ROCKINGHAM — Rockingham Dragway will spend one more weekend posing as something other than a racetrack before returning to form with the 21st renewal of the “Big John” Leviner Memorial Bracket Championships on May 25-27.

Off its turn as the principal staging area for last week’s Epicenter Festival, The Rock will be transformed this time to accommodate a host of fun-and-fitness freaks who will challenge themselves a 3.1-mile obstacle course.

Participants will test their grip, strength and hand-eye coordination by swinging from one ring to another in a challenge called “The Ringer,” walk a narrow plank over water while avoiding swinging sand bags and climb “Jacob’s Ladder” — a 12 foot tall wooden pyramid — and much much more at the Rugged Maniacs Series this Saturday, May 18.

Before and after, contestants will get the chance to socialize with other Maniacs, ride mechanical bulls, participate in pie-eating and stein-hoisting events and dance to music at the main stage. The reward for all of that mirth and mayhem is an event T-shirt, a free personal action photo, a Rugged Maniac medal and, for those of age, a free beer.

The action will then pass from maniacs to mechanics, as the father-son team of James and Ross Freeman (Westville, S.C.) will be looking to defend their Top ET and Footbrake titles, respectively, at next weekend’s “Big John” Championships.

Taz Holliday II (Selma) and Art Laselle (Fayetteville) will also be out to win for the second straight year at the three-day event, which will culminate in daily “Run for the Wally” showdowns. Winners in Top ET and Footbrake will engage in a one-run shootout for one of the “Wally” trophies that are presented at NHRA Mello Yello and Lucas Oil tour events.

The Jr. Dragster winners and runners-up from all three days will race Monday for a “Wally” of their own.

Top ET winners will earn $5,000 next Saturday (May 25) and the following Monday (May 27), Jr. Dragster winners will rake in $250 on those same days and Footbrake winners are set to earn $1,000 daily. The prize for those who prevail in Top ET will jump to $10,000 on Sunday, May 26, while the purse for Jr. Dragster winners will climb to a whopping $1,000.

Track championship and Summit ET Finals points will be on the line on all three days.

Contributed photo
Selman native Taz Holliday II will be out to win for the second straight year at next weekend’s “Big John” Leviner Memorial Bracket Championships at Rockingham Dragway.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_Sunday-10000-TOP-ET-Winner-Taz-Holliday.jpgContributed photo
Selman native Taz Holliday II will be out to win for the second straight year at next weekend’s “Big John” Leviner Memorial Bracket Championships at Rockingham Dragway.

Daily Journal file photo One of the obstacles that make up the Rugged Maniac course is “The Ringer,” which makes participants swing from ring to ring while trying to avoid falling into the water down below.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_DSC_0474.jpgDaily Journal file photo One of the obstacles that make up the Rugged Maniac course is “The Ringer,” which makes participants swing from ring to ring while trying to avoid falling into the water down below.

Staff Report