HFRL: Goin' Solo!
- Published ()
- Hurricane Force Racing League
This week, HFRL took on the fastest non-plate track; Atlanta. Teams worked hard to figure out faster setups that would keep the RF tires from burning up too fast. Temperatures for the race were optimum and speeds were unbelievable. Most incidents involved drivers going for a solo spin.
Side-by-side racing occurred throughout the race regularly. Everyone stayed very aware of each other and allow others to pass when necessary. Tires were the key factor throughout the whole race. Everyone had a different setup it seemed and the right front tires went away at varying times. Some drivers even got caught trying to green-flag pit just to be burned by the yellow flag shortly after.
#66, Gary Bell was one such victim. Fortunately, since the main purpose of HFRL is to have fun, several of the leaders gave back laps to those who needed them. Gary said in a post-race interview that "I would like to give special thanks to John Wilcko and Rick Clark for giving me my laps back when I was down, that was extremely generous of them". #21, Troy Bouffard had the same to say to the leaders for giving back his laps.
After a 30 minute rain delay, #40, Bob Brewer from Team Down Force Racing captured the “Bud Pole” award with a blistering speed of 185.99 mhp, 29.808 seconds.
Bob had the honor of bringing the largest HFRL turnout to the start of the race. Bob definitely had an awesome start/restart car and could stay up front for a several laps. It seemed there were several drivers that had a challenge for him after a dozen laps would pass. This would make pit strategy even more improtant for him.
Lap 9: #05, Brad Burns goes for a solo spin while entering turn 3. The common culprite of solo spins seemed to be high entrances into the turns. Drivers occassionally began to go for the line a little late and a little too fast, forcing the car to get loose and spinning. The high banks of Atlanta are merciless for any driver who attempts to spoil the cars "attitude" forcefully.
Lap 14: #33, Dave Wallace and #51, Ken Eppley, take to flight after some violent contact between turns 1 and 2. Dave got loose entering turn one slid down below the apron and into the grass. As soon as he tried to correct, the car shot towards the track and darted to the wall. Several drivers came very close to getting nailed as Dave flew up the bank sideways. Unfortunately, Ken had nowhere to go and slammed into Dave doing about 170 mph.
Lap 22: #18, Jim Russell, does his best solo spin of the race.
Lap 44, #62, John Wilcko gets loose in turn two and brings it around.
Lap 54: #21, Troy Bouffard, and #98, David Stickney, make contact entering turn one. Troy was going for the second groove, unfortunately David was still there at the time. David wasn't quite down to the line yet and entered Troy's blind spot. The minor touch sent Troy screaming into the wall, causing significant rear-end damage. After the race, both drivers said that "it's just a racin thing".
Lap 74, #98, David gets punted by the #25, Steve Tanner. Both drivers do a great job keeping the cars in control, but lost a lot of ground because the yellow flag did not come out.
For most of the race, this is the kind of action the drivers and fans enjoyed. Very fast and clean, side-by-side movement that brought devious little smiles to all.
Lap 94: the #36 car of Don Miller puts the squeeze on #2, Rick Clark in the beginning of the tri-oval. The contact lifts Don's car and turns him. going across the Start/Finish line. After the race, Don said "thank god for those roof flaps!".
Lap 101: Jim Russell goes for another solo ride in turn one setting off a big chain of events:
#36 is the first to get collected as he is narrowly tapped by Jim trying to avoid.
#40 reacts violently to avoid but still gets side-swiped.
#21 rams the #25 as Steve checks up heavily to make his attempt to miss the wrecks.
Lap 106: #18 tags #25 in turn one after the restart.
Lap 106: #30, Shawn Anthony goes high into turn four as the drivers come around to take the yellow. As Shawn gets into marbles and other loose material on the track, it pulls his car into the wall slowing him quickly. As he finally peels away from the retaining wall, he moves quickly toward the inside of the track. This sets off a few drivers when they see this. #62, John ,#36, Don, and #40, Bob lose it completely as they cross the S/F line through no fault of their own.
Lap 111: #18 dives down toward the inside of the track after the restart and turns Stickney.
Lap 120: Don Miller goes for a "solo" in turn two.
Lap 130: #36, John Wilcko shows that persistance and patience pay off as he takes the checkered flag and the third race for HFRL. Experience and skill were a huge part of John's ability to bring it home and drive into victory lane. Don't be surprised if we see this scenario throughout the entire season. Congratulations to John and Team MW2.
After a post-race analysis, it was found that some of the loose material found in the turns that got Shawn loose on lap 106 were, in fact, high quality, Rold Gold pretzels. When reporters finally caught up with John, he stated that "I gotta have them in my car cause of my contract. Sorry, a few got loose while I was eating them, oops". John will be fined 3 bags for each drivers.
But seriously race fans. HFRL is heading to "the Lady in Black, the Track too Tough to Tame" next week in Darlington. This will be anyone's race according to most drivers. A great setup is only half the battle at this place.
So, 'til next week, Blow a Tire!