11/27/04 Race Report
11/27/04 Race Report
Thunder Road RC Speedway
The Stock Class Racing was fast and furious at Thunder Road on Saturday night. After spending a long time stuck in traffic, Matt Tyson and his running mate, Bill Auchterlonie, arrived at the track later than most. But, once there, there was nothing slow about either one of them. Three hard fought Heat Races behind them, the racers lines up for the Mains.
In the C Main, Charlie Johnson had an easy run; his only problem being trying to dodge Johnny Barnett’s evil handling car. Johnny had made some improvements in handling throughout the evening, but a hard crash seemed to destroy his car’s handling ability. After that, he would look smooth for a couple of laps; them something would suddenly send his car careening into whatever was closest. All too often, that was Charlie!
The B Main had some folks in it that were more used to running for the A Main win; but that’s the kind of competition the evening offered. At the end, Big Clay suddenly looked better than he had all evening; cruising to a relatively easy win. Behind him, Lin Vaughan had to fight off a suddenly and all too competitive Kevin Randolpf. Kevin had looked squirrelly all evening; but he seemed to find something in the round three heat race; and looked even stronger in the B Main. He had started the evening running in the 4.9’s; and ended up running 3.9’s. A great comeback effort for Kevin! Steve Downs struggled all evening; and finished a distant and decidedly unhappy fourth.
The A Main was a torrid affair from the start until the last lap. Matt Tyson was never headed; although he was chased pretty hard by Bill Auchterlonie, Jesse Bean and Chris Rhinehart. At the flag, Matt still held onto a half lap margin. Jesse Bean held off Bill Auchterlonie until a few laps from the end, when Bill went under him as they both moved to lap a struggling Chris Rhinehart. Jesse’s current lap record held up; although it was under assault by Matt Tyson all night long. At the finish, Matt missed setting a new record by only a couple of thousandths of a second.
A number of racers served clear notice that Jesse’s lap record would not stand beyond The 2004 Virginia Oval Championships on December 4th. Still, Jesse seems to be in a good position to crack his two week old record himself. Whether any one else will get a look, remains to be seen.
Track Owner’s Note: I was really impressed by the caliber of racers who ran last night. Even more, I was impressed by the courtesy and gentlemanly conduct of all the racers. Even in this crowd of nice people, Chris Rhinehart and Bill Auchterlonie managed to stand out as two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Hard driving competitors thought they may be, they are both also very nice people. Thanks, guys. Ernie P.
11/27/04 Race Report
Thunder Road RC Speedway
The Stock Class Racing was fast and furious at Thunder Road on Saturday night. After spending a long time stuck in traffic, Matt Tyson and his running mate, Bill Auchterlonie, arrived at the track later than most. But, once there, there was nothing slow about either one of them. Three hard fought Heat Races behind them, the racers lines up for the Mains.
In the C Main, Charlie Johnson had an easy run; his only problem being trying to dodge Johnny Barnett’s evil handling car. Johnny had made some improvements in handling throughout the evening, but a hard crash seemed to destroy his car’s handling ability. After that, he would look smooth for a couple of laps; them something would suddenly send his car careening into whatever was closest. All too often, that was Charlie!
The B Main had some folks in it that were more used to running for the A Main win; but that’s the kind of competition the evening offered. At the end, Big Clay suddenly looked better than he had all evening; cruising to a relatively easy win. Behind him, Lin Vaughan had to fight off a suddenly and all too competitive Kevin Randolpf. Kevin had looked squirrelly all evening; but he seemed to find something in the round three heat race; and looked even stronger in the B Main. He had started the evening running in the 4.9’s; and ended up running 3.9’s. A great comeback effort for Kevin! Steve Downs struggled all evening; and finished a distant and decidedly unhappy fourth.
The A Main was a torrid affair from the start until the last lap. Matt Tyson was never headed; although he was chased pretty hard by Bill Auchterlonie, Jesse Bean and Chris Rhinehart. At the flag, Matt still held onto a half lap margin. Jesse Bean held off Bill Auchterlonie until a few laps from the end, when Bill went under him as they both moved to lap a struggling Chris Rhinehart. Jesse’s current lap record held up; although it was under assault by Matt Tyson all night long. At the finish, Matt missed setting a new record by only a couple of thousandths of a second.
A number of racers served clear notice that Jesse’s lap record would not stand beyond The 2004 Virginia Oval Championships on December 4th. Still, Jesse seems to be in a good position to crack his two week old record himself. Whether any one else will get a look, remains to be seen.
Track Owner’s Note: I was really impressed by the caliber of racers who ran last night. Even more, I was impressed by the courtesy and gentlemanly conduct of all the racers. Even in this crowd of nice people, Chris Rhinehart and Bill Auchterlonie managed to stand out as two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Hard driving competitors thought they may be, they are both also very nice people. Thanks, guys. Ernie P.
