Two wins each for Dresselhouse and Peterson at second round of Washtenaw RC Raceway series

Washtenaw RC Raceway Winter Series Opening rounds go to Chris Peterson and Dan Dresselhouse

 

The 2017-2018 season kicked off at Washtenaw RC Raceway on November 4th with over 100 entries in 9 classes and some great racing action. Last Saturday round#2 was held with 112 entries in those same 9 classes continuing the racing action. The event was well attended especially in the Stock Buggy, and Stock Short Course classes. Many new faces showed up to try RC racing for the first time. The track design is a mix of technical sections and high speed straights. Most of the experienced drivers thought it flowed well and had areas that were easy too. The first round was run counter-clockwise and the second round was run clockwise setting up the plan for the season to switch directions each race. A mid-season track change is also in the plan to mix up the season. WRCR will be the place to enjoy lots of great racing this winter.

 

 

Novice Class

 

Leading off the mains was the Novice class. This class is always strong at Washtenaw RC Raceway which targets growing new racers. The opening events of the season were no different with two full groups of racers in qualifying. Travis Massey did not waste any time capturing the TQ spot with solid performance in the first round. Jeremia Pilarski had led most the way but was not able to complete the round intact. The second round saw Jeremia charged through and took over the TQ holding through the last round securing the first position on the starting grid. Carrie Pilarski followed suite and took over the second spot on the grid.  At the start of the A-main, the pack charged into the first turn in starting order without any trouble. Jeremia lead with Carrie chasing close behind for the opening laps gaining a little each lap. Benjamin Hunt, returning to RC after a long time ran steady in third with Travis Massey challenging behind. Travis was able to pass him for a few laps before mechanical trouble ended his race. This allow beginning driver Hannah Weatherly lead her siblings in the fourth position. No one could match Jeremia’s laps leading to his second win of the season. Carrie maintained 2nd place throughout the main event finishing much stronger than the first round. Benjamin held onto 3rd place at the end making the podium on his first time back to racing.

 

1/16th - 1/18th Mini Class

 

The Mini class is still growing and the 2017-2018 track works very well for Mini class vehicles. This class fits any mini vehicle that will not fit into a 10th scale class. Entries came from TLR Mini 8ightT, Mini Baja Buggy, Mini e-Revo, and even a Mini Slash. Last season champion Joe Gates won the first round and was absent for the second round as a new group supported by Warren RC shop came out to race. The LC Racing 1/14th Mini Truggy quickly set the fast pace running lap times comparable to some 10th scale vehicles. After three rounds of qualifying it was Josh Salewsky with the fastest run securing the Top Qualifier position for the mains. This was hard fought with a pair of Mini eRevo’s driven by veteran Washtenaw racers Ben Belote and Matt Lemorie. On the first lap Josh lead the pack through the initial turns and onto the back straight. Starting from the second position, Matt pushed hard taking the lead briefly until both he and Josh crashed. This collected a few of the minis allowing Jeremy Salewsky a chance to lead for a few laps. His last minute change of tires seemed to work perfect. Josh regained the lead with Jeremy chasing his brother hard. Randy Drapinski was able to also capitalize and assume the third position. As the main continued Josh grew a large gap and Randy took over the 2nd position. He held the spot for many laps doing his best to hold off Jeremy without success as Jeremy charged by an upside down Randy. Randy could not recover in time finishing 3rd as the race came to a close. Jeremy held onto the 2nd position and Josh finished on top. Three new podium winners with LC racing Mini Truggies sweeping all spots.

 

Stampede Class

 

The 5th season of the Stampede class and it's still going strong. After the first round of the series, Matt Lemorie had his first win in the books in this class. The second round of the season demonstrated how competitive this class is. The opening round of qualifying saw C.J. Boka grabbing a 1st place less than 0.2 seconds ahead of Matt. Matt took over TQ with a nearly 14 lap pace. C.J. responded just getting into the 14 laps and securing TQ. The opening laps were blistering fast With C.J. and Matt setting their fastest laps of the race both working hard to lead the race. They both crashed allow previous class champion, Ben Belote, to take the lead. First, C.J. challenged and took over the lead from Ben and then Matt charged to the lead past both Ben and C.J. Matt continued a consistent pace ahead of the pair not looking back. From the third position, C.J. mounted his final charge passing Ben and setting his sights on Matt. The gap was too much to overcome as the tone sounded. Ben crossed the line in 3rd place, C.J. settled for 2nd Place and Matt grabbed his second win of the season. 

 

Stock Buggy 17.5 Blinky Class

 

By far the biggest class at the first two points races was the Stock Buggy class. This blinky 17.5 class is stacked with all of the top drives in the area. The early TQ time was set by Dan Dresselhouse with Ben Belote close behind. The traction was improving all day as Chris Peterson climbed the qualification order overtaking the best time by 6 seconds and the TQ position.  With so many entries, the C-main started the main events.

