RACER OF THE MONTH: Randy Scheuer, Jr.
By Tim Glover

wenty three year old Randy Scheuer (sounds like Shire), Jr. has been around drag racing all his life, thanks to his parents, Christine Scheuer and Randy Scheuer, Sr.

Scheuer lives in Toledo, Ohio and works for Advanced Product Design, a company that designs racing carburetors. A large part of their business is converting customer's carbs to use alcohol. They also build racing engines. "I want to give a special thanks to John Kyle of APD for building my engine and carburetor," said Scheuer.

He has been ready to race since the day he could drive, but monetary constraints kept him out of the driver's seat. He used his time wisely, acting as crew chief for his dad's 8.70 second, 155mph 1970 Cuda, nicknamed Sweet and Sassy and observing the other racers. "That was the only way to do it right. Pay attention and watch the winners," added Scheuer. He said he did play around some with street cars, but never got serious about racing them.

Finally, in 2001, his dad relented, and put Jr. in the driver's seat of the '70 Cuda. Although he had some high points in the 2001 season, like finishing runner up in his very first race and earning a runner up finish in the ET class during the 2001 World Nationals at Norwalk, he also experienced many of the frustrations other racers experience, including a lot of engine problems.

By the end of 2001, Scheuer had already decided to hang up his helmet and let his dad take over the car again when he took a trip to Milan Dragway. While there, he struck up a conversation with Ken Bear of Bear Motorsports. By the end of the evening, Bear asked if Scheuer was interested in driving for him, and he hasn't looked back since that moment.

He experienced nearly immediate success in 2002, taking the '01 S&W four link dragster to a runner up finish the first time out. A couple of months later he won a $10K race in Norwalk, defeating Luke Bogacki in that final. He finished second in Top (electronics allowed) class points at Milan Dragway for the 2002 season. He wound up in three finals, winning Norwalk and finishing runner up at Indy and Huntsville. He also won the Gambler's race at the 2002 bracket finals. The dragster runs 8.0 second times at 165mph.

Scheuer experienced an even better season in 2003, making it to nine different finals, winning five. The highlight of his racing career (so far) was winning the Top class in 2003 at the IHRA Division Three Bracket Finals, held the weekend of October 4-5, 2003. He finished second in 2003 Top points at Norwalk. He and Kirby McClennan actually finished the year tied for first place, but McClennan won the tiebreaker, which was who won the most points races. He did win the 2003 Quick 32 championship at Milan dragway.

Scheuer won races in 2003 driving no less than four cars. During the time trial run for the Bracket finals, his dragster broke, so friend Brad Winkle let him borrow his dragster. Scheuer stepped into the car for the first time and marched all the way to a final round win. "I seem to do pretty good in other people's cars. It's the challenge, I guess," said Scheuer. On October 12, 2003, (the day after his dad's birthday) he borrowed his dad's Cuda, took the delay box out, and entered the No Box Bonanza at Norwalk. Scheuer said, "I was having fun. I can't believe I won the No Box race!" Half the winnings made a great birthday present for his dad.

He enjoys the company of his eight year old nephew, Sean, saying "he's my little good luck charm. He always goes to the track with us." When asked about a Jr. Dragster for Sean, Scheuer said it was possible.

Scheuer's immediate plans call for a trip to Florida for both of the five day series races at Bradenton and Moroso.

Scheuer finished the interview with the statement, "Everything has come so quickly. It's like, Wow! I didn't ever expect to do this good. I guess I'm pretty lucky. Also, special thanks to my mom and dad, Bear Motorsports, Horton Racing, J&J Performance, Brad Winkle, Rick Baehr, John & Amy Kyle - apdracing.com, and anyone else I may have missed who helped me."

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