2006  MAJOR WING CAR RACES

25th WING CAR G7 WORLDS  AT RIO DE JANEIRO (BR) (MAY 21)

NEW WR: 1"4808 FOR VLADO OKALI BUT JOAÕ CARLOS GERALDO IS WORLD CHAMP

Top Slot Blue King definitively fastest king track in the world

May 25 - Brazil's Joaõ Carlos Geraldo won on the Top Slot Blue King of Rio de Janeiro the 25th World Championship Wing Car Racing. He was also the best in the one motor race contested as warm-up for the 2006 G7 Worlds. Earlier the same day Slovakia's Vlado Okali set a new one lap world record in 1'4808, doing better than the 1,492 realised by Marcio Paschoalin last year on the same track at the 17th Campeonato Brasileiro.
Organisers deserved a better attendance than the 26 racers who showed at the meeting. At the start they found only two former world champions: Vlado Okali and Juha Ylisipola. Of the top-3 finishers at the 24 previous world championships they found only a third racer: "Gugu" Bernardino. Most noted absentees were the reigning world champion Josef Korec (CZ) and the former double world champion Mario MSP Schöne who was present at the 10 last editions and finished each time in the main final. Other major absentees were the double world champions Paul 'Beuf' Pedersen, Paul Ciccarello, P-A Watson and Mike Swiss, all from the USA, and Sweden's Lasse Åberg. There were no racers from Holland (no Douwe Banning), no racers from Czechia (no Petr Krcil, no Vladimir Horky, no Zdenek Benes, no Josef Korec), no racers from Austria (no Oliver Sonnbichler), no racers from New Zealand (no Tim Tyler), and no racers from Argentina (no Ricardo Garri). It seems that a splendid fast track as Top Slot makes them fearing being not fast enough. Moreover - but that's a tradition since years - there were no racers from Australia and from Japan.

QUALIFICATIONS
Fastest qualifier was good old Vlado Okali (SVK) in an absolutely fabulous time of 1'4808. Several (former) world record holders all failed to do better. Marcio Paschoalin - until then world record holder - did not faster than 1"564. His predecessor Forrest Watchers realised a rather poor 1"679.Forrest's predecessor Luis "Gugu" Bernardino realised the 6th time with 1"525. Gugu's predecessor, Benny Justice, did a little better with 1"522. And Benny's predecessor, Jari Porttinen stayed with 1"588 far beneath his former WR of 1"542. With Gary Puetz (world record holder in 1985 and 1988) we had no less than six former world record holders at the start. For Vlado Okali it was the first world record of his long career.

QUARTER FINALS
Already at the first Quater we lost two favourites: Benny Justice - having won in 2004 the Campeonato Brasileiro - and former G27 world record holder Stefan Törnfeldt from Sweden. Winner of Quarter D was Geraldo with 473 laps, followed at 2 laps by Rodrigo Mastrochirico and at 3 laps by Reggie Coram from Sint-Maarten. Jari Porttinen was the other man to make the move to the Semis. Quarter C was won by "Gugu" with 471 laps. Marcello Triginelli, Michael Silén and Gary Puetz finished among the top-4. Per Persson (S) and Ron van Wagnen (3rd time at the Qualifica-tions) missed the move. Quarter B was for B.H. Skinner with Rudy Kamieth from Germany as en excellent runner-up. "Norba" and Juha Yli-Sipola were the 2 others to make the move. Gonçalves, Paschoalin and Carneiro failed. Quarter A was for Vlado Okali. With 474 laps he was the fastest of all racers. With him Les Wright, Forrest Watchers and Visetti were moving up. Emerson Fischler, Al Chuck and André Villar all 3 missed to do the same.

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Quarters Semis Main
1. Joaõ Carlos Geraldo BR 1,591 473 695 1153
2. Norberto 'Norba' Arrivabene BR 1,508 455 683 1144
3. Vlado Okali SVK 1,4808 474 701 1125
4. Mikael Silén S 1,567 468 685 1122
5. Juha Yli-Sipola SF 1,584 449 690 1084
6. Jari Porttinen SF 1,588 468 683 1012
7. Gary Puetz USA 1,586 463 671 883
8. Joaõ Visetti BR 1,556 471 644 435
9. B.H. Skinner USA 1,579 467 636 -
10. Forrest Watchers USA 1,679 471 631 -
11. Luis 'Gugu' Bernardino BR 1,525 471 620 -
12. Reggie Coram SM 1,574 470 620 -
13. Les Wright USA 1,624 473 590 -
14. Marcello Triginelli BR 1,596 469 588 -
15. Rudy Kamieth D 1,618 461 584 -
16. Rodrigo Mastrochirico BR 1,522 471 379 -
17. Emerson Fischler BR 1,581 464 - -
18. Benny Justice USA 1,522 457 - -
19. Per Persson S 1,578 453 - -
20. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,511 449 - -
21. Stefan Törnfeldt S 1,568 448 - -
22. Paulo Gonçalves BR 1,531 434 - -
23. Al Chuck USA 1,563 427 - -
24. Marcio Paschoalin BR 1,564 367 - -
25. André Villar BR 1,579 335 - -
26. Ricardo Carneiro BR 1,709 223 - -

SEMI-FINALS
At Semi B we lost surprisingly one of the top favourites: "Gugu" Bernardino. Winner was J-C Geraldo followed by Mikael Silén, Jari Porttinen and Gary Puetz. Out were Coram, Triginelli and Rodrigo. In Semi B Okali proved with his 701 laps once more that he was the fastest man of them all. Here we lost three American racers: Skinner, Watchers and Les Wright (last year still winner on the same track of the 17th Campeonato Brasileiro). Rudy Kamieth was the 4th victim, while Yli-Sipola, "Norba" and Visetti made the move to the main.

 

MAIN FINAL
So we arrived at a main final with 3 Brazilian racers (Geraldo, "Norba" and the surprising Visetti), 1 American (for Puetz it was his first main since several years) and 4 Europeans (Silén, Yli-Sipola, Porttinen and Okali). Juha went out on the lead after the first segment, followed at 4 laps by Puetz and at 5 laps by "Norba". Okali lost already 14 laps. After the second segment Norba was the new leader and could maintain that position until mid-race. But up from the fifth segment Geraldo was setting the pace, to maintain the lead until the chequered flag. So he became the third Brazilian wing car world champion in history. Alexandre Ribeirio and Jae Young were the other Brazilians to do the same. In 2002 Geraldo already won the Brazilian Nats and at the Ultimate G7 Race in Uden he was the best finishing Brazilian. A last remark: it was a surprise that several Brazilian top racers as Jose Mario Serra, Marcello 'Bambi' Serra, Eugenio "Dracula Gazoni" and others were all missing.

The fastest motor in the world: with this engine Vlado Okali took the WR Chassis of the cars having finished at the top-3 places

USRA NATS G7: "BEUF" BEATS P-A & VLADO

No Korec, no Horky, no Finns, no Schöne, no Ciccarello, no Geraldo

August 21, 2006 - It looks as if the USRA G7 Nats are no longer what they always were: a very attractive race for American ànd European racers. This year, however, the 32 entries couldn't hide that several top-racers are no longer interested in the USRA G7 Nats. For the first time since years Mario "MSP" Schöne (D) and Paul Ciccarello (USA) - both former winners - were absent. We noted also that Josef Korec (CZ), Vladimir Horky (CZ), Juha Yli-Sipola (SF), Kimmo Rautama (SF), Lasse Aberg (S), Anders Gustafson (S), Greg Mills (CDN), and even the new 2006 G7 world champion Joaõ Carlos Geraldo (BR) were all missing at the start. Eventually only one youngster was present: Joe Chubby Salzman. Some old guns, not seen in competition since years, were at once present. Among them Vince Brown, Chris Brown and Rande Marshal.
The non-American entry was restricted to "Gugu" Ber-nardino (BR), Jose Mario Serra (BR), Marcio Paschoalin (BR), Emerson Fischler (BR), Paolo Gonçalves (BR) and Vlado Okali (SVK). It's the first time since 1985 that only one European racer was present. But what a stupid idea to organise the USRA Nats during the last week of July and the first week of August, when the prices of the plane tickets are at their highest price of the year! Americans - showing themselves rarely at a G7 race organised outside the American continent - made the error to believe that Europeans should play once more their game, that they should show, whatever the price of the plane tickets. If Swiss & Co wished to organise their race at such an "expensive" date, they had to do what IMCA does since more than two decades, i.e. paying the plane tickets of the most important Europe-an racers. On refusing to follow such policy, Swiss & Co, now had a race being hardly representative for int'l G7 racing. Let's name it: a disappointing USRA G7 Nats.
Top favourite Paul "Beuf" Pedersen (USA) had nearly no serious opposition this year. Benny Justice (USA), Forrest Watchers (USA) and "Gugu" Bernardino see-med to be the scarce ones able to hold him off a fifth victory this year, certainly since we lost Mike Swiss (USA) so early in competition. Eventually all opposition came from good old P-A Watson (USA) and from Vlado Okali (SVK). For Beuf it was his third consecutive win at the USRA Nats.

THE QUALIFICATIONS - Of the expectations that Chicagoland Raceway should be the fastest track on earth nothing could be proved. At the qualifications all racers stayed far from the 1"453 world record of Benny Justice, realised earlier this year. It was Benny himself who TQ-ed, however in a disappointing "slow" 1"549. Carlos Aloise realised the same time, but was ranked as second, due to a slower first run. Most former world recordholders all failed to realise sharp times. Mike Swiss himself - the record holder among the world record holders - came no further than 1"701. The one but last world record holder, Vlado Okali, having realised 1"4808 at this year's G7 Worlds, realised no time. Last year's world record holder Gugu Bernardino came no further than 1"635. Another recent world record holder, Marcio Paschoalin was to be happy with 1"598. Forrest Watchers failed at 1"805. Ron Herrera, another former world record holder, was stranded at 1"606.  What a strange qualifications!

THE QUARTER FINALS - The first quarter caused imme-diately a stir, since we lost not only Connie Aloise and Les Wright, but even Mike Swiss himself. For Bill Skinner the race was already over after ...89 laps. The move was for Beuf, Salzman, Graversen and Puetz. In the second quarter Ron van Wagnen - in sharp progress - missed the move, whilst surprisingly Mike Krebs realised it, together with Okali, "Gugu" and Marcio Paschoalin. Out were Thompson, Gabbard and Chris Brown. The next quarter was won by Bob Everett, ahead of P-A Watson, Paolo Gonçalves and the unknown Jim Lamaree. That we lost Jose Mario Serra, Carlos Aloise and Ron Herrera so early was a surprise. Marty Meltaberger failed just as them to make the move. The last quarter went to Benny Justice with 436 laps, the highest figure at the four Quarters. Vince Brown, Emerson Fischler and Forrest Watchers made the move. Lary Blanton disappointed once more, coming 4 laps short to make the move. Rande Marshal was eli-minated on technical woes. Swofford and Gundersen were the other victims.

THE SEMI FINALS - At the first Semi the trio "Beuf", Okali and the unexpected Mike Graversen pulled away from the rest of the field. At mid-race they had 20 laps or more over the rest of the field. "Gugu" had to come back from the back benchers, but realised this perfor-mance. Chubby Salzman was unlucky, having lost a pinion. Krebs was still 4th after 6 segments, but during the last segments "Gugu" could ensure the move. Beuf won with 634 laps, followed by Okali (624), "Gugu" (612) and Graversen (592). Paschoalin, Krebs, Chubby Salzman and Puetz all four were out.
The second Semi saw Bob Everett, P-A Watson and Vince Brown setting the pace. Koford's Jim Lamaree was eliminated after two heats. Benny Justice could join the leaders during the third segment. For Emerson Fischler, 68 laps down after 3 segments, things seemed lost. During the 4th segment Benny Justice burnt his motor, fixed the new one to hard, and saw it going up in smoke. He could maintain after 5 segments his 4th place, but only 4 laps ahead over Fischler making a terrible come-back. During the last heat all went wrong for Benny Justice. He lost his 4th place and Fischler realised the move. Winner was Bob Everett (633), ahead of P-A (621), Vince Brown (!!!) and Fischler. Benny Justice, Paolo Gonçalves, Forrest Watchers (!) were out.

THE MAIN FINAL - For P-A Watson it was his 16th main at the USRA G7 Nats (his first dates from 1977!), for "Beuf" his 15th, for Okali his 6th, for "Gugu" his 4th. Bob Everett was already finalist in 1998 and 1999, Vince Brown in ...1983.  Graversen and Fischler are rookies. P-A Watson and "Beuf" are setting the pace during the 2 first segments (279 laps each). Bob Everett (motor) and Mike Graversen (spur gear) are as good as eliminated for victory. After 3 segments P-A is 1 lap down to "Beuf". At mid-race the difference is also as small as 2 laps. Can P-A win his 5th USRA Nats, or will it be 5 for "Beuf"? During segment 5 P-A goes out on the lead, followed at 3 laps by Beuf. With only one segment to go P-A is ...at 1 lap from "Beuf". During the last segment he breaks and it's "Beuf" winning his 3rd vonsecutive USRA G7 Nats, the 5th in his career. Vlado Okali finishes as 3rd, ahead of Emerson Fischler. [JPVR]

1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1"592 430 634 1042
2. P-A Watson USA 9"999 413 621 1022
3. Vlado Okali SVK 7"212 435 624 991
4. Emerson Fischler BR 1"617 410 569 964
5. Mike Graversen USA 1"702 390 592 945
6. Luis "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1"635 419 612 822
7. Bob Everett USA 1"670 420 633 775
8. Vince Brown USA 1"670 422 570 766
9. Marcio Paschoalin BR 1"598 399 561 -
10. Benny Justice USA 1"549 436 543 -
11. Mike Krebs USA 9"999 402 492 -
12. Paolo Gonçalves BR 1"803 396 418 -
13. Joe "Chubby" Salzman USA 1"633 404 413 -
14. Gary Puetz USA 1"630 382 405 -
15. Forrest Watchers USA 1"805 399 375 -
16. Jim Laramee USA 1"696 371 374 -
17. Ron van Wagnen USA 1"553 397 - -
18. Gil Gundersen USA 1"691 396 - -
19. Larry Blanton USA 1"817 395 - -
20. Randy Thompson USA 1"625 390 - -
21. Connie Aloise USA 9"999 373 - -
22. Jose Mario Serra BR 1"911 361 - -
23. Mike Swiss USA 1"701 358 - -
24. Marty Meltaberger USA 1"620 355 - -
25. Les Wright USA 1"576 332 - -
26. Gerald Gabbard USA 1"698 328 - -
27. Carlos Aloise USA 1"549 323 - -
28. Jim Swofford USA 1"612 288 - -
29. Chris Brown USA 1"708 264 - -
30. Rande Marshal USA 9"999 184 - -
31. Ron Herrera USA 1"606 122 - -
32. Bill Skinner USA 9"999 89 - -

P-A Watson, Paul "Beuf" Pedersen and Vlado Okali: 2 - 1 - 3.


USRA NATS G27: "GUGU" BERNARDINO WINS

Chile's Ricardo Garri 2nd, ahead of King  Paul "Beuf" Pedersen!!!