 

Stock Buggy C-Main

 

The start of the C-main was clean as McKenzie Massel lead the field around. Bob Naus was able to get past Jon Lori to assume the second position on the opening lap. Jon pushed past Bob to take back the second spot. With Steve Sarkozi following into third. Bob battled with Steve for a few laps but could not hold him off. Bob passed Steve and settled into a pace that helped him reduce the gap on Jon by mid race. Jon could not match Bob’s pace. Bob was able to get past and hold the second spot as McKenzie cleanly crossed the line for the win. Jon finished in 3rd Place behind Bob in 2nd Place.

 

Stock Buggy B-Main

 

With such a strong field it was not surprising that some of the season contenders would end up in the B-main. Gary Reiser started from the first position and demonstrated how to run smooth and steady. When the tone sounded Gary raced off and set the early pace. Behind him a number of cars grappled with each other allowing Nat Potter to move into the second position from sixth on the grid. Kevin Heller avoided the mess and followed Nat around the pile of buggies. Anthony Unknown was in the mix early on but flipped in a difficult spot for the marshals sending him back in the pack. Gary sped along running faster than qualifying. Nat was risking everything to pressure Gary. Kevin was not close enough in third.  Nat closed to within 3 seconds but it was not enough to challenge Gary. Kevin held strong for 3rd place. Nat crossed the line in 2nd place and Gary took the win.

 

Stock Buggy A-Main

The Stock Buggy A-main was set and the crowd formed to watch the top drivers in the house. Last season’s champion, Chris Peterson, led the field at the start as the top 5 followed in starting order. Dan Dresselhouse followed Chris as close as he could but the gap began to grow right away. Patrick Ferris started from the third position with Ben Belote pressing behind him. Ben was able to get past Pat on lap#2 to hold third position for the first half of the seven minute main event. Pat regained the third position mid race as Andy Dresselhouse and Tom Erickson passed Ben who crashed. Andy immediately started to gap Tom and closed the gap to Pat. On the closing laps they raced each other hard as Pat made a few mistakes opening the door for Andy. When the tone sounded Chris had crossed the line a full lap ahead of the entire field. Dan went unchallenged for 2nd Place and Andy captured 3rd Place only 2 seconds ahead of Pat in 4th place.

 

Stock Short Course Truck 17.5 Blinky Class

 

One of the largest classes at Washtenaw has been the Stock SCT class over the years. Last season the series championship was contested all season between Dan Dresselhouse, Tom Erickson and Sean Carney. Dan Dresselhouse did not waste any time starting out the season with a win in the 1st round. Qualifying started in similar fashion with Dan setting the early pace. Tom Erickson started off the second round on a TQ pace but could not hold the pace. Dan’s brother Andy was able to capture the second spot with Jeremy Salewsky in third. 

 

Stock Short Course Truck B-Main

 

With a great turn out it was the B-main that lead off the mains for this class. Mark “Red Pop” Thompson started from the first position with a full group of trucks behind him. Mark led the field around with Logan Drapinski close behind. Terry Bush took over third spot early after Dave Ferris rolled his SC10. Logan was charging hard each lap until Red Pop crashed giving him the lead. Behind Mark the battle for the third spot was underway between Terry and Dominick Valente. Mid race Dominick got ahead of Terry for a few laps but could not hold on. When time ran out, Logan crossed the line in 1st place with Mark only 4.4 sec back in 2nd place. Terry was able to hold off Dominick for 3rd place.

 

Stock Short Course Truck A-Main

 

After a win in the first event, Dan Dresselhouse was poised to capture another win starting from the first spot on the grid. The opening laps are always full of position changes and this 7 minute main was no different. As Dan speed off into the lead with a clear track ahead of him, Andy and Jeremy were caught up with other trucks. Gary Reiser and Tom Erickson assumed the second and third spot avoiding the carnage. Tom was able to get past Gary with a large gap to Dan. Then Tom crashed on his lid at the end of the back straight with the entire field bearing down on him. Marshals could not right his truck until the pack passed by. Travis Bevins was able to assume second for a few laps as Gary pushed by to reclaim the spot. Jeremy returned to the lead group and overtook Gary. All the while Dan continued to gap the rest of the field. Patrick Ferris joined the fray and was able to get ahead of Gary and challenge Jeremy. On the last lap Jeremy spun and rolled over sending him back to fifth place. Dan won leading from wire-to-wire, Patrick held onto 2nd place, and Gary was able to hold off Tom for 3rd place.

