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FIR West Night Event Recap

September 5, 2012 Travis

On August 24^th, the bayou at Firebird International Raceway welcomed NASA AZ to its West track for a unique event. Unlike the past, drivers would no longer have to wait for the once a year night event to race under the lights. While NASA officials had planned for a slightly cooler than usual summer event by eliminating the sun, there was one thing that could not be accounted for. With temperatures only dropping as low as 80, and paired with a peak humidity of 74%, the nights were muggy to say the least. Regardless, drivers showed up in full force to race under the lights of Firebird West and closeout the summer with some fun.

FIR West Recap Cover

Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Race Group

Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Small Bore

With anticipation high, racers pulled to the start finish line. As the green flag was unfurled, Team LBR jumped the start only to be bombarded by the Honda Challenge field as the flag went waving. With no sweat off their brow, literally, Team LBR was quick to react but not before #21 Eric Dayton would lead the HC drivers into the first turn. Qualifying 1^st in the 944 Spec class, Dave Hauck held his lead for several laps. Behind him swarmed a pack of 944 cars driving closely together with only Pete Dimuzio starting to close the gap. Honda Challenge was split into two races. The first race was between Team LBR and Eric Dayton, and the second being between Doug Evans and Leland Forbes. After several laps, Team LBR found their chance to regain the lead and turned the straight away into a drag race. This move would prove successful as the pass was accomplished moving them into the lead where Team LBR would finish for the win. In 944 Spec, the group began bunching up. Team ArizonaPain.com looking advance positions, bumped Dave Hauck for a pass that would be short-lived. In the end it was Pete Dimuzio holding his lead followed by Dave Hauck in 2^nd and Stephen Marlow in 3^rd.

Small Bore Results

PT-C

1^st – Justin Markiewicz

PT-D

1^st – Jim Richard

944 Spec

1^st – Pete Dimuzio

2^nd – Dave Hauck

3^rd – Stephen Marlow

Honda Challenge H2

1^st – Team LBR

2^nd – Eric Dayton

3^rd – Douglas Evans

1^st – Jorge Diaz

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Big Bore

Big Bore qualifying would lead to an interesting start for the race. Mark Alger would start from the back and despite qualifying first, Team ArizonaPain.com did not make grid. With the drop of the green flag, Alger came blasting from the back, straight to the front of the pack. Within laps Team ArizonPain.com was working their way one position at a time to catch Alger in the lead. The largest group, PT-A, was led by Jeremy Renshaw, but Matthew Seech was not far behind. Within laps Team ArizonaPain.com was right on the bumper of Alger and wasted no time taking the pass for the lead. By the middle of the race, the weather was playing a major factor on both cars and drivers as many pulled to the hot pits, some not returning to the race. With only laps left, Renshaw found himself behind the PT-A group. His quick driving would regain multiple positions but it would not be enough and Matthew Seech would take advantage of the opportunity for the PT-A win.

Small Bore Results

1^st– Team ArizonaPain.com

2^nd – Michael Papworth

ST-1

1^st – Mark Alger

PT-A

1^st – Matthew Seech

2^nd – Jeremy Renshaw

3^rd – Brian Turner

PT-B

1^st – Bob Gottlieb

STR1

1^st – Bryan McCormick

GTS3

1^st – Martin Saltzman

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Time Trial Friday

Fridays Time Trial drivers from TT-U were right on top of the TT-R drivers. TT-R leader Team ArizonaPain.com ran a 1:02.164 with Anthony Szirka just behind them with a 1:03.866. TT-U Leader Mark Alger always taking it to the top narrowly missed the leading time with a 1:02.424 followed by Ken Gerhart with a 1:03.823. TT-A driver Robert Smithson was flying on Friday running a 1:06.413, good for 1^st place. Jeremy Renshaw was just behind him with a 1:06.470. TT-D was just as close with the top drivers separated by tenths of a second. Robert Rose ran a 1:07.801 narrowly beating Marc McCombs 1:07.924.