Twenty-five racers entered the 2006 USRA G27 Nats for Pros. Except for two Brazilians, one Slovak and one racer from Chile: all Americans. Here too the USRA Nats seem having lost their former attraction on foreign racers. The days that we saw contingents from Japan, Austria, Germany or Finland at the start seem so far away. Chicagoland Raceway is not so attractive for non-Americans as initially was believed: it's a Blue King like so many others in the States. Main favourites were Paul "Beuf" Persen (USA), the 3rd of the G27 Worlds and winner of the ESROC G27 Vlado Okali (SVK) and new world record holder Benny Justice (USA). Among the dangerous outsiders we found Boyt Johnson (USA), "Gugu" Bernar-dino (BR) and the Brown Bros (USA) - no longer seen in competition since two ...decades!  It was a bit of a surprise that Mike Swiss didn't enter the race and that G27 world record holder Marcelo "Bambi" Serra (1"7216) were missing at the start. [At any rate with Chickey, Mario Schöne, Petr Krcil, Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky and so many others missing, at no moment the atmosphere was as excellent as at past year's USRA Nats].
At the Qualifications Boyt Johnson immediately underlines his ambitions by realising the pole position in a sharp 1"751, ahead of Vlado Okali in 1"763 and Kent Nigro in 1"774.
The Quarter Finals are full of surprises since we loose immediately our two top qualifiers, Boyt Johnson and Vlado Okali. Among the other victims we find Larry Blanton (what a poor 2006 for Larry!) and former world record holder Ron Herrera. Ron's car was even not ready for the qualifications, so that he started without ambitions.
Less surprises at the Semis where only Connie Aloise and former world record holder Marcio Paschoalin were expected to perform better. Roger Schmitt and Roman Kormeluk (better known as Roman K) did better than what was expected and could qualify for the Main.
Other finalists were "Beuf" Pedersen, "Gugu" Bernardino, Benny Justice, Jim "Spove" Sproviero, Chris Brown and the very promising Ricardo Garri from Chile. 

During the two first segments we had four racers pulling away from the rest of the field: "Gugu" Bernardino, "Beuf" Pedersen, Ricardo Garri and the surprising Roger Schmitt. After the third segment "Gugu", Garri and Schmitt were all three in the same lap, with "Beuf" unexpectedly already 18 laps behind, just as Benny Justice. During the fourth segment we lost Roger Schmitt among the leaders: the loss of a body pin (twice!) cost him 20 laps. At mid-race "Gugu" was leading, one lap ahead over Ricardo Garri. Meanwhile "Beuf" could come back in third position at 11 laps. For Benny Justice the race was over and the next segment he withdrew. Up from now "Gugu" could increase his advance over Garri and "Beuf" segment by segment. Differences were 3 and 16 laps after segment 5, 8 and 48 laps after segment 6 (where "Beuf" crashed badly in the donut), 9 and 52 laps after segment 7, and eventually 7 and 46 laps at the finish. "Gugu" Bernardino was as convincing as winner as Ricardo Garri was as runner-up. At no moment "Beuf" gave the impression to be able to do his G27 win of last year over. This time "Gugu" and Garri were stronger! [JPVR]

1. Luis "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1"848 414 394 806
2. Ricardo Garri CHIL 1"862 413 391 799
3. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1"784 404 409 760
4. Roger Schmitt USA 7"987 424 380 759
5. Roman Kormeluk USA 1"835 351 367 744
6. Jim "Spove" Sproviero USA 2"000 387 403 669
7. Chris Brown USA 1"819 388 400 553
8. Benny Justice USA 1"839 423 385 344
9. Marcio Paschoalin BR 1"844 385 392 -
10. Al Harley USA 1"784 399 388 -
11. Kent Nigro USA 1"774 401 386 -
12. Vince Brown USA 1"882 371 362 -
13. Connie Aloise USA 1"874 362 359 -
14. Roney Fischler BR 1"823 424 359 -
15. Jim Swofford USA 1"852 412 355 -
16. Marty Meltaberger USA 1"835 386 341 -
17. Mike Graversen USA 1"917 386 - -
18. Larry Blanton USA 1"919 385 - -
19. Joe Redmond USA 1"995 383 - -
20. Jimbo Kirby USA 1"984 378 - -
21. Vlado Okali SVK 1"763 374 - -
22. Richard Curnutte USA 1"840 367 - -
23. Ron van Wagnen USA 15"508 348 - -
24. Boyt Johnson USA 1"751 336 - -
25. Ron Herrera USA 9"999 312 - -

1175 LAPS: NEW WR FOR GUGU BERNARDINO

January 16, 2006 - The 1145 laps realised by Les Wright (USA) at last year's Brazilian Nats are already history. On January 7, at the Mid-Atlantic USRA G7 Race on "The Track" in Gaithersburg, MD, Brazil's Luis "Gugu" Bernardino improved the 40 minutes WR for G7 cars by winning the race with 1175 laps. Two other racers - Benny Justice (USA) and Mike "Erkle" Tylinski (USA) - did at the same meeting also better than the 1145 laps realised by Les Wright at the 2005 Brazilian Nats. Les Wright himself was also one of the entrants, but came this time no further than 1036 laps. In wing car racing 2006 seems to become a new year of several world records. 1"399 and 1250 laps seems possible before the end of the year. At the same meeting we noted another rain of world records in several other classes. Meanwhile G7 wing car racing is as well as dead. Number of entries at international meetings drops from year to year, and only the good old specialists continue. Newcomers disappear as soon as they showed. Where is Greg Mills (CDN), where Erik Kimmel (CZ), where Antti Immonen (SF), where Gert Fransen (B)? G7 racing is actually such a matter for specialists that newcomers have no more place in this discipline. Proposals of Paul Pfeiffer (USA) to switch to a cheaper formula were not followed by the top-racers. But those top-racers seem now killing the F1 of slot-racing. [JPVR]

1. Luis "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1175 laps
2. Benny Justice USA 1158 laps
3. Mike "Erkle" Tylinski USA 1148 laps
4. Bill Skinner USA 1135 laps
5. Mario Serra BR 1104 laps
6. Les Wright USA 1036 laps
7. Brian Eardley USA 912 laps
8. Joe SSS Salzman USA 886 laps

New WR holder "Gugu" Bernardino together with Joe SSS Salzman at the 2005 USRA Nats. With 1175 laps for 40 minutes Gugu pulverized the old record of Les Wright at the 2005 Brazilian Nats.


P-A WATSON IS THE BEST ALL-TIME G7 RACER

Racers on a yellow field are eligible for a next Ultimate G7 Race!

wing car racer

Nat Worlds 1st = 3 pts Worlds 2nd = 2 pts Worlds 3rd = 1 pt USRA 1st  = 3 pts USRA 2nd  = 2 pts USRA 3rd  = 1 pt ESROC Nats 1st = 2 pts Brazil Nats 1st  = 1 pt Australia Nats 1st = 1 pt pts
P-A Watson USA 2 2 - 4 4 1 - - - 31
Mario "MSP" Schöne D 2 2 3 1 1 3 4 1 - 30
Mike Swiss USA 2 2 1 2 4 3 - - - 28
Paul Pfeiffer USA 3 - 1 3 3 2 - - - 27
Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 2 - - 5 - 2 - - - 23
Jon Laster USA 1 1 4 1 3 4 - - - 22
Lasse Åberg S 2 2 3 - - - 3 1 - 20
Paul Ciccarello USA 2 - - 3 1 1 - 1 - 19
Martin Gramann A 1 - - 1 1 - 2 1 - 13
Joel Montague USA 1 - - 2 1 1 - - - 12
Vlado Okali SVK 1 1 2 - - 2 - 1 1 11
Juha Yli-Sipola SF 1 1 1 - - - 2 - - 10
Jan Limpach USA - - - 3 - - - - - 9
Vladimir Horky CZ - 1 - - - - 3 - - 8
Josef Korec CZ 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - - 8
Ernie Provetti USA - 1 - 1 1 - - - - 7
"Gugu" Bernardino BR - - 2 - 1 1 - 2 - 7
Bernd Möbus D - - - - - - 3 - - 6
Dennis Traeger AU - - - - - - - - 6 6
Thomas Hanson S - - 1 - - - 2 - - 5
Steve Bogut USA - - - 1 1 - - - - 5
Henry Pena USA - 1 - 1 - - - - - 5
Alex Riberio BR 1 1 - - - - - - - 5
Dave Borntrager USA - 1 1 - 1 - - - - 5
Mikael Silén S - - - 1 - - 1 - - 5
Csaba Szekelyhidi USA - - 1 1 - - - - - 4
Lars Blomqvist S - - - - - - 2 - - 4
Achim Burgmann D - - - - - - 2 - - 4
Leo Hongisto SF - - - - - - 2 - - 4
Peter Dight AU - - - - - - - - 4 4
Stuart Koford USA 1 - - - - - - - - 3
Jae Young BR 1 - - - - - - - - 3
Anders Gustafson S - - 1 - - - 1 - - 3

wing car racer

Nat Worlds 1st Worlds 2nd Worlds 3rd USRA 1st USRA 2nd USRA 3rd ESROC 1st Brazil 1st Australia 1st pts
Dan Bloodsworth USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Don Barber USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Bob Crane USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Bob "Bad" Morton USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Ralph Morella USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Rande Marshal USA - - - 1 - - - - - 3
Benny Justice USA - - - - 1 - - 1 - 3
Kimmo Rautama SF - - 1 - - - 1 - - 3
Joaõ Carlos Geraldo BR 1 - - - - - - - - 3
Gunnar Bergdahl S - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Lars-G. Hallgren S - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Dave Harvey GB - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Ted Ljungkrantz S - - - - - - 1 - - 2
H-P Sutter CH - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Bert van der Heyden NL - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Philippe Thibault F - - - - - - 1 - - 2
Marko Pirinen SF - - - - - - 1 - - 2
John Gattons AU - - - - - - - - 2 2
Tim Tyler NZ - - - - - - - - 2 2
Gary Fry AU - - - - - - - - 2 2
Les Wright USA - - - - - - - 1 - 1
Kim Axton AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Charlie Frost AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Paul Close AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Greg Spooner AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Wayne Bramble AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Paul Bouziotis AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
George Bouziotis AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Reggie Corum AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Charlie Rickards AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Garry Johnson AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Dan Smith AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Geoff Little AU - - - - - - - - 1 1
Wing car racers having reached a podium at the Wing Car Worlds or the USRA Nats, but never having won an int'l top-race for wing cars

wing car racer

Nat Worlds 1st Worlds 2nd Worlds 3rd USRA 1st USRA 2nd USRA 3rd ESROC 1st Brazil 1st Australia 1st pts
John Strachan USA - 2 - - - 1 - - - 5
Chris Burlew USA - - - - 1 1 - - - 3
Nick Csercics USA - - - - 1 1 - - - 3
Bob Jaeckel USA - 1 - - - 1 - - - 3
Scott Stuart USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Philippe de Lespinay USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Brindley Mercurius USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Jim Mayer USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Gary Gerding USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Rich Ackard USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Mike Garett USA - 1 - - - - - - - 2
Ted Pace USA - 1 - - - - - - - 2
Jose Mario Serra BR - 1 - - - - - - - 2
Petr Krcil CZ - 1 - - - - - - - 2
"Norba" Arrivabene BR - 1 - - - - - - - 2
Rich Delmondo USA - 1 - - - - - - - 2
Lee Roberts USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Mike Muir USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
John Tore Andersen S - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Forrest Watchers USA - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Roland Maisenbacher D - - 1 - - - - - - 1
Brand Karen USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Bob Cotton USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Walt LaBree USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Cliff Horn USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Robin Adair USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Art Traver USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Reggie Coram NL - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Vince Brown USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Dan Debella USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Lee Gilbert USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Craig Landry USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1
Kerry Champion USA - - - - - 1 - - - 1

2005  MAJOR WING CAR RACES

Wing Car Races 2004 Wing Car Races 2003 Wing Car Races 2002

17th COMPEONATO BRASILEIRO G7  AT RIO DE JANEIRO (BR) (NOV 12-13)

2 NEW WR: 1"492 FOR MARCIO PASCHOALIN AND 1145 LAPS FOR LES WRIGHT

Rio Track (also for 2006 Worlds) fastest in the world

November 16 - At the Brazilian Nats two new world records in G7 wing car racing were put on the international tables. Mario Paschoalin is the first racer in history having gone under the 1"5. With 1"492 he improved the WR (1"5010) set by Forrest Watchers at this year's USRA Nats. The race was won by America's Les Wright with a fabulous 1145 laps, improving Paul Ciccarello's former WR with 1110 laps. The race was contested on the Top Slot Blue King track of Rio de Janeiro. Next year the 25th Wing Car G7 World Championship will be contested at the same track, being actually the fastest in the world, faster than Mike Swiss's Chicagoland Blue King and faster than the Kouvola track in Finland.
Despite those splendid figures one cannot deny that wing car racing sits in a deep crisis. Only 11 racers showed for the Brazilian Nats, the lowest entry level in the 17 years old history of the Campeonato Brasileiro. G7 racing became so technical that more and more racers decided to stop.
The main final was a very close combat between Les Wright and Benny Justice (last year's winner). At the finish both were split for only four laps. With 1141 laps runner-up Benny Justice improved him too the former WR by Paul Ciccarello. The same was done by Paolo Gonçalves, who finished third, and who achieved 1129 laps. "Gugu" Bernardino was leading the main final during the three first segments. After those three segments he had one lap over Les Wright (USA), and three laps over Benny Justice (USA) and Leandro Caixas (BR). Ricardo Carneira (BR) followed one lap further. During the fourth segment "Gugu" ran in technical problems and lost the lead to Les Wright, who could hold it until the end of the race. For Les Wright it's the most important victory in his career. [JPVR]

Racer

Nat Qualif Semis Main Final
1. LES WRIGHT USA 1"591 699 1145 (WR)
2. Benny Justice USA 1"533 656 1141
3. Paolo Gonçalves BR 1"559 681 1129
4. Leandro Caixas BR 1"685 693 1098
5. Bruno di Dotto BR 1"563 699 1086
6. Luis "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1"557 689 1080
7. Ricardo Carneiro BR 1"678 650 1076
8. João Carlos Geraldo BR 1"607 697 1076
9. Francisco Ferreira "Chicão" BR 1"629 649 -
10. Norberto Arrivabene BR 1"578 632 -
11. Marcio Paschoalin BR 1"492 470 -
 

In 2006 the Wing Car World Championships will be contested on the same Top Slot Blue King of Rio de Janeiro.
The exact date of the race is already known: May 17-21, 2006. Let's hope that attendance may be a lot higher than at this year's Campeonato Brasileiro. Please remark also that this is my last contribution on wing car racing. Indeed by January 1, 2006 the IMCA web site will be definitively closed. My health condition and family problems don't allow me to continue my efforts. [JPVR]

New WR-holder Marcio Paschoalin with organiser Arthur Luiz

Above picture (top right) f.l.t.r. Gonçalves, Wright and Justice


36th ESROC G7  EURONATS AT PLZEN (CZ) (SEPT 8-9)

MIKAEL SILÉN CONFIRMS HIS 2003 SHAPE

G27 to Vlado Okali - Lowest attendance since 1970

September 13 - At the 36th European Wing Car Championships things went somewhere seriously wrong. How otherwise explain that attendan-ce was by far the lowest since 1970? Nevertheless Zdenek Benes seems have done great efforts for this event. Vlado Okali wrote me that he repowered and rebraided the track and that he sent invitations to all active racers. However on the Plzen web site no word about this race could be found and not on the other Czech web sites. Poor atten-dance, it was said, was the result of a poorly choosen date, so short after the USRA Nats. That can never be the reason, since the three Europeans having shown at the USRA Nats (Okali, Krcil, Schöne) were all three present at Plzen. With Josef Korec in France for his company and Lasse Åberg in Korea, two aces were lost. Add to it Vladimir Horky, having had family problems, and that gives three. But even then attendance should have been the lowest in history. What happened with all other Czech wing car racers? What with young Eric Kimmel? What with Jiri Micek jr? What with Sinderbal? What with Josef Hajek? Did they all stop wing car racing due to its too high costs? And how to explain that the Kouvola Worlds were such a success, whilst the ESROC meeting was so disastrous? Where was Leo Hongisto? Where ESROC president Kimmo Rautama? Where Marko Pirinen? Where Petteri Pirhonen? Where Veli-Matti Kantamaa? Telling that they are all prepai-ring the ISRA Worlds in Malta makes no sense. It seems that one major meeting per year is all what European wing car racers can afford. Without sponsoring, serving to cover the transport costs of the racers, actual wing car racing seems more and more condemned. But finding cash sponsoring for a wing car event is totally impossible. Only if such meetings can be combined by model car races - e.g. a Skoda Cup - some cash money can be found. And why maintain the hyper expen-sive G27 and not switching to the much more popular Box Stock G12? European wing car racing needs deep reflection on all that. Switching the date to March or April can never be the lonely good solution.

