The third event of our four-event Fall Series has come and gone. And what an event it was: 155 paid entries, four runs on a 45 second course, great 80 degree weather … it just doesn’t get any better than that. We also had time for some 30 Time Only's. Click here for a window on results from this event, and click here to see the series standings after three events.

The Chuck-Voboril-designed course lived up to his standards, and there were challenges left unresolved even at the end of the day. The “mysterious oval” was an enigma for many, including myself. I and others just never did it well. Good challenge though. But Chuck seemed to handle it well, as he was 2.5 ‘raw’ seconds ahead of the next fastest car, driven by Mark Huffman. After that, the groupings became only tenths apart. Voboril was even 0.5 Pax seconds ahead of Huffman in this event. Nothing like two National Champions going at it tooth and nail, huh?

It’s getting really interesting as we near the end of this Series. As usual, there are some runaway or single victories (fill up those smaller classes folks!), but there are a number of interesting battles too. For instance, C Stock. Mark Johnson’s new ride seems to fit him well as he used it to eek by Brian Peters this event by a slender tenth of a second and three points, but Brian still leads the Series … but by only 16 points over Don Sattler! Dawn Maxwell also learned the new car quickly as she enjoyed her best score of the Series. Interesting to note that Dawn, Don, and Tom D. all scored on the same tenth of a second! D Stock is new Mini vs. Lexus IS300. Jim Barks took this event and is now only two points behind Tom Errickson for the Series lead. F Stock finds Ken Terrell’s Firebird being chased by Don Hyland, who just gained 28 points. Oddly enough, that’s exactly the number of points Don is still behind in the Series! Could be interesting. G Stock finds Larry Dues GSR Integra maintaining about a 20 point per event advantage over David’s Z-28. Mark Shaw at this time has a firm handle on H Stock and the Schupfer Corvair, but hey – notice that Corvair’s sneaking consistently into the 900’s? In their day they were quite quick, so Mark better not let up.

Jason Boles and his BMW ‘Z’ Coupe has a 25 point advantage over the Davis 911 in ASP, but was “haunted” by the return of Rolf Aberegg’s Corvette this past event. CSP shows Paul Bloomberg’s 944 still ahead of the missing Robert Freeman Miata. In ESP Richard Rippy’s Camaro is still dominant, and leads Abraham Jones’ Camaro SS by about 40 points. The FSP contest rages on, with the Golf Sport of Kevin McPeek now leading Joe Murray’s Golf GLS by only two points. Good contest!

Dane Campbell brought out his yellow 72 MG Midget again and did battle with Dave Lahey’s Miata in DP. Dane lost this day, but was probably glad to have someone to battle with. EP enjoys an ongoing battle with the Datsun 510’s bumping bonnets. Adolfo Malagon has the upper hand right now over Dick Lowell, but Dick has more tricks up his sleeves than anyone knows. Never count him out. Ken Edney and Alan Wagstaff showcase the Formula Ford wars in CM, and Ken’s leading the Series. Boy, looks like DM had a party! Four entries this event, with Joe Curry’s hi-tech Spitfire leading the pack. Quite a crew, too. Another Spitfire, a ’58 Bugeye Sprite, and a.….VW FWD pickup truck on steroids! Yes, it’s true. Robert Freeman showed up with an old VW pickup with a transplanted 2 liter fuel-injected Rabbit engine that made plenty of horsepower. Rumor has it that it might show up again in an early Rabbit body. Sounds like “Truckenstein”!!!

In SM class Steve Steele’s vintage Mustang seems to have developed a worthy competitor. Tyler Thompson has ‘evolved’ to Street Mod (thanks to the ambiguity of SCCA Street Prepared rules on turbos), and his first try bumps Steve from first by 6 tenths of a second. O'boy. Nothing like a little competition to improve the breed. Hi-tech horsepower vs. brute horsepower. Any bets?

