[Adam Ginsberg]

In Word Format, and in Adobe Format.

Written by Todd Covini and Adam Ginsberg

16 April 1006

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

NASA Texas AI/CMC heads to Cresson Texas, and takes no prisoners!

The Texas AI/X and CMC racing crew held round #2 of the 2006 championship season at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX ( MotorSport Ranch - Performance Car Country Club ) the first weekend of March. The 1.7 mile road course would prove to be challenging for some, while others would come away with new track records.

MSR-C WEEKEND RACE SUMMARY:
+ 4 AI/CMC sprint races toward championship points
+ 1 practice session and 2 qualifying sessions
+ 7 total race group sessions and well over 2 hours of track time!
+ 22 AI/CMC cars (not including all the competition license folks)
+ 7 American Iron cars
+ 2 American Iron Xtreme cars
+ 13 CMC cars
+ 16 Mustangs
+ 4 Camaros
+ 2 Pontiac Firebirds
+ 1 AI pole position winner for the weekend – John George ( 2x )
+ 2 CMC pole position winners for the weekend – Team Ginsberg/Cooke ( Sat ) and Jeff Burch ( Sun )
+ 2 AI winners for the weekend - John George (Sat R1&2, Sun R3) and Chris Lyons (Sun R4)
+ 4 CMC winners for the weekend - Corey Rueth (Sat R1), Eric Varner (Sat R2 ), Todd Covini (Sun R3) and Nicholas Runyon (Sun R4).
Parts breakage - 1 motor (Pedersen/Marvel), rocker arm (Jeff Brooks), 2 alternators (Ginsberg, Donovan), front airdam and splitter (Matt White), front lights (John George), brake lines ( Matt White ).

FRIDAY - folks arrived to a lake in the paddock area with cloudy skies overhead left over from the previous day’s rain. Corey Rueth jumped on the street sweeper, fired it up and swept up the parking lot to remove the water.

West Coast CMC Director Al Fernandez and Chief Steward Don Barnwell were visiting and introduced themselves to the AI/CMC group. Since many of the AI and CMC racers now camp at the track, extra sleeping bags and pillows were provided for the visiting West Coast directors to show them how Texas racers enjoy a weekend of racing.

SATURDAY MORNING – The Saturday morning mandatory driver's meeting was held for all AI/CMC racers.

Practice session soon got started soon thereafter included Group 5 and Group 8 together. John George was the fastest in practice with a 1:22:248. Corey Rueth had a bolt rubbing on his driveshaft which needed to be fixed.

Series Directors Al Fernandez & Todd Covini conducted series tech inspections on AI & CMC cars following practice. Dyno sheets were checked, Dyno Decals were installed and general series tech items were discussed for consistency between regions as each car was inspected in preparation for the Nationals.

Qualifying took place with AI/CMC in their session late morning. John George, driving the Griggs/AACP #20 Mustang claimed the AI pole position with 1:21:233. Skip Smith took AIX pole with 1:24:468. Team Ginsberg/Cooke ripped the CMC pole position with a 1:26:161. Robert King, driving the #42 Mustang, blew a tire in Big Bend. Team Pedersen/Marvel destroyed their motor after cutting the 2nd fastest time 1.7 secs off the #20…a valve broke, which contacted and destroyed a piston, ended their weekend.

SATURDAY’S RACE #1 –With over 26 race cars present, Race 1 gridded the AI/CMC cars in their own race group by qualifying order for a rolling start. Richard Pedersen did not start due to his blown engine. Matt White started from the front for the first time after completing his rookie racer status. Chris Lyons battled with the #7 of David Donovan and was leading until making a mistake and handing it over. Marshall Mosty, in the #67 Mosty Brothers Racing Mustang, spun but didn't have any fuel issues for the first time in a long time. David Donovan raced with a still-injured leg, stiff and no ankle movement. The Maximum Motorsports #5 Mustang of Ginsberg had an alternator go out on grid and was push started by the other CMC’ers. Eric Varner caught a rock in his radiator and fell off the pace with coolant leaking. Mike Bell missed a shift and lost positions to the onslaught of CMC cars.


Pregrid for the NASA Texas AI/CMC racers. Image by Holly Donovan.

At the checker, for AI, the finishing order showed the #20 of John George on the top podium spot, with rookie Matt White in second, David Donovan with a close 3rd, followed by Chris Lyons ( 4th ), Jeff Brooks ( 5th ), Marshall Mosty ( 6th ), and Robert King ( 7th ).

In AIX, Skip Smith, driving the TexaStar Ford/Motul/Frontier Farm and Ranch 2005 Mustang took 1st, followed by David Mixon in the #58 4th Gen Camaro.