It's fine to see that Mikael Silén - nearly no results last year - is back after his strong performance at the 2003 USRA Nats. He won the one-motor warm-up race (11 entrants!) with 998 laps. At the G27 race, won by Vlado Okali ahead of Petr Krcil and Zdenek Benes he finished fourth (on 12 entrants). The G7 race he won, ahead of Okali and Mario MSP Schöne. A nice performance. Nevertheless Silén is a disaster for the manufacturers. Dan Debella wrote me that he received free parts from ProSlot but that he used parts of one of Dan's competitors, also for free. That shows a certain mentality, absolutely not well liked by them. Manu-facturers know how Silén is and next year he risks once more to fall without further sponsoring. In one word: an excellent racer but not direct-ly the guy to build a future upon.
A total other racer - fully thrustworthy - is Vlado Okali, a man for all seasons. He realises somewhat his best season with a victory at the Australian G7 Nats, was second to Krcil at the G27 Worlds, second to "Beuf" at the USRA G27, fourth at the Barnburner, unlucky finalist at this year's USRA G7, now winner of the ESROC G27 and runner-up to Silén at the G7 ESROC EuroNats. A splendid honorary list.

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Semis Main
1. Mikael Silén S - 578 987
2. Vlado Okali SVK - 591 942
3. Mario "MSP" Schöne D - 583 926
4. Zdenek Benes CZ - 569 911
5. Stefan Törnfeldt S - 563 866
6. Jari Porttinen SF - 545 820
7. Juha Yli-Sipola SF - 570 765
8. Petr Krcil CZ - 584 569
9. Douwe Banning NL - 523 -
10. Klaus Jungblut D - 490 -
11. Kamil Klapka CZ - 478 -
12. Peter Fröbel D - 473 -
13. Rudy Kamieth D - 449 -
14. Pekka Sippola SF - 359 -
15. Yvo Skalsky CZ - 339 -
16. Oliver Sonnbichler A - 150 -

At Plzen it was decided that Okali becomes the new ESROC president as successor for Kimmo Rautama (who asked since longer to be re-placed since he'a also ISRA president). Good news is that the price of the Gugu miracle qualification tyres was lowered from $ 29.50 to € 11.95.
The race itself was (once more) a crash fest. Vlado Okali explains the situation as follows: "Most of the last races I entered were pure crash fests. Plzen is no exception on that rule. It is today's trend. The reason is, that all drivers have fast material, fast motors, but that the cars moving to the main come partly demolished at the start. If you build strong = heavy car, you maybe don't come to the main..."

The Semis were a fair reflection of the power balance among the racers. Only Oliver Sonnbichler (A) and Douwe Banning (NL) were expected to make the move to the main. Both didn't succeed, due to technical problems.

In the main final we lost the top favourite, Petr Krcil, with a bent chassis. Another favourite, ex-world champion Juha Yli-Sipola was another victim of the crash test. Eventually Silén and Okali were the best skilled racers to avoid as much as possible the crashes. They took the two first places. We received no qualification times. All we know is that ex-world recordholder Jari Porttinen was the fastest man at the warm-up race in 1"740. After the race racers were convicted that Zdenek Benes was not to blame for the low attendance, but that it was due to a wrong choice of the date of the race.  [JPVR]


35th USRA G7 PRO NATS AT BUENA PARK (USA) (AUG 21)

"BEUF" WINS HIS 4TH USRA NATS

Mario Schöne, on his way to victory, stopped by bent chassis

August 22 - Despite a rain of world records the 2005 Buena Park USRA Nats was a minor event. And the USRA G7 Pro race was a minor race of that minor event. I remember the 2002 USRA Nats at the same track, when six of the eight finalists at the G7 Pro race completed more than 1000 laps. Now, three years later, despite all progress, the 2002 winner - Paul "Beuf" Pedersen, wins again, however 50 laps down to what he did in 2002. Forrest Watchers, second in 2002, finishes now 184 laps down to his 2002 total. Vlado Okali, third in 2002, finishes now 392 laps down to his 2002 total. And Mario Schöne, fifth in 2002, now third, is 41 laps slower. The main final ended in a complete anti-climax. Until the sixth segment it was a thrilling race, since the difference between "Beuf" and Mario Schöne was only one lap. With Mario finishing on yellow and orange, and "Beuf" finishing on green and blue, everything let expect that Mario should be the winner. He was leading the race from the second segment until mid-race. Then a smoked motor brought him three laps down to "Beuf" at the fifth segment, one lap after the sixth segment. Early during that sixth segment "Beuf" had to come into the pits and Schöne was again leader. But then, all things went wrong for MSP. A bent chassis made him dropping from first to fifth place. The last segment was full of drama. Several cars were totally up. Serra dropped from second to fifth, Krcil from third to sixth. That brought Benny Justice in second position at the finish. 
Apart from the poor number of achieved laps by all finalists, the main event suffered from a qualitatively low entry field. Paul Ciccarello didn't show (just as last year), reigning world champion Josef Korec didn't show either, just as Vladimir Horky, all the Swedes, all the Finns, etc. Other ansents were Greg Mills (CDN), Carlos Aloise (USA), Michael Silen (S), Rande Marshall (USA), Jim "Spove" Sproviero (USA), etc. So one should try to be objective. Telling that the 2005 USRA Nats were a minor race as compared to Port Jeff 2004 (especially the Worlds) is a hard truth! 

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Qualif2 Quarters Semis Main
1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1,6049 1,5460 426 647 1050
2. Benny Justice USA 1,6396 NB 399 611 991
3. Mario "MSP" Schöne D 7,8477 1,5491 398 584 967
4. P-A Watson USA 1,6057 NB 395 609 948
5. Jose Mario Serra BR 1,7842 NB 392 612 947
6. Petr Krcil CZ 1,6377 NB 422 563 929
7. Forrest Watchers USA 1,7499 1,5010 431 615 883
8. Vlado Okali SVK 1,6591 1,6109 421 603 672
9. Mike Swiss USA 1,7765 1,7420 420 592 -
10. Larry Blanton USA 11,9978 1,6478 396 552 -
11. Bob Everett USA 1,6278 NB 407 549 -
12. Reggie Coram SM 1,6759 NB 394 509 -
13. Frank Sarkela USA 1,6353 NB 424 503 -
14. W.H. Skinner USA 1,6049 NB 418 498 -
15. Tim Tyler NZ 1,7085 NB 419 495 -
16. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,5418 NB 400 320 -
17. Emerson Fischler BR 1,6334 1,5838 375 - -
18. Jim Swofford USA NT 1,6823 368 - -
19. Jeff Mack USA 1,6563 NB 358 - -
20. Les Wright USA 11,8824 1,8035 357 - -
21. Gary Puetz USA 2,1597 1,8207 349 - -
22. Al Chuck USA 1,6083 NB 346 - -
23. Tommy Flythe USA 13,6576 9,1696 343 - -
24. Mike Graversen USA 1,7980 NB 264 - -
25. Gil Gundersen USA 1,6568 NB 264 - -
26. "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1,5518 1,5512 199 - -
27. Randy Thompson USA 1,7656 NB 165 - -
28. John 'Torre' Andersson S 1,6465 NB 61 - -
29. Pat Ularte USA 1,8979 1,7405 0 - -

Of course there were also several positive points at the 2005 USRA Nats. Despite a total lack of criticism (the rain of world records thanks to the Gugu miracle tyres) the covering by OWH was excellent. One could follow the race at the OWH forum nearly on-line. Positive too was that all great starts of pre-1970 racing were all there: among them also the two most famous: Mike Steube, John Cukras. But also such other former glories as Joel Montague (the first wing car world champion in history), Martin Gramann (the first European winner at the USRA G7), Fred Hood, Al Chuck (he entered even competition), Gil Gulderson, Bob Johannis, Matt Azarra, Monty Ohren, etc. That atmosphere of friendship among new and old racers is so typical for the USRA Nats. In Europe it hardly exists. Once they stopped racing they never come back: I mean Sergio Maresca, Ian Jensen, Dave Harvey, Steve Walker, Norbert Amand, Achim Burgmann, etc.
Positive too was the good race direction and the fact that Chris Radisich did - for the first time since years - the always forgotten "mid-race" control. One of the victims of it was among others P-A Watson.
Concerning the "miracle tyres" it should be easy if USRA and ESROC added in the rules that qualification tyres, costing more than $ 15.00 US can only be allowed at the qualifications, and never more than two pairs per racer. Tyres exceeding a cost of $ 15.00 US should be marked with a spot of not removable ink before the start of the race. If not all racers have access to the expensive qualification tyres, their use should be forbidden. This is a very simple use, prohibiting that racers with restricted financial means have smaller chances than others who can buy the expensive tyres. It's worth to think on it. [JPVR] 
Coloured pics courtesey to Paul Kassens, black & white pics courtesey to Jean P. Roos.

Mike Steube and John Cukras in 1969, the pre-USRA Nats period

Mike Steube and John Cukras anno 2005 at Buena Park

August 22 - The main final started and "Beuf" took immediately the lead. At the end of the first segment (141 laps) he has an advance of one lap over Mario Schöne. Forrest Watschers, on red, is third at 8 laps. Jose Mario Serra and Benny Justice follow already at 12 laps. Okali comes 14 laps short. Petr Krcil and P-A Watson (only 83 laps on black) are already out for victory. Secretly I hoped that the great P-A could cause a stir by winning his fifth USRA Nats. I don't know why he lost 58 laps during the first segment. Only a miracle can bring him back on front of the race. But miracles are consumed after all that WRs thanks to "miracle" tyres.
Drama for Forrest Watchers at the second segment. He lost his motor and had gear problems. He drops to the last place, 108 laps behind the leader. That leader is Mario Schöne who did 140 laps on red. But if one sees that "Beuf" made 136 laps on black, it's obvious that not Schöne but "Beuf" himself is on his way to victory lane. Serra follows pretty well and is 12 laps down from the pace. Benny Justice 13. Very good race for P-A Watson on yellow, but he's always 53 laps down to the leader. Okali had a difficult run on orange and is now passed by Krcil. It seems that only the 4 first have still a chance to win.
Watson is doing it great. With 143 laps on orange he was once more the fastest and moves up into sixth position. Schöne increases his lead, turning for the third consecutive time 140 laps. Since "Beuf" made only 130 on yellow, the German leads now by 13 laps. Benny Justice follows on 16 laps. Poor race on black for Serra: 117 laps. Krcil too is too slow: 123 laps on purple. For Okali (motor out) the game is over. Idem dito for Watchers, having had tyre problems in the third segment.
At mid-race Mario Schöne is still leader. A smoked motor, however, made him loose 17 laps. Although not very fast on orange (133 laps), "Beuf" follows now at three little laps from Schöne. Problems with a smoked motor too for Benny Justice who is now 20 laps down. Serra could reduce his arrears by 7 laps and follows now at 33 laps. But again the fastest is P-A Watson: 140 laps on yellow. He is now fifth, 33 laps down to the lead (after the first segment it was 58). Can he do the miracle? Let's pray to all the Gods of the world that P-A can make it! After such a long career he deserves it.

Fifth segment. Before the start Chris Radisich does a clearance check-up. Speed goes seriously down now. With 130 laps on white (10 less than what Schöne did on white) "Beuf" is the fastest. He takes over the lead from Schöne, now following at 3 laps. The chase of P-A Watson has stopped.
For the sixth and seventh segment I quote CruzinBob from the OWH. He writes:
"6th segment - Petr doesn't start. CRASHES, Beuf to the pits! TRACK TRACK TRACK...Beuf back in...(Andy just informed me that JPVR has just gone to the doktor for carpel tunnel index finger). PA is REALLY crankin' on green 1.858! He and MSP lead heat. Petr also crankin' 1.859 orange...CHOKES OUT THE WINDOW!" P-A lost a braid and looses time with a bent body during the sixth segment.
I quote Bruzin again:"7th heat - pre heat report finds Beuf up by one over MSP, Beuf on Green, MSP on Yellow...know what that means! Beuf finishes on Blue, MSP Orange! Early in heat Beuf comes off in donut and Skinner ALMOST puts him in wrong lane...Beuf's a little excited, loses about 4. MSP trouble, loses pin & a bunch of laps...here comes Jose Mario only 10 back of MSP! MSP in pits, Jose takes 2nd 30 back of Beuf! Sad time for MSP, moves to 5th. Benny takes 3rd w/Peter right behind. Forrest sets high heat on orange 147!" End of quotation. For Schöne, on his way to beat "Beuf", the game is at once over: a bent chassis.
The last segment is one full of chaos. Vlado Okali starts no more. Jose Mario Serra (BR) looses not only his second place, he drops from the podium to fifth place. In the early stage of the segment he's passed by Benny Justice. Then his motor gets out. Gear must be changed. When he rejoins the race he is also passed by Mario Schöne, moving up into third position, and by P-A Watson, taking the fourth place, one lap ahead over poor Serra. Petr Krcil, having still hope on a podium place with one segment to go, moves effectively in third position with still three minutes to go. Then he is at once victim of all kinds of gear problems and drops in the standings from third into sixth position. 
The race thus ends as a complete anti-climax. With two segments to go "Beuf" had only one lap over Schöne and 32 over Benny Justice. Ten minutes later he has an advance of 59 laps over his runner-up Justice and 83 over the very unlucky Mario Schöne, who seemed on his way to beat "Beuf". End of a minor race at a minor USRA Nats

Racer Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4 Segment  5 Segment 6 Segment 7 Segment 8
1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen (USA)

141

136 (277)

130 (407)

133 (540)

130 (670)

124-(794)

122 (916)

134 (1050)

2. Benny Justice (USA)

129

138 (267)

137 (404)

119 (523)

115 (638)

124 (762)

105 (867)

124 (991)

3. Mario "MSP" Schöne (D) 140

140 (280)

140 (420)

123 (543)

124 (667)

126 (793)

46 (839)

128 (967)

4. P-A Watson (USA)

83

144 (227)

143 (370)

140 (510)

91 (601)

112 (713)

120 (833)

115 (948)

5. Jose Mario Pires Serra (BR)

129

139 (268)

117 (385)

130 (515)

120 (635)

138 (773)

113 (886)

61 (947)

6. Petr Krcil (CZ)

119

124 (243)

123 (376)

129 (505)

106 (611)

106 (717)

136 (853)

76 (929)

7. Forrest Watchers (USA)

133

39 (172)

97 (269)

81 (350)

121 (471)

134 (605)

147 (752)

131 (883)
8. Vlado Okali (SVK)

127

105 (232)

68 (300)

130 (430)

82 (552)

94 (646)

26 (672)

0 (672)

SEMIS:  TIM TYLER, REGGIE CORAM & MIKE SWISS ARE OUT

August 22 - At Semi B things went exactly as I predicted in my article below. "Beuf" was the fastest with 647 laps, followed by Benny Justice with 611 laps, by Mario "MSP" Schöne with 584 laps and by Petr Krcil with 563 laps. Bob Everett, Reggie Coram, Frank Sarkela and Tim Tyler are eliminated. Of the four moving to the main "Beuf" goes to his 13th main at the USRA G7 Pro Nats (he won 3 times and reached 5 times the top-3); Mario Schöne goes to his 10th main (he won once and reached 4 times the podium); for Benny Justice, in great progress since he won last year the Campeonato Brasileiro, it is his first main; Petr Krcil, only involved since two years in G7 racing, makes also his first main at the USRA G7 Pro Nats. The four finalists are among the 11 (Curnutte didn't start) potential finalists I predicted below, before the start of the race.
At Semi A we lost a jurassic monument in wing car racing: Mike Swiss. He made 12 times the main at the USRA G7 Pro Nats, reached 8 times the podium and won twice. The 4 finalists making the move are, again, 4 among the 11 I predicted before the race. That illustrates how predictable this year's USRA Nats are. Before the race I selected 11 racers, making a forecast that 8 of them should reach the main. Well, all 8 can be found among the 11! Winner of Semi A with 615 laps was Forrest Watchers. He reaches his 5th USRA main and finished once as runner-up at the podium. Second place went to Jose Mario Serra from Brazil. It's his first USRA main, but he finished already once as runner-up at the G7 Worlds. Third was P-A Watson: another monument in American slot-racing. It is his 17th main (!!!). He reached 8 times the podium and won 4 times the USRA G7 Nats. Fourth was Vlado Okali. He makes his 5th USRA main and reached once the podium.
That means that the 3 Europeans reached all 3 the main, together with 1 Brazilian and 4 Americans. My prognosis for the main is: 1. "Beuf", 2. Forrest Watchers, 3. Vlado Okali, 4. Petr Krcil, 5. Mario Schöne, 6. Benny Justice, 7. P-A Watson, 8. Jose Mario Serra. Wait and see.

