|
37th
G7 PRO AT USRA DIV
1 NATS, GAITHERSBURG, MD (USA)
August 10, 2007 |
|
JOE SSS 'CHUBBIE' SALZMAN STOPS 'BEUF' |
|
Youngest USRA G7 Open Nats
winner in history! |
|
 |
|
Joe Chubby Salzman after his win of the USRA G7 Pro
Nats: he's the youngest winner in history! |
|
August 13, 2007 -
When in 2005 young Joe "Chubbie" Salzman won the Barnburner, I
sent an e-mail to Fred Hood, our contact man in the States, that
he should contact that young guy - still totally unknown in Europe - to
convince him to come to the IMCA Model Car Worlds. Now, two years later,
he did what American wing car racing needed so much: a new young guy,
coming from nowhere, and being able to prevent that nor "Beuf" neither
P-A Watson could win a sixth USRA Open G7 Pro. Too long young racers
believed that those canonised wing car racers had so much experience
that nobody could them beat any longer. Chubbie is the living example
that top wing car racing can be learnt in two years of time. Where
Greg Mills abdicated too fast, Chubbie continued. He had good help
of Doug Bauer of Port Jeff and learned faster than anyone else.
His victory at this year's Nats should be a surprise for nobody, except
perhaps Ron Hershman, who - after Chubbie's win of the One Mator
Race - found it necessary to blame that victory, since Chubbie could
start in the first heat. I would have seen Hershman's face after he saw
that Chubby won the 2007 USRA Nats, ahead over the two first of last
year: Paul "Beuf" Pedersen and P-A Watson. One should be
totally blind not to see that Chubbie is the same super talent as
Paul Pfeiffer, Jan Limpach or Jon Laster two decades ago.
He's just the same all-rounder. Give him any car, from a HO over a Ninco
to an ES24 and he'll fight for victory. Chubbie is the youngest USRA G7
Pro winner in the history of wing car racing. Such win can stop all
wining that wing car racing is death, that only old guys can still win.
And wait next year when Brad Friesner or Jonathan Sohl
will make the move to Open G7. There is again hope. Splendid was the
fact that Chubbie and Beuf fell in each others arms at the end of the
race. It proves Beuf's great character. Nice too was that the three
first all used a Zap chassis as an ultimate commemoration of Craig
Landry who passed away two weeks before the 37th USRA Nats.
|
|
Driver |
Nat |
Quart |
Semi |
Main |
| 1. Joe
"Chubbie" Salzman |
USA |
479 |
695 |
1193 |
| 2. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen |
USA |
470 |
729 |
1165 |
| 3. P-A Watson |
USA |
455 |
708 |
1099 |
| 4.Luis "Gugu" Bernardino |
BR |
463 |
709 |
1083 |
| 5. Emerson
Fischler |
BR |
452 |
693 |
1042 |
| 6. Boyt Johnson |
USA |
473 |
680 |
1007 |
| 7. Les Wright |
USA |
447 |
645 |
939 |
| 8. Vince Brown |
USA |
464 |
671 |
795 |
| 9. Al Chuck |
USA |
443 |
648 |
- |
| 10. Forrest Watchers |
USA |
432 |
647 |
- |
| 11. Larry
Blanton |
USA |
461 |
641 |
- |
| 12. Carlos Aloise |
USA |
424 |
641 |
- |
| 13. Vlado Okali
|
SVK |
418 |
621 |
- |
| 14. Ron van Wagnen |
USA |
469 |
607 |
- |
| 15. Bill W.H.
Skinner |
USA |
452 |
447 |
- |
| 16. Earl Simpson |
USA |
402 |
163 |
- |
| 17. Lyndsey
Byron |
USA |
442 |
- |
- |
| 18. Paolo Gonçalvez |
BR |
419 |
- |
- |
| 19. Ron Herrera |
USA |
389 |
- |
- |
| 20. Gary Puetz |
USA |
362 |
- |
- |
| 21. Gary
Gerding |
USA |
357 |
- |
- |
| 22. Jeff Mack |
USA |
304 |
- |
- |
| 23. Chris Brown |
USA |
297 |
- |
- |
| 24. Jose Mario Serra |
BR |
248 |
- |
- |
| 25. Reggie
Coram |
StM |
214 |
- |
- |
| TQ to Paul "Beuf"
Pedersen in 1"448 |
|
|
THE ENTRY
- Let's be honnest, apart from the two wins of Chubbie and the
victory of Bill W.H. Skinner in G27 Pro, the 37th USRA Division 1 Nats
were no great edition. With only 25 starters we were 7 starters lower
than last year when we noted another meagre USRA Nats. This year several
American top racers were missing. Among them Benny Justice, John
"Tore" Andersen, Bob Everett, Mike Graversen, Frank Sarkela, Jim
Swofford, Jim "Spove" Sproviero, etc. But what is more dramatic is
that the best European racers don't show any longer: no more Josef
Korec, Petr Krcil, Vladimir Horky, Zdenek Benes, Lasse Aberg, Mikačl
Silén, Juha Yli-Sipola, etc. The oldest wing car meeting in the
world deserves so much more. One could have expected that now, that the
dollar is so weak, several European racers should have made the move to
Gaithersburg, but except for Vlado Okali nobody showed. That's a
sad thing for the prestige of the USRA Nats. Europeans can defend their
strange behaviour no longer by putting: "Why should we go to the
American Nats if the Americans are not showing at the European Nats?"
This year American racers showed with several racers at the ESROC G7
Nats, so it should have been fair if Europeans should have done the
same, especially the Germans. They have no excuse for their absence:
c'est tout simplement une manque de politesse. If Brühl wishes to
become the new wing car temple of Europe, their members should show more
respect for Americab wing car racing.
QUALIFICATIONS -
We received no info on the qualifications. All we know is that "Beuf"
Pedersen TQ-ed in 1"448, what's above the 1"404 World
Record he realised last year at the Western States USRA, and even above
the 1"426 realised this year at the G7 Worlds at Buena Park.