For CMC, Corey Rueth managed his second win of the season in his Simpson Race Products Mustang, Glenn Landrum driving the LG Motorsports/Moonlite Graphics/Natwell Welding Supply Camaro close on his heels for 2nd, Mike Bell in the BNS Racing #18 Mustang in 3rd, followed by Todd Covini ( 4th ), Jeff Burch ( setting the new CMC track record with a 1:24.982!! ) in 5th, Nicholas Runyon 6th, Mitch Warren in 7th, Scott Smith in 8th, Morgan Dawdy in 9th, Micheal Mosty in 10th, Micah Bishop in 11th, Adam Ginsberg in 12th, and Eric Varner in 13th.


Battle of the tarmac! Front to rear: David Donovan ( AI #7 ), Chris Lyons ( AI #12 ), and Skip Smith ( AIX #69 ). Image by Holly Donovan.

More on next post.....

[Adam Ginsberg]

SATURDAY RACE #2 – AI/X/CMC gridded for the final race of the day as an inverted rolling start from the finishing order of Race 1. John George started from the back, with Marshall Mosty at the front due to a early retirement from R1. Marshall, in the #67 Firestone/Mosty Brothers Racing Mustang, developed a great lead, and maintained it, while the #20 worked in earnest to chase him down held on to the lead until the last lap last turn until JG took the win. It was Marshall’s first podium finish in American Iron!

Back in CMC, Eric Varner checked out after getting a new factory radiator from the local
parts store. Matt White had his wheel come off in the paddock after finishing 3rd in AI.
Jeff Brooks accidentally contacted Chris Lyons, causing a spin. Todd Covini got inside of Nick Runyon entering rattle snake and the two rubbed fenders. Mike Bell was the meat in a Smith sandwich. Scott Smith really stepped it up and raced hard!


More action in Rattlesnake! Image by Holly Donovan.

The finishing order for AI put John George 1st, Marshall Mosty 2nd, rookie Matt White 3rd, David Donovan 4th, Jeff Brooks 5th, Chris Lyons 6th, and Robert King in 7th.

AIX had Skip Smith taking the top step, followed by David Mixon.

King of the Hill in CMC was Eric Varner, followed by Mitch Warren 2nd, Nicholas Runyon 3rd, Todd Covini 4th, Jeff Burch 5th, Mike Bell 6th, Morgan Dawdy 7th, Corey Rueth 8th, Scott Smith 9th, Glenn Landrum in 10th, Team Ginsberg/Cooke in 11th, and Micah Bishop in 12th.


SATURDAY EVENING – After a full day of exciting racing, the AI/X and CMC pits came alive anew with a BBQ. Everyone chipped in with food, drinks, and desserts. Mitch Warren did his best Wolfgang Puck impersonation, cooking up a great meal of burgers, brats and hot dogs to feed the voracious appetites of the hungry V8 racers. As the evening drew to a close, many retired to their tents and sleeping bags….now a mainstay of NASA Texas racing.

SUNDAY QUALIFYING - with cloudy skies, and slightly cooler temps, and a new track records set on Sat, it was anyone's guess who would qual on pole. In CMC, Jeff Burch came out of the gate with a roaring 1:25.138, followed closely by Michael Bell ( 1:25.652 ), Eric Varner ( 1:26.174 ), Corey Rueth ( 1:26.569 ), Todd Covini ( 1:26.659 ), Glenn Landrum ( 1:26.708 ), Adam Ginsberg ( 1:26.805 ), Nicholas Runyon ( 1:27.022 ), Michael Mosty ( 1:27.251 ), Mitch Warren ( 1:27.389 ), Scott Smith ( 1:29.346 ), rookie Morgan Dawdy ( 1:29.993 ), and traveling CMC'er Micah Bishop ( 1:31.789 ).


Robert King ( AI #42 ) and Micah Bishop ( CMC # 44 ) work their way thru Rattlesnake. Image by Holly Donovan.

In American Iron, John George capped the pole position with a 1:22.171, followed by rookie Matt White ( 1:23.063 ), David Donovan ( 1:24.563 ), Marshall Mosty ( 1:24.722 ), Chris Lyons ( 1:24.853 ), Chris Marvel driving the #42 car owned by Robert King ( 1:28.297 ), and Jeffrey Brooks ( 1:29.178 ).

AIX-racers Skip Smith and David Mixon ( father of race school instructor Kevin Mixon ), both gridded in the top 2 AIX spots.

And more.....

[Adam Ginsberg]

First time AI winner! AI podium, left to right: David Donovan ( AI #7 ), Chris Lyons ( AI #12 ) and Chris Marvel ( AI #92 ). Image by Holly Donovan.


First time CMC winner! CMC podium, from left to right: Mitch Warren ( CMC #9 ), Nicholas Runyon ( CMC #79 ) and Eric Varner ( CMC #17 ). Image by Holly Donovan

POST RACE INSPECTIONS – were conducted by the series directors along with NASA tech inspectors. General AI/CMC tech was completed primarily on Saturday with impound scales after most every race. No violations were found.