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Qualif2 Quarters Semis Main
1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1,6049 1,5460 426 647 -
2. Forrest Watchers USA 1,7499 1,5010 431 615 -
3. Jose Mario Serra BR 1,7842 NB 392 612 -
4. Benny Justice USA 1,6396 NB 399 611 -
5. P-A Watson USA 1,6057 NB 395 609 -
6. Vlado Okali SVK 1,6591 1,6109 421 603 -
7. Mario "MSP" Schöne D 7,8477 1,5491 398 584 -
8. Petr Krcil CZ 1,6377 NB 422 563 -
9. Mike Swiss USA 1,7765 1,7420 420 592 -
10. Larry Blanton USA 11,9978 1,6478 396 552 -
11. Bob Everett USA 1,6278 NB 407 549 -
12. Reggie Coram SM 1,6759 NB 394 509 -
13. Frank Sarkela USA 1,6353 NB 424 503 -
14. W.H. Skinner USA 1,6049 NB 418 498 -
15. Tim Tyler NZ 1,7085 NB 419 495 -
16. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,5418 NB 400 320 -
17. Emerson Fischler BR 1,6334 1,5838 375 - -
18. Jim Swofford USA NT 1,6823 368 - -
19. Jeff Mack USA 1,6563 NB 358 - -
20. Les Wright USA 11,8824 1,8035 357 - -
21. Gary Puetz USA 2,1597 1,8207 349 - -
22. Al Chuck USA 1,6083 NB 346 - -
23. Tommy Flythe USA 13,6576 9,1696 343 - -
24. Mike Graversen USA 1,7980 NB 264 - -
25. Gil Gundersen USA 1,6568 NB 264 - -
26. "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1,5518 1,5512 199 - -
27. Randy Thompson USA 1,7656 NB 165 - -
28. John 'Torre' Andersson S 1,6465 NB 61 - -
29. Pat Ularte USA 1,8979 1,7405 0 - -

QUARTERS: "GUGU," LES WRIGHT  & "TORRE" ARE ALREADY OUT

August 21 - The Quarter Finals are over. Biggest surprise is that we lost "Gugu" Bernardino, the man who dominated with his "miracle" tyres the event until now. Also his country mate Emerson Fischler, still 6th after the qualifications, has been eliminated. Les Wright is no longer the top racer he was: just as at last year's USRA Nats and at the Ultimate G7 race he went out after the quarters. More predictable was the elimination of Jim Swofford, Tommy Flythe, Gary Puetz, Randy Thompson, Al Chuck, Mike Graversen and Gil Gundersen. Our hope that good old "Torre" Andersson should make the move to the semis was vain: after 61 laps he retired. Jeff Mack, a former winner of the G7 Semi-Pro at the USRA Nats failed to convince. From the 20 Americans 10 were elimated. From the 3 Brazilians only Jose Mario Serra is left (as 16th and last qualified racer). In the Semis we'll find 10 Americans, 1 German, 1 Czech, 1 Slovak, 1 Kiwi and 1 inhabitant of Sint-Maarten.
Fastest man at the Quarters was TQ-er Forrest Watchers with 431 laps, that is 5 more than "Beuf". Frank Sarkela is surprisingly 3rd, ahead of Petr Krcil, Vlado Okali and Mike Swiss. The 7th place of Tim Tyler (NZ) is quite a surprise. It gives full evidence that he made a tremendous pro-gress since the Ultimate G7 race. Benny Justice, Mario Schöne and Jose Mario Serra reached each the semis, but with a low number of laps.
If one looks at the composition of the semis it will extremely difficult for several racers to reach the main. In Semi B "Beuf", Krcil, Schöne and Justice seem the logical four who'll made the main. Here Tyler, Sarkela, Everett and Coram seem condemned to fail. Of those four only Coram (in 1989) and Everett (in 1999) reached earlier once the main at the USRA G7 Pro Nats.
In Semi A Watchers, Okali, Swiss and P-A Watson seem certitudes. Here Serra will have it extremely difficult to make the move. For Van Wagnen, Blanton and Skinner the main looks impossible. None of them ever reached earlier the main. So I predict a main with "Beuf", Schöne, Krcil, Okali, Swiss, Watchers, Justice and Watson or Serra. [JPVR]

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Qualif2 Quarters Semis Main
1. Forrest Watchers USA 1,7499 1,5010 431 A -
2. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1,6049 1,5460 426 B -
3. Frank Sarkela USA 1,6353 NB 424 B -
4. Petr Krcil CZ 1,6377 NB 422 B -
5. Vlado Okali SVK 1,6591 1,6109 421 A -
6. Mike Swiss USA 1,7765 1,7420 420 A -
7. Tim Tyler NZ 1,7085 NB 419 B -
8. W.H. Skinner USA 1,6049 NB 418 A -
9. Bob Everett USA 1,6278 NB 407 B -
10. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,5418 NB 400 A -
11. Benny Justice USA 1,6396 NB 399 B -
12. Mario "MSP" Schöne D 7,8477 1,5491 398 B -
13. Larry Blanton USA 11,9978 1,6478 396 A -
14. P-A Watson USA 1,6057 NB 395 A -
15. Reggie Coram SM 1,6759 NB 394 B -
16. Jose Mario Serra BR 1,7842 NB 392 A -
17. Emerson Fischler BR 1,6334 1,5838 375 - -
18. Jim Swofford USA NT 1,6823 368 - -
19. Jeff Mack USA 1,6563 NB 358 - -
20. Les Wright USA 11,8824 1,8035 357 - -
21. Gary Puetz USA 2,1597 1,8207 349 - -
22. Al Chuck USA 1,6083 NB 346 - -
23. Tommy Flythe USA 13,6576 9,1696 343 - -
24. Mike Graversen USA 1,7980 NB 264 - -
25. Gil Gundersen USA 1,6568 NB 264 - -
26. "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1,5518 1,5512 199 - -
27. Randy Thompson USA 1,7656 NB 165 - -
28. John 'Torre' Andersson S 1,6465 NB 61 - -
29. Pat Ularte USA 1,8979 1,7405 0 - -

QUALIFICATIONS: WR FOR FORREST WATCHERS 1"5010

August 21 - We note 29 entrants at the 35th USRA G7 Pro Nats. The majority of them are Americans 20 racers. Brazil has 3 racers. Slovakia, New Zealand, Czechia, Germany, Sint-Maarten and Sweden (if we may consider John Torre still as a Swede) have 1 racer. For the first time in 10 years there are only 3 (or 4) European racers at the start. Richard Curnutte didn't start among the pros.
After the first round of the qualifications Ron van Wagnen (USA) scored the best time with 1"5418, ahead of "Gugu" (BR) with 1"5518, Skinner (USA) with 1"6049, "Beuf" (USA) with exactly the same time and P-A Watson (USA) with 1"6057. So the big news is that ... no WR was set after the first qualification round. Gugu has only 24 seconds left to set the new WR in his bye round. Others like "Beuf", P-A Watson, Petr Krcil, Forrest Watchers, Benny Justice, Mike Swiss and Jim Swoford have more than 60 secs over to realise a time under 1"5. At the start we find no less than 7 former world record holders: Mike Swiss, Gary Puetz, P-A Watson, Benny Justice, Mario Schöne, "Beuf" and John "Torre" Andersson. It should be a miracle if none of them should go under 1"5 with the new qualification miracle tyres of "Gugu".
Early in the bye round Forrest Watchers improved the G7 WR, realising 1"5010. He won the $ 500 US offered by Adam Friedman to the first G7 racer beating Gugu's former WR of 1"503. Nobody can understand that of all other racers none was able to do better. It seems as if Gugu's miracle tires are less miraculous than generally was expected.
13 racers improved at the "bye" round their times of the first round. "Beuf" has now the third best time in 1"5460, Mario Schöne the fourth best time with 1"5491 and "Gugu", who could improve his time only by 0.0006", drops to the fifth place. Disappointing were the times of Benny Justice (three months ago still the G7 world record holder), of Mike Swiss (only 1"7420), of Jose Mario Serra, of Les Wright. Former world record holder Gary Puetz, having won concourse, realised the one but last time. Tommy Flutyn could not make one clear lap. [JPVR]

Pos Racer Nat Qualif 1 Qualif2 Quarters Semis Main
1. Forrest Watchers USA 1,7499 1,5010 431 - -
2. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,5418 NB 400 - -
3. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1,6049 1,5460 426 - -
4. Mario "MSP" Schöne D 7,8477 1,5491 398 - -
5. "Gugu" Bernardino BR 1,5518 1,5512 199 - -
6. Emerson Fischler BR 1,6334 1,5838 375 - -
7. W.H. Skinner USA 1,6049 NB 418 - -
8. P-A Watson USA 1,6057 NB 395 - -
9. Al Chuck USA 1,6083 NB 346 - -
10. Vlado Okali SVK 1,6591 1,6109 421 - -
11. Bob Everett USA 1,6278 NB 407 - -
12. Frank Sarkela USA 1,6353 NB 424 - -
13. Petr Krcil CZ 1,6377 NB 422 - -
14. Benny Justice USA 1,6396 NB 399 - -
15. John 'Torre' Andersson S 1,6465 NB 61 - -
16. Larry Blanton USA 11,9978 1,6478 396 - -
17. Jeff Mack USA 1,6563 NB 358 - -
18. Gil Gundersen USA 1,6568 NB 264 - -
19. Reggie Coram SM 1,6759 NB 394 - -
20. Jim Swofford USA NT 1,6823 368 - -
21. Tim Tyler NZ 1,7085 NB 419 - -
22. Pat Ularte USA 1,8979 1,7405 0 - -
23. Mike Swiss USA 1,7765 1,7420 420 - -
24. Randy Thompson USA 1,7656 NB 165 - -
25. Jose Mario Serra BR 1,7842 NB 392 - -
26. Mike Graversen USA 1,7980 NB 264 - -
27. Les Wright USA 11,8824 1,8035 357 - -
29. Tommy Flythe USA 13,6576 9,1696 343 - -
28. Gary Puetz USA 2,1597 1,8207 349 - -

 

SHORT  USRA G7 NATS RACE PREVIEW: "BEUF" WILL WIN

August 21 - Contrarly to former years attendance at the 35th USRA Nats is low. Sure, there is a strong Brazilian delegation in place, but other countries seem at once no longer motivated to send several racers to the USRA Nats. Compared to last year's USRA Nats we cannot ignore that except for Mario "MSP" Schöne and Petr Krcil, the best European wing car racers all stayed home. World champion Josef Korec (CZ), his learn master Vladimir Horky (CZ), former winner Mickael Silén (S), double wing car world champion Lasse Åberg (S), all top racers from Finland, but also Ricardo Garri from Chile, triple USRA winner Paul Ciccarello (USA), young Greg Mills (CDN), etc. are all absent. During years the USRA Nats were the most important event on the international calendar. The last years that's no longer the case. The World Championship sees a much higher attendance than the USRA Nats. Kouvola 2005 and the 2004 Ultimate G7 Race were qualitatively spoken much more important than the USRA Nats. What stirs is the absence of good young G7 racers at the USRA Nats, being an event for jurassic geezers. Why Greg Mills is absent?
It's hard to make a race preview when not all entrants are known. However, with the info we have, it must be possible to make a list of 12 racers with among them the 8 main finalists.

So I selected the following 12 racers: from the States Paul "Beuf" Peder-sen, Mike Swiss, P-A Watson, Forrest Watchers, Les Wright, Benny Justice and Richard Curnutte. From Germany Mario "MSP" Schöne. From Czechia Petr Krcil. From Slovakia Blado Okali. From Brazil Luis "Gugu" Bernardino and Jose Mario Serra. For me it should be a big surprise if the 8 finalists should not be all 8 in the list. Except if Carlos Aloise should be there. I don't believe in the chances of Tim Tyler (NZ), since Australian wing car racing has tremendous arears on Americab wing car racing. Ron van Wagnen could be the only other surprise.
Of all of them "Beuf" seems to have 95 per cent chance to win his fourth USRA Nats (equalling the record of P-A Watson). I really cannot see who is able to beat him. "Gugu" will be of course a strong opponent, but for one or other reason, the Brazilian makes always somewhere a mistake. He's the man for the new world record, perhaps good for a top-3. But winning? No, I don't think so, despite I wished he should be the winner. Schöne? He's a born winner. Remember last year's Ultimate G7 where he won from a lost position. But I think Schöne is here for a fourth or fifth place, not for winning. The lonely one, apart from "Beuf", able to win seems for me Petr Krcil, the raigning scale racing world champion. He has a prima set-up and is a hell of a driver. [JPVR]

Paul "Beuf" Pedersen Mario "MSP" Schöne (D) Petr Krcil (CZ) 'Gugu' Bernardino (BR) Mike Swiss (USA) Vlado Okali (SVK)
Jose Mario Serra (BR) P-A Watson (USA) Forrest Watchers(USA) Les Wright (USA) Richard Curnutte (USA) Benny Justice (USA)

9th REVENGE RACE (USRA G27PRO) AT BUENA PARK (USA) (AUG 19)

"BEUF" BEATS OKALI AND SWISS

Rain of world records breaks even "WR ridiculousness"

August 20 - Imagine you assist one of those famous "Golden League" meetings in athletics, and that at all disciplines the world record is bro-ken. How should you feel? If it's that easy to break a world record, then world records have no longer any value, they become totally worthless. That's what's now going on at the Buena Park USRA Nats. Instead of mentionning this sane vision on his 2005 USRA Nats coverage, OWH's Paul Kassens begins each of his reports, happy as a little child, that again a WR was broken. I maintain that those WRs are totally ridiculous, and that even if someone will realise tomorrow a low 1"4 it's no longer worth any comment. I rather believe that wing car racing reached its lowest level since 36 years. Instead of being any longer the F1 of slot-racing, wing car racing is derailed to what happened in 1963 and 1964 when some maniacs reached speeds of more than 600 mph on salt lakes, and were breaking each other's record month after month. During a couple of years the autosport press was interested in it. Think on the Green Monster of Art Alfons, on the Spirit of America of Craig Breedlove. But when on October 1983 the Brit Richard Noble brought the WR at 633 mph, or when America's Andy Green made it 763 mph in October 1997 the serious autosport press was no longer interested in it. More than 800 mph tomorrow? So what! 
Except for the handful of speed maniacs themselves - making some good money by it -  such WRs are totally worthless. The broad public has no longer any interest in it, it reaches even no longer the TV news. What's now going on at Buena Park is exactly the same at scale 1/24th. If nobody at the USRA or ESROC will do somewhat against tyres, costing $ 29.50 per pair, and lasting no longer than 5 minutes, than number of wing car racers will be limited to those guys who make money out of it. No young racer can pay any longer such a ridiculous price for a pair of tyres. No wonder that the USRA increased the limit age to enter the "Geezer G7" from 45 to 50 years. If this continues P.A. Watson, Mike Swiss, Vlado Okali and others will still improve WRs when they are 80 years old. Perhaps they'll be the lonesome three still surviving their proper madness. With such racing you can no longer go to the broad public, you have to limit yourself to a restricted gang of fools.

