| The Great:
MMRA Touring Series Race #4 was a tremendous success in many ways. The
weather was beautiful for the first time this year, and the track was well
suited for both minicup and Baby Grand racing. Thanks to all of our
committed racers who traveled great distances, we also set a new car count
record of 27 in our Open Division feature race. The track was amazed
that many of our racers came from so far away.
This event drew racers from as far south as Alabama - including Future
Stars winner Jacob France who didn't think he could afford to travel to
Star. When his sponsor, Team Construction out of Nashville, TN heard
about the situation, he bought airline tickets for Jacob's whole family and
had one of his employees drive their trailer up to New Hampshire. Now
that's an awesome sponsor!
Nick Proffitt and his team also showed what this sport is all about.
He and Lindsay Daniels were the only Baby Grands to make the trip north and
this would be Lindsay's first race. Nick brought Lindsay's car over to
his pit and spent the whole day coaching Lindsay and working on her car.
His efforts produced marked improvement in her performance on the track.
Then, Nick went out of his way to entertain the crowd - even attempting a
donut on the frontstrech. When he wound up in the infield, one of the
track workers demonstrated donuts with a track vehicle - much to the delight
of the crowd. Thanks to Nick for helping a fellow racer, and then
giving MMRA the entertainment value of a full field with only two cars.
Dur-A-Flex racecar bodies provided great support at the event, raffling
off two new bodies, and also giving away neat pole awards. Thanks to
Brian and the team for their support. Jeff Littlefield and Hunter
Willis won the bodies and Zach Coll and William Roach won the pole awards.
The Bad:
In post race tech, the #6 Future Stars car was discovered to have
polished valves. MMRA rules only allow some minor and specific
machining of engine parts. The only polishing allowed in MMRA is of
the bodies - nothing in the engines. Polished valves violate rules #
1.4 15.3 and 17.1 The car was disqualified.
The Ugly:
MMRA had our first Code of Conduct violation. In the Future Stars
feature race, the #83 made contact with the #7 and then spun to the infield.
After re-starting the car, the #83 drove around the track at full throttle
and violently slammed into the back of the #7 under caution - narrowly
missing two other "innocent" cars.
As everyone who attended this race knows, the issue of kids, racing, and
insurance is one of the biggest challenges we face. The safety of our
kids is our number one priority and we will not tolerate any behavior that
puts our kids at risk - even when that behavior is from our kids themselves.
The #83 team was fined and is currently suspended from any further MMRA
competition. To repeat - MMRA will not tolerate this type of behavior.
(Update on 7/21/04 - the fine has been
received by MMRA. The #83 is now eligible to join MMRA and race in
MMRA events at any time)
Wrap Up:
We are proud of our racers - you are dedicated, hardworking,
enthusiastic, competitive, and committed to helping build our sport.
MMRA appreciates you and will continue to work with you to build this sport.
Thank you for your patience and understanding when things don't always go
your way, or when MMRA or the track makes mistakes.
We look forward to seeing all of you at Lake Erie Speedway for the East
Grand National race. This event should be the best ever. Please
be sure to send in your entry forms with the count of banquet tickets you
will need, so we can give the track an accurate count.
Click here for Entry Form
Pictures:
Click here - Photo of John
Roche, NH Regional Director (Thanks for the generator!!)
Click here - Fred Brundage, #25
with minicups finest car owner in background - Matt Lachance ;-)
Click here - Open Division lined
up on track - looks great doesn't it?
Click here - Nick Proffitt's
#25 Baby Grand with brand new paint job
Click here - Joe Sedotto
from Long Island and Rich Hall from Maine - at speed
Click here - Joe Chamberlain,
recovering Zach Coll after his chain broke with special minicup rescue
vehicle
Click here - For a
high resolution photo of the cars lined up on the backstretch
Click here for finishing orders and payouts
Click here for
latest points standings |
