The weekend started out with 18 pre-entries. We were missing some of regulars due to personal or job commitments. Hope to see them all at Thompson.
Friday started with both drivers’ school and open practice. The “chance of rain” forecast turned into a steady and heavy rain day. In the drivers’ school were Tom Kenney, Walter "Skip" Popiak, Justin Noble, John Bailey, Kevin O'Day. The five students took to the track in less than perfect conditions and all performed exemplary. Tom Kenney hit the ground running and looked good from the first session all through the weekend. Kevin O'Day had a very sharp looking D-13 in GULF colors but unfortunately was sidelined during the school with mechanical problems (clutch). Justin Noble who was already licensed looked good in the pouring rain. John Bailey was battling an ill handling Citation but did very well during the school. Walter Popiak driving the former Rob Zatz car just kept going faster all weekend as he got more comfortable in the car. These gentlemen raced like veterans and I am looking to see them all on track with us in the future.
The Instructors were Dennis Richardson Paul Faford, Tom Pape, John Petillo, Tyler Reynolds, Dave Reynolds, Nick Galuardi, Mark Saviet, and Jeff Swan Kudos to everyone who stood out in the monsoons and acted as observers.
Saturday morning saw an 8:15 am start as FV/F5 were Group 1. In the garage were many new Hoosiers stacked but not used as “rains” were definitely the call for qualifying. Turning fast time was Nicholas Galuardi, followed by Colin Lawrence looking for another cover picture of Pit Talk Magazine. An infrequent visitor to NHMS, but an experienced Vee driver was Guy Bellingham from Brantford, Ontario, turning 3rd fastest time. We welcomed back Kevin O’Hearn to the fold this year. We got some of the folks from the Majors circuit from last year running with us, including Guy Bellingham, Dan Grace, Andy Pastore & John Petillo, with Andy pulling his old friend - the #1 D-13 - out of storage and slapping on components to make a running car.
Qualifying
1. Nicholas Galuardi 1:27:46
2. Colin Lawrence 1:27:84
3. Guy Bellingham 1:29:21
4. John Ferreira 1:30:15
5. Andy Pastore 1:30:60
6. Tyler Reynolds 1:31:43
7. Dan Grace 1:33:53
8. John Petillo 1:34:38
9. Tom Kenney 1:35:59
10. Thomas Pape 1:35.62
11. Craig Swinehart 1:36:00
12. Kevin Ohearn 1:36:48
13. Justin Noble 1:36:85
14. Thomas Galuardi 1:38:06
15. Walter Popiak 1:42.17
Race 1, Saturday 1:00 PM
It was Sunny and we were able to race in the dry.
2013 reigning NER Champion Nick Galuardi was on pole. Once the race started, in the front group settled into Colin, Nick, Guy, Petillo and Tyler. Extremely tight racing. Unfortunately for Nick, ignition problems forced him out of the hunt for a win on lap 6 while leading (nice courteous move – not slowing the field in doing so), and forced him out of the hunt for a win. The issue was later found as a loose wire. We had four cars eventually running consistently in the low 1:16’s, quite unusual for a regional race at NHMS. After Nick dropped out Colin ran clean up front slicing through traffic in his usual impressive fashion.
In the 2nd group was Dan Grace, Andy and John F. (me). The 3 of us swapped positions for the first part of the race. Andy started to lead, I followed (me) and we gapped Dan about 4 car lengths. Andy was running a long box with a tall 3rd. He really did not have to shift into 4th. Amazing he could go that fast with that long box, but is he also very smooth and very consistent. I was able to get by Andy on the last lap, with Dan stalking both of us.
In the next group was Tom Galuardi and Kevin Ohearn (back with a new car after a couple of years off) who were busy both chasing Tom P, and battling each other. They battled all 15 laps with good clean and tight racing. Tom Pape maintained the gap and “Experience” prevailed with Tom Galuardi edging out Kevin.
Results for Race 1
1. Colin Lawrence 1:16:12
2. John Petillo 1:15:98 (fast time)
3. Guy Bellingham 1:16:08
4. Tyler Reynolds 1:16:99
5. John Ferreira 1:18:20
6. Andy Pastore 1:18:14
7. Dan Grace 1:18:74
8. Thomas Pape 1:21:95
9. Tom Galuardi 1:22:01
10. Kevin Ohearn 1:22:33
11. Craig Swinehart 1:22:27
12. Tom Kenney 1:21:49
13. Walter Popiak 1:23.24
14. Justin Noble 1:24:01
15. Nicholas Galuardi 1:16:17
Race 2, Sunday 8:21 AM
Sunny, but cool.
