pederb Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 The first race of the season for the American Iron and American Iron Extreme West Coast Series got its start at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, Ca. The day was clear and sunny with temperatures in the mid 70’s. For this event, the number of competitors was lighter than usual as several teams were still working on their cars before bringing them out to run for the 2008 season. Both series have several new cars in the process of being completed and we anticipate some intense competition this year. Contingency sponsors for the series are still being finalized, however at this time we have confirmed Toyo, Maximum Motorsports, and Agent 47 Racing. In attendance for the first race were #34 Bryan MacMillan from the Norcal Region, #46 Hal Massey, who plans on flying in from Colorado to compete in the series, #17 Team JMC Motorsports drivers Keith Parker and John Deluz from San Diego, and, for his first rookie race in the AI Series, #81 John Wheeler from the SoCal Region. In American Iron Extreme, we welcome 2 new drivers for the season, the enthusiastic rookie Michael Hall in his #10 Red and Black 1995 Mustang, and the always smiling Andy Steyn, our newcomer from Nevada in his #9 Fox Body Mustang running his first race on his provisional license. Saturday qualifying went well in American Iron with Team JMC Motorsports posting top time followed by rookie John Wheeler. In American Iron Extreme, rookie Michael Hall placed top time while #10 Andy Steyn suffered a broken throttle cable after the 1st lap forcing him back in to the pits. The race was a flying start with the cars from both AI and AIX on the grid together based on their qualifying times. John Deluz took the pole in the AI #17 Team JMC Motorsports Fox body with AIX #10 rookie Michael Hall in second position. AI #81 Wheeler was in third followed by AI #46 Massey, AI #34 MacMillan and AIX #9 Steyn would bring up the back due to his breakdown during qualifying. The entire AI field of drivers would see a complete turn around by the end of the race. As the flag dropped and the motors roared, Bryan MacMillan made a spectacular pass through turn one flying by both Massey and Wheeler. AI #17 Team JMC Motorsports held the lead in their class until an unfortunate off road excursion in turn nine which gave #34 MacMillan the opportunity to take over the first place position. #81 Wheeler chased down MacMillan battling for a chance to take over the lead, but in the second to last lap he pulled into the pits, later reporting to us it was due to an overwhelming feeling of nausea. #46 Massey closed in, but MacMillan drove hard defending his position and finishing with his first ever American Iron win! In the AIX race #9 Andy Steyn came in after a couple of laps due to a mechanical failure, leaving AIX #10 Hall to win the race. Hall, however, was unable to complete his victory lap due to a loss of oil pressure forcing him to shut down immediately after crossing the finish line, and ending his weekend. Congratulations to AI 1st place #34 MacMillan, and 2nd place #46 Massey and our AIX 1st place #10 rookie Michael Hall. Saturday night the group got together for pizza and drinks, sharing their stories from the day as well as getting to know new AI west coast series director Vicky Griffin. The Sunday race was looking good with another flying start with #34 MacMillan on pole after a blazing 2:01.8 qualifying time. The race was nearly finished before the drivers completed their first lap. A Mazda GT car crashed at the exit of turn 15 rendering the car inoperable and the field was brought to a full stop after another Mazda crashed into the disabled car. Thanks to the quick work of NASA’s safety team, the race was eventually restarted. The #17 Team JMC Motorsports driver Keith Parker made a great pass on MacMillan shortly after the restart and the field remained steady with JMC Motorsports taking the checker flag followed by #34 MacMillan, #81 Wheeler, and #46 Massey in American Iron. In American Iron Extreme, provisional driver Andy Steyn kept it clean for his first official win taking the checker flag for the AIX West race. We are looking forward to the rest of the drivers being ready for what should be a spectacular weekend at Infineon Raceway on April 12 & 13. Vicky Griffin West Coast AI/AIX Series Director Quote
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