2009 THUNDERJET CHALLENGE
Race Report
 (Scroll to bottom of page for race score card and photos)

4/4/09 –
        With 16 previous years down, the running of Greenbrier Raceway’s 17th Annual THUNDERJET CHALLENGE had to be one… if not the… smoothest and most organized ever.
        As many return Drivers filed in, they knew exactly what to do and what was expected of them. The few rookies that entered were warmly welcomed as many regulars filled them in on rules, tips, adjustments, etc.
        Greenbrier Raceway’s Annual THUNDERJET CHALLENGE is billed as “For the Fun…”, and that is exactly what it was, fun for EVERYONE!!!

        As the name implies, Greenbrier’s THUNDERJET CHALLENGE is just that… an Aurora Thunderjet race using Box Stock T-jets. Some aftermarket replacement parts are allowed due to vehicle age, but in general, all cars are to be stock and in #7 condition or better. 
        Being a mini-enduro, many ‘enduro’ style regulations are enforced... such as no lap corrections, no track calls, and maintenance to vehicles allowed ONLY under ‘Green’ (driver’s race time).
        The race consists of two separate halves, or rounds. Round 1 is usually considered qualifying, as only the top eight racers from Round 1 will be entered into the second half... Round 2, or Main.
        At 10 minutes per heat, this puts the total race time per ‘Main’ drivers at 80 minutes (4 lanes X 10 min. X 2 Rounds).
        But maybe the most unique aspect of Greenbrier Raceway’s THUNDERJET CHALLENGE is the laps from BOTH Rounds are used to determine the final 8 standings, meaning from the word “Go”, drivers must be (and remain) at the top of their game !!!

ROUND 1

        To keep drivers on the track ‘continuously’ as much as possible, each Round is divided into race “groups” via random draw (vs. running the entire round Round-Robin). For Round 1, this would keep sit-out positions to a minimum but still leave room for (expected) late entries, and make sit-outs unnecessary all together for Round 2.

        The first group up would be Larry Weaver, John Durbin, Don Mantey, Jamie Vershey, and (sit-out) John Voellinger.
        Starting out, Larry would leave his mark with 50 laps in heat 1 while Jamie, after a relatively weak 43, would shoot back with a 50 of his own in heat 2. As the race continued, so did the battle with both recording 50 laps in heat 3 and Jamie with a great 52 lap finish in heat 4… but would it be enough?
        The 5th & final heat for the group would see Larry turn a 47 while John V. would make a “from behind” move with 51 laps. At the end of the first group, it was Larry in the lead with (totals)196 laps over Jamie and John V.’s 195 lap / 43 track section TIE for 2nd !!!

        Group 2 was John Peckham, Steve Dickinson, Nathan Peckham, Dave Vickers, with Ralph Thieleman as the sit-out.
        John & Dave would start things off with respectable 54 & 53 laps while Steve would take his Sunoco Camaro to a blinding 56 laps in heat 1. The next 4 heats would be more of the same… John & Dave would average 52 laps per heat and Steve would never go below 54. This would reset the current standings with Steve in 1st with 221 laps, followed by John (209) & Dave (207).

        Group 3 saw Rick Kibler, Chris Mathewson, Mike King, Jeff Eve, and Fran Thorn take to the track.
        After some “Good ‘O Boys” ribbing on last years D.Q., Mike was out to prove what a ‘Legal’ car can do by turning 56, 55, & 56 laps in his first 3 heats. Unfortunately, Mike didn’t fair so well on the RED lane, turning only 50 laps… but it still was good enough to take a comfortable 2nd place spot with 217.

        The final Group to race would be Dave Failing, Colby King, Joe Saccomanno, Rick Rumph, and Ed Hermann.
        As expected, not a lot can be said for group 4 except for everyone wondering how Dave could get his Ford J around the track so smooth & fast. With 3 consecutive wins, it was obvious Dave intended on going for #4 with 57, 59, 57, and 56 laps (229 lap total)… bumping him into the current 1st position.
ROUND 2

        Per the rules, Round 2 would actually be a continuation of Round 1… which would put Dave F. a minimum 8 laps ahead of the top 8. After some Pizza and the handing out of Door Prizes (thanks to our generous Sponsors), the final 2 groups were randomly drawn.

        Worth the price of admission alone, the first group would be none other than the current top 4… Dave F., Steve D., Mike K., and John P..
       While nothing spectacular would happen during this Round, it was just simply a joy watching vintage HO racing at its finest. Not one Driver would give an inch as each would finish within 1 lap of their respective previous Round. With no gains or losses, all four would finish Round 2 basically where they started.

        The last group up would be Dave V., Jeff E., Chris M., and Larry W..With 1st and 2nd place pretty much wrapped up, the numbers would show 3rd & 4th were still obtainable.
        Jeff & Dave would start things out right with 53 laps each in the first heat, but in heat 2, the first and only glitch of the race would surface.
        Earlier (Round 1), Jeff would have a problem on the RED lane. With no one else
having any problem, it was determined Jeff’s car to be at fault and the race continued.
        This time around, Jeff’s car simply would NOT go through the 'jog' of turn 11. Even though Jeff was still the only Driver with the corner problem, it was decided to hold a track-call and check the corner out more closely. With still no visible problem, track owner, John Peckham, ran a hot knife through the slot and did a quick rail sanding. What ever the problem was, Jeff’s car now made the corner smooth as glass… and the race continued.
        In the end, now that Jeff was able to make turn 11, he was also the only one to better his score… but JUST fell short of improving his position. Dave V. would keep 5th place with (total) 411 laps / 50 sections to Jeff ‘s 6th place finish of 411 laps / 36 sections.

        Once again, Greenbrier Raceway would like to congratulate Dave Failing on his 4th consecutive win, and thank all the people and Sponsors that have helped to make Greenbrier Raceway’s Annual THUNDERJET CHALLENGE the success it has been over the last 17 YEARS!!!

 



09_card



stickers
For any race, it's the small details that really make a difference.
Shown here are the "Sponsor" color lane stickers that were made specifically for
Greenbrier's 17th Annual THUNDERJET CHALLENGE


prizes
Race Prize Donations from our generous Sponsors
(see list / links below)


pits
Very early on, pit space was prime real estate. An extra table had to be brought in.


field
Starting field of 20 cars (19 shown) get ready for the "Challenge"


start
Time to race as the first 4 come to the line.


croud
And it's standing room only


help
A driver gets a little help in turn 10


dogleg
A couple cars negotiate the 'Dog-Leg' area


blur
Yes, that blur next to Larry's thumb IS a Thunderjet


final8
Time for Round 2 - The current Top 8


tech2
After the race, Dave Failing's car prepares for Tech


tech3
Each of the Top 3 cars is stripped down to the bare chassis and motors ohm'ed.


3winners
Top 3
Steve Dickinson (2) - Dave Failing (1) - Mike King (3) ...


3cars
...and their respective cars.


wincircle
Dave Failing's winning Ford "J"
(Note - Sponsor Lane Stickers also made great logos for on back wall)
Greenbrier Raceway would like to give a special thanks to this years Featured Sponsors:


sr65

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fr

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vrp

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dcm
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et

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agg

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Bubba’s Race Car Shells
bbrs
(Photos here)

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joes

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gregs

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