The 30th Annual Snowflake “The Race” 2010
This is the second biggest off-road race in Arizona. The Whiplash Snowflake Race, also known as “The Race,” takes place between Heber and Snowflake, in beautiful Northern Arizona. This track is known for its smooth fire roads, rocky hill climbs, and unsuspecting water bars and washouts that can end a racers day for the truck and buggy classes. This year the race would still have a strong turn out even with this difficult economy. The Race took place on the morning of Saturday September 4th. Racers from all over Arizona, New Mexico, and California came to battle at Snowflake. However, the high horsepower trophy trucks and class 1 cars weren’t the buzz around the pits it was the very competitive 1450 class. With many new comers, old dogs, and veteran racers in this class it would make for an awesome race.
This year the trucks and buggies raced during the day, and the course would be ran in reverse, same as last year, the race started early Saturday morning with the first car leaving the line at 6:30 am. It was a bright and sunny morning, though many racers feared and some prepared for rain. The “pro” classes (Trophy Truck, Class 1,5,7,8,10) did six laps and the “sportsman” classes (1450,12,13,16,18) did five, with a grand prix finish. After the start of the race, Rick Thomas charged around the track in first; however blew the motor in the second lap, giving up the lead to Scott McCracken in his Trophy Truck closely followed by new comer Louie Serna in his class one buggy (who would later grab the fastest lap of 29 minutes). In Class 7 Sarah and Fawn Finchum battled back and forth for the lead in their Trophy Lites for the majority of the race. In 1600 it was an all out war with leaders changing each lap with Hank Winters taking the lead first lap and Brent McKee snatching it up second lap then Winters taking it back third lap, made for some exciting racing.
In Sportsman Limited Alan League flew around the track but unfortunately broke on the third lap giving the lead over to 16 year old Brandon Birmingham. Last but not least in 1450 the veteran 1450 racer Kevin Mcmurray charged for the early lead but was being chased down by new comer Robert Pheil in his Toyota and Chris Michaels in his Ford Ranger. Wildman Tyler “TK” McNeil would also be chasing down the lead but a broken throttle cable would bring the truck down long enough to take it out of first place contention. In the end, Scott McCracken would take the overall in his Chevy Trophy Truck having a flawless day with his new motor. Bucky Strunk would take the win in class 1 turning their Trophy Truck into a class one because they seem to have bad luck when there is a body on the truck. Gordon Self would win in class 10. Fawn would overtake Sarah for the win in class 7. In 1600 when the dust settled Hank Winters would take first followed by Dusty Winters and Brent McKee in second and third. Ronald Welch would take the win in class 5.
In Sport Unlimited (class 12) Alex Dragt would beat out his five other competitors for the win. Young Brandon Birmingham would win in the Sport Limited class, not without a hard fought battle from second place finisher Al Bartlett. Dave Seeman would get the third place spot and a good race. Lastly but not least in 1450 Kevin Mcmurray would chinch the win with underdog Chad Hummer in his Jeepspeed would get second 16 minutes behind Mcmurray. Robert Pheil would grab third place after a hard fought race and brake problems. Jonathan Gean would take fourth place and Wildman “TK” McNeil would take fifth after a wild ride loosing the right front wheel after hitting a jump at 60+ mph. That would conclude an awesome race, as always and everyone had fun in the perfect weather. I am sure that many people will be back next year to be a part of this historic event.
By: Kermit Lennick
