From the Seat!

Let's get right down to it. To those that didn't come to the IRP event because you didn't hear that the backwards idea was scrapped, (Pay attention) or you thought it was too rough (the south end was re-paved as reported here a year ago) or due to some peculiar political agenda, you blew it! Great weather (OK it was pretty cool on Friday!) and some really great racing went on. There is a very long history of kart racing at this historic facility and I for one would like to see it continue. Ahh, I can see it now. The IRP Fall Classic presented by ????

OK, OK! IRP was cool and even a little damp late in the day on Friday but the Notorious Gooseman (?) and I put "Lucille" through her paces and by days end we were absolutely on the pace. After late afternoon rain ended the festivities (The only time all year for the Gooseman and I) we were content to ready for Raceday.

Saturday dawned clear and warmer and the track continued to improve as the day went on. While it was cool on Friday the dragster tracks were amazingly slick but as the track temperature rose much of the slickness went away. First round of practice was used to scuff in "Lucille's" new set of shoes. Second round was qualifying and "Lucille" bared her teeth with a personal best time. Frankly we were amazed that we only qualified 4th out of 42 total entries with Clayton Prater, Ross Kasner and protege Ben Smith lining up in front.

Race time! The high-speed nature of IRP indicated a drafting battle would take place and we were not disappointed. Making a very nice start we were in the mix from the get go. Myself along with Prater, TJ Koutney, Kasner, Tim Barnard, Mark Barth and seemingly a cast of thousands began a classic drafting battle with nobody able to stay in the lead for long. On and on the battle raged swapping positions over and over at more than 100 mph. Three to go was the signal from ace flagman Earl Clements and the battle roared on. Two to go says Earl and the battle raged on. Earl's white flag comes out for the last lap and the battle intensified. Seven cars slide into the last corner and come out in single file like a 28-wheeled snake. At the last possible moment the entire pack exploded as we charged for the waving checkered flag filling the track nearly from wall to wall. Heads down and charging we blasted under Earl's flag across the ill defined finish line. Only the AMB scoring system knew for sure. Clayton Prater was declared the winner (again!) and yours truly 6th only .043 out of the lead. WHEW!

Sunday morning dawned dry, clear and much warmer. It was time to get down to business. (Cue the theme music from Jaws again).

One short round of practice and time to qualify. "Lucille" was in rare form and after the report came out this writer was on the Pole (Blaring Trumpets!) with a half-second edge over outside pole man Prater. The 125s were the first race of the day and the affable Gooseman (?) went to work prepping the car for the race. Race time rolled around quickly and I was truly surprised by the accolades from my peers that I received for my pole run. Thank you.

Nevertheless the draft would be king once again. The sun was beaming brightly as I led the pack around on the warm up lap. Settling into position I watched Earl for the signal that the pack was in position. Earl raised his hand in the five seconds to go signal and the sound of over forty 125s rose to a crescendo. Earls flag hand began to move and I was gone. Making one of my better starts I led off the line only to get drafted past as we entered turn one. Most of the same characters were in the lead draft with Ben Smith and OJ Wharton joining in for good measure. "Lucille" was flexing her muscles as I happily exploited a small top end advantage and led across the line on a frequent basis. Looking for a tactical advantage on about the fifth lap I held back just a bit going onto the front straight crossing the line 6th that lap but using my top end power and the huge draft of five cars I blasted into the lead just as my top end edge was at its best. I screamed by into the lead and trying to make a break for it I ducked behind the steering wheel and wailed through turns one through five. "Lucille" was running free and her mighty Honda engine was bellowing a mighty tune. All for naught as halfway down the fast back chute at IRP six cars drafted by absolutely bumper to bumper. "#*%#@*#" I muttered in my helmet.

It was like déjà vu all over again with a 100 mph shootout shaping up for the run to the end. Like many drafting battles the pace slowed the last couple of laps with no one wanting the sitting duck position at the front of the line. Mr. Clements white flag signaled the money lap.

The bobbing and weaving lead draft roared around the two mile IRP road course and as we entered turn twelve the pace slowed even more. At the last possible second I lunged "Lucille" into fourth place going into the last turn and the run for the flag commenced. I intended to go with Prater when the pack fanned out but as I made my move I saw Prater bounce off the side of one of the Barths (Joe? Daniel?) and decided instead to go with OJ. As I slingshotted out of OJ's draft Prater did the same to me. Nearly three abreast we flashed across the line with Wharton coming out on top and somehow Prater edging me by .0004.

Less than four tenths seperated first from eighth place. A special mention has to go to young Ben Smith who not only stayed in the lead draft with a bunch of veterans, but won the SKUSA S1 race later in the day. Good run Ben. Racing doesn't get any better than that. In my mind we were all winners. This was maybe the best racing that I have seen all year and I hope it is not our last round at IRP. If this race is on the 2004 schedule it should be on a must do list for any serious midwestern road racer.

Team Rapid Racing's next stop is Mid-Ohio next weekend. The Race is Never Over.

Till next time Race Hard, Race Safe and God Bless America!

"When in doubt, gas it. It won't help but it ends the suspense."