Eleven years ago I thought maybe our Country was going to war as I sat in disbelieve, watching the World Trade Centers fall to the ground.
Thankfully that never happened on the scale possible.
Non the less, there was a war going on in Tillsonburg. A much friendlier one. but not without some carnage. With the Series Championship race near conclusion, every point counts and several divisions will not be settled until the last main.
This week the racers arrived to see a totally new track surface. To eliminate the annoying bump going into the flag stand corner, the whole track was dug up with the dozer, roto-tilled and watered before repacking. This made for a clay surface with incredible grip. So much grip that a driver could turn sharp enough that the inside wheels come up off the track. What happens next depends on the driver. Relax the turn and bring it back down but mess up your lap or hold the radius and hope, sometimes with interesting results and a kart on its roof.
This week the Beginners saw Aaron Phillipo make his debut in Tillsonburg driving the 07x car for Hill’s Variety. Aaron fit right in and we look forward to seeing him again. Next week the Beginner group may see another new racer again. As for the racing this week, # 8 Tristen McClay was able to outdo # 45 Nick Sheridan by 1 point to take first overall. # 93 Rayse Meyer picked up the pace and was able to edge out # 5 Tom Pellizzari again by a single point to take 3rd.
This week was to be the first time the Juniors and Seniors got a chance to run a Main together and the stage was set for a very exciting full track race. After weeks of watching caution free races and times that were mirror reflections in the Juniors and Seniors, the curve ball was the track changes, namely the grip possible. The Seniors were markebly faster but neither division figured out what their limits were by the end of the second main and we had a couple flips in the process. Additionally, drivers seemed to think this was their night to win and by the time we got to the final main, there was no sign that things were getting better. A last minute decision was made to run the groups separately as per the norm. So what happened in the finals? Caution free professional looking racing. Go figure.
Oddly enough the Juniors actually ran slower lap times than normal. It made for great racing though and #52 Jacob Sheridan, #93 Amber Meyer, # 55s Scott Hall and # 66 Colby Bennett all were determined to win some races. Sheridan managed to take the overall but it was Meyer who edged out Hall and Bennett for 2nd. Third was a tie. For anyone watching the race, the second main saw #24 John McClay try out the up on two wheels idea and it never worked out very well. While running alone, he go up on the outside wheels and then end over end. When he came to a stop, his helmet was laying beside the car. This would be a good time to point out the Andrew Marshall rule. Helmets must properly fit and be properly done up. Andrew was the first one to have a helmet fall off. Either way, although shock up, John appears fine and I am sure he will double check the chin strap from here on.
The Seniors were just as exciting to watch as 77x Alex Hill managed to get on her roof. 87x Brad Perrott, although he saved it, almost did the same thing but in the process # 39 Kate Courtnage tangled with the wall. The whole thing happened without a caution but she went a lap down while trying to get back up to spped and was not able to overtake her sister which would have un-lapped her and with a caution would have been able to catch up. We later found out what was holding her up, she will be racing with a cast next week. Despite this she was able to set another track record with a 8.402 second lap. That is really fast. When the scores were added, it was 79 Bea Courtnage sitting in first overall a scant point ahead of 77x Alex Hill in second. 87x Brad Perrott finished 3rd this week.
On to the Experts. Except for a couple of the old guys, everyone was under 8 seconds in qualifying so the track was fast. In the final at different points it looked like Scott Kelly, Holly Porter, and Cody Coburn all had a shot at the win. The lead changed multiple times, often twice per lap but one by one , mistakes took each out. Kelly almost claimed the wall, Porter sailed into the infield and Coburn parked it on the track. When the checkered waved it was Scott Chesterman, Dave Chesterman and Holly Porter sitting in the top three.
Next week the Series battle continues September 18 2012. 7 pm
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