2005 PAGODA HILLCLIMB:
A HOT TIME IN
We’re on a roll! Pagoda Hillclimb is the third event in this years’ TIME TRIAL SERIES and it is the third roaring success (excuse the pun)! The weather was hot and humid, but no rain! Eighty-six drivers (seventeen more than last year), approx. one/third of whom were novices, competing in thirty-six classes set twelve class records in the ten runs available over the two day event, and there were no major incidents!
Registration on Friday night at the Sears Auto Ctr.
went well and foretold a large turnout of competitors on the hill.
Saturday morning arrived sunny and hot
and stayed that way. After the drivers
meeting (where attendance was taken) touring runs began, followed by timed runs
interrupted only by a break for lunch.
There were no major incidents although a mishap at turn one offered an
opportunity to end the days runs at an opportune time.
The party Saturday night at the Liederkranz
was up to BMR’s usual standards, i.e. good food, good
friends…a good time.
Sunday was the same as Saturday only better- if
that’s possible. Timed runs began after
the drivers’ meeting and continued through the day, again with no major
incidents or delays. Considering the
number of novice drivers, that’s phenomenal!
Competitors were given the chance to take ten timed
runs over the course of the event and that speaks to the organization and
efficiency of Blue Mountain Region in putting on the event. Thanks to all the officials, workers and competitors
for another super event!
The following drivers set class records in their
respective classes: in SSC, Mike Ancas in his Neon at 63.836 and in ITA at 62.542- a
double! In ITB, Todd Sorzano
in a Swift at 65.583; in ITE, Bill Miller in his awesome Audi S4 at 58.283; in
BSP, Matt Williams in a BMW M3 at 60.938; in DSP, Greg Kasprzyk
at 63.966 in a BMW 325I; in FP, Brian Yoder in his CRX at 63.064; in GT-LITE,
Will Sekella at 66.910 in a Honda Civic; in Form SV,
Ted Klaus in a Wheeler at 58.520; in CSR, Skip Levengood
in his Sport Toyota at60.039; in SM2, Jeff Fazio in
an MR2 at 59.840; and in SPEC MIATA, Don Newcomer at 65.163.
Dave Rohrbach set FTD in
his FORM CONT at 56.744.
What follows are some observations of happenings at
the hill… Again, compliments to the organizers for a well-run and thoroughly
enjoyable event! Alvey
Ford received a recruitment letter from the Navy! We can all sleep safe tonight! Mary Anne Fieux
drove Sue Salsburg’s Mini- did you miss the
Saab? The Swift is back. This driver let discretion be
the better part of valor and quit early on Sunday- getting old is a bitch! Greg Kaspryzk put
the interior back in his BMW and set a record in DSP. Will Sekella
continues the oedipal conflict with his dad.
The Spechts are still at it, with father Joe
taking the win. Thor Pitman showed no
respect for his dad. Nor
did Dave Rohrbach. Jeff Fazio and
Fabio Vlacci are going at it hot and heavy in St.MOD. Skip Levengood returned to the series with a new class
record. Ted Klaus again proved that age
is no barrier by setting another class record.
Ross McKently crewed and was lifeguard at the
wading pool, and Bryan Cohn, the Club Racing Competition Manager for SCCA,
drove Don Newcomers’ Miata and reportedly really
enjoyed the event (Don didn’t let him win though, generosity only goes so far).
Three events so far and all three have been
super! Next stop is Giants Despair
Hillclimb- always a winner! See you on
the hill!
Joe Foering
#37