Post by Jeff Kempton on Sept 27, 2011 20:52:00 GMT -4
STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE #4;
Presented By A-1 Towing, Lower Sackville, NS
RACE REPORT
For the third time in the four ACSSA races of the 2011 season Mother Nature interfered with our plans, and our racers found themselves racing again on a Sunday, but even so the weekend ended with yet another great race in the books. With 219 race entries on the premises including our 20 ACSSA entries, everyone got down to business quickly once the track was dry. Despite the long odds against getting everything done in a mere 7 hours before darkness fell, thanks to the excellent work of the volunteers who run Greenfield Dragway plus a bit of good luck in avoiding oildowns the winners were crowned in all catagories with an hour of daylight to spare....Wow!
The 20 car field size is significant, as it marks the first time that our series has crested the 20 car mark, and also was the first time that we were able to pay out $600 to the winner. We would have had an even larger field but one entry didn't show, and four other regulars could not attend due to unexpected engine problems. In 2012 we hope that 20+ car fields will become the norm and then we'll work towards reaching the 25 car mark, before setting our sights on 30!
With time in short supply only one Qualifying session was held, and John Armstrong made the most of it by grabbing the pole convincingly with a -1.35 blast. Four other racers also ran more than one second under their Index, but past Top Qualifier Fred Thibeault spun and lost his only chance at the top spot. Dave Garland fared even worse; suffering a valvetrain failure that ultimately led to him being unable to make the call for 1st Round. When the session ended the final qualifying order looked like this:
FINAL QUALIFYING ORDER:
1. - John Armstrong, Melvern Sq., NS - SS/BA 1969 Corvette 8.845 / 10.20 Index (-1.354)
2. - Chris Howes, Rothesay, NB - B/SA 1970 Challenger 10.375 / 11.55 Index (-1.174)
3. - Jack Keirstead, Onslow Mtn, NS - K/SA 1978 Nova 11.780 / 12.95 Index (-1.169)
4. – Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, NS – SS/EA 1971 Chevelle SS 9.594 / 10.65 Index (-1.055)
5. - Greg Nickerson, Lr. Sackville, NS - C/FIA 1996 Firebird 10.886 / 11.90 Index (-1.013)
6. - Malcolm London, Saint John, NB - L/SA 1980 Malibu 12.149 / 13.00 Index (-0.850)
7. – Scott Underhill, Bedford, NS – E/SA 1971 Pontiac T-37 11.176 / 12.00 Index (-0.823)
8. – Trevor Ervin, Grand Bay, NB - B/SA 1970 Nova SS 10.799 / 11.55 Index (-0.750)
9. - Jeremy Keans, Brooklyn, NS - G/SA 1985 Camaro 11.572 / 12.30 Index (-0.727)
10. - Mark Howes, Rothesay, NB - SS/JA 1971 Duster 10.647 / 11.30 Index (-0.652)
11. – Billy Ervin, Grand Bay, NB – GT/AA 1984 Camaro 9.844 / 10.40 Index (-0.555)
12. - Ray Ingram, Middle Sackville, NS - I/CM 1969 Chevelle conv. 11.564 / 12.10 Index (-0.535)
13. - Wayne Deveau, Middleton, NS - GT/CA 1980 Olds Starfire 10.181 / 10.70 Index (-0.518)
14. – Bill Sheppard, Lakeview, NS - H/SA 1973 Duster 12.238 / 12.45 index (-0.211)
15. - Don LaVoie, Dieppe, NB - B/FIA 2003 Corvette 11.491 / 11.55 Index (-0.058)
16. – Bill Campbell, Moncton, NB – E/SA 1969 Fairlane conv. 12.191 / 12.00 Index (+0.191)
17. – Keith Johnston, Bass River, NS – S/GTE 1980 Malibu wagon 12.928 / 12.45 Index (+0.478)
18. - Fred Thibeault, Wilmot, NS - B/SA 1969 Camaro 15.357 / 11.55 Index (+3.807)
19. - Kelly MacKay, Mineville, NS - G/SA 1972 Demon 26.618 / 12.30 index (+14.318)
20. - Dave Garland, Moncton, NB - SS/HA 1967 Camaro BROKE / 10.90 index
The new "Bounty Hunter" bonus that was introduced this season has proven popular and has generated a lot of hype that announcer Jeff Rhodenizer has successfully used to draw more attention to our series. That interest grew even further when the target of the Bounty for the last two races; Greg Nickerson, shot down the Hunters and pocketed the bounty money himself both times. For this race the Directors again set the bounty at $100; double the normal amount. During all the idle time over the weekend the good natured ribbing aimed at Greg was plentiful, and at one point they joked about passing the hat to increase the Bounty on Greg's head. While that didn't happen, Dave Garland did contribute $25 to boost the total to $125. Don LaVoie got the first crack at that money when the ladder paired him against Greg in the first round.
With a lot of racing to get through and only a few hours to get it done, we headed into the first round as quickly as possible. The round results shown below list the reaction time, then the ET, and then the dial.
