There's a lot to be said about a drag racer who can win without using electronic devices. Robbie Philbeck he was the best of the best in the WDRA's Sportsman division, a category regarded for its status as a true non-electronic class.  

In drag racing lingo, it is a footbrake division where drivers concentrate on the bottom bulb. Sportsman drivers are not allowed to use various starting line enhancers and electronic devices, including transbrakes, two-steps, nitrous, electric shifters, and delay boxes.

Philbeck secured a $10,000 champions purse at the WDRA Championship Finals in Darlington, SC, by securing the Sportsman world championship. He was tough to beat, consistently achieving an impressive .007 average reaction time. In the semifinals, he narrowly missed out on victory with a .015 red light behind his opponent.

Philbeck, 43, and from Grover, North Carolina, has drag raced since he was 12 years old behind the wheel of his father's 1976 Camaro at an unsanctioned drag strip. He took three years off and returned to racing in 2004 and has since been competing in various racetracks and classes across North and South Carolina. This season, Philbeck participated at both Darlington Dragway and Union County Dragway, securing the top position in the points roster to represent the latter during the WDRA Summit World Championships. While this marked his first track championship at Union County Dragway, he has previously clinched four championships at the neighboring Greer Dragway.

To claim the inaugural WDRA Summit Sportsman World Championship, Philbeck defeated tough opponents along the way. He triumphed over Jeff Richardson from US 13 Dragway, Jerry Wheaton from Ubly Dragway, and Brad Perkins from Empire Dragway. Philbeck also enjoyed a bye run in the quarterfinals. In the final round, Brandon Cox, representing Keystone Raceway Park, put up a strong fight but had to settle for the runner-up position as Philbeck secured victory with a .018 total winning package, running slightly above his 7.85 dial-in.

Following his victory and claiming the 2023 WDRA Sportsman World Championship, Philbeck received a handsome reward of $10,000 in cash. Additionally, he was presented with the prestigious American-made WDRA Rod trophy and will have free entry to any WDRA member racetrack next season through the WDRA Champion card. Each WDRA World Champion also receives a range of accompanying prizes, including an Alliance Race Wear custom firesuit, a free class at the Roy Hill Drag Racing School, a $1,000 gift certificate for Technocraft Trailer Cabinets, a set of Viking Drill Bits, and a Contingency Connection Championship Package supported by the event's sponsors.

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One of the core characteristics of bracket racing is the tight-knit community and support among racers, irrespective of their performance on the track. Unfortunately, Philbeck experienced the loss of his mother to cancer just two months prior to the championship. Reflecting on this difficult time, he acknowledged his mother's unwavering support. 

"Mom always wanted me to call after a race and let her know how it went," Philbeck said. "This really made a bad year turn into a good one."
Having faced emotional and financial challenges throughout the year, Philbeck expressed his deep appreciation for the significant payout he received as the championship winner. 

"Last year, I drove thirteen hours to a world final event, lost in the first round, and only got three hundred dollars," Philbeck admitted. "This year, it was a two-hour drive for a five hundred dollar minimum payout and a much better experience, even before winning. The people here are great, and the racers are tough. I knew I had to be good if I wanted to win."

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Philbeck aims to continue accumulating points in the hope of re-qualifying and defending his title. In the meantime, he plans to put the $10,000 prize money to good use. He intends to invest in car parts for his beloved Mustang, which he regularly races, or perhaps towards a wooden bed Ford F-150 that his son, Jordan, will soon take over the driving duties.