THE QUARTERS -
With only 25 entries there were four quarters with six or seven
racers. At those quarters we lost two former world record holders (Gary
Puetz and Ron Herrera), a former vice-world champion (Jose
Mario Serra - on the beneath picture together with f.l.t.r. Beuf,
Chubbie and P-A Watson) - and a former USRA G7 Semi-Pro winner (Jeff
Mack). Eliminated too were Paulo Gonçalvez (BR), Lyndsey Byron, Gary
Gerding and Chris Brown. Reggie Coram (Sint-Maarten) was
eliminated too. |
THE SEMIS -
The first Semi caused a surprise since we lost Vlado Okali,
before outstanding, both at the One Motor Race and the G27 Pro Race.
Winner of that B Semi was Chubbie (693 laps), beating Emerson
Fischler by 2 laps, Vince Brown by 24 laps and Les Wright
by 50 laps. Long time Carlos Aloise (third at the 2007 Worlds)
and Larry Blanton were fighting with Wright for that fourth
place, but both came 4 little laps short to make the move. Another
victim was New Yorker Ron van Wagnen, despite precious help
before the race by Chubbie. The second Semi was dominated by Beuf
(729 laps), "Gugu" Bernardino (709 laps) and P-A Watson
(708 laps). Everybody expected that Forrest Watchers should
easily make the move too, but technical bothers made that he lost his
fourth place to Boyt Johnson. After his brilliant victory in G27
Pro it was expected that Bill W.H. Skinner should be dangerous,
but already before mid-race he lost all his chances after technical
problems. Eliminated too, despite 648 laps, was Al Chuck. Earl
Simpson was already out after 183 laps.
THE MAIN - During the first
segment Beuf and Gugu took 5 laps on Vince Brown and P-A Watson and one
more on Chubbie. After the second segment Beuf was alone leader. Chubbie
was already 10 laps down. Watson followed on 3 laps. Gugu blew up a
motor, whilst Les Wright - still runner -up at the Worlds - suffered a
broken gear. During the third segment Beuf had his motor knocked off,
loosing more than 30 laps on repairs. So P-A Watson was the new leader,
followed on 9 laps by Chubbie. Beuf followed at 31 laps. Normally that's
not so dramatic, since Beuf is a master in undoing arrears after woes.
Before mid-race P-A ran in problems, so that Chubbie could catch the
lead, followed at 17 laps by Beuf, being already second. Up from now the
race was a gruelling combat among Chubbie and Beuf. With three segments
to go, difference was down to 15 laps, one segment later to 14 laps. Now
it became obvious that Chubbie realised to defend his advance, since in
two segments Beuf could only take 3 laps back. With two segments to go
Beuf needed a miracle to catch Chubbie. With only one segment to go the
difference was ago up to 17 laps. In the last segment Chubbie slowed the
pace, if not, he could have beaten the 1198 WR of Beuf. Now he
realised 1193 laps (just as Beuf did at this year's Worlds). He
won ahead over Beuf (at 28 laps), P-A Watson (at 94 laps) and Gugu (at
110 laps). [JPVR] |
|
 |
|
Hereunder Chubbie's winning car and the accolade
with Beuf after his win |
|
 |
 |
|
|
G27 PRO (2007 REVENGE
RACE) AT USRA DIV
1 NATS, GAITHERSBURG, MD (USA)
August 10, 2007 |
|
SKINNER
CONFIRMS HIS TERRIBLE PROGRESS |
|
After
his Main at the Worlds he now even beats "Beuf" |
|
 |
|
Podium of the G27 Pro Race with
f.l.t.r. Vlado Okali, winner Bill Skinner, "Beuf" and sponsor Stuart
Koford. |
|
August 12,
2007 - The wing car racer having made the biggest progress since the
2004 Ultimate G7 is undoubtedly Bill Skinner II. At the Ultimate
G7 he was still a modest back bencher, style Larry Blanton, unable to
reach the Semis at a major event. But he absolutely wanted to climb up
in the hierarchy of wing car racers. Contrarily to most of his country
mates he started travelling, racing in Europe as well as in the States.
Those efforts paid off since this year, at the G7 Open Worlds, he
reached the Main. Now at the G27 Pro at the USRA Nats he did even
better, much better: he won the race. Everybody expected another win for
Paul "Beuf" Pedersen, but in the fifth segment of the Main "Beuf"
lost more than twenty laps. Until then Richard Curnutte was
leading during the first half at the race, but just as "Beuf" he was
victim of technical woes in the fifth segment, so that Vlado Okali
was catching the lead with three segments to go, three laps ahead
over Bill Skinner. During the sixth segment Skinner could pass
Vlado, realising a two lap advance. One segment later his advance was
already six laps. During the last segment Vlado lost three new laps, so
that Skinner was the overall winner. There was a gruelling combat for
third place among "Beuf", Vince Brown and Curnette. During the
real last laps "Beuf" could pass Vince Brown to reach a podium place.
With only 21 starters it was certainly not a top event, but nevertheless
Skinner's win was one of the nicest in the history of G27 Pro racing.