ROUND 1:
Bill Campbell .033 RT, 12.060 (12.00) defeated Malcom London .069 RT, 12.272 (12.16)
Bill Sheppard .061 RT, 12.766 (12.30) defeated Bruce Riley .037 RT, 17.686 (9.58)
Ray Ingram .066 RT, 11.636 (11.60) defeated Chris Howes .108 RT, 10.388 (10.40)
Jeremy Keans .049 RT, 11.657 (11.62) defeated Kelly MacKay .073 RT, 11.513 (11.52)
Don LaVoie .010 RT, 11.524 (11.49) defeated Greg Nickerson .061 RT,10.926 (10.90)
Scott Underhill .087 RT, 11.150 (11.19) defeated Keith Johnston - BROKE
Jack Keirstead .101 RT, 11.821 (11.79) defeated Wayne Deveau .078 RT, 10.932 (10.25)
Billy Ervin .140 RT, 9.934 (9.88) defeated John Armstrong .201 RT, 8.870 (8.85)
Fred Thibeault .083 RT, 10.332 (10.38) defeated Trevor Ervin -.074 RT, 10.860 (10.85)
Mark Howes .031 RT, 10.696 (10.67) defeated - BYE
The big news of the round happened in the fifth pair; when Don cut a great reaction time of .010 and ended Greg's win streak at 14 rounds. Scott Underhill went to Round 2 when Keith Johnston couldn't get his wagon fired in time in the lanes. Bruce Riley; in his first race of 2011, left on Bill Sheppard but lost when his Chevelle wouldn't shift into 2nd gear. The big block saw 9000+ rpm but no apparent damage resulted. The problem was later found to be a bent bracket on a shifter switch. Billy Ervin got past John Armstrong in his first race of the year with us, and Mark Howes got the Bye when Dave Garland couldn't make the call.
ROUND 2:
Ray Ingram .102 RT, 11.651 (11.62) defeated Scott Underhill .121 RT 11.162 (11.17)
Billy Ervin .045 RT, 10.149 (9.90) defeated Bill Campbell .055 RT, 12.352 (12.00)
Don Lavoie .075 RT, 11.494 (11.49) defeated Mark Howes .103 RT, 10.695 (10.69)
Jeremy Keans .079 RT, 11.617 (11.65) defeated Bill Sheppard .046 RT, 12.234 (12.30)
Jack Keirstead .005 RT, 11.802 (11.79) defeated Fred Thibeault .053 RT, 10.427 (10.45)
With the hot September sun beating down it appeared everyone got a little sleepy this round; at least judging by the reaction times. The one exception was Jack Keirstead, who put together a smoking .017 package that easily held up as the best one of the day.
ROUND 3:
Ray Ingram .029 RT, 11.716 (11.65) defeated Jeremy Keans .029 RT, 11.686 (11.59)
Don LaVoie .083 RT, 11.514 (11.47) defeated Jack Keirstead .095 RT, 11.865 (11.80)
Bill Ervin -.053 RT, 9.924 (9.90) defeated - BYE
Don LaVoie conitinued his winning ways with a defeat of Jack Keirstead, while Ray Ingram finished ahead of Jeremy Keans after they posted identical .029 reaction times. Meanwhile, Billy Ervin found a reason to hang around the track for awhile longer as he took the Bye into Round 4.
ROUND 4:
Don LaVoie .035 RT, 11.493 (11.47) defeated Bill Ervin .125 RT, 9.904 (9.92)
Ray Ingram .027 RT, 12.916 (11.65) defeated - BYE
Don LaVoie finally ended Billy Ervin's day and earned himself a trip to the Final, where Ray Ingram was waiting for him after a Round 4 Bye.
FINAL ROUND:
Don LaVoie .010 RT, 11.515 (11.47) defeated Ray Ingram .122 RT, 11.638 (11.63)
Don LaVoie stepped up for the final with another .010, proving his round one light was no fluke and gaining a big starting line advantage that helped him snag the win light. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Don "Mr. In-Between" LaVoie on his first win in our series! His always smiling face was even more joyful as he received his Winner's Plaque, and that alone was well worth the price of admission!
ACSSA STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE #4 WINNER
--------------------- DON LAVOIE !! -----------------------
ACSSA Stock/Super Stock Challenge Race 4 Payouts
Event Winner: ($600)
Don LaVoie
Event Runner-Up: ($300)
Ray Ingram
Event Semi-Finalist: ($150/person)
Bill Ervin
Event Quarter-Finalists: ($100/person)
Jack Keirstead
Jeremy Keans
Event 2nd Round Finishers: ($50/person)
Fred Thibeault
Bill Campbell
Scott Underhill
Bill Sheppard
Mark Howes
The following special awards were also presented:
Top Qualifier Award (Sponsored by A&J Automotive):
John Armstrong: $100
(8.845 on a 10.20 index (-1.354)
Best Package In Eliminations Award (Sponsored by BMR Structural Engineering)
Jack Keirstead $50
(.005 RT + .012 over the dial = .017 package in the 2nd round)
"Bounty Hunter" Award: (Sponsored by LaFarge Concrete):
Don LaVoie $125
(defeated our most recent race winner; Greg Nickerson, in the 1st round)
"Just 4 Fun" Stk/SS Series Award: (Sponsored by Dents & Stones Automotive):
Dave Garland
One important thing I'd like to mention: Bill Clark of Trans World Bolts has been a big supporter of drag racing here in the Maritimes. A few weeks ago he approached Greenfield Dragway with an offer of a large bolt assortment and box to be auctioned as a fundraiser, and before it was all said and done it was decided that the proceeds would be split between the NSDRA and the ACSSA. Thanks to this generousity we received $520 in unexpected funding! Thanks Bill Clark, Trans World, and NSDRA!
That wraps up our second season, and it's been a success in every way. We had increased car counts at every race, increased payouts, and increased interest. We've had several racers approach us about building or buying cars to join our series, and we're very confident that some of them will be racing with us in 2012. To all our fellow racers, family members, fans, track personnel, volunteers, fans, and sponsors that helped to make 2011 a success, a very big "Thank You!" We hope to see you again at our races in 2012!