The Roebling Family Reunion
July 9-10, 2005

Picture Gallery from this event
Photos by Linda Hester
(except for this picture, something about heights)

The Alabama Region may have thought the big deal in Savannah last weekend was the racing, or maybe even hurricane Dennis looming on the southwestern horizon. The racing was fun and Dennis caused officials to shorten sessions on Sunday, but the greatest event at Roebling Road Raceway was the Chattanooga road racer “family reunion” in the east paddock. No less than ten speed demons gathered, undaunted by the steambath heat, to race, crew, work, and lend each other moral support.
 

2005 Races

November
   ARRC
July
   Road Atlanta
   Roebling Road
June
   Lowes
April
   Roebling Road
Feburary
   Road Atlanta
   Roebling Road

<< Older            Newer >>
 

In attendance were (in no particular order): Chuck Fullgraf, Vesa Silegren, Will Perry (all ITC), Efren Ormaza (G Prod), Michael Hartberger (Spec Miata), Dave Hester (American Sedan), Rusty White (SPO), Anthony Henderson (Formula Vee), John Leigh and Dwight Floyd (both SPU). Also paddocked near the back forty were honorary Chattanoogans Joe and Susan Clayburn (Spec Miata).

Bill Perry was an SOM, while Art Thompson, newbie Charlton Wiggins, Misty Henderson, Gail Perry, Theresa Silegren and Jamie Hamilton all crewed. Linda Hester served as the official region photographer.

Art says there was only one other time that he can remember so many racing nuts getting together, at an event in Road Atlanta years ago. All the drivers did very well, having relatively few car problems and solid showings in the points standings.

Vesa took his new CRX out for its first high speed spin and seemed happy with the car’s overall performance. He and fellow ITC’er Chuck Fullgraf showed off with some dicey competition for third place in Saturday’s race. Chuck nailed a perfect inside pass under Vesa in turn #5, only to find that once Vesa got back around, the door was not opening again. Chuck’s comment: “Vesa sure learns fast.”

Will battled traffic to catch Derek Ketchie’s ITC Scirocco in both group five races, only to wrestle with traffic on Sunday and never quite catch the guy. Anthony did spectacularly well in his first try on Roebling Road with his new Caracal Vee and learned the value of a long gear box for Roebling’s very, very long front straight.

Efren made it through both races before losing a cylinder on the last lap Sunday, but Dwight Floyd wasn’t quite so lucky. After qualifying on Saturday, he blew his engine in the paddock before the race. Rusty White, however, seems to have gotten the hang of hanging in there. It’s nice to see you finishing races on a regular basis, Rusty.

The heat got to everyone, with some people going through three or four t-shirts a day. Fortunately, nobody succumbed to the weather, except maybe Anthony, who learned a few of the farming lines in turns 4 and 5. As usual, the Perry’s opened up their comfy motor home for people to come cool off, but on Saturday night, a circle of bench racers could be found outside, reliving the day’s events in true family reunion style.

Charlton, the new guy who jumped right in with lug wrench and duck tape, said it best: “I’ve never met a warmer bunch of people. I felt right at home.”

-- Art Thompson
  

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