Viola Racing Hawthorne Race Report

[MX808]

To start we hauled our class 1 jimco in our new haulmark enclosed trailer to Hawthorne on Friday with no problems. We were one of the first teams there so we got the best spot right on the left turn to the start finish.

Saturday started with a prerun lap that would go for almost 3 hours long. 5 dirtbikes and 1 four seater. The prerun went smooth minus a few crashes and we had to leave one bike out at mile 25 because the bike blew up. Luckily my dad had a spare seat in the 4 seater so he hoped and we would get the bike later that day. Later that day we teched the car and participated in the parade through town.

Race day began with ease. The car was completely race ready. My dad got suited up and climbed into he car. He was starting 7 of 7 in class 1 due to him wanting to rear start. He had caught and passed the bradley motorsports team by mile 25 and began sucking down the dust of the chevy powered truck entry of Bruce Fields. It took all the way up to mile 5 on the second lap to pass due to the terrible dust and no wind. At the end of lap 2 we dumped 19 gallons of gas gave my dad water and 47 seconds later he was back on the course.

Starting our 3rd lap we were already in second place and trying to work our way to catch Sam Berri. Durning, the communications at the end of the third lap the mic got stuck in the race car so i was unable to talk to my dad. He was catching a red 7 truck in the last few miles of the third lap and tried to take a different line out of the dust and blew the left front tire. Now he had a flat and was unable to tell us. As he came into the pits he hit the siren to warn us he was stopping. It was a good thing i was out front to wave him threw and noticed the flat and ran to grab the impact. While we were changing the tire another red 7 truck passed us. Just at a minute later the tire was changed and he was under way.

Little did we know the red 7 truck was on the lead lap and was running second overall. Without being to tell him about the 7 truck actually being ahead of us we decided to take a little off because Sam had a comfortable lead. That caused the 102 to make up some time. As he crossed the line to take the white flag we regained radio communication for a brief second.

On the last lap silt had worked its way into the bead of the tire throwing the balance out of whack making my dad think he had a flat. At mile 18 he pulled into pro pit trying to have them change a tire but he did not have a flat. He took off and was 2nd class 1 and the 3rd car on the road heading to pit 2. JJ Schnarr of the 102 class 1 was in hot pursuit through the roller coaster road. Towards the end of that road the 134 jumped off course and almost endoed. You can ask JJ, he said the skid pan had a few dingsin it. Now thinking something may be broke he pulled into pit 2 for a quick look. Again nothing was wrong but now he was running in JJ's dust who passed him in the pits. Having been able to tell him how close JJ was he would not have stopped. With only 12 miles to go we only had to finish 3 minutes and 29 seconds behind him to beat him.

Coming down the mountain they were about 30 seconds apart and closing quickly. Into the finish line the 134 jimco had finshed right on the 102's bumper claiming 2nd in class 1 and 3rd overall.

It was only my dads second race and thats the second 2nd place behind Sam Berri. It was a good day with only one flat tire and no other problems. Also it was the 4th of 5 races that a car with my prep has finished a race so we are very proud of that.

[SPONSOR]

Membership in the largest desert racing community has its advantages - Participate in Forum Discussions - Send and Receive Private Messages - Maintain Public Photo Albums - Access to Groups - User Profile in our Social Network - Increased Access to more Sub Forums - Reduced Online Advertisements Join our community today

[MX808]

Stay tuned for the first 12 minutes off the start until the silt covered the unreachable lense. Also will have prerun footage if anyone is interested.

[buddy crisp]

Sounds like an awesome weekend!!!! Congratulations on all of this past weekend accomplishments.......get that start footage up

[Dezduster]

I would like to see that footage! The silt must of have been bad as several vehichles pulled in for phantom flats. The guys and I from Pro Pit congradulate you on your string of finnishes and third place finnish O/A.

[MX808]

Here is the video from the start to about mile 10.

[Dezduster]

Sweet thanks for sharing footage. Glad you had a good time.

[JGunn]

Looks fun! A good prep will always give you that chance to win. Then it will be there for the taking next time. Keep up the good prep Vince, you will be able to enjoy more race miles...