Race: Points Race #03
Date: 5-22-2005 (Make-Up Date for 5-1-05)
Location: Richmond, Va.
Track: 360 West Shopping Center
Temperature: 76°F & Sunny

The make-up date for Points Race #3 had much better weather conditions than did points race #4 held just the week before. The weather forcast was a good one and other than a little water seepage around mid-day from a few cracks in the asphalt it was perfect!
The track layout remained the same as the previous three races and setup went quickly once everyone pitched in. Once track setup was completed, Angel open registration and two rounds of controlled practice started. When practice was completed, a short break was taken, qualifying order was posted, and drivers took to the track!
Track Layout

Qualifying:
Sean Tabor re-established his prominence in 1/8th Scale with a fast run of 21 laps on a 5:01.51.
No surprise again in 1/10th Electric Touring as John Laster set the top time with a 16 lap run on a 5:17.80.
Nitro Touring Pro saw Hank Giancaterino at the top, unseating Mike Bowman who has recently dominated the class, with a 20 lap effort on a 5:13.16.
In Nitro Touring Sport, Mac Scott, took the top honors with 18 laps on a 5:16.83.
Aaron Bartlett secured his second TQ in Nitro Monster Truck division with a 14 lap @ 5:17.68 effort.
Nitro Truck was headed once again by Joe Harler on a 12 lap pace @ 5:11.04 for second TQ in a row.

1/8th Pro B-Main: Trying out something new today VORRA officials decided to try a bump up to the A-main scenario. That meant that the winner of the B-Main would automatically advance to the A-Main. It also would mean that the fortunate driver would have to prepare his car twice for longer mains. The B-Main was to be a 15 minute event. The advancing driver would have to then turn marshal, the next event and then run a 20 minute race. Drivers in the B-Main were excited by the chance at took to track with more caution than normally. Any bad accident requiring extensive repairs would make it extremely hard to pull off the double. At the waving of the green flag all drivers carefully filed in line and started to get the feel of their machines. Front starter Aaron Bartlett quickly felt the heat of Kevin Randolph, Terrance Brown ,and David Basl. Johnny Pritchett, and Mark Poore followed closely behind. Tommy Chenault start the event late due to mechanical difficulties. Mark quickly moved through the field following in the tire tracks of Terrance and Johnny. Once these drivers had seperated from the field, Mark moved past John and past Terrance a lap later. Then as he started lapping the field just short of the first fuel stop, his car flamed out causing him to start at the back again after refueling & restarting the car. Kevin also had problems and was forced to retire after the 8 minute mark. He would be the only driver not to finish the event. At this time back up front Terrance and John were battling it out for that transfer spot. Aaron meanwhile was tryng to get back up to speed after a lengthy stay in the pits. David was getting use to his new car and started giving John a fit. Mark meanwhile had caught back up to front runner Terrance and started pressuring him. Within a lap he moved back around Terrance and took the lead for good. When all the dust had settled Mark earned the bump-up spot with the win followed closely by Terrance, Johnny, and David. Tommy Chenault finished after a late start in the 5th position. Aaron & Kevin rounded out the field in that order.

1/10th Electric: Again, John Laster!
This time not as lop-sided though. Second & third place finishers Joe Harler & Mac Scott made it more interesting. finishing just a few laps behind. Maybe before the end of the year Jon will have to work up a sweat. Larry Ballard did not finish but turned enough laps to clinch the fourth spot just ahead of Angie Ingram in fifth, Tommy Ingram in sixth, Preston Pollard in seventh, and Wayne Goodwin in eighth.

