WVSCA SCX/Spirit Enduro races

From a post by Chuck Perez on SCI:

The Wyoming Valley (Pa.) Slot Car Association hosted its first major event since opening our doors on February 1st 2008. The door opened at 8am Saturday, August 9th , a beautiful Pennsylvania morning , and as racers entered the club facility they were greeted by the aroma of fresh coffee and bagels/donuts to a practice session or warm ups for the upcoming day of racing. At 12:00pm we started with some prize drawings and a quick drivers meeting to discuss the IROC rules , randomized the racers into the computer, we were ready to start the long day of racing.

JJ Kozokas the returning IROC champ started the day out in the red lane the normally slowest lane on the track and set a blistering pace cracking out 25 laps in 3 minutes with the stock SCX Seat Cupras no magnet, s1 tired cars, on the 85ft Carrera track.the rest of the competitors were pulling 24's in the first heat of the race. Tom Pintchuk would not be bested trying to pull out and also ran a 25 lapper with Sam Barbose Jr not to be dismissed from the race ran a 25 lap heat but could not pull the lead in the first half of this race.9 other racers ran in the first half but at the end of the first 4 lap rotation JJ was out in the lead with 100 laps (and new track record with these cars with a 6.871), Tom P with 98 , and Sam Jr 97.

A quick break and braids and tires freshly cleaned the racers set off for the second half of the first race. The beginning of the race saw several lead changes but JJ kept pace but not in the 25 region, it was Sam Barbose Jr who was now starting to drive harder trying to take the race away from JJ, And Tom P was not about to give into anybody yet. The rest of the pack knew it was now or never and racers like Scott Kozokas pulled another 25, Rich Stearns pulled straight 24's, and others trying to beat down JJ's lead. But it was Sam Jr who ran a 26 in the white lane and also set a new record of 6.807 who bested the second half of the race followed by Tom P with JJ finishing third at the end of the second half. Now it was time to add the first half to the second and the results are as follows:

1. JJ Kozokas 197
2. Sam Barbose Jr 196 (track record 6.807)
3. Tom Pintchuk 195
4. Scott Kozokas 192
5. Dean Kirkpatrick 191
6. Mike Grabko 190
7. Rich Stearns 190
8. Tom Gunshannon Jr 189
9. Tom Gunshannon 3rd 188
10. Jonathan Grover 186
11. Dave Kennedy 184
12. Brian Whalen 182

Now it was 3:30 in the afternoon, time to take a break before the Spirit Sport Race to take place, and with drinks and snacks taken care of and a quick track cleaning racers took the starting line for our second race of the day.

The Peugeot field

Again it was JJ and Sam Jr. who took off and starting pacing hard with the Spirit Sport Peugeot 406 racers (ran stock with the exception of tyres, guide flags and pickup braids) these guys were cracking 6.0's to 6.2's on the track. lead changes constant in the 5 minute heats but JJ was cracking 48's per lane to take the lead. Chuck Perez who race directed the Iroc was now to enter the race, setting up for the best run of the day, pulling a 48 lapper starting in red could this be the end of the day for JJ ? Chuck then ran a 49 in blue to set up for a fast run in yellow, while Tom P was starting to blaze his way through the field, and Sam Jr was not going to go down without a fight either but it was Chuck Perez who set a new track record at 5.883 in the yellow lane to pace himself for the finish. This race was 5 minute segments with 1 rotation and the final results are

1. Chuck Perez 194
2. JJ Kozokas 191
3. Tom Pintchuk 190
4. Sam Barbose Jr 188
5. Dean Kirkpatrick 181
6. Tom Gunshannon jr 180
7. Tom Gushannon 3rd 178
8. Scott Kozokas 172
9. Dave Kennedy 168
10. Mike Grabko 164 ( winner of Best Of Show)

So another great day of racing in Northeast Pa. and th WVSCA would like to thank all who sponsored prizes and trophies , Steve from SlotCarCorner , Dave Kennedy from SCX, Clem from Warrior Run Raceway and Locoworks, and the local dealer from Snap-On Tools for all their generosity.

Our next major race will be September 20th , 2008 this will be a SCX National qualifier race. If any one is interested in participating contact us at (570) 262-2128 or our web site at wvsca.blogspot.com for more info all racers must register by September 10th 2008.

Pix from the races.

Chuck, left, watches the drivers as they compete in the IROC.

Dean concentrates on his car during the IROC.

Tom G. watches his car as it goes up through the turns.

The guys talk between races.
Mike's (#10) concours winning car.

Publishers Note:
The Wyoming Valley Slot Car Assoc. is my home club.