MARC 2023-2024 Season – Race Two, Saturday October 14, 2023
Fiddlehead Raceway, Rochester NH
Attendance was a little light this year, as there were some racers that chose to run in a 1/24 retro race at Modelville on this date. Still, we had 10 racers on hand, six pros and four sportsmen.
Sportsman Open Weight Podium - Terry Ayer 1st, Bruce Olsen 2nd, Hal Pierce 3rd, and Mike Tiffany 4th
The first race of the day was Open Weight, which was run at 13 volts. This was the first time Open Weight was run on this track, so we didn’t have any previously established benchmarks. The stout Max rail provided great grip for the low downforce cars. After a couple hours of practice, sportsmen and pros jointly took to the track to test their set-ups.
When the dust settled in the Sportsman class, only one lap separated first and second place. Terry Ayer took the checkered flag with 211 laps, nipping Bruce Olsen with 210. Hal Pierce followed in third place with 200, and Mike Tiffany rounded out the podium only one lap behind Hal with 199. Only 12 laps separated the field!
Pro Open Weight Podium
Since Paul Ryer was running the retros at Modelville, the club briefcase didn’t make it to Fiddlehead. So having no ribbons to pass out, the podium drivers used their fingers to indicate their finishing position.
On the Pro side, track owner John Pileggi took the win with 267 laps followed by Rya Archambault with 239. Jim Macartney pulled down third place with 219, Halim Harris was only two laps back in fourth with 217, Tom Gray was fifth with 205, and Tom Jahl finished sixth with 203.
Next up was Super Stock. About a half hour into practice, the pizzas arrived. After two hours of practice, we were ready to race.
Sportsman Super Stock Podium
Last year, Bruce Olsen won the super stock race with 292 laps. This year he would once again take down the win, but with 322 laps. Quite an improvement! Terry finished second with 315 laps. Mike Tiffany took third with 281, and Hal Pierce fourth with 275.
The Pros race saw John complete the double with a convincing win, turning 383 laps. Tom Gray finished second with 338 laps. Ryan tried the Viper Maxi traction magnets and took third with 326 laps. He would have done much better except for a green fuzz ball that was wrapped around his armature, causing heat and other problems. Disclaimer – Ryan brought this gem from home (not acquired at the race).
Pro Super Stock Podium
Hakim rounded out the podium in fourth with 325 laps, Jim was fifth with 320, and Tom Jahl sixth with 318 laps. Only 20 laps separated second through sixth place.
The festivities were over by 4 PM since we had a smaller group. Thanks to all who came! Unfortunately, Ryan and I will miss Terry’s race due to our attending the KSR enduro in CA. Hope to see you in December!
JP