Vintage Modifieds Rock Port Angeles May 3, 2008

Written By Mike Clother

Eleven teams towed through driving rain with faith that the weatherman’s prediction of afternoon clearing would be accurate. It was and a great evening of racing ensued.

Chuck Pederson’s #23 car blew a head gasket during hot laps and was scratched for the night. Chuck decided to ask Paul Fields Jr. to give up his one night ride in Chuck’s other car, #28, which was in need of suspension repairs. The driver change and the repairs were easily made. Kiel Hobbs broke a trans but was able to use on of the two offered to him by competitors. Jeff Cole, a dirt track modified racer from Montana, was sitting in Bob Stubbs’ car for the first time on this night. Dan Watkins, first time driver in ANY kind of racecar, was driving the #32 owned by Leonard Schmidt. When asked if he was nervous, Dan said, “If I can drive an 18-wheeler on I-5 I’m sure I can do okay out there”.

Dave Trapp set the fast time for the night; 16:02. Dave was flying, almost literally, on the rough Port Angeles surface.

Chuck Peterson with Robert Rux led off the B dash also. Kiel Hobbs and John Mustered completed the field four cars for 4 fast laps. Peterson led all four laps taking the trophy. Hobbs and Rux battled back and forth for second with Hobbs eventually prevailing. Mustered spun himself out on the last lap. He said it was just to excite the crowd.

Mike Clother was on the pole for the A dash. Local favorite Jim Jones was on his right. Bob Fulmer and Dave Trapp made up the second row. Evidently nobody told Jones that it is not easy to pass on the high side at PA. He and Clother ran side-by-side for one lap before Jones pulled away for a decisive victory and a nice trophy.

The B heat was lead off by Jeff Cole. Peterson was on his right. First timer Dan Watkins opted to start from the rear, good choice. Cole seemed to by a bit uncomfortable on the asphalt spinning out 3 times, bringing out the caution each time. Peterson won this race with Hobbs and Rux again battling closely for second. This time it was Rux in second follow by Hobbs, Cole and Watkins.

The A heat saw John Mustered on the pole with Clother on the outside. Clother was able to get a good start and led Mustered into the first turn. Fulmer and Jones used the outside groove to work their way forward. Fulmer made a great outside move in turns one and two to take the lead. Clother was trying his hardest to hold off Jones when contact sent Clother’s car sliding sideways off turn two. In an effort to avoid Clother’s car, Jones’ car made contact with one of the huge tires surrounding the inside of the racing surface. He didn’t realize how much damage was done, (i.e.; broken spindle arm, bent shock, ruptured brake line) until the next turn where his car wouldn’t stop or turn. Luckily for Jones, Clother had positioned his car in the turn in such a way that Jones was able to use it as both a brake and a means of turning. Both banged against each other around the last turn to the checker with Clother barely beating Jones for second.

Here’s a sales pitch for Vintage Modified Racing. The car of Jim Jones had severe component damage suffered during the heat race. His crew and members of other crews using parts provided by his and other teams, notably Peterson and Fulmer, repaired his car. This club ALWAYS pitches in to make sure everyone has a chance to race. That’s why it is fun to race with these guys. Almost forgot, Jones was running an engine loaned to him by another racer, Jamie Millet.

The feature main event of the evening was 40 laps. Chuck Peterson started on the pole hoping for his 3rd win of the night. Robert Rux was on the outside hoping to get a jump at the start and lead all 40 laps. Hobbs and Clother were the second row. New guys Cole and Watkins both opted to start this race from the rear. Peterson got the good start with Rux on his side Clother dove low in front of Hobbs and followed Peterson for several laps. Behind them Jones and Trapp were working their way up, soon passing Clother, relegating him to fourth where he watched for about 20 laps as Peterson held off Trapp and Jones racing side-by-side in a battle for second. Each time this trio would catch up to the slower car of Watkins they would need to get in line for the pass. It was an awesome display of patience and car control. On the 30th lap Trapp spun his car off turn two. As Clother anticipated a caution flag that did not fly Hobbs and Fulmer blew by him to take over third and forth. Three laps later Trapp hit one of those pesky tires bringing out the first caution of the race. About the same time Rux broke and axle sending him limping to the pits. Jones held the lead for the remaining seven laps taking his second trophy of the night to the cheers of his many fans. Hobbs ran a great race to finish second. Peterson finished third in his back up car. Clother earned fourth by easing past fifth place Fulmer in the closing laps. It was a great night of racing and everybody is looking forward to the next event at South Sound Speedway on Sunday, May 25th.