2005 SPRING
This year’s Spring Jefferson proved to be as enjoyable and competitive an event as it has been in the past with some notable changes…The event is now part of SCCA’s CLUB RACING under its’ Time Trials division (formerly SOLO I), it is a LEVEL 3 event (Hillclimbs are a LEVEL 4), and there were 68 competitors, including approx. 20 novices!
Last years’ event had 48
competitors. If this
years’ turnout at Jeff. is any indicator, we’re
in for a great season!
Once again, Tim Royer and
the Danko’s put on a super
event! The food was delicious (and
plentiful), the weather for the most part was good, and there were no major
incidents to mar what has become an eagerly anticipated series opener.
Sixty-eight drivers competed
in thirty-one classes setting eight class records over the clockwise course.
The large number of
pre-registrations gave some indication of the anticipated turnout, and the
paddock area filled rapidly with racers and their vehicles on Friday evening.
Saturday morning dawned
clear, and, after the Driver’s meeting, familiarization laps began and
continued until the lunch break where the Danko’s
provided a delectable repast.
We were treated to the one
rain shower of the weekend following lunch, but the rains passed quickly and
the decision was made to start timed runs on the rapidly drying track. All competitors had the opportunity to take 3
timed laps before the track was closed for the day.
Saturday night’s party was a
gustatorial delight, with a variety of tasty entrees,
followed by dessert. The evening was
spent in the company of fellow enthusiasts recounting the day’s events and the
promise of Sunday’s further challenges.
Sunday proved to be a
beautiful day, and, after a brief Driver’s meeting, timed runs began at
With over 65 drivers
competing, everyone was able to have one set of timed runs before the
Lunch was both tasty and
bountiful, thanks again to the Dankos.
Timed runs continued through
the afternoon, with no major incidents, and competitors were able to attempt at
least five additional timed laps before the track was closed.
The following drivers set
class records in their respective classes: in ITA, Matt Rowe set a new record
of 62.541; in ITE, Gordon Wise set a new record of 57.935; in GT-LITE (formerly
GT 4 & 5), Bob Oswald, Sr. set a record at
61.658; in SOLO V, Bob Oswald, Jr. set a new record at 58.604; in CSR,
Paul Taschner set a new record at 55.147; in HIST 1,
Rich Rock set a new record of 62.906; in VINT 3, Tom Hartman set a new record
at 74.512; and in SPEC MIATA, Don Newcomer set a new record of 63.417.
What follows are some
observations on the weekend…The NEPA Worker Series appears to be a success and
should eliminate the worker shortage that sometime occurs and will give the
workers recognition for the essential role that they play in the successful
undertaking of an event. Crystal Whisler, driving her grandfather Don DeHart’s
RX7 is a third generation competitor, Chris Mower has gotten serious- he put a
stick shift in his Chevette, John Champion was in
heaven in his BSI Scirocco, Tim Stephens is having
entirely too much fun in his wickedly fast MR2, Steve Hirschtritt
got a little “hot” under the bonnet, the Spechts are
at it again with son Matt loudly accusing his dad, Joe, of “cheating”- just
because the car broke while dad was driving, Thor Pitman was no better as he
beat his dad, John, by over a second, while it’s often a wise idea to pack a
lunch, it’s not a good idea to forget to unpack your trunk before timed laps,
Rick Kase walking was painful to watch, Don McLaughlin has a new car in the
works, Darryl Danko set FTD at 52.621, and there were 20 new faces which gives
hope for a great TIME TRIAL Series.
Thanks again to the Dankos, Tim Royer, the NEPA Series workers, the Kases and all the people, including the competitors, for a
super event! See you at Weatherly!
Joe Foering #37