American Road Race of Champions
November 11-12, 2005

The twelfth annually running of the American Road Race of Champions was held on November 11-13 at Road Atlanta and six Chattanooga Region members entered. Michael Hartberger (SM), Vesa Silegren (ITC), Will Perry (ITC), Art Thompson (ITC), Carl Blevins (ITC), and Chuck Fullgraf (ITC). Over one-third of the ITC was made up from Chattanooga Region members.

Although cold during the night, the weather was magnificent for qualifying on Friday and the ARRC races on Saturday. Qualifying records and track records were regularly shattered throughout the weekend.

Michael Hartberger entered the Pro IT race as well as the ARRC. Michael complained that he was not running as quick as he was last July but he soldiered on to a 30th overall and 11th in class in the Pro IT. For the ARRC race, the Spec Miatas had their own group (48 starters) and they lived up to several of their nick names. We lost count after two full course yellows and a black flag all. The race ended two laps early based on exceeding the 40 minute time limit. Michael finished on the lead lap in 35th place.
 

2005 Races

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

<< Older            Newer >>
 

The ITC race continued its reputation as being a crowd pleaser. Chuck Reynolds from Cumming, GA, won the ITC pole with a 1:49, almost 2 seconds faster than the lap record. Vesa has gotten his new CRX dialed in and was the closest of the Chattanooga Region members to the front of the field and knocking at the 1:49 door. Will was also near the front, but a bit off the leader's qualifying pace. Chuck, Carl, and Art filled in the "also-qualified" positions at the rear of the field.

ITC was grouped with ITB and the chief steward declined to permit a split start. This proved to have an effect on the race. Will got hung up behind an ITB car at the start and fell from fourth to eighth place almost immediately. He battled back to finish fourth. Chuck Reynolds tangled with two ITB cars in turn 10. The incident forced him to retire by lap 5. The lead pack settled to Gareth Rebstock (Baton Rouge, LA), Vesa, Scott Giles (Leesburg, GA) and Scott Fruth (Ypsilanti, MI). The lead changes were frequent with one never quite sure who was going to come around in the lead. On lap 12, Scott Giles suffered a bit of brain fade while leading, slid out into the gravel trap in Turn 10A and got stuck (as the corner workers say "He's a keeper!"). At the checker, Vesa made a run at Gareth Rebstock coming down the hill and through Turn 12 but could only get his front bumper up next to Rebstock's car and had to settle for second. Scott Fruth finished third.

Chuck, Carl and Art were having their own battle at the rear of the pack. Bob Qualls (Madison, TN) was also in this group. Early in the race, in an over enthusiastic attempt to out brake Qualls going into Turn 10A, Chuck locked up the front wheels forcing him off the track and into the gravel trap. Chuck fortunately was able to power through the trap and continue but only after losing Carl and Qualls. Art, on Chuck's bumper at the time, followed Chuck through the gravel trap. Art claims he did so to avoid a collision should Chuck get sideways. Several of us wonder, though.

Carl continued on to finish 9th in class. Chuck, Art and Paul Spruell (Chamblee, GA) in an ITB Alfa raced for the remainder of the race. Chuck was 10th in class and Art finished 11th in class.

Bill Perry was kept busy through out the weekend on the SOM committee. Gail Perry, Jamie Hamilton, Ruth Cartlidge, and Teresa Silegren provided crew services, support and cheering section for the Rivergate team.

-- Chuck Fullgraf
 
  

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