lakeland

[Fox]

can anyone fill us in on the lakeland race?

looked like a good turnout from the pics.

whats up with uncle Bud trying to drive backwards?

Thanks,
Jay

[Ascencio Racing]

from BRF website....

First, on the spectacular flip.....Chuck Unkle in Mod-U was coming down to turn 2 off the start and was near the lead when all of a sudden it went up HIGH and then snap-flipped over twice and landed capsule side down. It was a bad, bad wreck and we were all hoping he was ok. He hit so hard that his helmet came off!!!! The capsule canopy disintegrated, the dash broke away, and he was trapped inside with debris in his lap (couldn't get to his buckles because of the debris). Luckily, his air supply broke away from the helmet due to the impact and he found his air in the water after he took a full swig of Lake Hollingsworth lake water.

He was definitely at the limit speed-wise. He was conscious but complaining of lower back pain. They took him to the hospital and he was released this morning in A LOT of pain.

I talked to him today (man is he a tough guy) and he said he fractured his T-12 vertebrate but won't need surgery and should be ok to get back in the boat in 3 - 4 weeks.


Now for the racing action.....the BEST OPC class of Saturday was SST45 (gee, I wonder why?).

The first 6-lap heat had me, Jose Jr., Blair Pontek, and Joe (dang I can't remember his last name...Addiego I think) neck and neck, changing positions the ENTIRE 6 laps. I think EVERYONE of us led a lap that heat. I could get a good run on them down the straights (heck any monkey can floor it and go) but they killed me in the corners (ok, I killed myself as this was my first race in a 45 and obviously need more race time but I got better, more on that later). Coming down the front stretch on the final lap ANYONE of us could have won. We were all that tight!!!! Jose Jr. won with me taking second. Now, the only reason I took second was Blair had a boat length on me but for some reason, he let up about 50 feet from the finish line and I passed him for 2nd. He ended up 3rd. Joe 4th.

The second heat was more of the same for me. I could get real close to the front down the straights but I hooked a corner once and they got too far away for me to catch them. Finishing order was Jose Jr., Blair, Joe, and then me. Good day for my first race in this boat.

On Sunday, we had one 12-lap final. I learned a lot on Saturday and changed a few things including my prop. Even though I had good top end, we were running a LONGGGGGGGGG course and I had another prop that had better top end for a long course and worked better in the corners too.

The start had me taking it to them and I took the first corner in the lead. But just like Saturday, 'ole hookem here lost a lot of momentum and Jose Jr. got by me. I spent the next 5 -7 laps on his rear end and then I was going to cross over (inside to out) behind him down the back stretch to try for a pass and I learned what it is like to "climb a roostertail!!!!!" Haha. That was an experience I will learn from IMMENSELY!!! If any of you haven't experienced that, you should try it sometime. It is kind of like Parker pulling a wheelie at 85mph!!!! Anyway, I didn't let off. I started bumping the trim down, nothing. Bumped down again, nothing - still airborne. After the third bumpdown of the trim with no change in boat attitude I had to let off to get it back. Unfortunately, that gave Jose Jr. the 7 boat lengths he need to get me off his back. So, I spent the last 5 laps of the race just following his line learning how he takes corners to better myself. I could get close, but never close enough to challenge him for the win. I came in 2nd, Blair 3rd, Joe 4th, and David 5th.

Not too bad for my first race!!! I mean Jose Jr., Blair, and Joe are some of the best drivers out there with years of experience. Hell, Jose Jr. is the 2-time defending National Champion in SST45. To be in his area code told me I have good equipment (thanks Rob Dinic) and enough brains to keep it in tact a whole race!!!

We had 7 45's there, but in the first heat on Saturday Ara Sergian and Bud Nolin tangled heading for the commitment buoy and their day, weekend, race ended 200 feet off the beach. It sucked really bad. I know they put a lot of time and energy in this sport and to end like that just isn't fun. I was looking forward to running with both of those guys to learn and see how I stack up against some of the best and seasoned guys.

The best OPC class on Sunday was a toss up or maybe a tie for me. Both Mod-U and SST120 were in a word, SPECTACULAR. In Mod-U, Terry Rinker came from 3rd to put the hammer down and take the win. In SST120, Rob Dinic left the beach from the pole and ran a FLAWLESS race to take the win. I cannot remember his name but he runs the red Revolution SST120 (from Texas, I think?) came in second and he was all over Rob's *** the whole race. He was pissed when he put it on the trailer, but Rob didn't make a mistake the entire race. If he had, the #9 Revolution would have won.

Anyway, great first race of the year!!! If I met you there, please let me know as I don't remember much from being a little hyped up at my first race. I appreciate the comaraderie from all the other drivers and spectators there, whether they were OPC guys/gals or Stock Division guys/gals. Also, thanks to the race promoters, referees, safety dive team, and all those involved (yes, including Jeff Reno yelling at me to get out of the boat ramp area even though I had to get weighed because I took 2nd in the final) for a great, great event. Next year is already scheduled for March 6 - 7 so put it on your calendars now.

I met Fish. I do remember that. He was there taking pictures. Hopefully, he has some for us to see.

Thanks,

Steve.




I spoke to Bud. 7 45's (2 lasted 500 yards and went home. no testing available.... ouch)
as far as opc is concerning 9 120's and 13 mod u. and a few 60's. With turnouts like that, throw in 30 min of open practice and I will be there. i love racing but 14 hr drive for 24 laps..... mama would put me on the couch for a few nights.

[RabidGatorFan]

Hey Ruben. That was my synopsis from BRF. I posted it on Scream and Fly too, so I thought that was enough.

There was practice on Friday. It was at Banana Lake in Lakeland, not Lake Hollingsworth. This is the normal MO for Lakeland. Maybe Washburn or Burkhardt know why Lake Hollingsworth isn't closed on Friday for open practice. That would help a bunch.

There really is no time on Saturday or Sunday for open practice as the schedule is just too packed with both OPC, Stock Outboard, and the Inboards running their classes. It would greatly take away from the Lakeland race if you cut some of the schedule out, so that is really not a possibility.

Thanks,

Steve.