 

4x4 Short Course Truck

 

One of the fastest classes at Washtenaw RC raceway is the 4x4 SCT class. In the first round of the series, Matt Lemorie was able to command the class and score the first win. In the second round the field was nearly doubled with new entries and veterans alike. Matt started qualifying with another fast run but not fast enough to set the pace. Conner Stanley was able to set TQ pace each qualifier and secure the Top Qualifier spot. New comer to the class was C.J. Boka who also ran well in qualifying was able to qualify third behind Matt. At the start, Conner set off at a blistering pace. Matt chased hard but could not match Conner lap after lap. Andy Dresselhouse and Gio Enea squeezed both C.J. and Matt challenging for the second position. Not one of these drivers had a clear advantage. Lap after lap the order changed each driver assuming the second position for at least one lap. Team Associated SC10 4x4, TLR SCTE 2.0, Tekno SCT410, and a MIP conversion all battled for the remaining podium spots. The final laps were intense with Gio crashing out from third position behind Andy. His fastest lap of the race could not return him to the group. The main event ended with Andy holding the 2nd place spot. Matt was able to hold off C.J. to finish in 3rd place. Conner led from start to finish capturing his first win of the season.

 

4wd Open Buggy

 

One of our announcers calls the 4wd Buggy class the “Formula 1” of 10th scale off-road racing. This is certainly true as lap times and qualifying demonstrated the fastest laps of the season. Stock Buggy winner, Chris Peterson, set the early TQ pace breaking the 17 lap mark early in the day. Ben Belote also broke into the 17 lap pace but not enough to catch Chris. Dan Dresselhouse was able to qualify ahead of Ben but not even be close to Chris. Starting from the top spot, Chris led the field through the opening laps with Dan and Ben in chase. 4wd SCT winner Conner Stanley did his best to stay connected to the lead trio but had to fend off Forrest Remington and Andy Dresselhouse, both getting by him at times. The full heat of super fast 4wd buggies continued click off the laps with Chris hitting a rough patch toward the end. Dan had continued to reduce the gap in the closing seconds. On the last lap, Dan closed within a few car lengths on Chris and over the diamond table top jump he pulled the trigger hoping to steal the win from Chris. It almost worked missing the win by 0.379 seconds. Chris was relieved as the announcer call him for the win. Dan finished in 2nd place and Ben held strong in 3rd place.

 

Open Stadium Truck

 

The open stadium truck class has been consistent throughout the 18 year history of the Washtenaw RC Raceway. With new entries, the field grew in round two of the series. Qualifying was a toss-up between last season champion Dan Dresselhouse and Josh Salewsky. Chad Gerow grabbed the third spot just ahead of C.J. Boka. Each round the lap times continued to come down as both Dan and Josh improved their times each visit to the track. In the end it was Dan who was able to put down the best qualifying run nearly breaking into the 16 lap mark. The main event started with Dan and Josh taking off with clear track ahead of them. Chad quickly relinquished third spot to C.J. and Andy Dresselhouse climbing the field. Josh was holding onto Dan’s bumper for the first half of the main event until they both started to lap the field. Josh got caught up behind a lapped vehicle letting go of Dan’s bumper for good. C.J. also ran into trouble sending him back in the pack as Andy took over the third position. Randy Drapinski moved in behind Andy for a few laps but it was Uncle Bob that crossed the line in 4th place when the tone sounded. Dan would take the win with Josh finishing a strong 2nd place. Andy was able to hold onto 3rd place.

 

Open Short Course Truck

 

Traction is always at a premium and the Open SCT class is always challenged to put down the power. This season the track is made up of solid clay base and is holding up well. With traction much higher than previous season the open class of the Short Course vehicles are able to fly fast. In qualifying, Josh Salewsky was able to secure the TQ spot right from the start. Kevin Heller could not challenge Josh but was able to post the second fastest qualifying run. Randy Drapinski qualified in third. From the start it was Josh that led the pack and began to gap the field right away. Randy and Kevin started to grapple for second position on the opening lap. They traded positions multiple times in the first half of the event. By mid-race, Randy was able to secure enough gap to hold the position through the remainder of the event. Kevin never gave up and stayed within a few seconds for many laps. The top three were settled near the end of the race with Josh finishing in 1st place, Randy in 2nd place and Kevin in 3rd place. 

 

Mark “Red Pop” Thompson won the 100 Grand bars for King of the Hill

 

Washtenaw RC Raceway has hosted two very successful events with turn outs exceeding previous seasons. The 2017-18 season is setting up to be the place to race on Saturdays. The program was well run and finished before 7PM. Three full 5 minute qualifiers as well as the traditional King-of-the-Hill class allowed Dave Ferris to offer 7 minute A-mains. The atmosphere was charged and the heat was nice and warm. The next points event is planned for this Saturday, December 2nd, 2017. Doors open at 8AM with racing starting at 10AM. Look for the season schedule at www.WRCR.biz or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WashtenawRcRaceway/