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We
are the Quigley's, a modern day drag racing family.
Michael, the first to experience the thrill of drag
racing started in the 1960's and early 70's driving
front engine Junior Fuel 'dragsters.
He
was fortunate enough to begin racing when the sport
was very young and raced with many people such as Jim
Dunn. He raced at all of the original dragstrips where
he won the inaugural race at Orange County Raceway,
won Top Fuel Dragster at Lion's Dragstrip, Long Beach,
and was Top Fuel runner-up at Pomona Raceway. It was
during these years that he also started Commerce
City Maintenance Co.our family business that we
still operate today,
In
the late 1980's and early 1990's Michael ran an un-blown
A/Fuel dragster in all of the Division 7 events. In
1990 he participated in the Super Chevy Show in Bakersfield,
winning the award of "Best Appearing Car." Then in 1991,
he went on to receive the award of "Best Engineered
Car" at the California Nationals in Sonoma. He still
holds a current Top Alcohol Dragster license.
His
love for the sport was passed down to his daughters,
Melissa and Mandy. As they grew up he wanted to give
them the chance to feel the thrill of driving the quarter
mile as well. In 1996 it was decided as a family to
start racing in the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League program
with both daughters. In their first year they shared
the car and all of the safety equipment. With Dad as
their crew chief they both did well in the program racing
at only one track, Pomona. They both finished in the
top ten in points in both of their age classes. That
first year they were asked to represent NHRA and the
Junior Drag Racing program often. They displayed their
car in the corporate headquarters of NHRA during their
open house in 1997. They were asked to sing the National
Anthem at the Winternationals and display their car
during the event, where they spoke with many interested
fans. They were invited to display their car at John
Force's open house in Yorba Linda, to display it at
the Quakes Stadium before a baseball game, and to display
it at the Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield where they
sang the National Anthem again.
In
1997 we purchased a second car, one for each daughter
to drive. They were known as the "Hissy Fit" girls.
They raced well and win or lose they were well liked
and respected by both track officials and other racers.
At age 18, when Melissa was too old to race, she retired
her car to her sister Mandy and went on to begin her
college education. In May 2003 she graduated with her
degree in Radio, Television, and Film. Mandy continued
to race until she too turned 18 and is now attending
college. Education is the first priority in the family
before racing.
As
our family moved on to the next phase of racing, all
three girls, Dorie (Mom), Melissa, and Mandy, attended
Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School and all received their
super comp licenses. With Melissa now graduated and
out of school we have taken the next step and built
a new Super Comp Dragster. Melissa has raced at all
of the Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Races and is also competing
in NHRA POWERade National events as well. Mandy drives
the car in the Lucas Oil Super Comp Association of Southern
California races bringing the girls back to sharing
a car once again. Dorie competes when time permits.
Being
not quite ready to quit racing in the Junior Drag Racing
program we have recently built another Junior dragster
and decided to bring two of our grandchildren, into
the world of racing. They too have a love of the sport
and have worked hard to learn to race well, being taught
by Michael and the girls. As a family we try hard to
support both racing venues together. However when schedules
between both cars overlap Dorie very capably assumes
her role as crew chief for the Junior.
Over
the years racing has taught our family patience, sportsmanship,
and the importance of togetherness, and has kept our
family closely connected. It has been our outlet, our
entertainment, one of our sources of friendship, and
most importantly a way of keeping our family supporting
and staying close to one another. As a close family
and race team we offer valuable traditions to your business.
We offer as a marketing partner a dedicated and hard
working team. We can represent your company and products
professionally and responsibly.
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