08/07/05 - Englishtown, NJ
For the first time in its history, Vette DoctorsPro 8 Shootout presented by Neverlift Racecraft was held on a Sunday at Raceway Park. Sunday's are reserved for more serious racers who race every weekend, usually for big payout, and also for the quickest cars Raceway Park has to offer. The Pro 8 ran along The No-Time Nationals and the Ultra Quick 8 (7-second cars). This event marked the return of the 2004 Champion, Mike Mitchell, who had recently sold his car but was out for one last hurrah.
Qualifying
Mitchell took the Number 1 spot with an 8.42 @ 164 in his C4 while Angelo Valla was just behind him in the number 2 spot with the C3 with an 8.55 @ 160. Current points leader, Paul Ziajski, was looking for a third straight event win and was the third qualifier just off the pace at 9.58 @ 141. Bill Maloney was fourth on the ladder with a new personal best in black C5 running 9.70 @ 135. Mark Shaw, with the Red C3 was the final single digit qualifier with a 9.99 @ 139. John Carter came out with the reliable blue convertible and took the sixth spot just shy of a 9-second pass at 10.10 @ 136. Dave Busch, driving Mike Romain's new rear turbo setup missed the first qualifier but was in on the second qualifier bumping Paul Major with a 10.26 @ 133. Newcomer to the Pro 8 and Neverlift's wiring guy, Wayne Keegan, was the eighth qualifier until he discovered a problem with his red 1980 C3, which is for sale, he opted not to sign up for points in the Corvette Challenge therefore disqualifying his run and putting Paul Major into the ladder in the eighth spot. Major had some issues with his nitrous setup and could only muster a 10.99 @ 125. Two other drivers were out to make the field but did not make it. Edgar Perez was 10th overall with an 11.58 @ 115 and Doug Ring was 11th with Alan Eckert's Blue C5 with a 12.98 @ 81 MPH, obviously a little hurt.
The first pair on the track was Angelo Valla (2) and Dave Busch. While Valla had the advantage of the quicker qualifying car, he got one more advantage. Busch's (Romain's) car suffer some trouble on the shift and did not get off a clean pass. Valla took the win easily. Click for video. The second pair out was Bill Maloney (4) vs. Mark Shaw (5). Both cars qualified in the nines and were the closest pair. For this round Maloney tired a set of colder plugs but it did not pan out as he bogged out of the hole and only managed a 10.4 pass while Shaw stepped it up and took the win with a 9.8 pass. Click for video.. The third pair out was Ziajski (3) and Carter (7). Ziajski, the points leader qualified a little slower than he had been running so he looked to have the advantage. Once again, however, Carter proved that anything can happen in racing. When the three yellows flashed, Carter's win light came on as Ziajski tripped the red light. Carter finished the run with a 10.07. Click for Video. The final pair out was the Mitchell (1) against Major (8). Mitchell knew Major had not gotten a full pass all day and was capable of a much better ET than his qualifying ET. No hold barred on this one, Mitchell was on his way. Major got it all working for this pass and managed a new personal best of 9.313 but that was not enough for the win. Mitchell launched and got the wheels way up in the air and back down straight to rip a blistering 8.40 pass and the win. Click for Video
Round 2
The skies opened up and it did not look for a race completion. The track waited about an hour and a half before they determined they could not finish the event even if it stopped raining at that point so it was called. The race will not be finished and the 4 remaining drivers split the payout, though I am sure they would rather have finished the event. All except for Ziajski who was able to hold onto his first place standing due to Mitchell not being able to go on. Who know's if Mitchell will make the next race?
To congratulate the drivers on the Corvette Forum, click here
goDragRacing.com is a web site that covers all of the biggest heads-up racing action. They were at Raceway Park and included our Pro 8. For additional coverage and photos, visit goDragRacing.com
Next Race
The Vette Doctors Pro 8 Shootout is back in action at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ on Saturday, October 22, 2005 with the gates opening at 9 AM. The next and final race after this one is November 5, 2005. Remember this series is open to any Corvette who signs up for points and meets all the Saturday bracket rules and Pro 8 rules. Entry is free with a bracket race entry. Come on out to race or watch.
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