Let's make here a comparison with what happens in model car racing. In model car racing you hardly will find racers older than 40 years still able to win international races. If you look at the results you can see that the majority of main finalists at such model car races is younger than 22 years. Once becoming older than 40 years the reflexes are slower and the results are decreasing. That's because model car racing remains "racing". Wing car racing has nothing longer to do with "racing", its all "tuning capacities". If USRA or ESROC are not intelligent enough to stop the actual madness we enter in the Green Monster & Spirit of America stage of slot-racing. Why nearly nobody is anly longer interested in land speed records? Simply, because there exist hardly rules sanctionning such competition. As soon as some one (like Paul Pfeiffer in 1999) launches the idea that there should be a minimum set of rules to be respected, the old men, making money out of an open class, loudly protest. They don't wish to change anything that could harm their proper commercial interest. They are the advocates of conservatism, being blind that they give their own sport in the long run a first class funeral.
On the pics of Paul Kassens I see "Beuf" holding his fist high after the C-12 race, and I can hear him screaming "Oh Boy!". Oh Boy, what? He beat 14 racers, that's all.
Despite a flow of new WRs I consider this year's USRA Nats as a poor event, certainly if I compare it with the G7 Worlds at Kouvola. Number of entrants is low, more and more racers are no longer showing. What's a USRA Nats with hardly 4 racers out of the 16 first at the Worlds at the start (Schöne, Krcil, Okali and Jose Mario Serra), a USRA Nats without Josef Korec, without Vladimir Horky, without Lasse Åberg, without Juha Yli-Sipola, etc.? And what will it be in a couple of years if 95 per cent of the racers will be again Americans, like it was 20 years ago? Because with such high expenses more and more Europeans will stay home. There is no more fun at USRA Nats like the 2005 Buena Park Nats.
Last year's Ultimate G7 Race, where "Beuf", Ciccarello and Schöne were fighting until the very last minute for victory, gave full evidence that the public is not interested in all that speed, but in thrilling races. But what thrilling races we saw already at Buena Park??? Not one!

ONE HAS NOT TO BLAME GUGU. ONE HAS TO BLAME THE USRA!

The rain of new world records is not Gugu's fault, but USRA's. Under such liberal rules - say: no rules at all - it's totally normal that the smart guys - and Gugu is such a smart guy - try to take a maximum of profit from the absence of rules. We all know that Gugu is wealthy enough that he doesn't need the money of selling miracle tyres. For him it's just a challenge. Once USRA saw what was going on they had to decide something hundred times more important than giving the next edition in hands of another survival of Art Alfons: Mike Swiss. What they had to do it was STOPPING immediately this madness. But as always the USRA did nothing. By duch laxness they are the killers of our highest class: wing cars. In the past WRs were broken at a rhytm of one per year. Now they are broken every day. Try to sell this to any other serious sports magazine. There they are no bunch of Paul Kassens getting an erection at each new "WR" (sic).

Of course we are happy that Paul covers the USRA Nats. Without him we should have no results at all, because if they had to come from the USRA we could perhaps wait the end of the year. But Kassens is Kassens, always an enthusiast but with an underdevelopped sense for criticism. To all those who shout "shame!" that I used his pics I may perhaps remember that I invested several million dollars in the promotion of all types of slot-racing, and that it should be very unfair to come now with the story of the property rights of the pics. Especially ridicilous is what Arthur Luis (BR) wrote on the OWH, that I used also pics from theBrazilian site: the same site who uses MY collection of racer's pics. This stupidity is only intentioned to go no deeper into the question of the too liberal wing car rules. If you wish to do something in favour of wing car racing: please phone your USRA delegate and tell him to stop immediately the madness!


The race started with an 11 man round robin, since Paul Meiers forgot to make rules for the case of 23 entrants. Of those 11 only the 4 first could make the move. That cost Benny Justice (having finished with the same number of laps as Petr Krcil) his move to the Semis. Idem dito for Tim Tyler. Semi B was won by Richard Curnette (397 laps) ahead of Krcil, Swiss and Graverson. Semi A was much slower and won by Okali (380 laps), followed by "Beuf", Ularte and "Bambi". [Is it necessary to mention that the same Marcelo "Bambi" Serra improved the G27 WR of his brother (1"7480] to 1"7216? No, it was not necessary.] In the main final Swiss was leader after 3 and 4 segments, whilst "Beuf" was leader at all other segments.

1. Paul "Beuf" Pedersen USA 1,8005 - 376 796
2. Vlado Okali SVK 1,8216 - 380 787
3. Mike Swiss USA 1,7894 - 385 773
4. Petr Krcil CZ 1,8868 375 391 757
5. Pat Ularte USA 1,8787 383 366 749
6. Marcelo "Bambi" Serra BR 1,7216 - 357 666
7. Richard Curnutte USA 1,7334 - 397 663
8. Mike Graversen USA 1,9323 378 385 656
9. Brian Eardley USA 1,8020 - 379 -
10. Emerson Fishler BR 1,8414 - 361 -
11. Jimbo Kirby USA 1,8398 - 346 -
12. Frank Sarkela USA 1,8025 - 342 -
13. Ron van Wagnen USA 1,8065 - 328 -
14. Larry Blanton USA 1,7681 - 304 -
15. Joe Redmond USA 1,8297 - 274 -
16. Jim Swofford USA 1,8554 376 27 -
17. Benny Justice USA 1,9142 375 - -
18. Tim Tyler NZ 1,9548 358 - -
19. Roman K. USA 1,8529 358 - -
20. Tommy Flythe USA 1,9752 355 - -
21. Kent Nigro USA 1,8544 352 - -
22. Jeff Mack USA 2,0028 333 - -
23. Reggie Coram NL 1,9127 318 - -

WORLD RECORD FOR BENNY JUSTICE 1"542

Chicagoland Raceway fastest King on earth?

June 6, 2005 - One week-end prior to the wing car world championship at Kouvola Mike Swiss organised the Chicago 500 at his own raceway: Chicagoland Raceway. Swiss, an engineer, was at Koford Engineering what Jon Laster was at Camen. When Stu Koford sold his compa-ny former world champion and former world record holder Mike Swiss had to find a new occupation. So he opened his own raceway (after Stu Koford had to buy back his former company, not meeting the results expected that the buyer).
Without great respect for the Kouvola G7 Worlds - Americans were nearly never interested in wing car worlds if not organised on American soil - Swiss decided to dig up the former Chicago 500 - during years a classic in the States - from dust and to organise it at his brand new raceway. He predicted that his King should be the fastest on earth, and it seems as it became true. At the races with Cobalt G12 and Box Stock G12 reigning world champion Paul "Beuf" Pedersen pulverised all existing world records, so that everyone was extremely curious if Jari Portinen's world record of 1"548 should be improved. At the start we found no less than four former world record holders: Swiss himself (7 times world record holder between August 1985 and August 2001), Gary Puetz (3 times world record holder in July 1985, July 1988 and February 1990), Paul "Beuf" Pedersen (world record holder in 2000) and Ron Herrera (world record holder in April 2003). All they were convinced that they could improve the 1'548 realised by Finland's Jari Portinen on April 14, 2004. But none of them succeeded in doing so. Ron Herrara came no further than 1"642, Swiss no further than 1"626, "Beuf" no further than 1"589 and Puetz no further than 1"581: four times above the 1"574 realised in March by Stefan Törnfeldt at the Kouvola Finnish Nats. Surprise, however, came from Benny Justice. Already last year, at the Brazilian G7 Nats, where he won his first career G7 race, he came only one lap short to improve Ciccarello's 1133 laps world record over 40 minutes. Since Benny Justice is the rising star in G7 racind. And yes, at Chicagoland Raceway he did it, he improved Portinen's world record by 6/1000nd of a second, realising a fabulous 1"542. So short before the Kouvola Worlds we are all curious to see if this WR will hold. No clear evidence was given that the Swiss King is faster than Kouvola's. Let's wait June 11 to see who of Mario MSP Schöne (D), Josef Korec (CZ), Vladimir Horky (CZ), Juha Yli-Sipole (SF) or other Jari Portinens can improve Benny's sharp time? Perhaps Stefan Törnfeldt can cause the surprise. Or Mikail Silén. And what a pitty that Antti Immonen stopped active wing car racing, since he seemed to me the perfect guy to perform the job.
It has been written that Benny Justice used a Koford arm to realise his fabulous time. But if I am well informed Koford imports his arms from Dan Debella's ProSlot. So what is in a name? We now also know that "Beuf" will not defend his title at Kouvola, since only two Americans are over there: former world record holder Andy Wasserman and Bill Skinner. But what a pitty that Benny Justice is not at Kouvola. With pleasure I should have paid him his plane ticket (Benny was last year at the Ultimate G7 Race in Uden). [JPVR]


4th EXPERT BOX STOCK G12 WORLD CUP AT BUENA PARK (USA) (AUG 14)

MIKE "ERKLE" TYLINSKY WINS AGAIN

 Chris Radisich 3rd - New WR for Joe Salzman in 2"3184

Pictures: Courtesey to Paul Kassens, OWH

August 15 - For the fourth time a Box Stock G12 race is considered as an international IOC-race. The two first times it happened was at the 2003 and 2004 USRA Nats. The third time it happened was as the 2004 Ultimate G7 Race meeting in Uden. Then "Beuf" Pedersen won ahead of Vladimir Horky, Josef Korec, Paul Ciccarello, Stefan Törnfeldt, Einari Fyhr, Douwe Banning and the unlucky "Piki". There were 56 entrants. I repeat my view point: for me wing car racing is the highest stage in slot racing with G7 being slot racing's F1 class. Box Stock G12 is a splendid step in class for wing car racers. Unfortunately, in Europe, only England and Holland organise such races. So there remains a lot of work to do to pro-mote this class. At the USRA Division I meeting the Box Stock G12 race is since years a classic. Last year that race was won by Mike "Erkle" Tylinski, achieving 500 laps, and letting Boyt Johnson, John Waller, Brian Eardley, Doug Bauer, Larry Pelligrini, Benny Justice and Nathan Thompson all behind. This year Boyt Johnson, John Waller, Benny Justice and Nathan Thompson were not among the 33 starters. Nevertheless there was a lot of big guns at the start. Among them Reggie Coram from Sint-Maarten, José Mario Serra and Bruno di Dotto from Brazil, Tim Tyler and Chris Radisich from New Zealand, etc. At the qualifications Joe SSS "Chubby" Salzman caused a stir. By realising a fastest lap in 2"3184 he did better than the world record, earlier this year set by "Gugu" Bernardino. It's good to remember that, since the G7 Worlds at Kouvola, "Gugu" is the absolute world record holder on Blue King with 1"503 (G7). Below we see "Gugu" and Joe SSS together after Joe's fantastic run.

Second fastest qualifier was Jim Swofford. Unfortunately for him, he broke his car at one of the quarter finals, finishing as last. We noted some surprises at those quarters. In Quarter D Reggie Coram missed the move from one lap to Ed Sohl. In Quarter C the fast Shelby Thomas (3rd at the qualifications) and Larry Pelligrini both missed the move. Quarter B seemed to turn out as a drama for Oswaldo Vaccari and Bruno di Dotto, when with res. one minute and a half minute to go, both saw their motor gowing up in smoke. Nevertheless Dotto finished as fourth, able to make the move, but Vaccari was out. Oit too was Joe Redmond. Quarter A went with nine racers. Here we lost Ron van Wagnen and surprisingly the famous G7 racer Larry Blanton. Winners of the quarters were Joe SSS Salzman (Quarter A), Mike "Erkle" Tylinski (Quarter B), Richard Curnutte (Quarter C) and Jose Mario Serra (Quarter D).
In Semi B we lost Serra with mechanical whoes. He finished as last. Here New Zealand's Tim Tyler had an easy win (313 laps) over Ed Sohl, Richard Curnutte and Larry Langdon. Normally Kenny Richins should have made the move, but at mid-race his tyres were too low. Wendell Smith saw his motor going up in smoke with one minute left. Jonathan Sohl, tipped as a potential winner, disappeared ingloriously from the scene, finishing as sevent, 27 laps short to make the move. In Semi A Bruno di Dotto was on his way to make the move to the main final when shortly after mid-race his car crashed, making him to loose his safe fourth place. Salzman, Erkle and Kent Nigro were on a solid top-3, so it went between the two New Yorkers, Doug and Jason Bauer and Chris Radisich for the safe fourth place. Having achieved one lap more than Jason Bauer, Chris was hanging on his car until the end. Doug "Bent Rim" Bauer was 8 laps short to make the move, Jason Bauer one lap. Mickey Johnston finished as last.

So we found six Americans (Salzman, Erkle, Curnutte, Nigro, Ed Sohl and Langdon) and two Kiwis (Tyler and Radisich) among the eight finalists. Generally it was expected that Joe SSS "Chubby" Salzman should win the main after he gave Erkle a clear beat at the Semis, where he finished six laps clear of Erkle. After two segments both were found together with 123 laps. Tim Tyler, having been third, lost all his chances by smoking up his motor. After three segments Chubby was one lap ahead over Erkle, with Curnette as third at five laps. At mid-race Chubby had already six laps over Erkle, ten over Curnutte. A tumultuous fifth segment changed everything and saw Erkle taking the lead, followed at one lap by Chubby. This positions were maintained during the two following sements, with Curnutte in solid third position, eight laps clear of Radisich. Kent Nigro lost his fourth place with his motor knocked off. During the last segment Erkle could maintain his lead, whilst Chris Radisich could pass the unlucky Curnette. For Chris it is his real best performance in wing car racing. The IOC-list was up-dated. Tyler enters the top 100, Radisisch is 102 now. [JPVR]

  Name Nat Qual Quarter Semi Semi Final
        8x3' - 8x3'  8x4'
1 Mike "Erkle" TYLINSKI USA 2,348 321 A2 319 477
2 Joe SSS Salzman USA 2,318 318 A1 325 475
3 Chris Radisich NZ 2,566 292 A4 303 449
4 Richard Curnutte USA 2,380 310 B3 309 437
5 Kent Nigro USA 2,526 313 A3 311 393
6 Ed Sohl USA 2,385 275 B2 310 393
7 Tim Tyler NZ 2,348 288 B1 313 371
8 Larry Langdon USA 2,445 292 B4 308 367
9 Kenny Richins USA 2,347 301 B5 304

-

10 Jason Bauer USA 2,471 321 A5 302 -
11 Doug "Bent Rim" Bauer USA 2,411 305 A6 295 -
12 Bruno di Dotto BR 2,462 300 A7 286 -
13 Wendell Smith USA 2,334 298 B6 282 -
14 Jonathan Sohl USA 2,476 300 B7 281 -
15 Jose ze Mario Serra BR 2,498 304 B8 262 -
16 Mickey Johnston USA 2,415 296 A8 254 -
17 Rodrico Masterochiso ARG 2,451 280

-

-

-

18 Oswaldo Vaccari BR 2,418 276 - - -
19 Brian Greco USA 2,462 275 - - -
20 Reggie Coram NL 2,393 274 - - -
21 Shelby Thomas USA 2,329 265 - - -
22 Larry Pelligrini USA 2,399 265 - - -
23 Joe Redmond USA 2,376 264 - - -
24 Dale Garcia USA 2,584 264 - - -
25 Jeff Miller USA 2,508 263 - - -
26 Bill Pinkston USA 2,445 262 - - -
27 Larry Blanton USA 2,355 262 - - -
28 Joe Lisciandro USA 2,370 261 - - -
29 Ron van Wagnen USA 2,470 253 - - -
30 Brian Eardley USA 2,411 232 - - -
31 Brad Friesner USA 2,498 214 - - -
32 Lyn Bunch USA 2,446 118 - - -
33 Jim Swofford USA 2,326 59 - - -

