Friday in Tonawanda! The teams went to dinner as a group this evening (Buffalo wings in Buffalo!) to discuss and compare notes on the race format for the weekend. So far we have ten big block engines in the pits ready to race. Here's a quick rundown of who is here...
Watch for more information from the event tomorrow! Saturday in
Tonawanda! First report of the day: Joe Frauenheim is walking the banks, 20 feet above the Niagara River, in Tonawanda, looking at the 14 Big Blocks who have arrived, and observing that there are more lined up to come in the gates. This is a brand new site, with new asphalt drive and bike path. There is new grass, and there are new Pits and new Docks. This is on a long, straight section of the River. I also spoke with Carl Haas and Java…and they are echoing the good reports of the course. It has rained this AM, but is clear, and cloudy now. 65-70 degrees and 5 mph wind. They have 3 cranes in, they are setting the buoys and the River is flat. Great for a day of racing. The Drivers' meeting is scheduled for 10 AM (now) . Tony Stalder, GNH Chairman, Ken Brodie, Sr., GP Chairman and UL President Joe are meeting and hope to use the Detroit Plan—to run together. They are still doing boat count and may have to modify the plan(s) as scheduling and number of boats are set. The Race Committee expects 70-80 boats total. Joe says there are many 5 Litres already there and more coming in the gates. The current
boats in the Pits: NOTE: I am not sure the GNH/GP designations and names are exact….but wanted to get the word out early!!!! Patti Darling 12:01 EDT: Marie Frauenhim let us know that the course is set, though no boats are on it yet. The Drivers' meeting was conducted by Chief Referee, Jackie Meyer, assisted by Chief Inspector, Kevin Shade. Chief Scorer is Liz Barker. In the meeting, the announcement was made that Grand Prix Rules will prevail and there will be a 6-boat overlap established before a lane change. The weather is still cloudy, NO rain, and warming up. 12:33 EDT: The course is set, and the draw is imminent. This is a beautiful new race site, with 2 asphalt roads...one for cars (and boats) and the other is a bike path. The excellent viewing is from a bank 20 feet above a nice, straight section of the Niagara River. There are new docks and new Pits and new grass....to welcome the 16 big blocks!!! We just got the draw....so here it is: Heat 1A:
GNH 711, GNH 83, GP 7, GNH 44, GP 154 WOW!!!!! 12:41 EDT: The weather: Reports from Carl Haas, and Java and Marie, it did rain earlier today, but is only cloudy now and the temperature is in the 70s, with a very small wind. GNH Chairman Tony Stalder, GP Chairman Ken Brodie, Sr. and UL President Joe Frauenheim were out eating Buffalo Wings and organizing what sounds like one terrific show. This is a new race site and it has taken time to get set so we have lost the time for UL Qualifying, so there will be no points for that this weekend. 3:36 EDT: Our fleet has not been on the water yet !! A log delay, then a 5 Litre flipped...and now they are on a break. The UL 13 is the new boat owned by Dave Bartush (Director of the Detroit Museum) and driven by Mark Burkhardt....out of Detroit GNH 711 is "Fantasy", owned and driven by Darryl Monette--who is also the Niagara Race Director. 5:00 EDT: Heat 1A: GP 7
1.5508 minutes Five to the Five on Heat 2B 5:17 EDT: Heat 1B: GP 101
2.0222 The qualifying heats are all 3 laps and the Final (s) will be 4 laps. This is a 1 1/4 mile course. 1C in 10 minutes... 5:57 EDT: Heat 1C GNH 114
2.2733 The sun finally came out, but even though the day has been overcast, the water has been perfect. And now Randy Haas is running (just fine) on the Antique course...to test the motor. Looks like this is it for the UL/GNH/GP classes today...they hope to start at 11:00 AM tomorrow. Chris Stratton is in attendance and has been working hard. Last night he ordered Buffalo wings...got the "hot" sauce and asked for hotter, got the "suicide" sauce and asked for hotter...then got the "PAIN" sauce and was happy with that. Oh, kids !! -- Patty Darling One
additional note... Additional
information from Tonawanda! --- Patti Kennedy-Hayes Sunday in
Tonawanda! First report of the day: Ah the wonderful word of cell phones and e-mail. Patty Darling took a call from Tonawanda while in church. Made notes and forwarded them to Ed Nelson who got the information to the site and various internet listserv's. The coverage from Tonawanda is a team effort this weekend! Here are the draws...
Additional
information from Patty... 12:11 EDT: Heat 2A Results GP 7/Jean
Theoret 2.0199 (time not converted) 12:55 EDT: Heat 2B Results: UL 72/Bononcini
1.5921 The boats are in the water....for C 1:01 EDT: Heat 2C Results: UL
110/Randy Haas 2.0824 Other classes are running now. There has been no decision on whether a Section 3 will be run, or a B Main or how the final(s) will be run. 2:38 EDT: Just heard they might try to run the Lights and GPs together for the Final (to be held between 4 and 5 PM). At this time that would be GPs: 7, 55, 101, 154, and ULs: 72,110,13 and 23. There seem to be enough GNHs to have a separate Final. Will keep you posted. Looks like they have scratched Qualifying Heat three. 5:07 EDT: At 5 PM EDT the GNH s are on the course...running their final and the ULs and GPs are getting on the cranes. They will run a combined Final. As I understand it--the Chief Referee wants 6 boats on the front line and 2 will trailer. In this case, the UL 13 and UL 23 would be trailers. Each class will receive their own points. 6:26 EDT: The finals! The GNH Final
results (no times available) The Combined
GP/UL Final: It was a safe day. 
Questions?
Comments? Contact the series! |
