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7/25/2012
Anherst, OH
Ryon Berkel entered drag racing with the guidance of his grandfather and uncle into this sport at the age of 16 years old. The first night competing in High School Bracket Eliminator at Summit Motorsports Park, Ryon managed to find his way to the winners circle. From that day forth he continued his venture through the sport. In 2008 Ryon started racing the points series at his local track as well as others around the area. After winning some races in his door car he then decided that a dragster was in his future. Ryon pursued a long time friend Victor Ellinger of Wiseco Performance Products to help him make this dream come true. Victor in turn referred Ryon to Diamond Race Cars of Whitehouse Ohio, where Dan and his team were more than helpful and supportive in building the chassis that Ryon would need to be competitive.
Ryon stated these comments about his dream build and the people who helped along the way. "After receiving the car from Diamond Race Cars the real work started, long nights and lots of learning!" "Painting the Chassis was a great learning experience and I would like to thank Ben from D&S Color Supply in Middleburg Hights Ohio. There product's and Vic Ellinger's hard work made the Chassis come out great!"
When it came time to find a drive train one name shined above the rest for transmissions for Berkel and that was Marco Abruzzi. Ryon stated - "I would like to thank Marco for taking the time talking to me and treating me with respect, as not many people take a 25 year old kid serious when their trying to build a dragster on their own." On to the engine with one phone call to the engine builder who sponsors Summit Motorsports Park, Berkel found his engine, a 498 cubic inch Big Block Chevy from Ronnie V`s House of Power in Northfield Ohio. When searching for the Fuel system for the car, Berkel found some used items on RacingJunk.com as well as some spare parts that his uncle Ron Berkel II had laying around. The one thing he knew he had to get for his car and was found on RacingJunk.com was a used 1150 Alcohol Dominator Built by Advanced Product Design of Toledo Ohio. The Ignition Wires, Cap, and Rotor also were helped out by Rick from the Fire Core Company of Cleveland Ohio.
Holley Performance Products division Earls Plumbing had a large part in the beautiful plumbing on Berkel's car. In the drivers seat he has the pleasure of monitoring his racecar with Autometer carbon gauges that Berkel states "He couldn't be happier with." The rubber getting Berkel down the track is from Mickey Thompson. Berkel said "He would most definitely like to thank Tommy of Mickey Thompson Tire and Wheels for helping make the decision easy, another great Ohio Company!"
When talking about the paint, Ryon says "I can not let you know how overly happy I am with the job that R&R Auto Body of Cleveland, Ohio did. Ron, Dave, Joe, Mike and Danny Roemer are a great family and work hard everyday to make dreams come true for people like me everyday. Not only are they a full service collision center they are known as the premier custom paint service in the mid west!" "Dave Roemer and R&R Auto Body are one of if not the greatest supporters of sportsman drag racing in the country and I am proud and honored to have there paint on my car!"
Ryon wanted everyone to know how much he appreciates DragRaceResults.com and Luke Bogacki's ThisIsBracketRacing.com for giving him a box to stand on to shout his story out for all to hear. Ryon said "It really means a lot to me and I hope that the good hearted nature and helping hands that these companies have shown me, I can one day pay it forward to another racer and show that good companies shine above the rest!"