OTHER NEWS FROM THE USRA NATS

* Of the good dozen of races contested at the USRA Nats only three are considered as IOC-races for wing cars: (1) G7 Pro, (2) G27 Pro and (3) Box Stock G12 Pro. The other races willbe shortly mentionned hereunder.
* On Sunday there was an unscheduled warm-up race for G27. There were only 7 entrants, among them the ISRA 2004 world champion Petr Krcil (CZ) and Tim Tyler (NZ). The race was won by Fred Kallen (USA), ahead of Scott Smith (USA), Petr Krcil and Tim Tyler.
* At this year's IMCA EuroNats Fred Hood and Chris Radisich introduced Colin Herzig (USA) as the new American "wonder boy", style Matt Zeno-vitch or Neal Stewart. The boy, however, convinced nobody in model car racing. At the Amateur G15, a typical American speciality, he finished 3rd on 20 entrants. Winner was James Grinstead (USA) ahead of Bob Lucky. Herzig came 7 laps short from victory.
* Amateur Box Stock G12 on Saturday was good for 31 entries. Winner was Bob Lucky (USA) with 426 laps. Fred Kallen, who won (later) the un-scheduled G27 warm-up race was 7th. Young Josh Bauer was fifth.
* In Expert G15 Int'l - another typical American speciality - we noted on Monday 13 entrants. Ron van Wagnen (USA) - well known from the American Flats (co-organised by Paul Kassens) - realised at the qualifi-cations a new world record in 2"0908. Among the starters we found ex-world recordholder G7 Benny Justice, also Doug Bauer and Jason Bauer, Lars Pellegrini, "Erkle", "Chubby" and Kent Nigro. After a very tumultuous final Jason Bauer (USA) was the winner with 497 laps, 5 more than Jimbo Kirby and 14 more than last year's winner "Erkle". "Chubby" has pro-blems the race long and finished as 8th. Benny Justice, leader at the two first segments finished as seventh (several whoes), just behind Doug Bauer. Someone should tell Paul Kassens that it's not Ron van "Wagnon", but Ron van "Wagnen". Four consecutive entries at the Ame-rican Flats were probably not enough to make Paul OWH familiar with that name.
* Some top-guns among the G7 pros are already here. Among them Paul "Beuf" Pedersen, Petr Krcil, Luis "Gugu" Bernardino, Jose Mario Serra and Tim Tyler. Mike Swiss will arrive today Tuesday. He's a candi-date to organise the 2006 USRA Nats at his own Chicagoland Blue King.
* IMCA's president, Chris Radisich does the technical control at most of the wing car races. He caused a stir when at mid-race of Box Stock G12 and G15 he controlled the ground clearence of all cars. A direct victim of that control was Kenny Richins.
* Up to now we have no good information who of the European racers will show. G7 World champion Josef Korec (CZ) is expected to show with his learn master Vladimir Horky (CZ). Other European certitudes seem Vlado Okali (SVK), Mario "MSP" Schöne (D), Juha Yli-Sipola (SF), Mikael Sylén (S) and Zdenek Benes (CZ).
* Among the Americans "Beuf", Larry Blanton, Benny Justice, Mike Swiss, Paul Ciccarello, and Bill Skinner are considered as certitudes.Picture of Jason Bauer (left) courtesey to Paul Kassens & OWH. [JPVR]

* Cobalt G-12 is the open class for Group 12 wing cars. The class does not exist in Europe but is popular among American pros. This year fifteen pros started in the C-12 race, among them Benny Justice, Gary Puetz, Larry Blanton, Marcello "Bambi" Serra (BR), Paul "Beuf" Peder-sen, Paul Ularte, Brian Eardley, Richard Curnutte, etc.
* At the C-12 qualifications Tommy Flythe (USA) realised a new world record in 1"8831. Question is what that represents. Nearly nobody in the "world" races the too expensive C-12, and even American pros racing C-12 is extremely limited. However, 1"8831 is very fast. In 1993 it was the WR with G7 cars.
* The C-12 Pro race was won by Paul "Beuf" Pedersen (USA) with 598 laps ahead of Paul Ularte (586 laps) and Tommy Flythe (565 laps). Other finalists were Benny Justice (4th), Larry Blanton (5th), Richard Curnette (6th), Brian Struck (7th) and the unlucky Marcello "Bambi" Serra from Brazil. Having lost two laps to Pat Ularte in the first segment, "Beuf" was leading since the second segment until the end.
* Meanwhile Mike Swiss arrived at Buena Park. Twice winner of the USRA G7 Pro Nats, in 1988 and 1990, he'll try to win his third Nats. The chances that he succeed are rather minor.
* There was also a C-12 race for amateurs. Here we noted 20 entries and a fastest lap in 1'9161 for Earl Simpson.
* The race was won by Brad Friesner with 559 laps, ahead of Shelby Thomas and Joe SSS "Chubby" Salzman. TQ-er Earl Simpson finished as fifth with 500 laps.
* Today, Wednesday August 17, we start the more serious racing with the traditional "Geezer G7" and the "G7 Warm-up Race".

* August 18 - At the USRA Nats it's time for more serious racing, now with G7 and G27 cars. At the "Geezer G7 Nats", reserved for racers of at least 45 years old, we noted 18 entries. From Europe we had at the start Vlado Okali (SVK), Per Persons (S) and Petr Krcil (CZ). From New Zealand Tim Tyler was there. Among the Americans we had Mike Swiss, Les Wright, Larry Langdon and Richard Curnutte as most famous racers. The 8 finalists were Vlado Okali, Petr Krcil, Per Persons, and Tim Tyler for the non-Americans; Mike Swiss, Richard Curnutte, Philip Larcom and Larry Langdon. Winners of both semis were Curnutte and Okali.
A smoked motor in the first segment made Mike Swiss loosing some 75 laps. In the second segment Langdon broke his chassis, and despite a repair by Craig Landry no come back was still possible. Krcil lost valuable time on loosing a body and ...his motor. Okali was penalised for too low clearance, broke a lead wire, bent his car, bent it back, but finished, des-pite all this as third. Petr Krcil lost not only a body and his motor, but al-so a wheel and ...his controller. No wonder that he finished only sixth. Tim Tyler suffered a broken wheel and a lost motor. Eventually Richard Curnutte won the race with 993 laps, ahead of Philip Larcom (906 laps), Vlado Okali (865 laps), Per Persons (837 laps), Tim Tyler (820 laps), Petr Krcil (721 laps), Mike Swiss (658 laps) and Larry Langdon (375 laps).
* Port Jefferson missed the vote for the 2006 USRA Nats. So the 2006 Nats go to Mike Swiss's Chicagoland with 44 votes against 25 for Port Jeff. Chicagoland is told to be owner of the fastest Blue King in the States. But the G7 WR was realised in Europe at the Kouvola King.

* August 19 - We noted 16 entrants at the G7 Warm-up Race. Among them five Brazilians, Mario "MSP" Schöne from Germany and Petr Krcil from Czechia. TQ went to "Gugu" Bernardino in 1"528 (pretty close to his Kouvola WR of 1"503. Among the 8 best ranked we found 3 Americans: Benny Justice, Forrest Watchers and P.A. Watson; 2 Europeans: Petr Krcil and Mario Schöne; and 3 Brazilians: "Gugu" Bernardino, Bruno di Dotto and Emerson Fischler. There were no Semis, but two main finals, so that the final standings were made by adding the results of the two mains. Here Forrest Watchers (USA) was the fastest with 1017 laps, ahead of Mario Schöne with 1005 laps and (fantastic result!) Bruno di Dotto with 985 laps. Then followed Benny Justice (4th), P.A. Watson (5th), Emerson Fischler (6th), "Gugu" Bernardino (7th) and Petr Krcil (8th). Larry Blanton, Gary Puetz, Bill Skinner and Jose Mario Serra (BR) missed the top-8. 
* Amateur G27 was good for 15 entries, most of them being Americans. Thans to the new famous "wonder tyres" ($ 29.50 for one pair!) it's raining world records at such a speed that a new WR represents no longer any special. Now Kenny Richins realised a new Amateur G27 WR in 1"7795 (1"7480 is the official WR, realised by Jose Mario Serra at Kouvola). The race was won by Roger Schmitt ahead of Marcello Triginelli (this year Amateurs world champion in model car racing) and Lyn Bunch.
* We still have no view if Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky, Juha Yli-Sipola, other Swedes than Per Persons will start at the main event. On the OWH of Paul Kassens, no info in that sense could be found.
* Among the visitors at Buena Park we discovered Martin Gramann, the first European racer having won the USRA G7 Pro race in 1995. Gramann is no longer involved in active racing. Pictures courtesey to Paul Kassens.

OWH FORUM: THE NEW ZOO FOR SPEEDY PRIMATES?

* August 21 - We noted 30 entries at the G7 Semi-Pro race, nearly all Americans and Brazilians. Chris Radisich (NZ) was the lonely non-American and non-Brazilian racer at the start. Contrarly to the Box Stock G12 race he failed to make it.
* Fastest qualifier, on Gugu miracle tyres, was Marcio Paschoalin in 1"5195. Six racer stayed under the 1"6. Although 1"5195 is no WR for G7 the OWH spoke again of a WR in the category "semi pro", just as it was a distinct class of racers. I believe they run all nuts there. If one dares to critisize the crazy situation with the "Gugu" tyres, there is always a primate ready to write down that you're an "anti-American". The OWH forum is more and more the ideal zoo for such primates.
* The race was won by Marcio Paschoalin (BR) with 1,011 laps, ahead over Philip Larcom (USA) and Bruno di Dotto (BR). For Larcom and Dotto it was already their second podium at those Nats.
* Still no information where Ciccarello is. Will he not show at the 2005 USRA G7 Pro race?
* No info neither if Mickael Silén will be present. From others like Lasse Åberg (twice G7 world champion), Anders Gustafson, Juha Yli-Sipola, Josef Korec (actual G7 world champion), Vladimir Horky, Leo Hongisto, Kimmo Rautama, Zdenek Benes and many others we know that they'll not show. Compared with former years the Buena Park USRA Nats are a minor edition. Opposition to "Beuf" will be so small that he hardly can loose the race.
* Stuart Koford was seen at the 2005 USRA Nats, doing the prize giving ceremonial. Also seen was Joel Montague in his deep purple Camen t-shirt. Camen and Koford belong to the history of wing car racing.Picture courtesey to Paul Kassens.


24th WING CAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT KOUVOLA (SF) (JUNE 6-12)

JOSEF KOREC NEW WING CAR WORLD CHAMP

He's the first racer in history having won the three Worlds: ISRA Scale Racing 2000, IMCA Model Cars 2002, Wing Cars 2005

June 13 - The 24th Wing Car World Championship, hold at the Kouvola Blue King in Finland, was the best attended since Goethe-borg 1978. No less than 47 racers entered competition, proving that wing car racing is far from death. Although it's a pitty that American racers were - except for one: Bill W.H. Skinner - once more absent, it was a splendid organisation proving that the Finnish ones are excellent in organising world championships (one should remember Helsinki 2000 having been the best ISRA scale racing worlds ever).
Winner was Czechia's Josef Korec. He is the first racer in history having won a world championship in the three main slot racing specialities: wing car racing, scale racing and model car racing. Indeed, in 2000 he won the ISRA Scale Racing Worlds in Helsinki, in 2002 the IMCA Model Car Worlds in Ostend and now the Wing Car Worlds at Kouvola. So it will be no surprise that in the all-time ranking of slot-racers, the IOC-Ranking, he is the n° 1 of the world. Except for Lasse Åberg (S) I see no racer able to win the Worlds in the three disciplines. Lasse was last year runner up to Petr Krcil (CZ) at the ISRA Worlds and is the same typical all-rounder as Korec. Earlier, in 1995 at Mörfelden Lasse was already second in the R.O.C., where all the best model car racers were present. Krcil too seems an excellent all-rounder. At Kouvola he finished second to Korec in G7 after having won the G27 Race. Perhaps he should try his chances in model car racing too.
After the Quarter finals 16 racers had still their chance to become the new Wing Car World Champion. From Czechia that were Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky, Petr Krcil and Zdenek Benes (there 4 entrants!). Finland had still 4 of its 18 entrants alive and well after the Quarters: Juha Yli-Sipola, Jari Porttinen, Petteri Pirhonen and Marko Pirinen. Kimmo Rautama and Leo Hongisto were already out. Sweden had still Lasse Åberg, Anders Gustafson, Mikael Silén and the surprising duo André Eriksson and Andreas Karlsson, thus 5 of its 12 entrants. One of the Swedish favourites, Stefan Törn-feldt, having won in March still the Finnish Nats here at Kouvola, was surprisinly already out. Germany had still one of its 4 entrants: Mario MSP Schöne. Brazil too had only one of its 4 racers over: last year's vice-world champion José Mario Serra. At the Quarters it lost its most dangerous weapon: "Gugu" Bernardino, having realised the pole position in a new world record time of 1"503. Slovakia had good old Vlado Okali in the Semis. Already out were the two racers from Holland (where Banning was extremely disappointing), Oliver Sonnbichler from Austria, and Bill W.H. Skinner from the States.
SEMI B went with 3 racers from Sweden (Silén, Gustafson and Eriks-son), with 3 racers from Czechia (Korec, Horky and Benes), with Petteri Pirhonen from Finland and José Mario Serra from Brazil. Here Silén was setting the pace from start to finish, to win 3 laps ahead over Korec and 7 over Horky. He realised 675 laps, being the fastest semi finalist since Petr Krcil, the winner of the other Semi realised 669 laps. There was a serious struggle for the fourth place among Pirhonen, Gustafson and Benes. Serra lost his chances on the move with technical bothers. It was a big surprise to see that Gustafson was unable to follow Petteri Pirhonen, who taak the fourt place. At the end Gustafson was even passed by Zdenek Benes who took the fifth place.

  Name Nat Qual Consi Quarter Semi Semi Final
       

-

8x2' - 8x3'  8x5'
1 Josef KOREC CZ 1,586 - 435 B2 672 1097
2 Petr Krcil CZ 1,594 - 424 A1 669 1071
3 Lasse Åberg S 1,588 - 440 A4 647 1065
4 Vladimir Horky CZ 1,582 - 442 B3 668 1055
5 Mario "MSP" Schöne D 1,523 - 432 A2 666 1045
6 Jari Porttinen SF 1,676 445 433 A3 657 1035
7 Mikael Silen S 1,716 407 405 B1 675 988
8 Petteri Pirhonen SF 1,603 - 414 B4 666 940
9 Zdenek Benes CZ 1,693 397 436 B5 653,29

-

10 Anders Gustafson S 1,567 - 439 B6 653,17 -
11 André Eriksson S 1,627 395 391 B7 649,09 -
12 Juha Yli-Sipola SF 1,608 - 446 A5 615,00 -
13 Jose ze Mario Serra BR 1,607 - 416 B8 604,85 -
14 Marko Pirinen SF 1,674 445 442 A6 579,00 -
15 Andreas Karlsson S 1,734 445 441 A7 535,70 -
16 Vlado Okali SVK 1,597 - 434 A8 506,00 -
17 "Gugu" Bernandino BR 1,503 - 416,80

-

-

-

18 Leo Hongisto SF 1,685 429 401,95 - - -
19 Kimmo Rautama SF 1,591 - 401,60 - - -
20 Justus Pohjasniemi SF - 399 401,53 - - -
21 Veli-Matti Kantamaa SF 1,746 396 399,70 - - -
22 Juho Sippola SF 1,813 407 394,57 - - -
23 Stefan Törnfeldt S 1,601 - 391,00 - - -
24 Marcio Paschoalin BR 1,620 439 383,00 - - -
25 Rudi Kamieth  D 1,619 - 381,70 - - -
26 Bill Skinner USA 1,546 - 377,90 - - -
27 Oliver Sonnbichler A 1,600 - 375,55 - - -
28 Per Persson S 1,685 391 368,20 - - -
29 Rickard Jonsson S 2,036 383 364,60 - - -
30 Janne Ekman S 1,667 405 327,3 - - -
31 Tuomo Iso-Aho SF 1,778 396 326,60 - - -
32 Douwe Banning NL 1,650 337 255,00 - - -
33 Risto Olkkonen SF 1,734 410,61 - - - -
34 Jyri-Ville Pouttu SF 1,790 409,25 - - - -
35 Peter Fröbel D 1,887 390,98 - - - -
36 Pekka Sippola SF 1,736 381,51 - - - -
37 Jan Anderson S 1,795 380,80 - - - -
38 Esa-Pekka Söyrinki SF 11,00 369,75 - - - -
39 Mikko Eld SF 1,733 369,00 - - - -
40 Mia Ekman S 1,652 336,28 - - - -
41 Klaus Jungblut D 1,712 332,43 - - - -
42 Atte Hietalahti SF 1,940 296,21 - - - -
43 PG Falk S 1,783 287,00 - - - -
44 Joao Carlos Geraldo BR 1,639 269,00 - - - -
45 Lalla Andersson S 1,735 220,10 - - - -
46 Harri Nykänen SF 1,622 93,00 - - - -
47 Maurice Bak NL 1,749 90,00 - - - -

