NEWS

One of my worst races ever. New paint job, fresh engine, new tires, first race of the year. Practice in the rain, qualifying in the dry. Tangled with Steve Ely during practice and bent a tie rod in half. Purchased a new tie rod and went qualifying. Went off the road during lap four of qualifying and couldn't re-join. Qualified 4th of 13.

At the start of the race, I was afraid of getting into a tangle in turn 1, and backed off a bit, even the the start was very slow. Lost a position. Coming down the back straight, I found that Steve Ely and Greg Normandin was sideways in the esses, and I tried to steer out of the way and ended up backwards. I was thinking at the time that "This is going to hurt."

The right side of my rear bumper hit Steve Ely's right front corner. I bent my freshly painted chassis, my axle, broke my rear bumper off, broke my driver fairing and bent my new tie rod. Steve suffered only a bent wheel, which still held air!

I was done for the day, or so I thought. Three or four of the other WF drivers pitched in, lent me an axle, hammered out my tie rod, bent my rear bumper back, and helped to locate various hardware. I missed the second heat race, but was back in the main. My race ended again on lap one when my chain came off. Not a very good race day. Thanks to all those who helped me out. Mike Schorn, Ryan Kiste, Steve Ely and Greg Normandin, and maybe others that I can't remember.

Total damage: $500