Cloudless skys, and temperatures in the mid-80's greeted racers February 23 & 24 at Willow Springs International Raceway in Southern California. Saturday's practice and qualifying sessions were marred by a plethora of traffic. 44 cars were lumped into the group, including about 11 FC's. Sadly, several of the FC's did not last past Saturday. Two (Dennis Goughary and Tom Hope) had motors expire. The stewards wisely chose to move the S2000 gang of 11 cars into the undersubscribed FF group. On Sunday morning there was controversey after the second qualifying session, when one of the FC drivers was involved in a bit of a tussle with a FM drivers' crew chief over who should be watching whose mirrors. After the green flag came out for the race, Les Phillips ('01 Van Dieman) caused a bit of a flap by spinning in turn 2 right in front of a number of cars trying to gain positions early on. Luckily, no one collected him, and he was able to continue (abeit, with a slightly elevated heart-beat). Meanwhile, Jim Whitney from Arizona was at the point controlling the pace, followed by Jim Bryant (also from Az.), local hero Johnnie Crean, So. Cal. pilot Ira Fierberg, El Guapo, Les Phillips and Al Salvo. Half-way through the race, there was a four-car incident in the very fast turn nine which involved two pair of Atlantic cars. One of them got launched so high that a corner worker later reported to El Guapo "I lost sight of him". When he came down, he made a mess of the landing, raising a dust cloud that reduced visiblity throughout Kern County. About the same time, Phillips (erstwhile track manager from Buttonwillow Raceway) had reeled in El Guapo, and eventually drafted by to set his sights on Fierberg ('01 VD-Pro F2000 pilot) who also succumbed to Phillips' attentions. Two laps from the end, Whitney collided with a lapped Star Mazda (this was also a Pro Star Mazda race) at the top of the hill, ending his day. Bryant had used up his tires (they were completely down to the cords) which allowed Crean ('00 Carbir) to assume the lead. Here is how we finished:
1 Johnnie Crean '00 Carbir 1:20.138
2 Jim Bryant '98 VD 1:20.597
3 Les Phillips '01 VD 1:21.378
4 Ira Fierberg '01 VD 1:21.075
5 El Guapo '98 VD 1:22.471
6 Al Salvo '96 VD 1:24.108
7 Jim Whitney '95 VD (?) 1:20.710
It should be mentioned that So. Cal. native Al Salvo was running in his first National event, and did an admirable job. If there are any errors concerning the years of these cars, El Guapo offers profuse apologies.
EG
Reply With Quote
