1980 Volare Outlasts the Bounty Hunters at Pageland Dragway

Michael Beard knows the what it's like to be in the Winner’s Circle and he knows you can't win all the time. He had three wins at Pageland Dragway in his 1980 Volare with K&N products. Two of those wins were back-to-back. “We found a winning, quality combination with K&N,” he said. “We've used K&N throughout the years. My cars run flawlessly.”

1980 Volare vies for big money in Bristol, Tennessee for the World Footbrake Challenge, photos courtesy of Angela Macy and Lisa King
1980 Volare vies for big money in Bristol, Tennessee for the World Footbrake Challenge, photos courtesy of Angela Macy and Lisa King

Duck Tape 1980 Volare did not repeat last year's win at the 2008 World Footbrake Challenge but driver Michael Beard said he had a great time, photos courtesy of Angela Macy and Lisa King
Duck Tape 1980 Volare did not repeat last year's win at the 2008 World Footbrake Challenge but driver Michael Beard said he had a great time, photos courtesy of Angela Macy and Lisa King
During the Pageland Dragway race, SMACdownracing posted a $100 bounty for the first driver to trailer the Duck Tape Team Volare in the 3rd round or later. “The bounty sparked some extra excitement in the stands and the staging lanes,” said Beard. “The fans were also excited.”
Michael Beard took a holeshot in his final run for a 140th career victory at Pageland Dragway in Pageland, South Carolina
Michael Beard took a holeshot in his final run for a 140th career victory at Pageland Dragway in Pageland, South Carolina

Duck Tape Racing's 1980 Volare had three dead-on runs at Pageland Dragway
Duck Tape Racing's 1980 Volare had three dead-on runs at Pageland Dragway

Beard had three dead-on runs, and got the hole-shot in all but the final round. It marked Beard’s third straight Pageland Dragway victory and his fourth of the year in North Carolina. “It was also a notable 140th career victory,” said Beard. “And, the SMACdown bounty money remains at the dragway for next time.”

In the past month, the Duck Tape Volare has travelled from North Carolina to central Pennsylvania for the York Nostalgia Nationals at Beaver Springs Dragway. From there, Beard was off to Bristol, Tennessee for the World Footbrake Challenge.

“The World Footbrake Challenge III was the toughest footbrake race on the planet earth,” said Beard. “There was an absolute bloodbath on the track but everyone had a great time. Champions were reduced to tears after a constant barrage of double-oh packages, the likes of which I had never seen with such regularity at a footbrake race.”

The World Footbrake Challenge is more of a participant than spectator event, but more than 250 drivers competed for $50,000 in prize money. Beard did not repeat last year’s win in the 2008 World Footbrake Challenge, but said he had an amazing time.

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