[JPVR] |
|
racer |
Nat |
Consis |
Semis |
Main |
| 1. Bill
W.H. Skinner |
USA |
441 |
447 |
895 |
| 2. Vlado Okali |
SVK |
432 |
446 |
886 |
| 3. Paul "Beuf"
Pedersen |
USA |
454 |
450 |
885 |
| 4. Vince Brown (TQ: 1"660) |
USA |
- |
447 |
885 |
| 5. "Gugu"
Bernardino |
BR |
445 |
445 |
876 |
| 6. Kent Nigro |
USA |
- |
432 |
836 |
| 7. Boyt Johnson |
USA |
442 |
442 |
826 |
| 8. Rich Curnutte |
USA |
- |
443 |
778 |
| 9. Larry
Blanton |
USA |
- |
438 |
- |
| 10. Chris Brown |
USA |
- |
435 |
- |
| 11. Jim "Spove" |
USA |
- |
430 |
- |
| 12. Tommy Flythe |
USA |
- |
408 |
- |
| 13. Ronny
Fichler |
USA |
429 |
399 |
- |
| 14. Jeff Mack |
USA |
434 |
386 |
- |
| 15. Alan "The
Finger" Cohen |
USA |
- |
376 |
- |
| 16. Jimbo Kirby |
USA |
428 |
165 |
- |
| 17. Joe Redmond |
USA |
434 |
- |
- |
| 18. Reggie Coram |
StM |
420 |
- |
- |
| 19. Ron van
Wagnen |
USA |
420 |
- |
- |
| 20. Jose Mario Serra |
BR |
402 |
- |
- |
| 21. Paolo
Gonçalvez |
BR |
389 |
- |
- |
|
|
|
ONE MOTOR G7 AT USRA DIV
1 NATS, GAITHERSBURG, MD (USA)
August 8, 2007 |
|
'CHUBBIE'
SALZMAN DEMONSTRATES TALENT |
|
But
what happened with Europe's respect for the USRA Nats? |
|
August 12,
2007 - When young Greg Mills (CDN) stopped active wing
car racing there was a feeling that G7 racing became such a
specialisation that no more youngsters were able to enter the
noble art of wing car racing. However, if one looks at the
results of the One Motor G7 Race at the USRA Div 1 Nats, it
appears that at least four new young racers are able to make the
move to Open G7, with real chances to win. Winner was Joe "Chubbie"
Salzman. Since he won the Barnburner it was obvious for any
specialist that this guy is on his way to become the successor
of Jan Limpach, Jon Laster, P-A Watson, Paul Pfeiffer and
other 'Beufs'. Some criticasters attribute his win to the
fact that he didn't qualify in order to be able to start in the
real first heat. That's absolutely untrue. "Chubbie" could start
in the first heat thanks to the application of the snake rule. I
absolutely refuse to follow the comment by Ron Hershman
that "good luck" played a crucial role in his win. A very
experienced racer as Ron should have noted that "Chubbie" won
his heath nearly 300 laps ahead over IMCA president Chris
Radisich doing nearly faultless segments - the very secret
of One Motor G7 racing. Good news is that his runner-up is also
a youngster: Brad Friesner. And even the fourth is a
young wing car racer: Jonathan Sohl. Those two young men
were split by the always fantastic Vlado Okali, Europe's
eternal wing car ambassador. It looks as his immune for aging.
The value of Chubbie's win is the greater if one realises that
it was a strong entry field. Except for 'Beuf', Benny Justice
and recent Worlds finalist Bill Skinner II all the
best Americans came at the start, even thev #2 and #3 of this
year's Worlds: Les Wright and Carlos Aloise.
Other excellent racers at the start were Gugu Bernardino,
Jeff Mack, Reggie Coram, Forrest Watchers, Gary Gerding, Richard
Curnutte, Andy Wasserman, etc. But what happens with
European wing car racers, now that only ONE of them showed at
the USRA Nats? During the late 1980s and the 1990s European
racers found it an honour to enter the USRA Nats. When - once
every three years - the Nats ŕnd the Worlds were organised both
in the States, most European racers preferred the Nats above the
Worlds. Of that nothing seems left today. European racers show
no more respect for the Nats after they won in 1995 (Martin
Gramann, A), in 2001 (Mario "MSP" Schöne, D) and in
2003 (Mikaél Silén, S). Completely dominated by 'Beuf',
having won the three last editions, and after the withdrewal by
Paul Ciccarello (USA), Europeans
lost their interest in the USRA Nats, despite the fact that they
are a highligt in racing. We can only hope that their respect
for the USRA Nats may increase in the future.
Chubbie's win at the Nats makes him a real attraction for the
upcoming Mello Yello Junior Worlds in November. At once
Philip Kremer (D), the Lewis Hamilton of model car racing,
is no longer sure that he can win the Mello Yello a street in
advance over the rest of the field. If Chubbie is an
all-rounder, style Limpach/Laster/P-A he could cause a real stir
at the Mello Yello. [JPVR]
|
1. Joe "Chubbie"
Salzman
2. Brad Friesner
3. Vlado Okali
4. Jonathan Sohl
5. Zac Grinstead
6. Mike Iga
7. Chilli
8. Carlos Aloise
9. Luis "Gugu" Bernardino
10. Connie Aloise
11. Larry Blanton
12. James Grinstead
13. Gary Puetz
14. Andy Wasserman
15. Paulo Gonçalvez
16. Kenny Richins
17. Jose Mario Serra
18. Gary Gerding
19. Chris Radisch
20. Kevan Taylor
21. Richard Curnutte
22. Emerson Fischler
23. Al Chuck
24. Les Wright
25. Jim Patterson
26. Reggie Coram
27. Forrest Watcher
28. Alan "The Finger" Cohen
29. Ed Sohl
30. Mike Meagher
31. John Davis
32. Jeff Mack
33. Ron Van Wagnen
34. Trevor Rosenburg
35. Mike Simcox
36. Terry Kunz
37. John Waller |
USA CDN SVK USA USA
USA USA USA BR USA USA USA USA USA BR
USA USA USA NZ USA USA BR USA USA USA
StM USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
USA USA USA |
932 900 887
881 862 853 843 840 838 795 785 785
767 743 737 732 731 710 656 652 641
637 627 559 524 523 512 508 478 418
414 412 402 310 249
132 130 |
|
|
|
26th WING CAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, BUENA PARK, CA (USA) May
20, 2007 |
|
'BEUF'
WINS G7 WORLDS - LES WRIGHT 2ND |
|
"Bambi" Serra, leading after 6 segments, looses it all |
|
 |
|
May
20, 2007, 20h05 GMT - At this very moment the 26th Wing Car World Championship -
the lonely one officially recognised - is under way at the world's
fastest Blue King, the Buena Park One. Lenore put on Paul Kassens's web
site that there are 40 entrants. But up to now nobody can tell us who
they are. Is "Beuf" there? Josef Korec? P-A Watson? Gary Puetz? We don't
know. Everybody expects that the 1"404 World Record of Paul "Beuf"
Pedersen will be beaten. Who'll be the first man in slot-racing history
to go in the 1"3s? "Gugu"? Benny Justice? Vladimir Horky? Forrest
Watchers? Ron Herrera? A little bit patience. As soon as we are informed
we'll tell it!
