‘SPIDERMAN’ FAVORED IN MAN CUP TOP FUEL SHOWDOWN Wills, Hand, European Champ King Ready to Challenge at Rockingham   ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Reigning series champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride of Newport News, Va., will face an international field of 240 mile-an-hour Top Fuel motorcycle riders this week when he tries to repeat as champion in the ManCup Fall Nationals at Rockingham Dragway.   Although favored, McBride is expected to face strong challenges from Hall of Fame designer and rider Sam Wills of Edmund, Okla., 63-year-old Chris Hand of Nauvoo, Ala., who won last year’s spring race, Dave Vantine of Hamilton, N.Y., and 10-time European Top Fuel Bike champion Ian King of Litlington, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, who is on tour in the U.S. In addition, champions will be crowned in 13 other categories including Pro Fuel, Pro Modified, Pro Open, Pro Street, Real Street, Top Gas, Super Comp, 4.60, Street ET and Pro ET.   Friday’s test-and-tune session will lead into pro qualifying on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday.  Adult tickets are $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday or $35 for the two days.  Children 10 and under are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult and parking is free in the main lot.    After the first three races in the 2017 series, a lot of familiar names appear in the point standings including former MIRock Series champions Rodney Williford of Rougemont, Jeremy Teasley of Orient, Ohio and “Turbo Johnny” Dobrin of Sarasota, Fla.   Teasley, who has won more Rockingham motorcycle races than any other rider, presently leads the points in Pro Street despite strong challenges from Justin Doucet of Brownsburg, Ind., Williford and Ehren Litten of Louisburg, N.C.   However, the most competitive category may be Pro Fuel where point leader Preston Bartlett of St. Augustine, Fla., and defending Fall Nationals champ Michael Ray of New Braunfels, Texas are likely to face challenges from Rockingham regulars Johnny Vickers of Millers Creek and Tyler Wilson of Walnut Cove, who were the finalists in last spring’s race, and Janette Thornley of Statesville.    Current point standings in the ManCup Motorcycle Drag Racing Series presented by Vance and Hines:   TOP FUEL – 1. Larry “Spiderman” McBride, Newport News, Va., 267; 2. Sam Wills, Edmund, Okla., 262; 3. Dave Vantine, Hamilton, N.Y., 182; 4. Ian King, Litlington, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, 178; 5. Mitch Brown, Wichita, Kan., 155. PRO FUEL – 1. Preston Bartlett, St. Augustine, Fla., 249; 2. Michael Ray, New Braunfels, Texas, 173; 3. Rocky Jackson, Youngsville, La., 129; 4. Tyler Wilson, Walnut Cove, N.C., 76; 5. David Larson, Topeka, Kan., 71. PRO MOD – 1. Brunson Grothus, Bettendorf, Iowa, 249; 2. Jeff House, Humble, Texas, 216; 3. Paul Gast, Grand Island, N.Y., 209; 4. Brad McCoy, Cleveland, N.C., 192; 5. Charlie Prophit, Indian Lake, Fla., 160. PRO STREET – 1. Jeremy Teasley, Orient, Ohio, 250; 2. Justin Doucet, Brownsburg, Ind., 222; 3. Rodney Williford, Rougemont, N.C., 188; 4. Ehren Litten, Louisburg, N.C., 184; 5. Terence Angela, Oranjestad, Aruba, 146. PRO OPEN – 1. Mark Rendeluk, Oklahoma City, Okla., 180; 2. Brunson Grothus, Bettendorf, Iowa, 172; 3. Jean Gosselin, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, 136; 4. Travis Davis, Douglas, Ga., 89; 5. Keith Browne, Semora, N.C., 77. REAL STREET – 1. “Turbo Johnny” Dobrin, Sarasota, Fla., 253; 2. Luis Hornedo, Orlando, Fla., 188; 3. Marcus Hylton, Eden, N.C., 154; 4. “Super Dave” Stewart, Mooresville, N.C., 109; 5. Joey Gladstone, Lewes, Del., 89. JETS, CLASSICS AND SHOW CARS AT SUPER CHEVY SHOW Rockingham Dragway Plays Host to Biggest Bowtie Event in the Carolinas   ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Break out the bowties.  It’s time once more for the biggest all-Chevrolet celebration on the planet.    The Original Super Chevy Show, presented by the Richmond County Tourism Authority, returns to Rockingham Dragway this week with three-ring entertainment that includes jet-powered dragsters, the largest GM car and truck show in the region, a swap meet, nostalgic racing Chevrolets, late model racing Chevrolets, GM product displays and, of course, full event coverage in Super Chevy Magazine.   Track owner Steve Earwood expects to attract more bowties than an Orville Redenbacher lookalike contest; more than a Playboy Bunny reunion; more, even, than a Marx Brothers movie marathon.    “If you’re not gonna drive a bowtie,” he said, “at least wear one.  If we get enough interest, next year we might try to create a Guinness record for ‘Most Bowties in the Most Bowties.’”   The resurgence of the bowtie notwithstanding, the car and truck show will crown 27 class winners and present additional “Outstanding” awards for paint, interior, engine, modification and club participation.  The “Best of” awards will be presented in four Camaro classes, five Corvette classes and two Chevelle classes.    On the track, the action will include all-GM bracket racing, a match race between the ‘50s era Chevies of Charlotte rivals Scott Cozzali (1955 Chevy Bel Air) and Kip Kauffman (1957 Chevy Bel Air), nostalgia dragsters, altereds and roadsters and the jet dragsters of Rockingham’s Terry Rosberg (“American Thunder”) and challenger Joe Zaccaro of Auburn, Ala. (“Southern Lightning”).   Among the nostalgia cars will be “Bittersweet,” the 526 cubic inch Chevy-powered front motor dragster owned and driven by Steven Godwin of Pleasant Garden and the awesome “Nor’easter” 1948 Fiat altered of Michael Tabacco of Mooresville.   The Super Chevy weekend will begin with a GM-only test-and-tune session from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday.  Saturday’s program will include racing for a $3,000 top prize in Pro ET, $1,500 in Footbrake and $1,000 in the DOT Street Tire class plus a separate trophy only class for first-timers and beginners.    The jet dragsters will run at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and the final round of the early-Chevy Shootout is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.   Adult admission is $20 daily or $30 for Friday and Saturday.  Children 6-12 are $5 each day.  Children under six are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult and parking is free in the main lot.