The fledgling SM2 class is still searching for its identity, and offers a real variety of competitors. All the way from Corvettes to Miatas. Sound like a mismatch? Well, after three events Paul Hamersly’s Vette is ONE POINT ahead of Harry Berzes’ Miata. Brant Bauman’s turbo Miata is just a few points farther back. The fourth event will cast the deciding vote. The STS class is one of the more popular and exciting classes from SCCA. Dave Rock’s Celica was back out this event with new tires (Bridgestone, I think) and very light rims, and they seem to do the trick as he again dominated the Subarus. Well, by two tenths of a second, anyway. Hey, a win’s a win, right? Ron Huber does lead the Series, however, by 6 points. David only gained four points on him this past event, but has a history of coming from behind. (Please don’t ask me how I know.) In STX, which is like STS on vitamins, the Goerner Type R leads the Diefenderfer WRX by a comfy margin.

On to our local classes. The Pax Ladies is a place where the “Sisterhood” have as much fun chatting between runs as they do out on the track. Doesn’t really matter who wins, they enjoy each other’s company. As should we all, I expect. Right now it’s Deb, Glenda, and Jodie, but expect that to change after the next event. Heck, Steve’s “other” Corvette might fall apart too! While Jodie was practicing in her shared Miata, Glenda took her Time Only runs in a … Dodge Rampage! Well, it’s kind of Neon-like, I guess. Anyway, they all had a great time.

The PRO class also has a great time, but in a slightly different way. Here the spirit of friendliness in competition is likewise high, but these folks are deadly serious about their runs. Did I mention they also run for money, and not trophies? Well, in this world Chuck Voboril currently rules, but Ted Lewis and Jason Isley are not far behind. One bad day and POOF! All gone. Mark Huffman is also a contender when his work does not interfere, and we have high hopes he will be able to adjust his schedule soon so he can join us more often. Sportsman Class is a collection of folks with complicated schedules and are SCCA Open Class caliber but need run group flexibility, or, a source of competition if their usual class has none. This is also a very competitive and closely grouped bunch, and any one of the top three or four could take the trophy depending on … well, depending on what car “Tage the Car Slut” borrows for the final event. Or, if Steve Eymann’s Corvette holds together. Or, if Scott doesn’t change cars. Lots of variables here! After watching Tage drive that VW DM Truck during Time Onlys, I’m not sure it will matter much what he borrows next! Too close to call here.

ST1 class has seventeen active participants, and the top eleven drivers are within 100 points of each other in the Series. The Rohn BWM leads the Seow S2000 by only 38 points, and Kemper, Drummond and Williams are just a breath behind. Good mix of cars here, too – BMW sedan, Honda, Vette, Z-28 Camaro, BMW roadster, Supra, Honda, Mustang …. You get the picture: it comes down to the driver. No car is dominant. Looks like the “bragging rights” for the best street tire times are still firmly held by ST2. The top Series score for ST1 is 1838, and the ST2 Dwight Smith Ford Focus has 1894! Eighteen cars in this group, and eight cars are within 100 points of each other at the top. Good competition. Chad Mizner’s Del Sol is in second by only nine points, with Pat Fisher hot on his heels in his new Spec-V SE-R.

Novice 1 has the Billson Mustang leading the Strumph Mustang by 39 points, and most of those were picked up last event. Good day, eh Robert? Third place Mario Diforte dropped some this last event too, but again, this fourth event will clear the air. Novice 2 shows Ryan Cook's WRX ahread of the Ryan Birkmeyer's WRX by a healthy 72 points, but last event shows Birkmeyer drawing closer and closer. Think he can "rally" to the victory? Novice 3 had fifteen entrants, but only 6 are trophy eligible, so that narrows the possibilities. Jeremy Galo and his '00 Prelude SH lead Jason Pierce's WRX by 26 points, but 21 of those came from the November results. I wonder what December has to offer? You can bet Jason is doing the 'Subaru Rain Dance' regularly. The Novice Ladies is healthy, and Jessica Jackson's '00 Civic SI leads Tammy Roland's Vette by only 27 points. Since she gained 28 points last event, it all comes down to … all together now … the fourth event. Bring your cameras!!!

That fourth event is Sunday December 15, following the Driver's School on December 14. I wonder what the effects will arise from the newer drivers having experiencd the Drivers' School? And I wonder if the battle of "The Old Ugly Trucks" will continue? Better attend to find out!!!