20h11 GMT - Kamil Klapka informed me that
Korec is not there. I am curious if Paul Pfeiffer is among the 40. He's
an absolute legend in wing car racing, having won the G7 Worlds three
times in a row and having done the same at the USRA G7 Pro Nats. Can he
still make the main? I don't think so. Of the old guys P-A Watson seems
to me the lonely one able to do so, even able to win. When in 1987 in
Toulouse he won not only the race but $ 10,000 US cash he had the tears
in his eyes. He's one of the most consistent wing car racers.
20h26 GMT - It seems
that European entry at the Buena Park Worlds is as low as five racers.
Czechia is present with Horky and Benes (but no Krcil, no Korec). Sweden
has Silén and Törnfeldt (but no more Aberg or Gustafson). Slovakia has
Okali as always. Other non-Americans at the start are Reggie Coram, "Gugu",
the Serra Bros and Triginelli. But what with Geraldo? Is he there to
defend his title? Waiting on the names is lasting tremendously long, no? |
| |
QUALIFICATIONS - 20h45 GMT - The results of the
qualifications are now on the OWH. Fastest qualifier was Paul
'Beuf' Perdersen in 1"426. There must be some deception that
nobody could go in the 1"3s. Second fastest was Czechia's
Vladimir Horky in 1"442. Phil Larcom, who caused a
stir by finishing third at the Open One-Motor Race realised the
third best time in 1"456, just ahead over my personal favourite,
P-A Watson in 1"459. Benny Justice is the lonely
other racer in the 1"4s. Still in the top-8 we find Sweden's
Stefan Törnfeldt, performing at his real best at the Buena
Park Worlds. Mikael Silén disappointed a bit, but he's
much better over 40 minutes than over one lap. And what happened
with Gugu Bernardino? A 1"579 (23nd place) is not
as usual. No wonder tyres any longer? Tim Tyler (NZ)
seems far beneath his intrinsic value with a slow 1"647. And
what to think about the former world record holder Ron
Herrera, now at the real last place with 1"958?
Among the entrants nobody from Finland, even not Juha Yli-Sipola
nor Jari Porttinen. My personal forecast of the 8 for the main?
(1) Beuf Pedersen, (2) P-A Watson, (3) Vladimir Horky, (4)
Mikael Silén, (5) Vlado Okali, (6) Gugu Bernardino, (7) Benny
Justice and (8) Stefan Törnfeldt. I am afraid that it will
be a boring worlds. After Mario "MSP" Schöne Paul Ciccarello and
Mike Swiss stopped wing car racing there are no many racers left
able to follow Beuf. I think that of those who are present only
Horky and P-A are really able to do so. It seems as if the
podium is already fixed and the race has still to start. But who
is Phil Larcom? Can he cause the big surprise everyone is
waiting on? And what about Jim Lange, twice in the top-8 at the
G27 and the One Motor Race? [JPVR]
|
|
|
Racer |
Nat |
Qual |
Consi |
Quart |
Semi |
Main |
| 1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen |
USA |
1"426 (1) |
- |
481 |
721 |
1193 |
| 2. Les Wright aka Sedric |
USA |
1"527 (13) |
- |
468 |
684 |
1191 |
| 3. Carlos Aloise |
USA |
1"631 (30) |
446 |
454 |
695 |
1176 |
| 4. Mikael Silén |
S |
1"510 (9) |
- |
471 |
728 |
1173 |
| 5. Vlado Okali |
SVK |
1"519 (12) |
- |
450 |
694 |
1108 |
| 6. Marcelo "Bambi" Serra |
BR |
1"510 (10) |
- |
468 |
716 |
1102 |
| 7. "Gugu" Bernardino |
BR |
1"579 (23) |
- |
458 |
709 |
1073 |
| 8. Bill Skinner II |
USA |
1"567 (20) |
- |
444 |
688 |
924 |
| 9. Randy Thompson |
USA |
1"555 (18) |
- |
457 |
697 |
- |
| 10. Stefan Törnfeldt |
S |
1"509 (8) |
- |
461 |
672 |
- |
| 11. Bob Dunn |
USA |
1"566 (19) |
- |
424 |
668 |
- |
| 12. Benny Justice |
USA |
1"474 (5) |
- |
480 |
654 |
- |
| 13. Phil Larcom |
USA |
1"456 (3) |
- |
440 |
651 |
- |
| 14. Forrest Watchers |
USA |
1"505 (7) |
- |
473 |
648 |
- |
| 15. Ron van Wagnen |
USA |
1"577 (22) |
- |
457 |
611 |
- |
| 16. John "Tore" Andersen |
USA |
1"699 (36) |
446 |
466 |
239 |
- |
| 17. Vladimir Horky |
CZ |
1"442 (2) |
- |
452 |
- |
- |
| 18. Tony Hobart |
USA |
1"539 (17) |
- |
434 |
- |
- |
| 19. Rodrigo Mastrochirico |
BR |
1"584 (24) |
- |
430 |
- |
- |
| 20. Zdenek Benes |
CZ |
1"737 (39) |
433 |
429 |
- |
- |
| 21. Al Chuck |
USA |
1"620 (28) |
439 |
416 |
- |
- |
| 22. Reggie Coram |
StM |
1"584 (25) |
431 |
415 |
- |
- |
| 23. Tim Tyler |
NZ |
1"647 (32) |
438 |
414 |
- |
- |
| 24. Jim Swofford |
USA |
1"511 (11) |
- |
411 |
- |
- |
| 25. Mike "Who" Agiurre |
USA |
1"570 (21) |
- |
411 |
- |
- |
| 26. Kenny Richins |
USA |
1"538 (15) |
- |
410 |
- |
- |
| 27. Rick Salvino |
USA |
1"503 (6) |
- |
403 |
- |
- |
| 28. P-A Watson |
USA |
1"459 (4) |
- |
399 |
- |
- |
| 29. Jim Lange |
USA |
1"538 (16) |
- |
352 |
- |
- |
| 30. Mike Graversen |
USA |
1"599 (26) |
429 |
348 |
- |
- |
| 31. Gary Puetz |
USA |
1"536 (14) |
- |
192 |
- |
- |
| 32. Terry Kunz |
USA |
1"711 (38) |
419 |
82 |
- |
- |
| 33. Lindsay Byron |
USA |
1"655 (33) |
421 |
- |
- |
- |
| 34. Adam Kirchhoffer |
USA |
1"664 (35) |
418 |
- |
- |
- |
| 35. Marcelo Triginelli |
BR |
1"609 (27) |
401 |
- |
- |
- |
| 36. Jil Gundersen |
USA |
1"637 (31) |
375 |
- |
- |
- |
| 37. Gary Gerding |
USA |
1"702 (37) |
367 |
- |
- |
- |
| 38. John Wakamatsu |
USA |
1"655 (34) |
335 |
- |
- |
- |
| 39. Zac Grinstead |
USA |
1"624 (29) |
326 |
- |
- |
- |
| 40. Ron Herrera |
USA |
1"958 (40) |
228 |
- |
- |
- |
|
| |
THE ENTRY
21h56 GMT - Let's have a look at the entry now that the 40 names
are known. And let's be honnest. This is a poor entry, far from
being representative for the wing car world. That's not the
fault of the orga-nizers but mainly of the Europeans, travelling
less to the States than in the years before. Of the 40 entrants
there are no less than 29 Americans. Czechia has 2 racers
(Horky & Benes), Sweden 2 (Silén & Törnfeldt), Brazil
only 4 (Gugu, Bambi, Mastrochirico and Triginelli), New Zealand has
Tyler, Sint-Maarten has Coram, Slovakia has Okali.
