flags Speedway in Douglasville, Georgia. Keener had more than enough motor underneath his hood to make sure he finished 1st in the Crate race, followed in 2nd by #16 every blazing Tony Kemp, who is a drivers worst nightmare as Tony always has enough car underneath him, to blaze past anyone, all except on this Opening night. In 3rd place was the #19 car of Jeremy Hall.

Then the crowd stood as the Sportsman cars rumbled onto the track, lots of cars except the #99 of Rucker Orr who in qualifying messed his engine up, and he went up in smoke. As I was watching Rucker take hot laps I could see his car was sending smoke everywhere, and I knew something was not right for this all time winner. He was not having the night he was expecting. It is amazing because if Rucker Orr's motor had not seized up, he would have been on the pole, that is how fast his car was. So as the feature was called all the Sportsman pulled onto the front straight and we could see we were going to have a good race. When the green flag was dropped car #18c, which was Shane Criswell, showed no intention of giving up his lead, as a matter of fact he widened the gap and made the cars running in 2nd and 3rd do some heavy duty battling. Car #25 driven by Scott Duffy tried everything he could to catch Shane but there did not seem to be enough time in the race. So Scott Duffy had to finish in 2nd place and coming in third place, was a long time racing star #0 of Craig Scott.
Then it was time for "Bumper Cars" as I call them the Pure Mini class, these are some of the newest drivers to enter the sport. Some have driven for years and it proves it, then we had some real new comers to the racing world, the black and yellow #3 of Robbie Carter son of Hobby car champ Jeff Carter was just more or less getting his feet wet. My eye's were on him, and I was hoping he would not hit a wall. As I was filming Robbie, I had a feeling something was going to happen to his car, but nothing did and he did like his Father Jeff told him to do and was hang back in the back of the pack and make smooth turns and keep in the middle of the race track until he had gotten more courage up to take on the big boys in this class.

Robbie's Mother was on Stress level 10, but came down when she saw the flagman throw the checked flag ending the pure mini race. All in all 18 cars started the race and Robbie Carter finished in 11th place. Not to bad for a rookie, lets see what he does next weekend.

I wonder if his mother will have more stress pills on hand?.
Coming in 1st in the pure mini class was car #54 of Norm Chambers, and in 2nd place was car #16 of Eric Hogsed, and finishing 3rd was car driven by Randy Brady Sr. in his famous car #21.
The night was super long for myself as I had about as much trouble as Rucker Orr, Mark Sims and other drivers, as my faithful camera was giving away. quitting 2 times on me I had to go back to the days of filming via video tape, and not using my DVR recorder for burning as the race went on. So now I am faced with some major trouble, and that is I will have to go out and spend some real hard cash on a Digital Camera, that is High Def quility. So I am looking at maybe over $3 to $4 thousand dollars easy. But like I always say if you want to do things right you need the proper tools, in this case video equitment is a MUST. Have a super day or better night and see you at West Georgia Speedway next Saturday night!.



Thanks, Tino Patti a Freelance Video Journalist/ and MSA reporter

Race Day is HERE!!!!!!

Race Day has arrived, or you ready?

Ok folks this is what is going to happen to this Blog as racing season goes on,
I will be featuring stories regarding West Georgia Speedway and the drivers, those that WIN and those that Try, and those that maybe get in the way.

In "NO" way, will I be attempting to slander, downgrade any driver, each driver that I write about will be written about with respect. I do not care who they are, respect is what I shall give ALL drivers.


Things that happen on the track, will be "THIS REPORTERS VIEW" , it will in no way be the view of West Georgia Speedway, or the views of the officials of this track.

So with that said, each week I will be featuring driver's, stories about their cars, their families, and friends and pit crews. Each has a story that can be really fascinating.



I do not plan on going in depth regarding motors, setups, or anything about the drivers cars, other than the make the year and maybe the body style.


So with all that said, if you can make it to West Georgia Speedway tonight the 7th of March, 2009, the promoter and owner of this "Historic" track will be looking for you and I know the driver's no matter what class they drive in will be glad to see you.


So FAN'S come early and watch as drivers come in, see your favorite drivers, and get ready to start this season off like racing season should be started of.

While you are there take a look at some of the great work Sammy Duke has put into the track, with its colored guardrails, and the widened back stretch. racing is BACK "Ain't you Glad".

This blog will be updated each racing week, so come back and bring some friends along, give out the URL and if you don't know it. well here it is : http://douglcountyliar.blogspot.com
Check in as much as possible, have your friends, or fans check back, and if you need to give me some added info that I do not know feel free to leave me a message in the comment section, of you can e-mail me at : apattijr@bellsouth.net
And if you still can't reach me because you don't have a computer, call me at 770-361-3019.

With all that said "Lets Go Racing Boys" at West Georgia Speedway, located in Whitesburg, Georgia.


Many Thanks,
Tino Patti


Freelance Photo/Video Journalist
contributing writer for MSA magazine

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE!!!

