With this being the 8th race of a 10 race series in the monthly hour long AZIKC, where the heckola was our fearless points leader Tony Rolfson? His karting coach, Paul Williams was there and from the looks of his eyes was crying for hours. Williams almost stepped up to drive in Rolfsons place but the weight differencial was too great. Two Tonys = one Paul. Was Rolfson so wiped out from all those late nite Pizza deliveries that he couldn't lift his arms and pilot an indoor kart? Or was it more sinister than that?
Knowing and overly confident that his 27 point lead just may be good enough to win this and because of the 1 race drop, which he will use this race, Rolfson may have figured, why spend any more money than I have too? Here's why. Team Titanium is hungry, real hungry for the overall win and with the unstoppable Charles Crowe & Steve Lattanzi making up Team Titanium they are not leaving this dinner table before they are full and satisfied. We plan to have Rolfson as the main course and John Ahrens for dessert. Burpppppp, good meal, pass the cigars and the Cognac.
Keith Sears also decided to opt out as he felt staying gainfully employed was more important than racing and maintaining his 3rd place standings. What's the matter, you too proud to join the millions on unemployment? Look at all the new friends you would get to meet. Birds of a feather flocking together.
W
e did have a welcome addition to the AZIKC kart racing ranks and her, yes I said her, name is Julia. Julia is the protoge' and longtime girlfriend of one of the best, pound for pound indoor kart drivers out there, Austin Kipp aka Kipp Van Winkle. Kipp has taken Julia under his wing and has been moving up the ranks and into fast laps territory. They are teaming up to do this and the team name is Dynamic Duo. Julia in person is a sweetheart that is until she straps on the required helmet then watch out, she's an upcoming serious contendor. First time in the AZIKC and Julia out qualified two month to month regulars.
Another newcomer to the AZIKC racing showed up and literally stole the show and made quite a statement by qualifying on the pole and then taking off like a rocket and never looking back to see who was in his wake. Robert(Bobby)Neumann, brother of Alfred E, standing as tall as a skyscraper at 6'5" or more managed to squeeze into the one size fits all Sodi kart and proceed to teach us all a thing or two about winning a race handily. His post race smile and enthusiasm could be felt for miles around. Nice kid, don't you have somewhere else to go on the last Sat. of the month? Congratulations Bobby!!!
And last but not least a person of interest and having a never give up attitude is the unstoppable Bill Hunter. Bill was feeling off kilter that morning and wasn't sure he was going to make the race but low and behold there he was qualifying in fourth and overcoming what was ailing him. We've all been there one time or another and having to suit up and strap on that helmet can make matters worse. Toward the end of the race I managed to catch Bill still on the track during the cool down lap and his face was a red as a sun ripened tomato. When I saw him again at the soda fountains he said he felt better and was glad he raced. Bill finished 5th place overall for the day and gets the "Hard Charger and Never Giving Up Award" for today.
Race Wrap up? Oh, that's what you thought this was? I'll try to wrap this up by saying with only 9 racers showing up the racing couldn't have been better between John Pappagallo and Matthew Lamanilao. They spent the entire 72 lap race nose to tail. side by side and swapping positions every few laps. The side to side racing allowed Steve Lattanzi of Team Titanium to catch up and make, first time ever, clean passes to not only them but to Dynamic Duo driver Austin Kipp. Racing side by side will slow both up and nose to tail can be the fast way together to the front. Thank you John and Matt for making second place a reality for Team Titanium.
Josh Walker is new to this hour long racing against the best but has done a great job and continues to improve month to month. Stay with it, seat time will set you free. He also sneaks down and does an all day pass on Mondays. Good way to practice on the 1/2 mile GP track.
Now for the Results
Qualifier Line Up: Bobby Neumann...Matthew Lamanilao...Team Titanium (Charles Crowe)...Bill Hunter...John Pappagallo...Peter Liwanag...Dynamic Duo(Julia)...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
The early pit stop by Pete Liwanag didn't seem to be to his advantage and he may want to change that strategy for the next race. Pete's signifigant other Theresa is our resident photographer and has done an outstanding job of capturing the action on and off the track. She is also putting together a 2011 F1 Race Factory racing calendar and I will keep you all in the loop as to it's release date. I saw the preview and it's amazing.
AZIKC Race # 8 Finish Order: Bobby Neumann...Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)...John Pappagallo...Matthew Lamanilao...Bill Hunter...Dynamic Duo (Julia/Austin Kipp)...Peter Liwanag...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
Lots of MIA drivers for this Series??? but we will all be back next month Sat. Oct. 30th at 10am to have fun and stand atop the podium stand and have our picture taken. Check in by 9:30 and we start racing by 10. 1 hour 1/2 mile GP track $70.00 and you can split it and driver change during the mandatory 20 second pit stop.
Thank You all for taking time out of your busy schedules and valuable reources to do this. Steve "Kandyman"( Points totals to follow)
You don't want to miss this Sunday's 7 Hour Team Endurance Race at F1 Race Factory. We have 11 teams signed up so far and we will be doing a unique race format to make it fun and different. We are 1 team away from going 1/2 mile GP track. $333.00 + tax. teams of 2 to 6 are AOK. Winners Trophy plus $777.00/$333.00/$111.00 Prize Money to the top three. Starts at 12 noon SHARP and ends at 7pm.
SIGN UP TODAY!!!
Online or call me at 602-427-4416.
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