Infineon race report

[Tony G]

CMC Race Report

 

Saturday, October 7th 2006

 

We were back in California at Infineon Raceway for the weekend of October 7th and 8th. The beautiful fall weather was in the high 70’s, low 80’s during the day which made for comfortable conditions in the paddock but cool suits were still in use by some racers.

 

We enjoyed another good turn out with 22 CMC racers registered for this event which would provide for some great competition. Jeff Bernard #31 joined CMC once again after taking leave from the racetrack for a year and he certainly brings excitement to the field. We also welcomed a new member to CMC, Terry McCarthy who was dialing in a new CMC2 car. Terry has been racing for years and has received many awards from several race groups. Welcome!

 

Greg Robinson also joined the group for the event and was helpful in assisting those with new radios. This was the first weekend using the radios and Greg acted as the safety broadcaster, announcing any on track safety issues to alert the drivers. Kyle Plum headed up the radio communication for Sunday’s race and did a fine job! The drivers with the radios found this communication to be very helpful and were convinced of the usefulness of this equipment. Safety First, Always!

 

The weekend schedule took a different turn due to the CMC races being slotted for the 5:00 hour. We generally try to stage the last race of the weekend in the 3:00 range so our racers don’t have to travel so late into the evening. The decision was made to use the practice session as the qualifying session on both Saturday and Sunday. There were 20 cars in the Saturday qualifying session.

 

First race of the weekend was at 12:20 and we had 22 cars lined up for a standing start. What a sight to see and these starts are definitely the favorite of the fans! Tony Guaglione was the pole setter with a qualifying time of 1:56.6 followed by James Griffith, Nick Steel, Jeff Bernard, Pat Stone and Team BAF. Carson Scheller and Steve Sparklin had contact going into turn 7 Carson was able to continue on to finish the race, Steve did not fare as well. Plum killed his car on the drop of the green flag and watched as the field blew by. He got the car restarted and rejoin the battle overtaking several cars before turn 2. Tony Guaglione and James Griffith were able to create a small gap from the pack and started a race long battle with James waiting for Tony to make one false. Tony held steadfast and won the race with James taking second. A tremendous battle raged on behind the leaders for the top 10 positions The finishing order for position 3 through 10 was: Pat Stone, Jeff Bernard, Jim Griffith, Terry McCarthy (FR), David Morin, Mike Donahoe, Mike Plum, and Nick Steel.

 

The second race on Saturday was at 5:10 and the weather continued to be sunny and warm. There were 21 racecars on the field and this inverted race began with a flying start. Tony Guaglione took over the safety broadcast duties and Greg Robinson jumped into Nick Steels car to fun run the race. Charles Weeks went off track in the esses at turn 8a and unfortunately collided with the concrete barrier and was unable to finish the race. The 76 car took a hard hit, but Charles was fortunately not physically injured. Mike Plum had a problem with his brakes and pulled off the track before finishing the race. Al Fernandez got loose on turn 2 thus regaining the Gopher Hunter title. The finishing results of this race were James Griffith as the winner followed by David Whitelaw, John Stahlman, Ed Hamilton, Jim Griffith, Mike Donahoe, Al Fernandez, Jeff Bernard, Kevin Margetta and Carson Scheller. Personal best finishes were recorded by Stahlman and Hamilton.

 

A Saturday night barbeque was graciously provided by NASA for all racers and their families. We had good food and great company so it was very much appreciated after our long day. There weren’t many of us staying in the paddock that lasted beyond the 9:00 hour.

 

Sunday October 8th

 

Qualifying was held during the 9:20 scheduled practice session. During this session Nick Steel and Steve Sparklin experienced mechanical problems which led both of them to miss the afternoon race.

 

The 12:20 standing start race had Jim Griffith at the pole. This race was a Tony Guaglione original line up. The top 8 cars from the qualifying session were inverted for the front of the field followed by the remaining cars. The line up for this 18 car flying start race was Jim Griffith at pole followed by Al Fernandez, Mike Plum, Jeff Bernard, James Griffith, Tony Guaglione, Pat Stone, Mike Donohoe, Dave Morin, Ed Hamilton, and Kevin Margetta. Polesitter Griffith had problems at the start causing the field to scramble around him, Jim quickly got going again and started his charge forward. The winner of this race was Tony Guaglione immediately followed by James Griffith who put on a great battle to try to catch Tony but again was not able to quite make it happen. Once again these two fine drivers pulled away from the other cars to run their tight competition. Jim Griffith placed third and was followed by Mike Donahoe, Mike Plum, Jeff Bernard, Pat Stone and Team BAF (FR). Team BAF campaigned a beautifully prepared CMC2 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am second to none in this event and provided evidence that the new class is alive and well.

 

As the weekend concluded most left with good memories. Others left with broken cars or disappointment with their results. Even so, we all keep coming back because we love to race and the added plus is that we have a great group of people! It’s each and every one of you that contribute to what CMC is and that’s what keeps us coming back. Thanks to all of you for making CMC what it is and for the terrific weekend!!!

Special thanks to Susie ( Mike Plums better half) for helping us with this report!!!

 

Your Directors:

 

Tony Guaglione

Mike Plum

Greg Robinson

Al Fernandez

 

 

 

 

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[Dean C Pedlar]

I am old friend of Jeff Bernard number 31 Have not been able to contact him we used to live next door to me in Petaluma He lives in Santa Rosa  my number 541 591 8760   if someone can relay this message I would appreciate it Dean Pedlar