AI/X Race Report-April  2008

Great Lakes region season opener at Mid Ohio

Early April+ Mid Ohio =Snow?  Not this weekend.  The Snow held out except for a few flakes on Sunday afternoon with wet track conditions at 36 degrees.   We were glad to see one of our own strong AI advocates make it to the track after testing at Road Atlanta.  Jeff Feit is an Engineer with Ford who had a major role in the development of the HOT new Miller Cup FR500S.  Jeff Flew back to Columbus and drove up to mid Ohio where he left his 1990 mustang race car and hopped back in the saddle to compete.  Unfortunately Jeff lost third gear in practice and was not able to compete the rest of the weekend.  It is impressive to know that one of our own had such a major role in a factory built, dedicated Miller Cup race car series.

Elliott Fisher made the farthest journey from Southern California to race at one of his home tracks in Ohio.  Elliott Signed on a new sponsor this year called American Hot Rod Racer.  This is a new shopping mall concept where you build a RC race car and then race it.  Pretty cool concept to take the kids to have fun at entry level racing at the local mall.

Saturdays race started dry and ended on a damp track. The AIX Grid Started with Elliott Fisher on the pole followed by Wade Gagich waving the Chevy bow tie banner, Fred Fetzer in third.  Rusty Ferguson qualified fourth in his new bright blue AIX beast that had some mechanical problems. Rusty did however make the grid in a CMC car to get his points.   In AI Robin Burnett had the pole with Greg Walker in second and Steve Poe in third.  In the AI race Robin Burnett lead most of the race while keeping ahead of a FR500S Miller Cup car.  At the last corner before the finish Robin got loose and hit the tire wall pretty hard damaging his beautiful red Steeda Mustang.  Greg Walker finished first, followed by Steve Poe and Burnett in third.  AIX Field was won by Fred Fetser , Elliott Fisher 2nd , Wade Gagach 3rd and Rusty finished 4th.

Sundays Race Started in the rain and finished in the rain with a few flakes of snow in the air. These hardy drivers prevailed through water spray and foggy windshields. This was an exercise in survival and simply staying on track.  The AI and AIX fields were thin on Sunday.  AI was won by Steve Poe who started in the back.  Greg Walker finished second followed by Rookie/New comer Todd Rogers.  Todd successfully finished his competition license school on Friday and kept his new, well prepared 94 mustang on the track without incident all weekend.  Congratulations Todd on a successful first weekend.  Welcome to AI.  The AIX field was lead by Fred Fetser followed by Rusty who competed in a borrowed CMC mustang.  Wade Gagich finished in third in his Super Charged Camaro.

Next month the series heads to Putnam Park outside Indianapolis to put on an exciting show combined with the Midwest region in a dual regional show down.

Respectfully submitted,

Jay Andrew Great lakes AI/AIX director