The 4th round of the AI/X/CMC NASA-SE regional championship was held the weekend of May 17-18, 2008 at Roebling Road just outside the beautiful and historic city of Savannah, GA.  Participation in both the AI and CMC classes was heavy which is a sign of how close the point standings are in each of the classes.

AI: Saturday qualifying took place right before lunch and it appeared the track was showing a lot more grip as times were slightly quicker than those posted in the morning practice session for most of the drivers.  Returning with a fresh engine rebuild and showing that his engine builder must have got it right, Chris DeSalvo was able to capture the pole position with a 1:21.277 in his Mustang.  Saturday’s race was basically clean with battles going on amongst different groups of racers.  When the checkered flew, DeSalvo crossed first with Landon Ball behind him in his Camaro and Ken Goldwasser, in his Mustang, rounding off the top three.  However, because of some on-track infractions, both DeSalvo and Ball were DQ’d.  This resulted in all finishing positions moving up two spots allowingGoldwasser to take the win, Rob Bodle to take the second spot in a Mustang, and rounding out the top three was rookie John Godfrey in a Mustang.  Honorable mention goes out to Brad Hurley who battled rear-end axle and differential issues up until late Friday night which he overcame and was able to practice, qualify, and race bringing home a forth place finish.  Way to go Brad! 

Sunday’s qualifying was clean with Goldwasser posting a hot lap of 1:22 flat to take the top spot.  However, both DeSalvo and Ball were only tenths behind which was going to setup a very interesting start for the race. Adding to that the fact that both DeSalvo and Ball had some redemption to claim in order to salvage they’re points standings, all of a sudden, Sunday’s race was gonna be interesting on how it all played out.  When the green flag dropped, Ball got an awesome start and jumped out in the lead with DeSalvo hot on his heels and Goldwasser right behind them with a front row seat.  After several laps, DeSalvo slipped past Ball and checked out.  It was now Goldwasser’s turn and after several more laps, some VERY close racing, and Ball’s tires going away, he also was able to get past Ball.  This is the way the race would end with DeSalvo taking the win, Godwasser in second, and Ball in third.  Unfortunately for Goldwasser, he was given a taste of what both DeSalvo and Ball experienced on Saturday and was DQ’d for passing under a yellow which shifted the finishing positions up by one.  Therefore, Ball ended up second, and Godfrey caught another break and finished third with the other racers bettering their finishing positions by one also. 

CMC: Saturday’s qualifying for the CMC group was clean and the veteran and hot shoe, Gregg Houseman, showed he was the man to beat laying down a lap of 1:24.378 in his Mustang.  As always, when the race went green, Houseman and his arch rival Pete Urbanski, once again went at each other swapping the lead back and forth and putting on a show for the spectators.  However, occasional NASA-SE racer and late entrant, Jerry McNeil, in a Mustang, was also there mixing it up on a track he had never driven.  Gary Recktenwald was hot on they’re heels in his Camaro but experienced yet another blown engine and would have to end early.When the checkered flew, Houseman would take it first with Urbanski and McNeil following close behind and rounding out the top three in those positions respectfully. The results for Sunday’s qualifying would end up like Saturday’s with Houseman securing the pole once again with a lap of 1:23.674.  When the green flag flew, Housemen checked out from the group and was never really challenged after that.  The race was for second with Urbanski and McNeil going at each other door to door as it was apparent that McNeil was getting dialed in on the line to take at Roebling Road!  After some very close racing the two got together in turn one which caused some minor damage to both race cars.  Urbanski’s day would have to end early as he experienced some front end issues after the contact.  McNeil was able to continue and set his sights on Houseman.  As the race wore on, it was obvious that McNeil was catching Houseman but whether he had enough laps left to catch him was the question.  Unfortunately, McNeil wouldn’t be able to find out as he lost it going into turn one and was unable to get his Mustang re-fired thus unable to finish under the checkered flag.  Therefore, Houseman would bring home another win with McNeil taking second and Urbanski third. 

Round 5 of the AI/X/CMC NASA-SE championship and next on the schedule will be held at the beautiful facility, Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, Jun 7-8.  As the point standings remain tight, this promises to bring yet another big race group which is the main ingredient for close and exciting racing!    

Respectfully submitted,

Ed McGuire

AI/X/CMC Director, NASA-SE AI #89