Prather Racing

History

Together, Kent and Jesse Prather run Prather Racing Inc., in Wakarusa , Kan. (south Topeka ). The business was started in 1975 and began as an import repair service. Kent Prather became known for excellent workmanship, honesty and a knack for achieving the customer’s goals. The shop first got into racing with a Formula Vee and became very active in SCCA activities.

However, since Kent ’s first car in high school, a ground-up street restoration in 1968, production cars were the way to go.

Kent entered G Production in 1980 with his MGA, winning numerous regional races along with the 1983 Regional Series, MARRS Series and the NORRDIC Championship. He went National racing in 1984, with a 10^th-place finish at his first Runoffs National Championship event (Road Atlanta). Kent ’s first National Championship came in 1986, followed by number two in 1990.

The Valvoline Runoffs’ move to Mid-Ohio in 1994 didn’t stop the two-time Champion, with Kent taking his third title in 1995. Kent had a perfect season in 2002, taking the pole and win in each of the six Nationals he entered, culminating in a record-tying fourth Runoffs National Championship.

2003 became a season to do more development in an effort to go faster and keep up with the increasing pressure in G Production, despite holding every track record in the Midwest Division. The results were a back-to-back National Championship, thus becoming the first-ever five-time G Production SCCA National Champion.

Son Jesse began his racing career in an MGB in 2000 with seven regional races and wins culminating in the Midwest Division Regional Championship. He moved to an Elva Courier in 2001 for E Production. This was a transition into National racing, which led him to one second and two third-place finishes. In 2002, it was another car for Jesse, moving to an E Production Mazda RX-7. He won his first National race and finished 10^th a the Runoffs, moving up from 25^th on the grid.

2003 was a transition year for the Prather Racing RX-7. A new transmission and more seat time for Jesse developed one win, a second and another trip to the Runoffs. After qualifying 13^th, he moved up to as high as fifth place before finishing seventh—the highest-finishing RX-7 in the field. With improved suspension design, look for more success in the 2004 season.