Since the emergence of humankind, man and woman has always held a fascination for speed. It is a thirst that can only be satisfied by going faster and faster and faster. For some the thirst is sated by just watching, however for the purists of those with desire the only path is one where the adventurer is in control.

Bobby Bennett, owner of Torco's CompetitionPlus.com, has long satisfied his thirst, along with the masses, by watching and then reporting on drag racing. No more.

Driving home to South Carolina from the recently completed NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville (Fl), Bennett returned to South Georgia Motorsports Park outside of Valdosta (Ga) to drink from a different cup. To not just observe, but to become a true participant in the quarter mile run.

Bennett accepted an offer from the owner of Roy Hill's Drag Racing School, Roy Hill, to complete his Super Comp licensing requirements. The Super Comp level is an entry level into the world of drag racing, but everyone starts at the beginning, including Bennett.

Since the emergence of humankind, man and woman has always held a fascination for speed. It is a thirst that can only be satisfied by going faster and faster and faster. For some the thirst is sated by just watching, however for the purists of those with desire the only path is one where the adventurer is in control.

Bobby Bennett, owner of Torco's CompetitionPlus.com, has long satisfied his thirst, along with the masses, by watching and then reporting on drag racing. No more.

Driving home to South Carolina from the recently completed NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville (Fl), Bennett returned to South Georgia Motorsports Park outside of Valdosta (Ga) to drink from a different cup. To not just observe, but to become a true participant in the quarter mile run.

Bennett accepted an offer from the owner of Roy Hill's Drag Racing School, Roy Hill, to earn his Super Comp license. The Super Comp level is an entry level into the world of drag racing, but everyone starts at the beginning, including Bennett.

There was trepidation involved long before Bennett suited up for what would be not his first, but his second attempt as a student of Hill. Thirteen years ago, Bennett has attended Hill's school, only to leave with his pride bruised, his ears ringing and an emptiness in his heart from the lack of success.

Failure would not be an option the second time around. Bennett was smarter, Hill was older and maybe just a calmer and as determined as Bennett to see his student succeed.

“Roy was positive with me all the way,” Bennett remarked as he recalled not only the invitation, but also the experience. “He told me I could do this and I believed him. Super Comp is entry level, but the experience of nailing a throttle, of feeling the sheer power has got to be same whether you're making a 7.49 second pass or a 4.49 pass.”

Driving anything down a quarter mile of asphalt at high speed takes preparation and understanding. The car has to be right, the driver's head has to be right and together the two must act in concert with one enough throughout the entire length of the run. It's imperative for the driver to understand at all times what is happening with the race car.

“My first instruction was to run the car to the eighth mile after successfully completing the burnout on the first attempt,” Bennett explained. “I had to lift on the first run because the pollen on the track made it pretty slick at about 330, in fact the driver before me turned sideways but managed to keep it right side up. When I got to the same spot, the tires started to spin, so I lifted.

“On my first full eighth-mile run, I ran a 5.902. and then a 5.880. Did my pair of 1,000-footers and lifted both times, coasting to a 9.644 and then a 9.645.”

After an eighth mile run, two thousand footers and one 660, Bennett got his first shot at the quarter-mile, running an impressive 9.083, 153.33 mph, foot braking the car on the launch. Bennett was getting closer and closer to making a full pass under power.

Then, along came a bit of a set-back. One which proved both the student and the teacher had learned to respect each other.

“On my next run, I went on the trans-brake for the first time,” said Bennett. “I really screwed up on staging and bringing up the rpms and setting the trans-brake. I got flustered and then Roy came on the radio and said, 'Son, slow down and calm down. You're trying too hard.' Of course, he added with a smile I could hear but couldn't see, 'pull your head out of your you know what.'

“I backed up, took a deep breath and rolled back in. I set everything and when the light went green there it was, the rush only speed can give you. I was tossed back into the seat as the race car rushed down the quarter-mile. All of a sudden this dragster felt four tenths  quicker and I figured maybe an 8.80-something.

When Bennett returned to the pits there was Roy telling him, "Boy, you did it well this time. I'm not believing you --  8.700 at 152, you got low elapsed time for the class."

For Bennett the day ended with less than three of the famous Roy Hill chewings, a Super Comp license and maybe most importantly, a deeper respect and understanding for those who put their lives on the line entertaining those who satisfy their thirst for speed by just watching.

Bennett isn't just watching anymore. From now on Bennett will be savoring every run and somewhere in the back of his mind a desire to go even faster will fester. Bobby Bennett is no longer just a drag racing reporter. He's a licensed drag racer.

Bobby Bennett is a participant in both camps, now – the watchers and the doers.

Stay tuned for a full story regarding the experience coming forth this week.