Ryan: So I was talking to Don Rehm and he said you can send him your 10 Questions thing.

Todd: Really? Surely you jest.

Ryan: No. And don’t call me Shirley.

And so it came to pass that indeed, our 10 Questions strikes again with another touring series director. If you’re a sprint car fan and you don’t know who Don Rehm is, you have rocks in your head. Pavement winged and non-wing sprint cars, dirt sprint cars, he’s seen and run it all.

It’s our pleasure to present the one and only Don Rehm.

Given this was the first year for the Top Gun Sprints Series, on a scale of 1 – 10 how would you rate the year and why? The first year for Top Gun Sprints has been great.  I would rate it an 8+ out of 10.  This year far exceeded anything I could image.  An average car count of over 22 per show and 61 different teams participating makes for a great first year.

What changes are in store for the Top Gun Sprints Series for 2010? Plans for 2010 are already taking shape.  The series has expanded from 8 races in 2009 to 12 races in 2010 (three at each of the participating tracks).  There are also some other plans in the works, but nothing is finalized, nothing we can talk about.

The CFSS has had one of the best points battles all summer between the brothers Gimmler and Keith Butler. There has also been a stellar rookie battle with Amanda Ferguson and Dustin Henderson. What has been the secret to the points success this year with the CFSS? Points are always important in any successful series.  I have always felt that the inversion system we use in starting our races not only put on a good show for the fans but also helps keep the point’s race close.  The main reason though, is the dedication of the drivers who show up week in and week out.

Can a wingless sprint series on dirt work in this state? With 305 engines perhaps? Non-winged sprints on dirt just doesn’t seem to be popular with the racers themselves.  In 2007 I approached several teams inquiring as to whether there was any interest there.  No one I talked with was in favor.  I would love to see non-winged dirt sprints racing around the state.  I think there is definitely a fan base that would like to see them race.  What I don’t think we need is another motor package.

Ryan Partin is congratulated by Top Gun Series Director Don Rehm

If you had to name some of the best Florida sprint car drivers of all time, who would be on that list? We’ve had some great drivers from this area.  Some that really stand out in my mind are Pete Folse, Frank Riddle, Jim Childers, Wayne Reutimann, Sr., and Dave Scarborough.

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