Semi A went with 3 racers from Finland (Juha Yli-Sipola, Jari Porttinen and Marko Pirinen), with 2 racers from Sweden (Lasse Åberg and Andreas Karls-son), with Petr Krcil from Czechia, Vlado Okali from Slovakia and Mario Schöne from Germany. Everybody expected Yli-Sipola and Okali among the four making the move. But Okali lost his chances on technical problems and Yli-Sipola - Finland's best chance to win the Worlds - ran in problems too, just as was done earlier by Marko Pirinen. Here Petr Krcil - superb during the whole week-end, since earlier he won G27 and made the main at the One Motor G7 race - had no problems to win 3 laps ahead over the sphynx - Mario MSP Schöne, tipped as the new world champion - and 12 over former world record holder Jari Porttinen. Porttinen too had a great week-end, since he reached the main final in all three the races. Lasse Åberg finished fourth, 32 laps ahead over the unlucky Juha Yli-Sipola who was surprisingly out.
So we found 3 Czechs among the finalists (Korec, Horky, Krcil), 2 Swedes (Lasse Åberg and Silén), 2 Finns (Porttinen and Pirhonen) and the inevitable Mario Schöne. Before the start he and Horky were tipped as the two main candidates to become successor of the absent "Beuf" Pedersen (who didn't show to defend his title).
The Main Final was fully dominated by the three racers of Czechia, setting the pace up from the start. That Petr Krcil - the ISRA Scale Racing World champion - had not the smallest problem too follow the duo Korec-Horky, and that he even attacked them, caused a stir and the admiration of all spectators. Once more Vladimir Horky was too nonchalant, not going for it as Josef Korec was doing. Once Korec had an advance of 20 laps over Krcil, he smelt victory, and a Korec smelling victory is totally unbeatable. So he won the race with 1,097 laps. There was some disappointment that Ciccarello's world record of 1,133 laps was not broken, but Korec preferred to take no risk and to win at least the G7 Worlds he was working on since three years. The USRA G7 Nats is the lonely race missing on his palmares. Petr Krcil finished as a honourable second, 26 laps down to his country-mate. Lasse Åberg - always outstanding at world championships - succeeded to reach the podium as third, holding Vladimir Horky behind. Mikael Silén disappointed. Never after his fantastic win at the 2003 USRA Nats, he could win a G7 race. He finished as 7th. Of the two Finns at the start Jari Porttinen was the best, finishing sixth overall. Mario MSP Schöne gave never the impression he could win his third Wing Car World Champion. He finished 5th, 52 laps down to Josef Korec.
Kouvola 2005 was a superb World Championship, extremely well organised, contributing to the revival of the prestige of the Wing Car Worlds, having become more important than that of the USRA Nats. [JPVR]

In 2002 Josef Korec was still n°12 on the IOC-list. Here we see him with Vladimir Horky at the left and Frantisek Poledna at the right. Picture dates from the 2002 Ostend Model Car Worlds. Poledna was no more seen in competition after 2003. Kidny problems took him out from active competition.

GUGU PULVERISES WR: 1"503

Kouvola remains fastest King in the world. Now up to > 1133

At the Kouvola Wing Car World Championship full evidence has been given that the Finnish Blue King is by far the fastest King track in the world. Shortly before noon Brazil's Luis Antonio "Gugu" Bernardino just pulverised the 1"542 WR realised by Benny Justice last week at Mike Swiss's Chicagoland Raceway. "Gugu" brought the world record down to 1"503. He did it not in the bye round, but at his first run.
The Sphynx, Mario "MSP" Schöne - main candidate to become the new world championship - remained also under the 1"542 by realising 1"523. No less than 10 of the 47 entrants remained under the 1"6.  Bill Skinner (USA) clocked the third fastest time in 1"546, his personal record.
We find three Czechs - Vladimir Horky, Josef Korec and Petr Krcil - among the top-10, together with Vlado Okali. From Finland only Kimmo Rautama clocked a time among the top-10. Sweden has two racers in the top-10: Anders Gustafson and Lasse Äberg. Disappointing times were realised by Douwe Banning (NL) - despite his extremely fast armatures - by Leo Hongisto, by Jari Porttinen and by Mikael Silén.
This year's Wing Car World Championships are the best attended since Goeteborg 1978. It's just a pitty that no sponsoring budget could be found to fly over the best American and best Australian racers. At any rate, after the Helsinki ISRA Worlds, we have the confirmation that the Finns are EXCELLENT organisers. Thanks to Tuomo Iso-Aho the rest of the world is nearly on line informed about the event. Moreover IMCA gets additional info from Andy Wasserman, being in place to help Bill W.H. Skinner to make at least a podium [JPVR]

1 Luis Antonio Bernandino Brazil 1,503
2 Mario Shöne Germany 1,523
3 Bill Skinner USA 1,546
4 Anders Gustafson Sweden 1,567
5 Vladimir Horky Czech republic 1,582
6 Josef Korec Czech republic 1,586
7 Lasse Åberg Sweden 1,588
8 Kimmo Rautama Finland 1,591
9 Petr Krcil Czech republic 1,594
10 Vlado Okali Slovak republic 1,597
11 Oliver Sonnbichler Austria 1,600
12 Stefan Törnfeldt Sweden 1,601
13 Petteri Pirhonen Finland 1,603
14 Jose ze Mario Serra Brazil 1,607
15 Juha Yli-Sipola Finland 1,608
16 Rudi Kamieth Germany 1,619
17 Marcio Paschoalin Brazil 1,620
18 Harri Nykänen Finland 1,622

19 André Eriksson Sweden 1,627
20 Joao Carlos Geraldo Brazil 1,639
21 Douwe Banning Netherland 1,650

22 Mia Ekman Sweden 1,652
23 Janne Ekman Sweden 1,667
24 Marko Pirinen Finland 1,674
25 Jari Porttinen Finland 1,676
26 Leo Hongisto Finland 1,685
27 Per Persson Sweden 1,685
28 Zdenek Benes Czech republic 1,693
29 Klaus Jungblut Germany 1,712
30 Mikael Silen Sweden 1,716
31 Mikko Eld Finland 1,733
32 Andreas Karlsson Sweden 1,734

33 Risto Olkkonen Finland 1,734
34 Lalla Andersson Sweden 1,735
35 Pekka Sippola Finland 1,736
36 Veli-Matti Kantamaa Finland 1,746
37 Maurice Bak Netherland 1,749
38 Tuomo Iso-Aho Finland 1,778
39 PG Falk Sweden 1,783
40 Jyri-Ville Pouttu Finland 1,790
41 Jan Anderson Sweden 1,795
42 Juho Sippola Finland 1,813
43 Peter Fröbel Germany 1,887
44 Atte Hietalahti Finland 1,940
45 Rickard Jonsson Sweden 2,036
46 Esa-Pekka Söyrinki Finland 11,00
47 Justus Pohjasniemi Finland -
Racers with name in italics are out after the Consis. In dark blue = out after the Quarters.

No surprises at the consis where 15 racers went out

The 16 best qualifiers were all free from the Consis, where Douwe Banning (NL), Joao Carlos Geraldo (BR), Janne Ekman (S), Marko Pirinen (SF), Jari Porttinen (SF), Leo Hongisto (SF), Zdenek Benes (CZ), Mikael Silén (S) and Veli-Matti Kantanaa (SF) are the best contenders. At Consi D we are surprised to loose Joao Carlos Geraldo (BR). Winner is Zdenek Benes (CZ) with 397 laps, one lap ahead over Veli-Matti Kantanaa (SF). Rickard Jonsson (S) is un unexpected third with 383 laps. Eventually Douwe Banning (NL) may be happy that he can make the move as fourth Consi D driver, having finished 5 laps further than Klaus Jungblut (D). Atte Hietalahti (SF) and Maurits Bak (NL) are out, just as Jungblut und Geraldo.
Consi C is won by 2003 USRA-winner Mikael Silén (S) with 407 laps. Tuomo Iso-Aho causes a stir by finishing second with 396 laps, one more than André Eriksson (S) and five more than good old Per Persson (S). Here we loose Pekka Sippola (SF), Peter Fröbel (D), Esa-Pekka Soyrinki (SF) and Mia Ekman (S) - who at the qualifications finished sur-prisingly just ahead of Janne Ekman. Sippola and Soyrinki were expected to do better, but they missed the move to the Quarters.
Consi B is restricted to five Finnish and three Swedish racers. Here former European wing car champion Leo Hongisto (SF) is an easy winner with 429 laps, 22 more than the unexpected Juho Sippola (SF) and 24 more than Janne Ekman (S).  After he missed the qualifications nobody should have believed that
Justus Pohjasniemi (SF) should have made the move to the Quarters, but he did! Miko Eldd (SF) was expected much higher than fifth. He is out, just as PG Falk (S), Lalla Andersson (S) and the fast Harri Nykänen (who had to quit the race with technical bothers after 93 laps).
Winner of Consi A is former European wing car champion Marko Pirinen. He, former world record holder Jari Porttinen and Andreas Karlsson finished al three with no less than 445 laps. Marcio Paschoalin (BR) finishes six laps further, but enough to make the move to the Quarters. Risto Olkkonen (SF), Jyri-Ville Pouttu (SF) and Jan Anderson (S) failed to make the move. So, in total 7 Finnish racers are already out, 3 Swedish racers, 2 German racers, one Dutch racer and one Brazilian racer.

 

Composition of the Quarters is as follows:

QUARTER D: Anders Gustafson (S), Vladimir Horky (CZ), Stefan Törn-feldt (S), Petteri Pirhonen (SF), Zdenek Benes (CZ), Veli-Matti Kanta-maa (SF), Rickard Jonsson (S) and Douwe Banning (NL). Here I expect that Pirhonen, Kantamaa, Jonsson and Banning - despite his excellent arms - will miss the move to the Semis.
QUARTER C: Bill Skinner (USA), Josef Korec (CZ), Oliver Sonnbichler (A), José Mario Serra (BR), Mikael Silén (S), Tuomo Iso-Aho (SF), Andxré Eriksson (S) and Per Persson (S). Here I expect that Sonnbichler, Iso-Aho, Eriksson and Persson will miss the move to the Semis.
QUARTER B seems by far the most difficult one since we find here Mario Schöne (D), Lasse Äberg (S), Vlado Okali (SVK), Juha Yli-sipola (SF), Leo Hongisto (SF), Juho Sippola (SF), Janne Ekman (S) and Justus Pohjasniemi (SF). It seems nearly excluded that the three last named will make the move. But it is not impossible that former world champion Juha Yli-Sipola will miss the move too.
In QUARTER A we'll find Luis "Gugu" Bernardino, Kimmo Rautama (SF), Petr Krcil (CZ), Rudi Kamieth (D), Marko Pirinen (SF), Jari Porttinen (SF), Andreas Karlsson (S) and Marcio Paschoalin (BR). I am afraid that here we could loose Kimmo Rautama as well as Rudi Kamieth, together with Paschoalin and Karlsson.

My pronostics of the 16 semi-finalists are thus: Lasse Äberg, Anders Gustafson, Stefan Törnfeldt and Mikael Silén for Sweden; Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky, Petr Krcil and Zdenek Benes for Czechia; Vlado Okali for Slovakia: Bill W.H. Skinner for the US; "Gugu" and Serra for Brazil; Leo Hongisto, Marko Pirinen, Jari Porttinen and Petteri Pirhonen for Finland. But if Finland has to loose Rautama and Juha Yli-Sipola it is not impossible that we'll go to a final without Finnish racers. Let's hope that I made a mistake in my pronostics. [JPVR]

"Gugu", Hongisto, Törnfeldt and Skinner out at Quarters

Wing car racing is always full of surprises. At the Quarters we lost unexpectedly several top-racers, among them the new world record holder "Gugu" Bernardino, the recent winner of the Finnish G7 Nats at Kouvola: Stefan Törnfeldt, the third best qualifier Bill W.H. Skinner and the former double European champion Leo Hongisto.
QUARTER D was easily won by Vladimir Horky (CZ) with 442 laps, ahead of Anders Gustafson (S) with 439 and Zdenek Benes (CZ) with 436. Petteri Pirhonen (SF) finished fourth with 414 laps. Surprisingly Stefan Törnfeldt (S) missed the move, just as did Veli-Matti Kantamaa (SF), Rickard Jonsson (S) and Douwe Banning (NL).
QUARTER C was won by Josef Korec (CZ) with 436 laps, ahead of José Mario Serra (BR) with 416 and Mikael Silén (S) with 405. A big surprise came from the total unexpected André Eriksson (S) who let Bill W.H. Skinner (USA) far behind. Together with Skinner we lost also Oliver Sonnbichler (A), Per Persson (S) and Tuomo Iso-Aho (SF).
In the terrible QUARTER B, the most difficult of the four quarters, Leo Hongisto (SF) failed to make the move by finishing not higher than fifth. As could be expected our sphynx, Mario MSP Schöne (D) did nothing else than following the pace and finishing at a safe fourth place with 432 laps, two less than Vlado Okali (SVK) who also tried to save his machinery, and who finished second. Pace was set by Juha Yli-Sipola (SF) who proved how wrong I was in my pronostics. He won with 446 laps, the most of all Quarters, ahead of former double wing car world champ Lasse Äberg (S). The elimination of Juho Sippola, Janne Ekman and Justus Pohjasniemi (SF) - 6th with 401.53 laps! - was a surprise for nobody.

 

QUARTER A was easily won by the former European champion Marko Pirinen (SF) in 442 Laps, one more than the surprisingly fast Andreas Karlsson (S) and nine more than former world record holder Jari Porttinen (SF). Petr Krcil (CZ) finished fourth, enough to make the move to the semis. We lost however "Gugu" Bernardino, the brand new world record holder, coming 8 laps short. Another surprise that Kimmo Rautama (SF) failed to make the move. The elimination of Marcio Paschoalin (BR) and Rudi Kamieth (D) - fast at the qualifications - was expected.

After the Quarters we hold four racers from Czechia (Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky, Petr Krcil and Zdenek Benes: the complete Czech entry!), five racers from Sweden (Lasse Äberg, Anders Gustafson, Mikael Silén, and the two big surprises: André Erikson and Andreas Karlsson), four racers from Finland (Yuha Yli-Sipola, Marko Pirinen, Petteri Pirhonen and Jari Porttinen), the sphynx MSP from Germany, good old mister Voki from Slovakia, and last year's vice world champion José Mario Serra from Brazil. So who I expect from those 16 making the move to the main final. Sure seem Josef Korec, Vladimir Horky and Petr Krcil from Czechia, Juha Yli-Sipola from Finland, Lasse Äberg and Anders Gustafson from Sweden, Mario Schöne from Germany and Vlado Okali from Slovakia. But let's wait and see what will be the surprises at tomroow's Semi finals. I'll come back round 2pm GMT. Now the biggest question is: who will improve at the main the 1133 laps record hold by Paul Ciccarello. I think: at least three racers. [JPVR]

ISRA WORLD CHAMP PETR KRCIL WINS G27!

