MARC at Catfish International, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 22, 2025 – On what turned out to be William Shatner’s 94th birthday, Catfish International hosted its annual MARC New England HO racing date.  A small, hearty crowd came out for Can-Am G-Jet and Open Weight competition on the 82-foot Brystal Catfish.

America’s Reigning Slot Car Spouse, Gretchen Adams, made magic happen for us with donuts, fruit, and immense good cheer.  Gretchen looks forward to our race date at CIS every year.  Also, throughout the day, we were favored with customer visits from the Little Crepe Cafe´, directly across the street.  Owner Jean-Dany loves the raceway, and a steady stream of customers made the scene, at various points.  Several other, wonderful friends came through, to check out the small-scale action.

Speaking of visitors, we were fortunate to have guest racers from the world of 1/24-scale Retro racing.  Dave Panich and Woody Hazelwood, co-directors of the NE Retro Racers (NERR) regional series, were on the track and showing some skeels.  Dave raced as part of the stable of MARC leader Paul Ryer, and Woody with Team Catfish.

Our first class of the day was G-Jets with vintage Can-Am bodies.  We decided to bring it for the second year in a row, and reward those who decided to do the work, and create realistic entries.  There were some very sharp-looking cars indeed, entered in this Concours d’ Elegance.

Again this year, Terry Ayer took the top beauty spot, with his Chaparral-white McLaren M8B, sporting a nicely turned-out, high wing!  Hakim Harris took second with his yellow Porsche 917/10, and Rob Hayes came in third with his Dan Gurney-piloted McLaren M20

For their efforts, each of the top three Concours entrants received their own fruit mini-pie from Petsi Pies, and had their photo taken with our smiling host.

We ran the G-Jet Can-Am round robin, nine racers, with the Sportsmen and Pros together.  Five minutes per lane.  Some very quick cars!  

Catfish Sr. took the checkered flag first, with his long-wheelbase, Dan Gurney #48 McLaren, with 194.15 laps. Neither the one-lap record, nor 20-minute lap total mark were broken today.  Rob was about 26.5 laps ahead of the Dr. John Pileggi, who had 177.40.  

In third, Tom Jahl cleared Paul Crosby by about 4.5 laps. Then came 1/24 refugee Woody Hazelwood, Paul Ryer, NERR guy Dave Panich, Terry Ayer, Hakim Harris, Bruce Olson, Hal Pierce, and the estimable John Esposito, in his first race on the track.  This was the finishing order. For the Pros, Rob took top spot followed by John Pileggi, Tom Jahl, and Paul Ryer. In the Sportsman group, Paul Crosby took the top step on the podium followed by our NERR guests. Woody Hazelwood took second over third place finished Dave Panich. Bruce Olsen rounded out the Sportsman Podium.

After post-race tech, we began practice for our second programme of the day, Spec Racer, also known in some quarters as Spec Jet.  Pizzas from Harvard House arrived (pretty late), much hellacious munching ensued, and practice continued.  

Open Weight practice showed that some very fast cars were in the house.  There would be no rest for Catfish Sr.!  Practice completed, our round robin was set to begin, Sportsmen and Pros running together once more.

In the Pro column, Paul Ryer had created and tuned what appeared to be the fastest car on site that day.  He made Catfish Sr. work like an overnight fact-checker, back when we had such things.  It was a close, very fast race, with P. Ryer finishing a mere seven laps behind Catfish Sr., who totaled 208.41 laps to re-ascend the top step.  

Paul was seven back, but with a thirteen-lap margin over Dr. John.  Hakim was six laps behind John.  Then the two 1/24 cats, Woody Hazelwood and Dave Panich, John Esposito with a strong showing, Bruce Olson, and then a four-man skein of trouble:  Terry, Paul Crosby, Hal, and Tom Jahl each tasting some flavor of 1/60th scale misery. For the Pros, the podium was Rob Hayes, Paul Ryer, John Pileggi and Hakim Harris. The Sportsman podium was Woody Hazelwood, Dave Panich, John Esposito, and Hal Pierce.

When the overheated controllers were at last set aside, Apple, and Cherry pies were set about, and much happy eating ensued.

Thanks to everyone for making the trip, and for the laughs and great racing we shared.  I love hosting this race!  Dave Muse and Erik Eckhardt were late scratches, and we were sorry not to have them in attendance.

Our next, penultimate MARC championship race of the 2024-25 season will be Saturday, April 12, at LenJet.  First race of the day will be Open Weight, on the Shamrock Glen.  Then the programme will move to the Champion, for Spec Racer.

Thanks to everyone for coming to Captain Kirk’s Birthday!

– Rob Hayes