That means that only seven countries are present. There is
nobody from Finland, even not Juha Yli-Sipola, no Petteri
Pirhonen, no Kimmo Rautama, no Leo Hongisto, no Jari Porttinen,
no Veli-Matti Kantamaa, etc. There is nobody from Germany,
even not Rudi Kamieth. There is nobody from Holland, even
not Douwe Banning. There is nobody from Portugal, even
not Ulysses Relvas. There is nobody from Austria, even
not Olivier Sonnbichler. There is nobody from Spain, even
not Rafael Romero. There are once more no Australians,
even not the fresh national champion Ivan Wearne. Of Chile
we miss Ricardo Garri. There is nobody from Canada. But
worst of all is that the defending world champion Joao Carlos
Geraldo didn't show at all. Such top racers as Petr Krcil
(CZ), Josef Korec (CZ), Jose Mario Serra (BR), Norba Arrivabene
(BR), Boyt Johnson (USA), Bob Everett (USA), Emerson Fischler
(BR), etc. all stayed home. The list is a bit too long to tell that the 2007
is really representative. Of the 40 entrants only 14 reached
earlier the main at a G7 Worlds. Vlado Okali did it 8
times with one win, one second and two third places. Vladimir
Horky reached 6 times the main, but finished only once
second. P-A Watson reached 5 times the main, having won
twice and having finished as runner-up twice. "Gugu"
Bernardino was also 5 times in the main with two third
places. Mikael Silén was 3 times in the main but never on
the podium. "Beuf" Pederson won twice and
finished once fourth. Others having
reached once the main are Les Wright, Stefan Törnfeldt,
Zdenek Benes, Marcelo "Bambi" Serra, Bill W.H. Skinner, Benny
Justice, Forrest Watchers and Gary Puetz. Nobody of
them reached ever the podium. Such figures give full evidence
that quality of the entrance is rather low, at any rate lower
than at most wing car world championships having been organised
since 1995. That will make it for "Beuf" even more easier
to win a third title. His opponents can only dream that he
should have technical woes, because without everybody is racing
for the second place. Of all entrants only Beuf, Okali
and P-A won earlier a G7 Wing Worlds. |
|
|
SUBCONSIS: TRIGINELLI,
GERDING & HERRERA
ALREADY OUT Racers having qualified from 25th thru 40th have
to contest the sub-consis. Of each sub-consi the four first move up to
the Quarters. The first sub-consi was won by Carlos Aloise,
making the move with Zdenek Benes, Mike Graversen and Terry Kunz. Among
the racers being already out we find Brazil's Marcelo Triginelli
and three Americans (Kirchhoffer, Gundersen and Wakamatsu). The
second sub-consi looks more difficult, with Tim Tyler, Reggie Coram,
Gary Gerding (on his own track!), John "Tore" Andersen and Ron Herrera
are five experienced racers. Chances are thus real that we'll loose one
of them and that Al Chuck, Zac Grinstead and Lindsay Byron will have the
difficult task to realise the move. But looks what happens. Of course
that Carlos Aloise won his sub-consi. But who believed that Al
Chuck should finish second, ahead over Tim Tyler and Reggie Coram.
So we lost four other American racers, even Gary Gerding at his
own track. For Ron Herrera this Worlds look like a nightmare:
last at the qualifications, last in his consi, and last in the overall
standings. Lindsay Byron and Zac Grinstead are also out. So we go to the
Quarters with 22 Americans, 3 Brazilians, 2 Checs, 2 Swedes, 1 Slovak, 1
of Sint-Maarten and 1 Kiwi.
QUARTER D: DRAMA FOR P-A WATSON WITH 3
SMOKED MOTORS It's 01h05 GMT, deep in the night, when we receive
the results of the first Quarter Final. For P-A Watson - one of
the major favourites - it ends as a disaster. He blew up at least three
motors and could not avoid elimination. For Terry Kunz (already out
after 82 laps) and Mike "Who" the elimination was less or more expected.
