BRAUDRICK, KIDD, CUTLER, HALE & WILSON CONQUER FOX HUNT DOUBLE HEADER

At first glance, many figured the entire Fox Hunt weekend was going to follow the same path of many events this season. Wet weather has certainly played havoc with a multitude of races in 2009, but all those who attended never gave up the hope and aspirations to do what they love to do—go racing. Going into the weekend, weather forecasters were predicting an 80 percent chance of rain on both Friday and Saturday. For all intents and purposes, they’d written off all outdoor events.  The Firebird staff had other ideas in mind.

First off, the Crew started sportsman eliminations a full two hours early on Friday. This helped significantly. At the same time, the racing distance was shortened to eighth-mile distance after the low pressure system kicked wind gusts into the mid-20 mph range following the two rounds of time trials. Amazingly enough, by the time the rain showers arrived early Friday evening, all classes were whittled down to either the quarters or semis (with 26 cars still in). All finalists returned on Saturday morning to complete the first day of the Pennzoil/A & I Distributors Fox Hunt in fine fashion. Congratulations to Ed Cutler who downed Steve Lambert in the Super Pro final. The Saturday morning race itself saw both competitors run right on their dial-in to the thousandths of a second in a whale of a shootout to wrap up Friday’s racing.  Kent Wilson ran very well, too, throughout eliminations, sweeping the Pro class over Bobbie George in the eighth-mile final.

Saturday’s weather was simply unbelievable, especially after listening to t.v. stations rattle on about how poor the weekend was going to turn out. Instead of the predicted 60’s, the afternoon temperatures climbed into the low 80’s under partly cloudy and very sun-filled skies. By all accounts, it was one of the nicest weather days of the season thus far.

The West Coast Top Sportsman Association put on a terrific show. Between qualifying and racing, the entire group performed flawlessly right down to the championship final. Two first time Firebird racers met up in the final. Congratulations to Dan Braudrick who downed Bob Curley in a Chevy vs. Ford match up.

Presented by Jacksons Food Stores, a good-sized crowd was entertained by both Richard Smith and Derek Snelson who put on a sensational show with their two Jet Funny Cars. Saving their best for last, the duo put together a 6.27-256.70 to 6.31-254.95 to close out the program at just before 10:30 pm on Saturday night. Special thanks to Ed “the Outlaw” Jones for delivering another knockout exhibition with his wheelstanding Fire Truck.

In a familiar Super Pro final, Mark Kidd defeated good friend Dan Lafferty to reverse the results from the Ignitor Gambler finale in May. Kidd took the nod by just .006 of a second with both racers making their quickest runs of the weekend under the stadium lights just past nightfall. Congratulations also goes out to the 74 year old Larry Hale who won the very tough Pro division.

We’d also like to tip our hat to all the Naughty Girls and team leader Lisa Thomas who helped inspire the Fox eliminator class over the weekend. Both Valmarie Griffiths and Melissa Jarboe won some wonderful gifts and awards following their victories each day.

To all those who attended, we say thanks on behalf of the New Crew and our entire staff who truly worked their tails off to provide a superb surface to race on during both days of racing.

Firebird Raceway Saturday Results:

West Coast Top Sportsman Final
Win-Dan Braudrick, Brentwood, Calif., .051, 7.52 (7.47 Dial) 177.76.
Runner-up-Bob Curley, San Jose, Calif., .023, 8.01 (7.93 dial) 170.18.

Semi-Finals
Win-Bob Curley (`57 Fairlane) .051, 7.94 (7.95 dial) 167.41.
Paul Dassonville (`69 Camaro) -.315, 8.35 (8.06 dial) 168.50.

Win-Dan Braudrick (`63 Corvette) .013, 7.72 (7.51 dial) 170.26.
Jesse Adams (`07 GT-500) .033, 7.78 (7.59 dial) 177.93.

Quarter-Finals
Win-Dan Braudrick (`63 Corvette) .030, 7.62 (7.55 dial) 169.07.
Ken Ratzloff (`53 Studebaker) .092, 7.73 (7.70 dial) 179.24.

Win-Paul Dassonville (`69 Camaro) .031, 8.06 (8.06 dial) 167.44.
Will Boxold (`53 Studebaker) -.013, 8.12 (7.93 dial) 136.50.

Win-Jesse Adams (`07 GT-500) .006, 7.61 (7.60 dial) 175.84.
Jeff Gillette (`00 Firebird) .030, 7.39 (7.35 dial) 186.79.

Win-Bob Curley (`57 Fairlane) .037, 7.95 (7.95 dial) 165.68.
Scott Stephens (`88 Monte Carlo) broke.

First Round
Win-Scott Stephens (`88 Monte Carlo) .130, 7.96 (7.96 dial) 172.81.
Chad Demler (`37 Chevy coupe) .145, 8.03 (8.03 dial) 167.69.

Win-Bob Curley (`57 Fairlane) .024, 8.01 (7.95 dial) 157.95.
Ken Terrell (`37 Chevy) .370, 8.12 (8.10 dial) 170.74.

Win-Dan Braudrick (`63 Corvette) .023, 7.62 (7.53 dial) 170.61.
Karl Whisenhunt (`64 Fairlane) .086, 7.79 (7.74 dial) 170.74.

Win-Jeff Gillette (`00 Firebird) .072, 7.37 (7.37 dial) 187.57.
Keith White (`98 Ranger) .030 7.72 (7.73 dial) 171.36.

Win-Paul Dassonville (`69 Camaro) .027 8.08 (8.06 dial) 160.25.
John Campoy (`01 Cougar) .038, 7.86 (7.80 dial) 173.77.