In this race it was John P. on pole. Up front, the same 5 were at it again, and again it was anyone’s race. Tyler and Colin swapped the lead for the first third of the race, Guy and Petillo swapped the lead during the middle third and Nick tracked down Guy at the end of the race to take the victory. John Petillo recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 1:15.3, with all of the top 5 having fast laps in the 1:15's. The times were surprisingly low given the amount of lead swapping and the tightness of the group. Tyler reported a slipping clutch – caught on tape – and still pulling 15’s!
The next 3 were caught between the two big groups. Andy went quicker, I had a slipping clutch due to a rear main leak, and Dan was chasing both of us.
In the 2nd group, they were having a real good battle of their own. This time it was a 3 car battle with Tom P, Tom G and Kevin making it exciting as they raced side by side through the oval. Tom Pape had an incident with the NHMS wall 3 laps from the end. Bent drum, but that was replaced for Race #3. Tom Kenney did a slow spin a few laps from the end.
Results for Race 2
1. Nicholas Galuardi 1:15.68
2. Guy Bellingham 1:15.64
3. John Petillo 1:15:34 (fast time – AGAIN!)
4. Tyler Reynolds 1:15:53
5. Colin Lawrence 1:15:90
6. Andy Pastore 1:17:22
7. John Ferreira 1:19:07
8. Dan Grace 1:19:32
9. Tom Galuardi 1:20:84
10. Tom Kenney 1:20:71
11. Craig Swinehart 1:20:91
12. Walter Popiak 1:24:67
13. Kevin Ohearn 1:20:36
14. Thomas Pape 1:20:30
Race 3, Sunday 13:09
We had Nick on pole. Pretty intense start and it stayed that way until the end. Colin lost the clutch cylinder down shifting into turn 3 on lap 3. The battle up front intensified with Guy Bellingham leading most of the race. There was position swapping once or twice each lap. Petillo took the lead for a few laps and then Guy got it back, and then Petillo and then Guy. The fighting up front was fierce and the pace slowed as a result. Then again Petillo took the lead, then Guy, and then Nick took second from Petillo. We found we were now a pack of five again at the front as John F. worked his way forward to join the fray. With 2-to-go, things got very intense as everyone wanted position 1 and 2 for the final lap.
Final lap and it was double rows going into Turn 3. Tyler took third from Petillo and then second from Nick momentarily with a great drafting move as we approached turn three. Up the hill and down into the bowl it was Ferreira all the way to the left with 2 wheels on the grass, Petillo in the middle and Tyler on the far right glued to Nick’s bumper and Guy protecting the low line. Nick took back second and Petillo took third up the hill and into turn six with Tyler fourth and Ferreira trading paint. It was anyone’s race. Nick took the lead out of turn six, with Guy second, and Tyler taking back third from Petillo at the same time. Guy got first place back from Nick going into turn nine, and they all behaved and single-field through turn nine (not a friendly place to be two by two) – probably the slowest turn nine on record as everyone wanted to stay on the track. With the traffic jam in nine, Nick took advantage with a strong exit and made a bid for first going into the last turn, but there was not enough room and he was squeezed into the dirt – keeping his position but losing a little momentum. Tyler then took advantage and made a dash to the line out of turn twelve getting side by side with Nick but still a nose behind with Petillo looking for a place to pass. John Ferreira had fast lap of the race with a 1:16.36.
Tom, Kevin, and Tom were joined by newcomer and another Tom (Kenney) to make it a four car race! Intense, clean driving, and more side by side racing through the oval. Tom Galuardi worked hard to fend off newcomer Tom Kenney for the seventh position. Tom Kenney was happy with his first race weekend and thrilled he wasn't lapped by the Vee leaders. Kevin racing hard spun with one to go.