That makes that now already 10 out of 29 Americans are out. Eliminated
too is Czechia's Zdenek Benes, missing the move by 15 laps. Winner of
Quarter D is Benny Justice, showing an excellent shape. Les
Wright, Vlado Okali and Bill W.H. Skinner make also the move
to the Semis. Especially Skinner improved a lot. At the ESROC EuroNats
for Open G7 he finished earlier this year 10th out of 33. Now that P-A
is out I see - next to Benny Justice - only Vladimir Horky as ultimate
possibility to beat "Beuf". At any rate, Beuf's chances on a third world
champion title in four outings becomes more and more a reality. 01h25
GMT - It's waiting on Quarter B. Arthur Luis informs me that the 2006
world champion, J-C Geraldo is still racing but that personal problems
made that he could not show to defend his title. |
| |
QUARTER C: SWOFFORD, SALVINO,
PUETZ & GRAVERSEN OUT In
a rather slow Quarter C New Yorker Ron van Wagnen,
having had lots of technical problems in the previous races, had
no problems to beat Carlos Aloise by three laps. Where
Benny Justice achieved 480 laps in Quarter D, now 457 laps were
enough to win. Phil Larcom finished with 440 laps as
third. Bob Dunn caused a suprise to make also the move.
In this all-American Quarter we lost four American racers, so
that still 15 out of 29 are left. The elimination of Jim
Swofford and Rich Salvino - having well performed at
the previous races - was not expected. Gary Puetz and
Mike Graversen were eliminated with technical problems.
QUARTER B:
DRAMA COMPLETE NOW THAT ALSO HORKY IS OUT 03h05 GMT - We
don't know what happened, but after P-A Watson also Vladimir
Horky is eliminated. No more racers from Czechia. Eliminated
too are Reggie Coram, Al Chuck and Kenny Richins.
Indeed those Quarters are full of drama. Winner of Quarter D is
Forrest Watchers with 473 laps, followed by the
Brazilians Marcelo Serra and "Gugu" Bernardino.
Last man to make the move (with 457 laps) is Randy Thompson.
Now that the two most dangerous opponents for "Beuf" are out, it
will be up to the tandem Benny/Gugu to go after victory. And
there is still Michael Silén. Already forgotten that he wons
once the G7 Pro USRA Nats?
QUARTER A:
TYLER AND HOBART OUT 03h58 GMT - The last quarter was
undoubtedly the fastest. "Beuf" Pedersen achieved one lap
more than Benny Justice. The Swedes Mikael Silén and
Stefan Törnfeldt (in big shape at Buena Park) tried to
follow, but at not avail. Biggest surprise came from good old
John "Tore" Anderson: despite artritis he succeeded to make
the move. Tim Tyler missed that move, just as Tony
Hobart, Rodrigo Mastro-chirico and Jim Lange
(eliminated by technical woes). That implies that we go to the
semis with 11 American racers, 2 Swedes, 2 Brazilians, and one
racer from Slovakia. After the Quarters it seems as if Benny
Justice is the lonely racer to keep up with the unbeatable "Beuf".
And Mike Swiss was right on the OWH: we had not to forget
Forrest Watchers, third fastest man at the Semis. |
|
|
|
03h25 GMT - Someone
asks me why I am not present at the Buena Park Worlds. The answer is
quite simple. My youngest son, Youri, is not only a good slot-racer,
he's also an excellent soccer player. Yesterday he had to play the Semi
Final for the Soccer Youth Trophy. Since I follow all his matches,
impossible for me to travel. Below the report in today's newspaper.
|
| |
Here in Belgium
it's already 5am and the day dawns warm. I am afraid that it
will take at least three more hours before the race will be
over. Since I am always supporter for the underdog I opt for
Benny Justice and Silén as favourites, but the logic in my brain
tells me that they have very small chances against Beuf. |
|
 |
|
|
COMPOSITION OF THE
SEMIS 04h37 GMT - If the snake principle is
applied it looks like that Semi B will be much easier than Semi A.
Indeed in B we find eight American racers with Benny Justice, Forrest
Watchers, Les Wright and John "Tore" Andersen as best ranked. For Randy
Thompson, Ron van Wagnen, Bill Skinner II and Bob Dunn it will be a hard
task to move to the main. In Semi A things seem much more complicated
with the Americans "Beuf", Carlos Aloise and Phil Larcom against the
Swedes Silén and Törnfeldt, against the Brazilians "Gugu" and "Bambi"
and against Slovakia's Vlado Okali. An all-American final is excluded
since there are less than four Americans in Semi A. There will be at
least four Americans in the Main, probably five or six. A potential
final could be "Beuf", Justice, Watchers, Silén, Wright, "Gugu", Okali
and J-T Andersen. But even then I should score only 5/8 with my original
prognosis. I guess that Mike Swiss and Ron Hershman will
publish their forecasts five minutes after the race. Meanwhile Hershman
finds that Indy cars are so much better than F1 cars. Already heard such
nonsense? Perhaps Ron will tell us tomorrow that Nascar cars are so much
better than FIA GT cars or DTM cars.
IF YOU'RE WAITING JUST LIKE ME ... ... you can perhaps read
the most thrilling story in the history of slot-racing, nl. how Italy's
Sergio Maresca lost the 1/1 Ferrari 308 GTB for only 3
little points. It's the Pinky Point Story
on a series of slot-car races, largely attended by ALL the best American
racers, where the first prize was indeed a Ferrari. I wrote it waiting
the results. I think I go publish it as a book on all the world
championships I organised.
SEMI B: BILL SKINNER
DOES IT AT LEAST (!!!) BUT NO MORE BENNY... Composition of the
Semis differs from what I believed. I don't know what happened but
Benny Justice missed the move to the Main by 30 laps. He must had
met technical problems. This is really one of the most strange wing car
worlds in history. One by one all favourites fail. It was a very close
race won by Carlos Aloise (coming from the consis!) one lap
faster than "certitude" Vlado Okali. I am extremely happy that
Bill Skinner II at least reaches the Main of a world championship.