HARD LUCK AWARD – goes to Team Pedersen/Marvel and Marshall Mosty. After working feverishly to get the Three-Dog Racing #91 ready for the March event, it all went south during qualifying with a blown engine. Marshall, piloting the #67 Mustang has battled fuel related issues for far too long. Here’s to finding that fuel gremlin, Marshall!

CONCLUSION -

NASA TX AI/CMC has met it’s goal of 20+ cars in just Round 1, continued with 23 cars for Round 2. V8 racing is alive and well in Texas! Come see the action during our April 22/23 event at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson TX.

The 2006 schedule is posted at NASA Texas, NASA's American Iron Racing - Home and Camaro Mustang Challenge.

TRACK RECORDS*

MSRC (1.7mi) 1.21:648 John George (AI) 03/04/2006
MSRC (1.7mi) 1:24.98X Marshall Mosty (AIX) 03/06/2005
MSRC (1.7mi) 1:24.982 Jeff Burch (CMC) 03/04/20056

TWS (2.9mi) 1:53.785 John George (AI) 08/21/2005
TWS (2.9mi) 1:58.211 David Armstrong (AIX) 08/20/2005
TWS (2.9mi) 2:00:371 Jeff Burch (CMC) 08/21/2005

Hallett 1:24.387 John George (AI) 09/17/2005
Hallett 1:26.478 Buddy Cisar (AIX) 08/14/2004
Hallett 1:29.829 Eric Varner (CMC) 09/17/2005

NPR 1:20.319 John George (AI) 07/11/2005
NPR 1.24:381 Eric Varner (CMC) 07/11/2005

MSRH 1:45.869 John George (AI) 02/05/2006
MSRH 1.53.371 Skip Smith (AIX) 02/04/2006
MSRH 1:50.780 Eric Varner (CMC) 02/05/2006

* Track records only recorded from races in race trim.

Dyno Decals as recorded after Rounds 1 and 2:

American Iron:

Driver Name: RWHP RWTQ Min Weight
David Donovan 295 315 2835
Marshall Mosty 258 288 2800
Matt White 316 341 3069
David Love 292 310 2800
John George 329 354 3168
Pedersen/Marvel 312 314 2964
Jeff Brooks 319 317 3031
Chris Lyons TBD TBD TBD
Tracey Alvey TBD TBD TBD

Camaro-Mustang Challenge:

Driver Name: RWHP RWTQ Min Weight
Corey Rueth 227 286 3150
Morgan Dawdy 233 306 3305
Glenn Landrum 221 285 3200
Jeff Burch 204 281 3150
Mike Bell 210 276 3150
Chris McComb 195 274 3150
Todd Covini 226 293 3150
Rob Liebbe 220 279 3150
Eric Varner 226 273 3150
Nicholas Runyon 220 293 3150
Michael Mosty 226 281 3150
Adam Ginsberg 230 288 3150
Micah Bishop 227 292 3150
Scott Smith TBD TBD TBD

Drivers listed as “TBD” on the dyno grid above appeared without an updated dyno sheet. A new dyno sheet must presented at the next race.

2006 NASA TEXAS AI CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1 759 Chicane 23 (AI)
2 653 White (AI)
3 645 Donovan (AI)
4 634 Lyons/Sharp (AI)
5 515 Pedersen/Marvel (AI)
6 491 Mosty (AI)
7 464 Brooks (AI)
8 138 King (AI)
9 69 LiiR (AI)
10 0 Alvey ( AI )

2006 NASA TEXAS AIX CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1 716 Smith ( AIX )
2 360 Mixon (AIX)
3 90 Alexander ( AIX )
4 0 Armstrong ( AIX )

*** AI points per NASA CCR rule 22.1 and AI rule 10 100 for 1st...90 for 2nd...85 for 3rd, etc.
4 points for qualifying Pole position

2006 NASA TEXAS CMC CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:

1 764 Varner (CMC)
2 755 Rueth (CMC)
3 755 Covini (CMC)
4 738 Bell (CMC)
5 738 Runyon (CMC)
6 733 Burch (CMC)
7 733 Landrum (CMC)
8 701 Mosty ( CMC )
9 697 Dawdy/Carr ( CMC )
10 513 Bishop/MacNeil ( CMC )
11 436 Smith, Scott ( CMC )
12 372 Warren/Buehler (CMC)
13 371 Liebbe (CMC)
14 350 Ginsberg/Cooke (CMC)
15 258 McComb (CMC)
16 0 Tanner ( CMC )
17 0 Tseng/Rueth (CMC)


***CMC points per CMC rule 9: 100 for 1st...97 for 2nd...95 for 3rd, etc.
1 point for qualifying Pole position

Points from the lowest scoring 20% of the season’s total number of races shall be dropped from each driver’s total for purposes of calculating the season total.

For more information, the following websites should be able to answer any of your licensing/rules/racing questions:

Welcome to NASAProRacing.com!
NASA Texas
NASA's American Iron Racing - Home
Camaro Mustang Challenge

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