Win-Jesse Adams (`07 GT-500) .006 7.62 (7.64 dial) 174.92.
Dave Matson (`67 Camaro) .023, 7.75 (7.79 dial) 175.50.

Win-Will Boxold (`53 Studebaker) .094 8.01 (7.95 dial) 152.20.
Dan Lundmark (`00 Firebird) .107 8.41 (8.06 dial) 174.68.

Win-Ken Ratzloff (`53 Studebaker) .056, 7.71 (7.71 dial) 176.12.
Wayne Ryder (`55 Cameo) .128, 7.16 (7.15 dial) 189.03.


Kidd Performance & Dyno Super Pro
Win-Mark Kidd .006, 7.59 (7.61 dial) 168.79.
Runner-up-Dan Lafferty .019 7.26 (7.29 dial) 184.91.
Semi-Derric Barr (94 Dragster).
Quarter-Joyce Devey (`03 Dragster); Jeff Devey (`09 Dragster); Sean Shaffer (`67 Chevelle).

Performance Solutions Pro
Win-Larry Hale .069, 10.10 (10.13 dial) 132.48.
Runner-up-Dan Krueger -.004, 13.77 (9.44 dial) 68.88.
Semi-Ed O’Hara (`77 Firebird); Julie Hart (`65 Dart).
Quarter-Mike Drummond (`67 Ford); Stan Deming (`76 Nova); Anthony Keller (`01 Dragster).

United Oil Sportsman
Win-Don McMain .246, 13.35 (13.29 dial) 99.43.
Runner-up-Lynde Fischer -.006, 13.09 (13.09) 105.74.
Semi-Eldon Twitty (`80 Malibu); Gabe Sielaff (`80 Malibu).

Woody’s Snow/Bike
Win-Shawn Jensen .070, 10.21 (10.17 dial) 119.33.
Runner-up-Craig Jensen .179, 9.60 (9.65 dial) 132.17.
Semi-Mike Butterfield (`96 Polaris); Denise Morgan (`96 Arctic Cat).

Capitol City Transmission Nostalgia
Win-Larry Lancaster .053, 10.35 (10.36 dial) 128.49.
Runner-up-Larry Saunders -.031, 8.42 (8.41 dial) 154.34.
Semi-Joseph Karnes (`73 Cuda).

Fox presented by the Naughty Girls club
Win-Melissa Jarboe .032, 10.08 (10.08 dial) 130.49.
Runner-up-Gina Luckow .132, 16.60 (16.61 dial) 82.54.
Semi-Julie Hart (`67 Dart).

Box Gambler
Win-Chris Jaggers .116, 8.19 (8.19 dial) 162.48.
Runner-up-Jason Thomas .053, 8.17 (8.11 dial) 153.95.
John Johnson Jr. (`78 Corvette); Charlie Pecht (Chevy II).

No Box Gambler
Win-Tim Shaw .016, 10.33 (10.35 dial) 129.19.
Runner-up-Mark Austin .058, 10.20 (10.22 dial) 130.83.
Semi-Troy Pecht (`68 Camaro); Glen Phillips (`67 Mustang GT).

Snow/Bike Gambler
Win-Paul Vaughn .123, 9.97 (9.94 dial) 127.15.
Runner-up-Jacob Wood .133, 9.09 (9.10 dial) 132.17.

Trophy
Win-Mike Huetson .354, 15.55 (15.58 dial) 89.87.
Runner-up-Rocky Nelson .137, 15.24 (15.50 dial) 89.25.

Firebird Raceway Friday Results (finished Saturday morning, eighth-mile)

Kidd Performance & Dyno Super Pro
Win-Ed Cutler .005, 6.100 (6.10 dial) 112.99.
Runner-up-Steve Lambert .026, 5.430 (5.43 dial) 127.17.
Semi-Sean Shaffer (`67 Chevelle).
Quarter-Richard Getto (`97 Monte Carlo); Charlie Pecht (`63 Nova); Sam Northup (`00 Dragster).

Performance Solutions Pro
Win-Kent Wilson .082, 6.19 (5.93 dial) 95.18.
Runner-up-Bobbi George .034, 11.52 (6.37 dial) 53.39.
Semi-Jerry Hodges (`79 Mustang).
Quarter-Joe McDonald (`79 Cutlass); Mike Drummond (`67 Ford); Ken Windley (`68 Camaro).

United Oil Sportsman
Win-Joe Witherspoon .049, 9.00 (9.05 dial) 76.94.
Runner-up-Scott Downard .084, 8.35 (8.42 dial) 82.78.
Semi-Kevin Higgins (`72 Camaro); Lynde Fischer (`78 Camaro).

Woody’s Snow/Bike
Win-David Wood .037, 6.09 (6.06 dial) 106.50.
Runner-up-Mike Butterfield .012, 6.34 (6.26 dial) 109.70.
Semi-Paul Vaughn (`96 Polaris).

Wayne’s Transmissions Nostalgia
Win-Jim Dillon .160, 6.83 (6.86 dial) 100.16.
Runner-up-Glenn Watts -.021, 6.99 (6.98 dial) 97.87.
Semi-Lloyd Zenick (`71 Vega); Larry Lancaster (`59 Chevy pickup).

Fox presented by the Naughty Girls club
Win-Valmarie Griffiths .058, 8.12 (8.06 dial) 80.47.
Runner-up-Megan Mihalisko .345, 8.62 (8.55 dial) 80.09.
Semi-Jennifer Barr (`67 Mustang).

Trophy
Win-Mike Huetson .375, 10.06 (10.06 dial) 70.63.
Runner-up-Lucas Day .026, 8.33 (8.40 dial) 79.80.