"WELL THE TIME IS HERE, FOR ALL DRIVERS TO FIRE UP THEIR ENGINE'S FOR THE 2009 RACING SEASON!

Racing is in the air. all across Georgia and the South as Drivers will come from far and near to try and beat a track that is so tough you just pray your car will stay in one piece at the end. The track is "West Georgia Speedway" located in a tiny town called Whitesburg, Georgia.

To me the track is called "HISTORIC" because it sits in a hole down deep, and this 3/8th mile oval track has given the best of drivers times, plus wore out some good race cars. No matter what, these drivers come back and try to tame this track that takes no prisoners. You may have the best car, you think, but the track is what is the part that no one thinks about, with it's hidden ridges and small grooves and maybe that hidden dip, that makes drivers think they are headed air born. You have to remember you are racing at West Georgia Speedway, and if you can win here, you can win anywhere.

But look closer, you are racing against some of the best drivers in the South that have made a habit of wining in cars that they brought to the track, and knew that when their feature was called they had better step up and become the man that handle the wheel, because when that green flag drops, it's on Southern racing style, and "if your not rubbing your not racing"

And there will be some heavy duty rubbing and also maybe a extra push or too, can you handle it?, do you have what it takes?, are you brave enough?

If you are a new driver and expecting a break, you can forget that, we are racing and racing is about winning there is no time for running in the back of a pack of cars, and a driver has to remember the race is "NOT" won on the first lap so please bide your time and make your moves when you have the chances, until then hang on for one heck of a ride, and if you do get lucky and the White flag flies, and you are the lead car, that is when I believe I would say that extra prayer and take a glance and see if you have another driver closing on you to make that pass, that will beat you. I have seen so many driver's lose races on that last lap, maybe they would go high, and the driver behind would take the low groove and it was all over, that pass would win them a race and you after leading so many laps would finish second.

Well come on lets all go "Racing" down at the speedway, and watch them southern boys put on a show this season, "Are you ready to Rumble?"


Plenty of Feature racing,starting with the fast Modified Mini cars, Enduro cars, Hobby cars, Crate cars, the fast Sportsman models, followed by the bumper car derby, called Pure Mini cars and last the Street Model cars.

Don't forget to grab some Nacho's with Cheese and Jalapeno's with a cool drink to wash it down from West Georgia's Concession stand, open at all times during the racing action, and open for the break after the Crate car race. Don't forget to try their super onion rings, fries, or maybe a burger or hot dog, whatever you have I am sure you will enjoy the food.

All this excitement is brought to you by the Owner of West Georgia Speedway, the Legendary Sammy Duke, and his Ford Tractor.

PS) wives and Mom's have your "stress pills" ready! It's gonna be a great time.

I can't wait to see you all there this Saturday night!!!

Tino Patti
A MSA Reporter/Freelance Video Journalist

What happened to the "Hillmans"

What happened to the large heart the "Hillmans" once showed?

Racing Fans all over the south, have heard or seen the Hillman family race, I mean, you had the #01J of Joe Hillman and the #77 of his brother Mike Hillman, who drove on Saturday nights on the hot asphalt of Senoia Speedway, then there was the pretty blond that was married and I thought she was going to be the next up and coming racing star, Jennifer Hillman who drove the #44 pure mini car in her class. Let's not leave out the #01X of Mike's Son Cory Hillman, who was always tough on his car, but when he won he put on one heck of a show.

But now the story gets sad because the Hillman name is not around as much as it once was, maybe because of hard times, then again maybe because they lost the racing feeling.

Well one person that has not is Jennifer Hillman, she was driving in the pure mini class at West Georgia Speedway until things started to go wrong in her life. Marriage trouble, family trouble and now she has been sick with Pneumonia and has a mass on her breast. Which could be cancer, and we all want to pray for Jennifer.

If you never met Jennifer, you missed some great times, she always had a smile and was proud of bearing the Hillman name, and she like her family members drove the black 44 pure mini car, she never got a win while I was filming but she tried and GOD knows that means so much.

She was never a quiter and she won't quit in this battle she is undergoing now, she is a tough talking lady and says what is on her mind, but when you look over her language you will see one of the sweetest people in the world, and when she see's someone eles's race car she is in heaven.

Some how the family, has split apart and that is not good, more so when people in your family or having physical difficulties. People need to get together and surround her with love and I mean love and shower her with praise. She is fighting a battle, but if I know Jennifer Hillman, she will battle till the end, she is strong, and I really believe that the Hillman family should pull together and not apart.

Racing is one thing, but family ailments mean that they should come together and become strong and hold up each other.

I won't say anymore expect, keep Jennifer Hillman in your prayers as she would you, she may not be a church attending person, but GOD still loves her and loves the entire Hillman Family.

It breaks my heart, pray for this family.

Thanks,
Tino Patti
A MSA reporter/ Freelance photographer