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Friday Time Trial Results

TT-R

1^st – Team Arizona Pain.com – 1:02.164

2^nd – Anthony Szirka – 1:03.866

3^rd – Jim Harris – 1:07.587

TT-U

1^st – Mark Alger – 1:02.424

2^nd – Ken Gerhart – 1:03.823

3^rd – Kent Porter – 1:04.358

TT-S

1^st – Gabe Ortega – 1:07.870

TT-A

1^st – Robert Smithson – 1:06.413

2^nd – Jeremy Renshaw – 1:06.470

3^rd – Ravi Tomerlin – 1:07.199

TT-B

1^st – David Schotz – 1:06.300

2^nd – Joel Schotz – 1:10.913

3^rd – Jason Griepentrog – 1:11.418

TT-C

1^st – Aaron Hiar – 1:10.670

2^nd – David Snyder – 1:11.696

TT-D

1^st – Robert Rose – 1:07.801

2^nd – Marc McCombs – 1:07.924

3^rd – Jeff Abrams – 1:08.586

TT-E

1^st – Brad Lundahl – 1:11.641

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Time Trial Saturday

Officials increased visibility on Saturday night, which may have been the cause for even faster times than Friday. TT-R’s Anthony Szrika chasing time found multiple seconds running a 1:01.994 with his newly prepped Mitsubishi Evolution. Mark Alger upped the ante running a 1:01.573 in TT-U. Robert Smithson and Jeremy Renshaw were back for a repeat of Friday at the front of TT-A. This time Renshaw led with a 1:06.190 with Smithson putting down a 1:06.242. Never one to be outdone, Jeff Abrams mixed it up in TT-D with the top 3 drivers each within tenths of each other once again. Abrams 1:07.422 was good for 1^st place. Marc McCombs ran a 1:07.440 for 2^nd and Robert Rose’s 1:07.585 awarded him 3^rd.

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

Time Trial Results Saturday

TT-R

1^st – Anthony Szirka – 1:01.994

2^nd – Jim Harris – 1:06.886

3^rd – Phillip Buffington – 1:07.417

TT-U

1^st – Mark Alger – 1:01.573

2^nd – Taylor Wilson – 1:04.117

3^rd – Russell Whelan – 1:05.020

TT-S

1^st – Gabe Ortega – 1:10.77.

TT-A

1^st – Jeremy Renshaw – 1:06.190

2^nd – Robert Smithson – 1:06.242

3^rd – Ravi Tomerlin – 1:07.645

TT-B

1^st – David Schotz – 1:05.907

2^nd – Joel Schotz – 1:09.957

3^rd -Jason Griepentrog – 1:11.295

TT-C

1^st – David Snyder – 1:10.371

2^nd – Aaron Hiar – 1:11.221

TT-D

1^st – Jeff Abrams – 1:07.422

2^nd – Marc McCombs – 1:07.440

3^rd – Robert Rose – 1:07.585

TT-E

1^st – Nathan Welbourne – 1:12.121

2^nd – Brad Lundahl – 1:18.913

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

UMS Tuning Time Attack Series

As with any NASA AZ event, UMS Tuning Time Attack drivers were out in full forced, including a few new faces. Despite the drain the weather was putting on everyone, times were separated by less than a second. Given the options within the rules this is always impressive to see. Here is how each driver stood up to the competition.

UMS Tuning Time Attack Results

TA-C

1^st – Anthony Szirka – 1:01.930

2^nd – Taylor Wilson – 1:04.347

3^rd – Russell Whelan – 1:05.371

TA-B

1^st – Robert Smithson – 1:05.324

2^nd – Markos Mylonas – 1:06.703

3^rd – Ravi Tomerlin – 1:07.278

TA-A

1^st – Jeff Abrams – 1:08.504

2^nd – Stenos Wijaya – 1:09.694

3^rd – Dave McCombs – 1:09.705

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Photos by: Action Photography by Selina

HPDE

With almost every group sold out, HPDE drivers were eager to show what they could do under the lights of the Firebird West track. With packed run groups, the drivers managed to keep the track and sessions clean. It was great to see all the drivers having fun. With rotors glowing showing they were not scared to push the limits on track, we cannot wait to see these drivers continue to advance into the ranks of Time Trial and Race Group.

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