Round 5- Hallett Writeup

Texas AI/CMC Heads to Hallett for Round 5
By Skip Smith

Round 5 NASA Texas was held June 17/18 at Hallet Motor racing circuit in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a favorite track for many of the 22 competitors whom entered.

A lower car count than usual started Fridays evening practice. John George in his new BIW Mustang encountered the same motor bugs similar to the last event ending his weekend early as did David Love, who broke a rear axle on the first lap of practice in his AIX Camaro.

With a tight points race in both AI and CMC on the line, a weekend of possible heavy showers did not stop David Armstrong's AIX Mustang to set the fastest practice lap (1:25.4) followed by Chris Marvel's AI Mustang, David Donovan's Mustang, Skip Smith's 05' Mustang, Chris Lyons and the rest of the American Iron field.

In CMC Jeff Burch and his Camaro posted a pole position of 1:30.3, ex-Miata driver Chris Burton driving the #9 Firebird second with a 1:31.X, 17 year old Scott Smith's Mustang third with a 1:32.2 and the remaining nine CMC competitors in hot pursuit.

The intensity increased in Qualifying with David Armstrong the pole sitter consistently at 1.25.1, AI's Chris Marvel 1:26.2 doing all the driving this weekend for the Pederson /Marvel team, Skip Smith 1:27.8, David Donovan 1:27.9, Colorado Region's RayBob Colman Camaro 1:29.5 and finally Tommy Schlenders.

Camaro Mustang Challenge's Jeff Burch commanded the pole in his Camaro with a 1:29.5, the quickest CMC lap of the weekend, followed by Corey Rueth in his Mustang, Chris Burton, Daron Cooke, Glenn Landrum, Gerald MacNeil (driving all the way from Louisiana), Scott Smith, Lewis Tanner and Steve Molder.

The rolling start of the first race was quickly dominated by AIX's David Armstrong, battling behind him Chris Marvel and David Donovan fought for AI position finishing first and second. Skip Smith chasing Donovan finished second in AIX. Chris Lyons hard charged his way thru the pack to third in AI after replacing a radiator which caused him to miss qualifying and start from the back. RayBob Coleman, Tommy Schender rounded out fourth and fifth followed by Robert King in the #42 Mustang. David Love driving the #55 CMC car in AIX DNF'ed.

In CMC, Jeff Burch led the race wire to wire followed by Corey Rueth and Chris Burton. Glenn Landrum's Camaro and Jerry Macneil's Mustang had a great battle for fourth and fifth respectfully. The Ginsberg/Cooke team settled for sixth, Lewis Tanner seventh. Micheal Mosty worked his way from last to eighth with Nicholas Runyan and Steve Mulder ninth and tenth. Scott Smith had mechanical troubles forcing a DNF on the 2nd lap.

Race 2, rolling inverted start based on Race 1 results, AI in front CMC rear. Jeff Burch in CMC along with Corey Rueth worked their way from the rear of the pack to first and second. On lap six Nicholas Runyon on the straight prior to turn ten, spun his Camaro into the tire barrier, landing with all four tires off the ground, forcing the remainder of the race to end under caution, Nick was alright and would return Sunday. Glenn Landrum and Jerry Macneil would move up two spots to third and fourth, Michael Mosty finished fifth up three spots, followed by the Ginsberg/Cooke Mustang, Chris Burton seventh, Lewis Tanner, Scott Smith ninth, Steve Mulder and Nicholas Runyon.

David Armstrong quickly moved to the front in American Iron, followed by Chris Lyons whom moved up from fourth and held off Chris Marvel until the caution. David Donavan finished third, Skip Smith fourth (second AIX) followed by RayBob Coleman, Tommy Schlender, David Love (third AIX) and Robert King.

Heavy showers threatening Saturday night didn't slow Sunday's AI Qualifying, as David Armstrong (1:25.0) again dominated the field, Team Marvel/Peterson second, David Donovan third, Skip Smith fourth followed by Chris Lyons, RayBob Coleman, Tommy Schlender and Robert King.

Jeff Burch again earned the pole position in CMC with a 1:30.3 followed by fellow bow-tie Glenn Landrum, Corey Rueth and Mitch Warren. Micheal Mosty would qualify fifth as the Ginsberg/Cooke team sixth, Scott Smith seventh, Lewis Tanner eight, Nicholas Runyon ninth, Steve Mulder and Robert Boudreaux cleared to start his first NASA race eleventh.

Race 3's standing start had David Armstrong and Skip Smith jumping to the lead, both AIX drivers would finish one/two. David Donovan and Chris Lyons were neck and neck swapping positions for many laps until Chris spun out on turn seven with the unintentional assistance of Mr. Donovan. Lyons eventually caught back up and passed David, who earned the nice-guy award for giving him back the position and attempting to race him for the win. Chris Lyons was able to hold off Donovan and take the win cleanly. Chris Marvel had fuel pump issues slowing him to a crawl but finishing the race for sixth. Third place and his first Texas podium went to RayBob Coleman, Tommy Schlender fourth and Robert King 5Th.

CMC action was highlighted by Micheal Mosty running alongside Daron Cooke and Jerry Macneil on lap 2, approaching turn 2 at over 100mph and losing his front brakes missing Daron by inches. Due to his quick thinking and reflexes, he missed both cars and flew over 100 yards with minimal car damage. Micheal was OK, but just a little wide-eyed.

Corey Rueth whom started third, worked his way to first followed by Glenn Landrum and Jeff Burch. These three entertained the crowd with some close/great racing. Mitch Warren started fourth and ended the same, Cooke/Ginsberg team fifth, Scott Smith spun out in lap 2 worked his way back to sixth, Robert Boudreaux from last to seventh for a great performance on his first race, Lewis Tanner seventh, Gerald Macneil eighth and Steve Mulder ninth. Nicholas Runyon was out with mechanical issues as Mosty was with his brake failure.

Race 4 inverted rolling start ended the weekend with a jam up on the start when Chris Marvel's fuel issues arose again. This allowed David Donovan to run away from the field and command a huge lead, Chris Lyons charged trying to catch the # 7 Mustang without success. On lap 2 David Armstrong was forced to go off track in turn 2 and damaged his car, ending his day. Skip Smith finished third (1st AIX) with RayBob Coleman fourth (his second AI podium 3rd place) Tommy Schlender fifth, Robert King and Chris Marvel limping for sixth and AI points.

CMC, Jeff Burch captured his third win for the weekend, Glenn Landrum second, Corey Rueth third and Scott Smith #78 Mustang fourth. Robert Boudreaux finished his second race with a fifth and hard fought battle with Scott, Gerald Macneil sixth, Lewis Tanner seventh the Cooke/Ginsberg team eighth, Steve Mulder ninth and Mitch Warren struggling with handling issues tenth. Nicholas Runyon completed 5 laps to DNF with mechanical problems.

The next round for NASA Texas is at Texas World Speedway in College Station on a cool Texas Aug 4Th weekend. Both points chases in AI and CMC are coming down to the wire and are very close indeed. This consistency of driver's Jeff Burch, Corey Rueth, Glenn Landrum and the rest of the CMC class will make the next two events very interesting. As the same with American Iron's Lyons, Donovan, Pederson/Marvel team, which are all a close points race with Matt White in the mix.