#416 Solomon Barker
- Name: Solomon Barker
- Division: Hornets
- Car #: 416
- Birth Date: April 16, 1983
- Birth Place: Kingston, Illinois
- Hometown: South Beloit, Illinois
- Occupation: Machine Tool Technician
- E-Mail Address: King416@msn.com
- Main Sponsor: All World Machinery Supply Inc.
- Other Sponsors: Solomon Barker and Friends
- Team Members: Alan “A.J.” Bekielewski
- Crew Chief: Andy Vineyard
- Car Owner: James Stanis
- Current Race Car: 1993 Toyota Celica GT
- # of Years Racing: 6
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN RACING: My father had just entered racing when they started Denny’s Grand Slammers and my oldest brother Salem (SalemBarker.com) had entered Hornets when they started that division. I helped them build their race cars including the ‘Double Engine” mini-van used in trailer race and the gauntlet race, the “Titanic” used in Slammers, trailer race, lazy dog, train race, and the space shuttle “Discovery” mini van used in the ‘Dupes of Hazard” jump off, rollover and the F.8.L. As soon as I turned 16 I couldn’t wait to enter into Hornets and that has been my choice since.
MOST MEMORABLE RACING EXPERIENCE: On July 3, 2003 I entered my rolled over Mitsubishi 3000GT Vr-4 in Spectacular Drags event. That night, I beat both of the two most competitive drivers, the mean Cutlass and the black Charger RT. I barely lost to a road course Vette that won “Road America” and was featured in June2003 Road and Track magazine by only a couple of feet. If any body has a video of that night, I will pay you for good footage of that race.
MOST EMBARRASSING RACING EXPERIENCE: Driving Hornets in 2006 with an 1985 Civic 1.5 liter 3 barrel carb slowpoke machine and getting last everytime. One night the flagman threw a yellow flag and yelled at me that I was 2 laps down, in the way and that I should just get off the track!
RACING AWARDS AND HONORS: Winning various trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Hornets division, 1st for Skidcars, 2nd for Goblin Demo, 1st for Hornets Challenge, and 1st in Spectacular Drags. In 2008 I placed 2nd in the Hornets Division, and 3rd in the Hornets Challenge Division.
HOBBIES: I mostly enjoyh riding my 2006 Triumph Speed Triple, my ’01 KTM 1255X dirtbike, and my Suzuki LT 250R Quadracer. I also enjoy target shooting and inventing things.
I see myself inishing my Hornets season in the top 3 in 2009.
