Racing - A Family Affair
Stock Car Championship
entries swelled in its first year as an official Century
Event. Using the popular MESE format, 11 heat races were held
during the three heats allowing 22 drivers to qualify for the
Big Race. A record 44 drivers showed up during one heat quickly
overflowing the room, but additional space was found and no drivers
were turned away.
This year, SCC turned into a family event with returning Champ
Rebekah Garton, and her brother Joshua, easily winning heats
on the first day assuring them a spot in the finals. Not to be
outdone, the Dolan family took to the pavement and all three,
Dan Sr, Dan Jr and Tim Dolan all notched qualifying positions
as well for the Sunday race.
Heat races were composed of eight drivers using basic rules
and single file racing. As this is a beginners tournament, all
rules were taught before every heat and rookies were quickly
trading paint with the more experienced drivers. A Junior tournament
was added as well this year, giving the young game players a
taste of racing. The appeal of the big diecast cars works with
young and old alike.
With the final race scheduled
for 9:00AM Sunday, a few noshows were expected, but 17 of 22
qualifiers did make it to the early morning event. Unfortunately,
Dan Sr and Jr opted for other tourneys, leaving young Tim Dolan
on his own in the Big Show. The Final race took place on a 60
foot oval with everyone picking their favorite diecast. Returning
champ Rebekah Garton, again took to the track in the Vermont
Teddy Bear Car. Tim Dolan jumped into the Scooby Doo car and
the chase was on.
The Final was a 200 lap race and introduced two lane racing
and, if a driver crashed, they were out, no chance for repairs
in the finals. Luckily, the race was somewhat uneventful with
only one driver crashing. As such, there was plenty of green
flag racing with drivers hooking up with each other trying to
make it to the front. Defending champ Rebekah Garton hung around
the top five for most of the race, but faded in the end to a
ninth place finish.
Tim Dolan, on his own, showed he could run with the Big Dogs.
His Scooby Doo car slowly and methodically worked its way from
the back of the pack to within striking distance of the lead.
As the race was winding down, his car started to dominate and
he changed lanes to make his move. In the final laps he showed
he had all the horsepower he needed in the
outside lane by passing two cars and pulling away from the pack.
The drivers on the inside just didn't have enough to keep up
and he easily cruised to the checkered flag.
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