1/8th Pro A-Main: The A-Main was expanded to eight drivers after bump-up driver Mark Poore earned admittance by winning the B. Driver, Ken Harris turn marshaled for Mark during the 1/10th electric allowing him to prepare his car for the A. Once all the drivers had warmed up their machines, they were called to the line and the flagman had the race. Upon the lifting of the flag TQ Sean Tabor picked up where he left off at Race # 2. He started putting some ground in between his racer and the rest of the field. Behind him John Laster, fresh off his electric win, Mike Bowman, Chuck Lienbach, & Ralph Phillips vied for position all the while showing good sportsmanship in giving the other drivers room for maneuvering while in close quarters. Further behind them Mark, Ken Harris, & Stan Medlin had at it. Mark found that the drivers in this main would not be overtaken so easily and struggled to get around them. Eventually Mark wore down Stan and moved around his car while setting his sites on Ken. Back up front Jon had separated himself from Chuck, Mike, and Ralph, as he set after trying to catch Sean who was in a different time zone then the rest of the field. Stan had mechanical problems shortly after his fuel stop and was forced from the event. Ken Harris would eventually give in to mechanical gremlins after a good run I must mention. The best battle on the track was between Ralph and Mark. As the time was winding down Marks racre again flamed out and was in need of a restart. This put him on the same lap as Ralph who wasn't so eager to just give in. About this time Sean and Jon were closing in to put another of there many laps on the field. When Ralph made room Mark fell into the draft of Sean & Jon's Mugens to make the past. When the dust settled Sean had another dominating performance followed by Jon just 1 lap behind, Chuck driving a Delta, Bump-up driver Mark, Ralph, Mike, Ken, and Stan.

1/10th Touring Sport B-Main: Five drivers lined the back wall for the start of the B-Main. Tommy Ingram was to head the field at the start of the event but had difficulties requiring him to join the field 30 seconds later from the pits. Newcomer Scott Harrell moved to the front early but had lots of pressure from behind as the drivers of Chris Garret, Travis Johnson, and Blake Schaaf shadowed him. Chris ran into trouble early and missed almost two minutes while in the pits. After eleven laps Blake was forced to retire with a broke car. Next out was Travis followed a minute later by Tommy. This was turning out to be a race of attrition. When the checkered flag waved Scott crossed the finish line first followed by Chris, five laps back. Great run Scott!

Nitro Truck: Only two of the scheduled five starters were at the line when the green flag flew. Joe Harler and Chris Garret made the start. Soon Joe would be by himself as Chris's truck broke just two laps in. Victor Boger joined the hunt after 2 minutes but was so far behind at that point he couldn't make a serious charge at Joe. When all was said and done, Joe earned another victory, Victor finished second, Chris third, and Tommy and Earl did not start relegating them to 4th and 5th.

1/10th Touring Sport A-Main: Six starters were scheduled for this event but only five took the green flag. Lamont Dunson started 30 seconds late and would have to play catch up. Mac Scott took the race flag to flag and never had any serious challenge for the lead. Joe Harler though had to feel the pressure as a fast charging Lamont quickly made up for his late entry into the event. Craig Jones had a good run going but kept getting hung up when in traffic. Aaron Bartlett also had his share of trouble requiring lengthy stays in the pits. This caused lots of lost time on the track. When the race was over five cars were running with only Justin Chenault not making the finish. The finishing order was Mac, Joe, Lamont, Craig, Aaron, and Justin in that order.

1/10th Touring Pro A-Main: Pole sitter Hank Giancaterino was on fire from the start of this event. He quickly out paced most of the field up until the point he started lapping cars. As he approached a back runner Hank anticipated and moved the wrong way when lapping him. as he attempted to correct the car his racer lost traction and bounced off a retaining wall effectively ending his run. Mike Bowman found himself in the lead at that point and went into coast mode as he was already 5 laps ahead of the next competitor. Behind him Johnny Pritchett and Stan Medlin fought for second place before Stan got caught up on a corner and required the service of a turn marshal. John Laster had trouble at the start and had to run hard just for a good finish. He was rewarded with 4th place for his effort. Terrance Brown started the event but quickly parked his ride after lap 14. Tommy Chenault and David Basl did not start.

Nitro Monster Truck: Only Victor Bogor and Aaron Bartlett started this event scheduled for four entries. Wayne Goodwin and Tommy Ingram did not start the event. Aaron quickly out paced Victor and ran away with the win.

Remember, the next points race is June 5, 2005
Hope to see you there. Until then,
---Mark Poore


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