Race: Points Race #08
Date: 7-18-2004
Location: Richmond, Va.
Track: 360 West Shopping Center
Temperature: 85°F Humid & Overcast

Points race # 8 started out much the same way races # 6 & 7 did......with the threat of rain! With a 60% chance of rain for the day club members once again flirted with mother nature and set up the track anyway. They weren't sorry! The whole event was run from start to finish without any delay. The same layout as race #7 was chosen due to it's simplicity. (See diagram below)
Layout

After track setup, registration, and an 2 hour practice qualifying began. John Laster's clinch on the pole for 1/8th Scale was finally broken by Mike Bowman.
Bowman took the TQ in two classes, Nitro Touring Pro & 1/8th Scale, by using horsepower and consistency to dislodge John's grasp on TQ that had lasted for the last three races. Bowman turned in a 23 lap effort on a 5:00.13 just .24 of a second faster than John. Laster did however continue his dominance in the Electric Touring Class by again taking the top spot by 3 laps over the next closest qualifier. In Nitro Truck, Tommy Ingram set the hot qualifier and in Nitro Touring Sport saw newcomer, Steve Ramarge take TQ with a 20 lap effort. TQ in Monster Truck was earned by Mac Scott for his first of the year.

Following the usual format, 1/8th Scale took to the track first. On the start Mike Bowman and John Laster appeared to be heading off to another one of those exciting matches. This would be short lived as John's racer would be sidelined for a extended stay in the pits after lap 18. John fuel line had been rubbing the engine and wore a hole through the hose causing the car to run lean and thus run hot. This left Bowman and the rest of the field of Mark Poore, Terrance Brown, Ken Harris, Stan Medlin, Tommy Chenault, and Steve Ramarge to battle for the win. Bowman appeared to be in control and was pulling away until the second fuel stop when his exhaust coupler came loose and required repair. A close following Mark, due mainly to great pit stops by Kevin Randolph, took the lead after that point and never looked back. When the smoke cleared the finishing order was Mark (earning his third victory of the year), Mike Bowman, Ken Harris, Tommy Chenault, Stan Medlin, Terrance Brown, and John Laster in that order. All were running at the end except for early retiree Steve Ramarge hope would close out the field.

Next up were those crazy guys in Electric Touring. Pole sitter John Laster making up for his 1/8th Scale performance took the early lead and never looked back on the field. Steven Benesch and Fred Harler tried to make it interesting but John would have none of that. Back in the field Tommy and Angie Ingram had their own battle going on until Tommys race car had some difficulties and lead to his early departure. Another driver retiring early was Joe Harler who made just three laps when his car decided to call it quits. The finishing order was John, Steve, Fred, Angie, Tommy, and Joe in that order.

Nitro Truck took to the asphalt for their ten minute event and put on another thrilling show. Pole sitter Tommy Ingram and number two qualifier Spencer Atkinson went at it lap after lap. Earl Ingram shadowed the front runners for a few minute but fell out with a minute and twenty seconds left to go. When the tone sounded and the laps were counted Spencer would be the victor with Tommy a close second. Earl would take third and David Basl who was unable to start would round out the field.

The first of the Nitro Touring classes was the Sport Class. TQ Steve Ramarge was the first under the bridge and led the whole way to the end with only a short scare coming at lap 41. After almost a minute in the pits he returned to the racing surface and claimed his crown. Second place Mark Painter had his share of troubles and retired with 4o seconds left but turned enough laps to secure the second position. The remainder of the field would each have troubles causing loss of track time and relegating them to the following order, Joe Harler, David Basl, Ashley Stringer, Paul Knab, Chriss Booberg, Justin Chenault, Victor Boger, and Jonathan Harrell.

Nitro Touring Pro heated up the track next with Pole Sitter Mike Bowman determined to not have a repeat of the 1/8th class. Mike pulled under the bridge first and left everyone in the dust. Everyone but John Laster that is. John was trying hard to redeem himself as well from a poor performance. He shadowed Mike until late in the race when his tires started to fall off. Bowman continued to turn consistant laps and would finish a full lap ahead of John with 65 laps. John finished second with 64, Tommy Chenault Third with 55, Terrance Brown fourth with 30, Stan Medlin fifth with 29, and Kevin Randolph who fell out early due to engine problems with 14.

Last up were Nitro Monster Trucks. Mac Scott put on a driving clinic thus re-enforcing his TQ status. Victor Boger tried valiantly to keep up but had several problems relegating him to second place.

I'd like to thanks all those drivers who stayed around and helped with track tear down.
Don't forget the next points race (#9) will be on August 1st.. Make plans to be there.
---Mark Poore


Copyright © 2004 V.O.R.R.A. (Virginia On Road Racing Association)