Results for Race 3
1. Guy Bellingham 1:16:75
2. Nicholas Galuardi 1:16:89
3. Tyler Reynolds 1:16:47
4. John Petillo 1:16:94
5. John Ferreira 1:16.36 (fast time)
6. Dan Grace 1:18:99
7. Tom Galuardi 1:21:64
8. Tom Kenney 1:21:57
9. Andy Pastore 1:18:15
10. Thomas Pape 1:21:33
11. Kevin Ohearn 1:21:41
12. Walter Popiak 1:24:46
13. Craig Swinehart 1:21:05
14. Colin Lawrence 1:17:00
Final Note; The “rookies” did a great job. Race report from the flaggers noted they held their line, obeyed all the flags and got quicker as the weekend progressed. (Too quick for rookies…):):)
john
Friday started with both drivers’ school and open practice. The “chance of rain” forecast turned into a steady and heavy rain day. In the drivers’ school were Tom Kenney, Walter "Skip" Popiak, Justin Noble, John Bailey, Kevin O'Day. The five students took to the track in less than perfect conditions and all performed exemplary. Tom Kenney hit the ground running and looked good from the first session all through the weekend. Kevin O'Day had a very sharp looking D-13 in GULF colors but unfortunately was sidelined during the school with mechanical problems (clutch). Justin Noble who was already licensed looked good in the pouring rain. John Bailey was battling an ill handling Citation but did very well during the school. Walter Popiak driving the former Rob Zatz car just kept going faster all weekend as he got more comfortable in the car. These gentlemen raced like veterans and I am looking to see them all on track with us in the future.
The Instructors were Dennis Richardson Paul Faford, Tom Pape, John Petillo, Tyler Reynolds, Dave Reynolds, Nick Galuardi, Mark Saviet, and Jeff Swan Kudos to everyone who stood out in the monsoons and acted as observers.
Saturday morning saw an 8:15 am start as FV/F5 were Group 1. In the garage were many new Hoosiers stacked but not used as “rains” were definitely the call for qualifying. Turning fast time was Nicholas Galuardi, followed by Colin Lawrence looking for another cover picture of Pit Talk Magazine. An infrequent visitor to NHMS, but an experienced Vee driver was Guy Bellingham from Brantford, Ontario, turning 3rd fastest time. We welcomed back Kevin O’Hearn to the fold this year. We got some of the folks from the Majors circuit from last year running with us, including Guy Bellingham, Dan Grace, Andy Pastore & John Petillo, with Andy pulling his old friend - the #1 D-13 - out of storage and slapping on components to make a running car.
Qualifying
1. Nicholas Galuardi 1:27:46
2. Colin Lawrence 1:27:84
3. Guy Bellingham 1:29:21
4. John Ferreira 1:30:15
5. Andy Pastore 1:30:60
6. Tyler Reynolds 1:31:43
7. Dan Grace 1:33:53
8. John Petillo 1:34:38
9. Tom Kenney 1:35:59
10. Thomas Pape 1:35.62
11. Craig Swinehart 1:36:00
12. Kevin Ohearn 1:36:48
13. Justin Noble 1:36:85
14. Thomas Galuardi 1:38:06
15. Walter Popiak 1:42.17
Race 1, Saturday 1:00 PM
It was Sunny and we were able to race in the dry.
2013 reigning NER Champion Nick Galuardi was on pole. Once the race started, in the front group settled into Colin, Nick, Guy, Petillo and Tyler. Extremely tight racing. Unfortunately for Nick, ignition problems forced him out of the hunt for a win on lap 6 while leading (nice courteous move – not slowing the field in doing so), and forced him out of the hunt for a win. The issue was later found as a loose wire. We had four cars eventually running consistently in the low 1:16’s, quite unusual for a regional race at NHMS. After Nick dropped out Colin ran clean up front slicing through traffic in his usual impressive fashion.
In the 2nd group was Dan Grace, Andy and John F. (me). The 3 of us swapped positions for the first part of the race. Andy started to lead, I followed (me) and we gapped Dan about 4 car lengths. Andy was running a long box with a tall 3rd. He really did not have to shift into 4th. Amazing he could go that fast with that long box, but is he also very smooth and very consistent. I was able to get by Andy on the last lap, with Dan stalking both of us.
In the next group was Tom Galuardi and Kevin Ohearn (back with a new car after a couple of years off) who were busy both chasing Tom P, and battling each other. They battled all 15 laps with good clean and tight racing. Tom Pape maintained the gap and “Experience” prevailed with Tom Galuardi edging out Kevin.
Results for Race 1
1. Colin Lawrence 1:16:12
2. John Petillo 1:15:98 (fast time)
3. Guy Bellingham 1:16:08
4. Tyler Reynolds 1:16:99
5. John Ferreira 1:18:20
6. Andy Pastore 1:18:14
7. Dan Grace 1:18:74
8. Thomas Pape 1:21:95
9. Tom Galuardi 1:22:01
10. Kevin Ohearn 1:22:33
11. Craig Swinehart 1:22:27
12. Tom Kenney 1:21:49
13. Walter Popiak 1:23.24
14. Justin Noble 1:24:01
15. Nicholas Galuardi 1:16:17
Race 2, Sunday 8:21 AM
Sunny, but cool.
