David Elliott
Go-Karting
Ray HughesTony Tiemersma Wins Feature
Sunset Speedway
Controversial Feature Goes To Tony Tiemersma
It was a night that needed 300 feet of racing to make it perfect for fans and two racers, but would end in disaster when Mike Bentley #51 and Chris Morrow #11, running 1st and 2nd, side by side for much of the race, got together coming off turn four on the final lap. The tangle sent Chris hard into the wall, and Mike Bentley crossing the line with the checker flag waving. Unfortunately for Mike, he was considered an accident car and did not get the win. In an effort to get a winner for the fans, the track went back a lap, and gave the win to Kevin Cornelious #17, who was running third on the white flag lap. So much confusion followed the race as drivers protested the finish. Sunset officials decided to review the race and make a decision on Tuesday. That decision resulted in the race being left as the cars crossed the line at the checker. With Mike Bentley being sent to the back, the second car across was #7 Tony Tiemersma who would take the win and the trophy...the trophy will have to wait because Kevin still has it in his possession. Kevin limped across the line in 4th and will keep that spot, though his car was also beat up from hitting #11 Chris Morrow. The good news is that Chris is okay, and it surely was hard tough racing. More on that on our message board........our web site had crashed and was down for a few days. I will get the race report logged on Diary Of A Season 2012 by Thursday night. Thanks for your patience.
Feature Winner Kevin Cornelious #17
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Dan Craik Photo
Kevin Cornelious & Mike Bentley Battle Close In Heat Action At Sunset Speedway
This picture taken during the first heat race shows Kevin Cornelious #17 and Mike Bentley #51 racing hard. These two would have different results as the night progressed. Mike demolished his car in the feature after getting into our transmission oil, and slamming hard into the turn three wall. Kevin would celebrate in victory lane with his crew after winning the first feature of 2012. Congratulations to Kevin and his team on a very impressive main event win....the full story of this race is on Diary Of A Season 2012.
Gehrtg Getting Laps
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Eric Uprichard Photo
Gehrig Learns Patience In His Debut At Sunset Speedway....He Also Learned Disappointment
It's been a frustrating start for Gehrig this year. His debut at Sunset ended in disappointment when a stuck throttle parked him for the feature. He was understanding about it, not getting upset, although I was feeling real bad for him because there is nothing worse than sitting in the pits when you planned all week to race. It was the right call to park him. The throttle was only part of the problem as an engine miss could not be detected etiher. This car might as well be a UFO, we are lost with every aspect of it. Even some of those with knowledge, who tried to help, really didn't know why the car had a miss or why the throttle would not return. Back in my Hobby days we use to have problems but at least 10 teams would try to get us fixed up. We don't the car, or any of the people that know four cylinders....I knew I should have started him in OSCAAR......our Late Model is getting closer, lots of parts ordered and now all the cosmetic and welding done. We have abuot 20 hours in the car already. The good news is we did not hurt the chassis, however everything else bolted to the chassis was either crushed, busted, broken, twisted, bent or lucky.....we still made out better than Mike Bentley. It is good no one was hurt, Mike from slamming the wall, and me from all the scattering parts trying to get at me in the car. Our wreck is on youtube through Sunset Speedway.
Mike Bentley #51
Sue Chisholm Photo
Mike Bentley's Beautful Late Model Crushed....He Was Not
A high speed imapct with the turn three wall crushed the front end of Mike Bentley's #51 Late Model. Dave Bentley, Mike's Dad surveys the incredible damage. The good news is that Mike is okay, though sore. He will be out this week end, but not likely in this car. Mike got caught in the oil from our transmission that suffered a violent explosion half way down the back chute. We're not sure exactly what happened but the damage under our car, to our floor, and many support bars under neath sure makes you glad we have safe built race cars. Our drive shaft was twisted and smashed in two pieces, the transmission looks like a grenade when off inside of it, the starter who busted from flying debris, and one drive shaft hoop was tore off and the second ripped but still in place. We have a lot to do but no damage compared to Mike. I gave Mike a hug after the races letting him know I was glad he was okay. Our car will be ready this week, more pictures will follow as we progress.
First Win 2012
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Eric Uprichard Photo
Heat Win Sunset Speedway
When the checker flag came out we were very happy. I understand we can make too much out of a win at times, but this was a great win for us at our new home track, plus getting the victory dosen't come easy. Winning this race made a lot of people happy, my family, crew, fans and of course me. Special thanks to Bob, Steve, Ryan, Justin and Eric, and all our sponsors. It's a team effort and this one was well celebrated.
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