He deserves it for his relentless efforts. Moving up with him is Les
Wright. We lost also three other Americans next to Benny Justice:
Bob Dunn (good race, man!), Phil Larcom and Ron van Wagnen. Now it's
waiting the other Semi where four Americans are involved in a battle
with two Swedes and two Brazilians. |
| |
SEMI A: SILEN SEVEN LAPS FASTER THAN "BEUF" 06h03 GMT -
Semi A went much faster than Semi B. There was a fight between
Michael Silén and "Beuf" for the first place, with
the two Brazilians following close behind. John "Tore"
Andersen was stopped after 282 laps. Eliminated too is
Forrest Watchers (648 laps), very probably after tech
problems. Despite 697 laps - more than the four finalists from
Semi B - Randy Thompson missed the move, just as
Stefan Törnfeldt (672 laps). So we go to a main final with
four Americans, two Brazilians ("Gugu" and
"Bambi")
and with l'incon-tournable Vlado Okali. That
means that I score only 4/8 with my Main forecast. Finalists
are: Mikael Silén (S), "Beuf" (USA), "Gugu" Bernardino (BR),
Vlado Okali (SVK), Marcelo "Bambi" Serra (BR), Les Wright (USA),
Carlos Aloise (USA) Bill W.H. Skinner (USA). For Okali it's
already is 9th main at the wing car worlds, for "Gugu" his 6th
main, for Silén and "Beuf" their 4th main, for Les Wright and
Skinner their second main. Serra and Aloise are rookies.
MAIN FINAL
06h33 GMT - It's waiting who'll start on what colour. Let's hope
that the start will not be delayed too much, since I am hanging
already more than twelve hours on the computer. 07h00 GMT:
The main is under way NOW. Follow it on the table hereunder.
"Beuf" and "Bambi" together after segment 1. Okali looses
52 laps. Silén at 7 laps. Segment 2: "Beuf" leads Les
Wright by 1 lap, "Bambi" by 2, Aloise and Silén by 10. Skinner
in problems at 101 laps. Segment 3: Les Wright
drops into fifth position at 23 laps from "Beuf". "Bambi" is
second at 7 laps, Silén third at 10 laps. Okali at 80 laps,
Skinner at 100 laps. Segment 4 (mid-race): "Beuf" is
still leading, but "Bambi" is only 3 laps behind. Silén drops in
rank 5 at 31 laps. Aloise at 10 laps. If this pace can be
maintained the 1198 WR will be broken (1212 seems possible).
Segment 5: Difference between leader "Beuf" and "Bambi"
only 4 laps. Terrible pace. Les Wright agfain 3rd at 26 laps. "Gugu",
Okali and Skinner too slow. No progress for Silén at 34 laps.
Segment 6: Marcelo "Bambi" Serra takes the
lead, 7 laps ahead over "Beuf". Splendid race by Les
Wright, now at 19 laps. Aloďse 3 laps further. Silén has done:
pace too fast. Segment 7: Poor, poor,
poor Bambi, loosing it all. Beuf leads Les Wright by
13 laps. American 1-2-3. Beuf on his way to new WR. Terrible
pace kills European racers. 08h17 GMT - Segment 8: Crash
fest makes that "Beuf" doesn't realise a new WR over 40 minutes.
He wins his 3rd Worlds ahead over Les Wright and Carlos Aloďse.
America rules. [JPVR] |
|
|
|
|
|
Racer |
Segment
1 |
Segment
2 |
Segment
3 |
Segment
4 |
Segment 5 |
Segment
6 |
Segment
7 |
Segment
8 |
|
1. P. "Beuf" Pedersen (USA) |
154 |
154 (308) |
152 (460) |
146 (606) |
155 (761) |
138 (899) |
153 (1052) |
141 (1193) |
|
2. Les Wright (USA) |
152 |
155 (307) |
130 (437) |
147 (584) |
152 (736) |
152 (888) |
152 (1040) |
151 (1191) |
|
3. Carlos Aloise (USA) |
147 |
151 (298) |
150 (448) |
148 (596) |
138 (734) |
150 (884) |
149 (1033) |
143 (1176) |
|
4. Mikael Silén (S) |
147 |
151 (298) |
152 (450) |
125 (575) |
152 (727) |
|
153 (1015) |
158 (1173) |
|
5. Vlado Okali
(SVK) |
102 |
147 (249) |
131 (380) |
148 (528) |
146 (674) |
143 (817) |
142 (959) |
149 (1108) |
|
6.
Marcelo "Bambi"
Serra (BR) |
154 |
152 (306) |
147 (453) |
150 (603) |
154 (757) |
149 (906) |
57 (963) |
139 (1102) |
|
7.
L. "Gugu" Bernardino (BR) |
143 |
143 (286) |
140 (426) |
136 (562) |
148 (710) |
131 (841) |
140 (981) |
92 (1073) |
|
8.
Bill W.H. Skinner (USA) |
133 |
74 (207) |
153 (360) |
140 (500) |
134 (634) |
88 (722) |
148 (870) |
54 (924) |
|
|
|
19th
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO, PAROLU SLOTCAR SAO PAOLO (BR) November 10-11, 2007 |
|
LES "SEDRIC" WRIGHT
DOES IT AGAIN |
|
New
40' WR for Reggie Coram in G27: 906 laps! |
|
The 19th Campeonato Brasileiro
have been won by Les "Sedric" Wright, just as he did in 2005. For Les
2007 was his most successful racing season. Earlier this year he
finished also second at the G7 World Championship. At the same meeting
in Sao Paolo Reggie Coram from Sint-Maarten improved the 40 minutes lap
record in G27. He brought the record up to 906 laps.
The meeting in Sao
Paolo at the Parolu Slotcar race centre started with a One Motor
Race, good for 24 entries, among them that of Celso Duarte since long
not more seen in active racing. TQ went to Vizetti in 1"706. The
race was won by Brazil's Bruno di Dotto with 913 laps, two
more than Reggie Coram. Third place was for Marcio Paschoalin.
In G27 America's
Bill W.H. Skinner - earlier this year winner of the G27 "Revenge
Race" at the USRA Nats - qualified as best with 1"738. There were
14 entries. At the Semis we lost among others Roney Fiscler and
Alexandre Riberio. The main final resumed in a sharp combat for the
first place among Reggie Coram and Marcelo "Bambi" Serra.
Winner was Reggie Coram with 906 laps, a new world record. Marcelo Serra
came six laps short.Struggle for the third and last podium place went
among Bill W.H. Skinner and Marcio Paschoalin. Both finished in the same
lap with Skinner heading Paschoalin.
