Race: Points Race #02
Date: 4-17-2005
Location: Richmond, Va.
Track: 360 West Shopping Center
Temperature: 72°F

Points Race #2 had much better weather conditions than the first one.
With new boards coming off the track trailer (Thanks to John , Dave, Paul, Kevin, Scott, Mike, Mark, & Tommy C. for taking their Saturday to paint and assemble track board for the club to use on race day) the layout from race #1 (see diagram below) was used and went up quicker this morning. Many people pitched in to get it up and organized. Thanks to great weather we had no trouble with those water weeping cracks as in weeks past however the thin layer of pollen did pose a problem early on with slick conditions.
Once setup was complete, a drivers meeting was held and registration was opened, followed by 2 rounds of controlled practice heats @ 10 minutes each. Many drivers who are just starting to get use to this format and have commented on how much more relaxed practices are.

Track Layout

Qualifying:
In 1/8th scale, Sean Tabor showed the way with a fast run of 21 laps on a 5:01.08.
No surprise in 1/10th Electric Touring as John Laster set the top time with a 17 lap run on a 5:05.27.
Nitro Touring Pro saw Mike Bowman at the top again for the second race in a row with a 20 lap effort on a 5:07.76.
Nitro Touring Sport Aaron Bartlett take top honors with 17 laps on a 5:01.70. He also secured the TQ in Nitro Monster Truck with a 13 lap @ 5:16.16 effort.
Nitro Truck was headed by Joe Harler on a 12 lap pace @ 5:11.49

1/8th Pro B-Main: The front starters did not fair well in this main. Ken Harris and Johnny Pritchett both would have troubles early on and finish at the back of the pack. However third place starter, Kevin Randolph, had no trouble with putting together a solid run that would see him locked up in fierce battle with Chuck Lienbach for the coveted top spot. Behind them David Basl & Terrance Brown had there own scuffle going on that was finally decided in the pits. When the smoke cleared, Chuck take the victory with 40 laps followed by Kevin who just missed getting under the bridge and wound up with 39 laps. Third place was secured by David with 33 laps and Terrance, who also didn't make it under the bridge in time finished with 32 laps. Ken and Johnny rounded out the field in that order as neither one finished.

1/10th Touring Sport B-Main: Five drivers started this event in a main which saw very little side by side racing. TQ Craig Jones found little resistance when passing and was never seriously challenged for the lead. The driver who had the best chance to over take him, Blake Schaaf, didn't make the start and would find himself down some 21 laps before his first pace under the bridge. The field was spread out quite a bit as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The final finishing order was Craig with 28 laps, Andre Baskin with 18, Travis Johnson with 13, Eric Simpson with 11, and Blake with 7. Justin Jacobson did not start the event.

1/8th Pro A-Main: Pole sitter, Sean Tabor, put on a driving clinic and never trailed anyone at any time during the 15 minutes he scorched the tarmac. The only driver to even keep him in site was last races winner Hank Giancaterino who would finish 1 lap & 5 seconds behind. Third place was earned by Mike Bowman, 2 laps behind, followed by John Laster & Stan Medlin (who had a solid run). Ralph Phillips and Mark Poore failed to finish.

1/10th Electric: What else is their to say, John Laster! Again!
Followed by Joe Harler, Eric Simpson, & Angie Ingram. Mac Scott and Tommy Ingram did not start!

Nitro Truck: Three of the five entries started this event. TQ Joe Harler couldn't hold back a determined Tommy Ingram. Especially when your off the track in the second lap and again on your ninth lap. Tommy drove a flawless race and as such earn the victory in fine fashion. Chris Garret gave chase but had his own problems on lap 8 that required a lengthy stay in the pits for repairs. He would wind up third. Earl Ingram & Victor Boger did not start!

1/10th Touring Sport A-Main: This race was quite exciting. Pole sitter Aaron Bartlett and third place starter Paul Knab battle long and hard as each driver tried desperately to get some breathing room from the other. Behind them the field got stretched out with drivers Gregg Phelps, Justin Chenault, Lamont Dunson, Joe Harler, and Mac Scott all having difficulties during the event. Justin was the first to exit the event with just 11 laps to show for it. Next was Mac who also retired after only 14 laps. Back up front Paul would eventually prove to be the victor with 51 laps. Aaron was just 2 seconds behind in second also with 51 laps. Lamont who had exited earlier returned to the track and secured third with 33 laps followed by Joe who failed to finish but turned in enough laps (28) for fourth. Greg finished out the field of cars still running with 20 laps.

1/10th Touring Pro A-Main: Wow, what a race. There is a lot of strategy being played out in this class and it's making for really good racing. Mike Bowman starting out front had a heck of a time with visiting driver Chay Blount. Chay is a driver from the Tri-State On-Road Series, run in the states of Alabama, Georgia, & Tennessee. From the lifting of the flag Mike and Chay battled hard and long until late in the race, the second fuel stop to be precise! That's when Mike car flamed out in the pits and ended his run at the top finishing position. Of the remaining drivers, David Basl, Tommy Chenault, Stan Medlin, John Laster, Hank Giancaterino, Terrance Brown, only Tommy, John, and Terrance would run the full 15 minutes. As a result they were awarded finishing positions of third for Terrance, fourth for Tommy, and fifth for John. Stan, Hank, & David failed to finish and would up in that order. Drivers who did not start were Johnny Pritchett and Josh Lancaster.

Nitro Monster Truck: Hugh Daiger was the only starter who actually ran the whole time. He put together a 22 lap run that distanced himself from second place & TQ Aaron Bartlett who finished with 17 laps. The remainder of the field was Victor "Sticky" Boger and Larenzo Allen who both finished with 12 laps.

Remember, the next points race is May 1, 2005
Hope to see you there. Until then,
---Mark Poore


Copyright © 2005 V.O.R.R.A. (Virginia On Road Racing Association)