Prelim Results
The Packwood Championship Tour started with a damp surface as expected by the forecast, but quickly dried and was close to dry when the first cars took to the course.
It was clear it would be a third run race for group 1 with the drying conditions, but that didn't stop Mitch Fagundes in putting the smack down on SSP on his first run. It wasn't all roses for Mitch for he struggled to improve and Ryan Johnson got within 0.078 after three to make it a real race for Sunday.
SM also in group 1 wasn't intimidated by the conditions and all three trophy position drivers on Saturday were high in the PAX over standing for the day. Jason Merritt in his 240sx took the lead and was 2nd in PAX for the day, Dallas Cutler in his Mitsubishi EVO in 2nd and 6th PAX, with Joey Sim also in the 240sx in 3rd, 19th PAX. Impressive for a drying damp 1st run group!
CM lived up to the expectations as Bryan Heitkotter put a wide 1.1 second lead on the field driving Andrew Howe's Reynard FF. It's a race for 2nd as the next 4 drives are a mere 0.4 seconds apart and the remaining field not all that far back as well. Look for some leap frogging for 2nd on Sunday as not only things are close but rain is a real possibility.
BS also lived up to expectations as Brian Coulson battled the 16 car field to lead over Dan Bullis by a scant 0.052 with Richard Arienza another 0.162 in third, and Brad Herley and Tony Rodriguez rounding out the trophies on day 1. Look for anyone in the current 5 trophy positions to take the win with weather iffy for Sunday.
HSL was the battle of the hybirds as both ladies were most definitely getting the best MPG as they competed. Deborah Thompson leads the way in her Toyota Prius over Valerie Ball in her BMW i3 with range extender. I bet that kicked in during her runs.
Another great ladies battle is SSL with 6, which has Kristi Brown leading the way in her gorgeous blue Porsche Cayman GT4 over Joan Clark in her Corvette.
Speaking of ladies, so many ladies running in the open class this weekend.
Caitlen Snell currently 3rd in ASP
Jessica Gauthier currently 2nd in DS
Jodi Fordahl currently 4th in SSM
Tasha Mikko 2nd, and also Gretchen Weidemann running in STU
Other ladies running in open classes are Avril Morrison, Teddie Alexandria, Jenna Taylor and maybe others I've missed. Got get'em gals!
As expected top time of the day was put in by a AM driver, but it was not easy for John Haftner with his significantly improved super vee now sporting major aero wings to put down a 47.868 to edge out Bryan (alien) Heitkotter running CM by a mear 0.038.
Top 5 Pax for Saturday where:
- Geoff Clark - ASP
- Ryan Otis - FS
- Jason Merritt - SM
- Bryan Heitkotter - CM
- Kit Gauthier - DS
Look for Sunday in Packwood to really mix things up with the forecast iffy on rain. I'm sure many a class will not be decide until all entrants in a class have finished there runs!