For the 19th
Campeonato Brasileiro in Open G7 we noted a total of 20 entries, among
them four Americans: Les Wright, Bill W.H. Skinner, Forrest Watchers and
- after years of absence - Al Chuck. Another notorious starter was the
2006 world champion Joăo Carlos
Geraldo, no more seen in competition after his victory in
the 2006 world championship. He qualified poorly, but could come back by
winning the Quarter race where we lost Marcelo Triginelli. The
Semis finished dramatically for Eduardo "Dracula" Gazoni, the
former (illegal) world record holder. He had to quit with technical woes
after 252 laps. Similar problems for Fernando Caliman and Bill
W.H. Skinner. Other racers missing the main were Zé Mario Serra
and Reggie Coram. The main final was fully dominated by
Les Wright who let Fabio Signoretti and Forrest Watchers
not the smallest chance on victory. Al Chuck finished as 8th,
good for one IOC-point. It dates from ...1976 that good old Al won
another IOC point. [JPVR] |
|
RESULTS
OPEN G7 |
|
Racer |
Nat |
Qual |
Quart |
Semi |
Main |
|
1. Les WRIGHT |
USA |
1"641 |
- |
642 |
1172 |
| 2. Fabio
Signoretti |
BR |
1"603 |
- |
607 |
1134 |
|
3. Forrest Watchers |
USA |
1"574 |
- |
711 |
1091 |
| 4. "Filipe" |
BR |
1"589 |
- |
693 |
1054 |
|
5. Andre Vilar |
BR |
1"609 |
- |
661 |
1034 |
| 6. Joăo Carlos
Geraldo |
BR |
1"679 |
452 |
652 |
977 |
|
7. Marcio Paschoalin |
BR |
1"580 |
- |
650 |
919 |
| 8. Al "Owll Champ"
Chuck |
USA |
1"604 |
- |
677 |
852 |
|
9. Reggie Coram |
St-M |
1"512 |
- |
633 |
- |
| 10. "Rodrigo" |
BR |
1"645 |
- |
624 |
- |
|
11. Isaias Jordăo |
BR |
1"593 |
- |
619 |
- |
| 12. Zé Mario Serra |
BR |
1"645 |
439 |
587 |
- |
|
13. Emerson Fischler |
BR |
1"534 |
- |
538 |
- |
| 14. Fernando
Caliman |
BR |
1"590 |
- |
337 |
- |
| 15. Bill W.H.
Skinner |
USA |
1"663 |
441 |
325 |
- |
| 16. Eduardo 'Dracula'
Gazoni |
BR |
1"655 |
445 |
252 |
- |
|
17. Marcelo Triginelli |
BR |
1"649 |
437 |
- |
- |
|
18. Mane |
BR |
1"687 |
423 |
- |
- |
| 19.
Luis Carlos "Cora"l |
BR |
N.T. |
393 |
- |
- |
| 20. Vizetti |
BR |
1"645 |
385 |
- |
- |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RESULTS
G27 |
|
Racer |
Nat |
Qual |
Quart |
Semi |
Main |
|
1. Reggie CORAM |
St-M |
1"801 |
- |
666 |
906 |
| 2. Marcelo 'Bambi'
Serra |
BR |
1"747 |
- |
663 |
900 |
|
3. Bill W.H. Skinner |
USA |
1"738 |
- |
645 |
875 |
| 4. Isaias Jordăo |
BR |
1"803 |
- |
650 |
875 |
|
5. Marcio Paschoalin |
BR |
1"742 |
- |
654 |
870 |
| 6. Paolo Gonçalves |
BR |
1"870 |
- |
659 |
869 |
|
7. Francisco Ferreira |
BR |
1"882 |
- |
657 |
844 |
| 8. Vinicius |
USA |
1"837 |
- |
657 |
333 |
|
9. Roney Fischler |
St-M |
1"794 |
- |
653 |
- |
| 10. Andre Vilar |
BR |
1"921 |
- |
645 |
- |
|
11. Manoel Castellos |
BR |
2'083 |
- |
630 |
- |
| 12. Luis Carlos "Coral" |
BR |
1"907 |
- |
629 |
- |
|
13. Alexandre Riberio |
BR |
1"922 |
- |
531 |
- |
| 14. Fabio
Signoretti |
BR |
1"797 |
- |
345 |
- |
|
|
|
G27
WORLD CUP AT WING CAR WORLDS, BUENA PARK, CA (USA) May 19, 2007 |
|
MIKAEL
SILEN BEATS HORKY AND "GUGU" |
|
But
where is Paul "Beuf" Perdersen? Is he at least in? |
|
May
20, 2007 - When Paul "OWH" Kassens is not present at a major race
contested in the States, it's always the same song. Information for the
rest of the world is beneath all, results of the main (segment per
segment) are missing, nobody knows what happened during the race, no
pictures are published and technical work sheets are nowhere. At Buena
Park it is not else this year. O.K., Leonore does what she can, but
Leonore is no Paul Kassens. What I cannot understand is that organisers
of big meetings can even not pay Paul's plane ticket. All we receive are
results which are even not in a properly made results table. The Buena
Park Worlds are now already on since more than one week, and even now,
nobody of the rest of the world is aware who more is there except for
the ones we could find in the results. Is Josef Korec there? We
don't know. Normally Korec and Horky are always travelling together. But
since he's married and since his wife gave birth to his first child,
it's possible that he didn't made the trip to California. Moreover,
Korec is an excellent G27 racer. So, if he should have been there, he
should have started in the G27 race. Now that his name is not in the
results, I assume that he's not there. And what to think about the
absolute favourite, about Paul "Beuf" Pedersen? Normally he
enters always the Pro G27 race. This year this is not the case. May I
deduce that we'll have tomorrow a world championship without "Beuf"? Can
this be possible? And what happens with
Joaő Carlos Geraldo (BR), the man who won last year both the G27
World Cup ŕnd the G7 Wing Car World Championship? Can it be possible
that he even doesn't show to defend his world title? What kind of an
organisation we have if absolutely nobody cares to inform the rest of
the world about the candidate winners being in place. So I insist once
more: organisers pay Paul Kassens at least a plane ticket to your event
so that the rest of the world can be informed about what is going on. |
|