In this race it was John P. on pole. Up front, the same 5 were at it again, and again it was anyone’s race. Tyler and Colin swapped the lead for the first third of the race, Guy and Petillo swapped the lead during the middle third and Nick tracked down Guy at the end of the race to take the victory. John Petillo recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 1:15.3, with all of the top 5 having fast laps in the 1:15's. The times were surprisingly low given the amount of lead swapping and the tightness of the group. Tyler reported a slipping clutch – caught on tape – and still pulling 15’s!
The next 3 were caught between the two big groups. Andy went quicker, I had a slipping clutch due to a rear main leak, and Dan was chasing both of us.
In the 2nd group, they were having a real good battle of their own. This time it was a 3 car battle with Tom P, Tom G and Kevin making it exciting as they raced side by side through the oval. Tom Pape had an incident with the NHMS wall 3 laps from the end. Bent drum, but that was replaced for Race #3. Tom Kenney did a slow spin a few laps from the end.
Results for Race 2
1. Nicholas Galuardi 1:15.68
2. Guy Bellingham 1:15.64
3. John Petillo 1:15:34 (fast time – AGAIN!)
4. Tyler Reynolds 1:15:53
5. Colin Lawrence 1:15:90
6. Andy Pastore 1:17:22
7. John Ferreira 1:19:07
8. Dan Grace 1:19:32
9. Tom Galuardi 1:20:84
10. Tom Kenney 1:20:71
11. Craig Swinehart 1:20:91
12. Walter Popiak 1:24:67
13. Kevin Ohearn 1:20:36
14. Thomas Pape 1:20:30
Race 3, Sunday 13:09
We had Nick on pole. Pretty intense start and it stayed that way until the end. Colin lost the clutch cylinder down shifting into turn 3 on lap 3. The battle up front intensified with Guy Bellingham leading most of the race. There was position swapping once or twice each lap. Petillo took the lead for a few laps and then Guy got it back, and then Petillo and then Guy. The fighting up front was fierce and the pace slowed as a result. Then again Petillo took the lead, then Guy, and then Nick took second from Petillo. We found we were now a pack of five again at the front as John F. worked his way forward to join the fray. With 2-to-go, things got very intense as everyone wanted position 1 and 2 for the final lap.
Final lap and it was double rows going into Turn 3. Tyler took third from Petillo and then second from Nick momentarily with a great drafting move as we approached turn three. Up the hill and down into the bowl it was Ferreira all the way to the left with 2 wheels on the grass, Petillo in the middle and Tyler on the far right glued to Nick’s bumper and Guy protecting the low line. Nick took back second and Petillo took third up the hill and into turn six with Tyler fourth and Ferreira trading paint. It was anyone’s race. Nick took the lead out of turn six, with Guy second, and Tyler taking back third from Petillo at the same time. Guy got first place back from Nick going into turn nine, and they all behaved and single-field through turn nine (not a friendly place to be two by two) – probably the slowest turn nine on record as everyone wanted to stay on the track. With the traffic jam in nine, Nick took advantage with a strong exit and made a bid for first going into the last turn, but there was not enough room and he was squeezed into the dirt – keeping his position but losing a little momentum. Tyler then took advantage and made a dash to the line out of turn twelve getting side by side with Nick but still a nose behind with Petillo looking for a place to pass. John Ferreira had fast lap of the race with a 1:16.36.
Tom, Kevin, and Tom were joined by newcomer and another Tom (Kenney) to make it a four car race! Intense, clean driving, and more side by side racing through the oval. Tom Galuardi worked hard to fend off newcomer Tom Kenney for the seventh position. Tom Kenney was happy with his first race weekend and thrilled he wasn't lapped by the Vee leaders. Kevin racing hard spun with one to go.
Results for Race 3
1. Guy Bellingham 1:16:75
2. Nicholas Galuardi 1:16:89
3. Tyler Reynolds 1:16:47
4. John Petillo 1:16:94
5. John Ferreira 1:16.36 (fast time)
6. Dan Grace 1:18:99
7. Tom Galuardi 1:21:64
8. Tom Kenney 1:21:57
9. Andy Pastore 1:18:15
10. Thomas Pape 1:21:33
11. Kevin Ohearn 1:21:41
12. Walter Popiak 1:24:46
13. Craig Swinehart 1:21:05
14. Colin Lawrence 1:17:00
Final Note; The “rookies” did a great job. Race report from the flaggers noted they held their line, obeyed all the flags and got quicker as the weekend progressed. (Too quick for rookies…):):)
john
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