Czechia and Slovakia rule the Worlds - Okali moral winner

Saturday June 11 - The G27 race at the Kouvola Wing Car World Championship gave full evidence that racers from Czechia and Slovakia dominate totally wing car racing (as long as the sphynx Mario MSP Schöne doesn't enter). Although only with 5 men at the start they were found all five in the main final. With one minute to go it looked that good old Vlado Okali should be the winner, but then, at once he deslotted in the Finger and lost one of the two laps advance he had over the Czech Petr Krcil. Becoming nervous by that incident poor Vlado deslotted a second time in the Finger, loosing the race from the reigning ...scale car world champion Petr Krcil.
Vladimir Horky
, fastest man at the Semis, ahead of Okali and Josef Korec, was an early leader but lost (once more) all his chances with technical problems. Korec succeeded to reach the third step on the podium, beating double wing car world champion Lasse Äberg by 3 laps. Bill Skinner, José Mario Serra and Andreas Karlsson were very unlucky in Semi A, where they had to fight against the Czech coalition Horky-Korec-Krcil, taking the three first places. Skinner came 3 laps short from Äberg to make the move to the main. In the much easier Semi B Juha Yli-Sipola was second with exactly the same number of laps as Skinner, having been eliminated after Semi A. Holland's Douwe Banning, present with excellent armatures (mine?) came no further than the last place in the Semis.
Today is the big day. Everybody expects that the honour of Kouvola as fastest Blue King track in the world will be saved at least once (new lap WR under 1"542) and perhaps twice (new 40 minutes WR over 40 laps with more than 1133 laps). Stay with us. We inform you as soon we have the results. [JPVR]

Pos Name Nat Qual quart Quart Semi Semi Final 8x4'
1 Petr Krcil CZ 1,854 a2 402 a3 402,59 812
2 Vlado Okali SVK 1,832 c2 379 b1 414,00 811
3 Josef Korec CZ 1,841 b1 409 a2 410,00 795
4 Lasse Åberg S 2,004 b2 403 a4 402,53 792
5 Jari Porttinen SF 1,895 d2 407 b4 387,74 790
6 Zdenek Benes CZ 1,907 c1 403 b3 396,00 774
7 Juha Yli-Sipola SF 1,897 d1 411 b2 399,00 759
8 Vladimir Horky CZ 1,851 a1 406 a1 418,00 740
9 Bill Skinner USA 1,751 b4 393 a5 399,00 -
10 Jose ze Mario Serra BR 1,748 a4 378 a6 396,00 -
11 Andreas Karlsson S 1,939 a3 390 a7 394,00 -
12 André Eriksson S 1,878 b3 395 a8 391,00 -
13 Stefan Törnfeld S 1,832 d3 406 b5 387,63 -
14 Olli Kantamaa SF 1,955 c3 372 b6 385,00 -
15 Mikael Silen S 1,825 d4 400 b7 379,00 -
16 Douwe Banning NL 1,974 c4 361 b8 343,00 -
17 Petteri Pirhonen SF 1,961 d5 386 - - -
18 Per Persson S 1,934 b5 383 - - -
19 Pekka Sippola SF 1,947 b6 369 - - -
20 Joao Carlos BR 1,823 c5 356 - - -
21 Rickard Jonsson S 2,013 a5 353 - - -
22 PG Falk S 1,967 d6 350 - - -
23 Oliver Sonnbichler A 1,936 a6 331 - - -
24 Klaus Jungblut D 1,884 c6 318 - - -
25 Lalla Andersson S 2,034 a7 231 - - -

NEW WR G27: 1"748 FOR JOSE MARIO SERRA

One Motor Warm-Up Race to "Gugu" Bernardino

June 9 - At the Kouvola Wing Car World Championships racers to what they can to prove that the Kouvola Blue King remains the fastest King track in the world, faster than Mike Swiss's Chicagoland Raceway. At the G27 race the world record was broken three times in a row. Initially Bill W.H. Skinner (USA) realised a new world record G27 in 1"771. At the bye-round he improved his own new world record by clocking 1"751, but eventually José Mario Serra (BR), the 2004 vice-world champion in wing car racing, brought the record down to 1"748. In total 25 racers from 9 different countries entered the G27 race.
One day earlier a one motor G7 race was organised as a warm-up. Here we noted 24 entrants. Winner was Brazil's "Gugu" Bernardino ahead of Juha Yli-Sippola (SF), Mikael Silén (S) and Lasse Aberg (S). Several top racers as Mario MSP Schöne (D), Vlado Okali (SVK), Josef Korec (CZ), Vladimir Horky (CZ), etc. didn't enter the warm-up race.
Now it's waiting Saturday's Qualifications in G7. After Benny Justice improved the G7 world record, less than one week before the start of the G7 Worlds, everybody is curious if the "honour" of the Kouvola King, as fastest King track in the world, will yes or not be saved. If, on Saturday, nobody succeeds improving Benny Justice's 1"542 one can imagine the triumph of Mike Swiss, claiming that his Chicagoland King is now the fastest in the world. Since Swiss is not direcly the most loved wing car racer in the world, one can imagine that several racers are extremely decided to go under the 1"542. Helped by Andy Wasserman - not directly the best friend of Mike Swiss - Bill W.H. Skinner could be the man realising on Saturday a new world record. And Mario MSP Schöne seems the ideal man to improve Ciccarello's 1133 laps over 40 minutes. Day of thunder is closing. [JPVR]

Pos. Name Nat. Semi Final
1 Luis Antonio Bernandino BRA 267,00 665,57
2 Juha Yli-Sipola FIN 423,00 656,43
3 Mikael Silen SWE 413,00 653,12
4 Lasse Åberg SWE 413,00 650,39
5 Jari Porttinen FIN 422,00 632,89
6 Jyri-Ville Pouttu FIN 422,00 628,55
7 Petr Krcil CZE 408,00 626,08
8 Petteri Pirhonen FIN 399,00 621,00
9 Rudi Kamieth GER 261,00 612,59
10 Marko Pirinen FIN 411,00 612,19
11 Stefan Törnfeld SWE 411,00 595,10
12 Oliver Sonnbichler AUT 360,00 592,97
13 Tuomo Iso-Aho FIN 390,00 567,09
14 Justus Pohjasniemi FIN 410,00 397,00
15 Veli-Matti Kantamaa FIN 216,00 277,00
16 Douwe Banning NL 267.00 156,00
17 Jan Anderson SWE 386,00 -
18 Harri Nykänen FIN 367,00 -
19 Peter Fröbel GER 366,00 -
20 Olli Kantamaa FIN 312,00 -
21 Klaus Jungblut GER 265,00 -
22 Joao Carlos BRA 170,00 -
23 Esa-Pekka Söyrinki FIN 125,00 -
24 Risto Olkkonen FIN 35,00

SPLENDID ENTRYLIST, BUT NO "BEUF"

We note a splendid entry at the 24th Wing Car World Championship in history. Apart from Einari Fyhr (no longer active since he moved to the north of Finland) all Finnish top guns are in place, no less than 19. Sweden is also well represented with 12 racers, among them all its top-guns. From Norway we miss Egil Aksnes. Germany is present with 4 racers with Mario "MSP" Schöne as top favourite. Czechia is present with Josef Korec and Vladimir Horky (two serious candidate-winners), but also with the ISRA world champion scale racing Petr Krcil and with good old Zdenek Benes. Of course Slovakia's Vlado Okali is present. Holland has not only Douwe Banning, but also Maurits Bak. Non-Europeans are the four racers of Brazil, among who "Gugu" Bernardino and José Mario Serra are serious candidates for victory. However no Tim Tyler from New Zealand and none of the Australian top racers. As usual American entry is extre-mely low. Andy Wasserman is here, but just to help Bill W.H. Skinner, not to race. The very weak dollar may be an explanation, but even in times when the dollar was still strong, American entry was always low at a G7 Worlds organised in Europe. It's painful to see that the outgoing wing car world champion, Paul "Beuf" Pedersen, found no sponsoring to fly over. The fact that business by Koford goes weakly at this very moment may be an explanation. Missed too are Paul Ciccarello, P-A Watson, and of course the new American star, Benny Justice, who - last Saturday - improved Jari Porttinen's world record from 1"548 to 1"542. Curious to see if the Kouvola track will remain the fastest in the world now Mike Swiss opened his at Chicagoland Raceway. [JPVR]

12 Luis "Gugu" Bernardino BR 260 Oliver Sonnbichler A
31 José Mario Pires Serra BR NQ Risto Olkkonen SF
108  Geraldo João Carlos BR NQ Tuomo Iso-Aho SF
NQ Marcio Paschoalin BR 229 Douwe Banning NL
13 Vladimir Horky CZ NQ Maurits Bak NL
21 Jozef Korec CZ 1 Mario "MSP" Schöne D
84 Zdenek Benes CZ NQ Rudi Kamieth D
NQ Petr Krcil CZ NQ Klaus Jungblut D
8 Juha Yli-Sipola SF NQ Peter Fröbel D
18 Kimmo Rautama SF 7 Vlado Okali SVK
22 Leo Hongisto SF 2 Lasse Åberg S
42 Petteri Pirhonen SF 14 Anders Gustafson S
72 Jari Porttinen SF 34 Mikael Silén S
75 Veli-Matti Kantamaa SF 38 Stefan Törnfeldt S
93 Marko Pirinen SF 120 Janne Ekman S
147 Pekka Sippola SF 133 Per Persson S
204 Mikko Eld SF NQ Mia Ekman S
NQ Hatte Hietalahti SF NQ P.G. Falk S
NQ Esa-Peke Söyrinki SF NQ Rickard Jonsson S
NQ Harri Nykänen SF NQ André Eriksson S
NQ Juho Sippola SF NQ Andreas Karlsson S
NQ Justus Pohjasniemi SF NQ Lalla Andersson S
NQ Jiry-Ville Pouttu SF 50 Andy Wasserman USA
NQ Olli Kantamaa SF 174 Bill W.H. Skinner USA

AUSTRALIAN WING CAR NATS (MARCH 24-27)

Vlado Okali wins G7 ahead of Tim Tyler & Tony Pye

Pos
OPEN G7
Qualify
Heat
Semi
Final

March 28 - Former wing car world champion, Vlado Okali from Slovakia has won the Australian G7 Nats. For the first time since years there were 19 entrants, among them also Brazil's Jose Martio Serra. Last year at the Ultimate G7 Worlds it became obvious that the gap between the Australian wing car racers and the rest of the world was seriously wide. Since Tim Tyler & Co did serious efforts to close the gap, but already before the start most Aussies were convinced that they should be unable to beat Vlado Okali. Peter Dight who won four times the Australian Nats was, just as last year, absent. But with Charles Rickards, Geoff Little, Tony Pye and Tim Tyler the best Australian wing car racers were all there. After the qualifications, where Neil McDonald clocked the best time in 1"860 there was some hope that the gap was closed and that a combat with equal weapons should be possible.
The 12 fastest qualifiers were all qualified for the semis. The 7 slowest had to contest the heats where only the 4 fastest racers could make the move to the semis. Here Brad Bennet, who earlier won G27, and who seemed to be the best of all Australian racers, had not the smallest problems. Keith Wade, Jim Mc Cann and Chad Raven were elimi-nated. At the Semis it became obvious that Vlado okali was too strong. He was without any problems the fastest: 10 laps faster than last year's Australian Nats winner Geoff Little, 12 laps faster than Tony Pye and 14 laps faster than Tim Tyler. Brad Bennett was only fifth. Biggest surprise was that we lost Jose Mario Serra, last year still second at the USRA Nats.Other eliminated racers were Craig Chenco, "Stumpy" and John Favorito among the best known Aussies. Names of Troy van Trienen, Peter Mace, Mick Bellot and Craig Moroney are not well known outside Australia. They too couldn't survive the semis.

1.
Vlado Okali (CZ)
1.925
-
534
947
2.
Tim Tyler
1.897
-
520
913
3.
Tony Pye
1.976
-
522
913
4.
Geoff Little
1.985
-
524
890
5.
Charles Rickards
1.914
-
476
735
6.
Neil McDonald
1.860
-
483
703
7.
Ivan Wearne
1.912
-
482
186
8.
Brad Bennett
2.093
291
497
145
9.
Troy van Trienen
2.007
247
441
-
10.
Jose Mario Serra (BR)
1.886
-
437
-
11.
Peter Mace
1.976
-
399
-
12.
Craig Chenco
1.934
-
386
-
13.
Mick Bellot
2.234
233
376
-
14.
Stumpy
2.022
241
366
-
15.
Craig Moroney
1.998
-
342
-
16.
John Favorito
1.864
-
228
-
17.
Keith Wade
2.014
181
-
-
18.
Jim McCann
2.142
86
-
-
19.
Chad Raven
9.926
26
-
-
Pos
G 27 RACE
Qualify
Heat
Semi
Final

Of the 8 main finalists no less than five made earlier the main in G27: Brad Bennett (who won the G27 race), Tim Tyler (who was 2nd in G27, but won earlier Box Sock G12, Group 12 GTP and Super 16D Flexi-Kar), last year's champion Geoff Little (who was fourth in G27 and who won International G15), former Australian champion Charles Rickards (who was 7th in G27) and former world champion Vlado Okali (who was 3rd in G27). The other finalists were TQ-er Neil McDonald, Tony Pye and Ivan Wearne.
During the two first segments three racers were pulling away from the rest of the field: Tim Tyler (leading by 2 laps after 2 segments), Tony Pye and Vlado Okali (8 laps behind Tyler). Brad Bennett, Ivan Wearne and Neil McDonald ran all three in problems at the very first segment and were definitively out for an outright win.
During the third segment Tim Tyler lost the lead to Tony Pye. Both Aussies had res. 12 and 10 laps more than the Slovak. But during the fourth segment the same Okali realised 125 laps on yellow, against 111 for Pye on red and only 100 for Tyler on green. That meaned that Okali was the leader at mid-race, 2 laps ahead over Pye and 15 over Tyler. The two following segments we witnessed a splendid combat between Pye and Okali, both with the same number of laps after the fifth and the sixth segment. During the seventh segment Okali realised 119 laps on red against 115 for Pye on purple. That implied that with one last segment to go Pye was 4 laps behind Okali. After a poor 104 laps on black Tyler had even lost his third place and was now 2 laps behind Geoff Little for the last podium place. Since Pye had to go on black for his last segment, nobody could doubt any longer that Okali should be the winner. With only 96 laps Pye lost even his second place, not on Little, but on Tyler who realised 125 laps fine on yellow to take the second place behind Okali. Pye had to fight until the real last second with Geoff Little to ensure the third place. Both finished with the same number of laps. Charles Rickards was fifth from the real first to the very last segment. The IOC-list has been adapted. Okali jumps over Noviello to rank 12, whilst Tyler and Pye enter the top-100 of the all-time ranking of slot-racers. [JPVR]

1.
Brad Bennett
2.026
-
489
691
2.
Tim Tyler
1.964
-
489
680
3.
Vlado Okali (CZ)
1.937
-
501
665
4.
Geoff Little
2.067
-
488
663
5.
John Favorito
2.080
308
487
636
6.
Jose Mario Serra (BR)
1.971
-
490
626
7.
Charles Rickards
2.025
-
505
613
8.
Troy van Trienen
2.091
294
474
570
9.
Neil McDonald
2.193
310
482
-
10.
Warren Jackson
2.082
306
482
-
11.
Tony Pye
2.289
302
474
-
12.
Dave Fitzgerald
2.073
288
432
-
13.
Danny Miller
2.087
301
409
-
14.
Ivan Wearne
1.983
-
376
-
15.
Keith Wade
2.056
-
368
-
16.
Stumpy
2.102
313
89
-
17.
Craig Moroney
2.125
302
-
-
18.
Crag Chenco
2.325
288
-
-
19.
Jack Bellot
2.159
285
-
-
20.
Peter Mace
2.166
283
-
-
21.
Mark Carson
2.266
276
-
-
22.
Gill Andrews (NZ)
2.134
274
-
-
23.
Mick Bellot
N/T
245
-
-
24.
Jim McCann
2.672
57
-
-