Stock/ Super Stock Racing Nova Scotia Style

[Mark Howes]

Just thought I would share this well written piece on our Stock/ Super Stock Combo race this past weekend at Greenfield Dragway in Nova Scotia Canada. A racer organized Association was born this season and interest in class racing on the East Coast of Canada is making a serious comeback. Kudos to Jeff Kempton on his writing skills. More information on the Atlantic Canada Stock Super Stock Association can be found at www.dragsite.com


STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE #1;
Presented By Cottman Transmissions, NS

RACE REPORT


Although it took us two days to get it in the books; Race 1 of the 2011 ACSSA Stock/Super Stock Challenge series turned out to be as great a race as we were hoping for! When I rolled through the gate at Greenfield Dragway early Friday evening it was hard to believe due to the spectacular weather that day that the weekend forecast of heavy rains could possibly happen. While Mother Nature did indeed drop more than our fair share of rain on us from Saturday mid-afternoon to Sunday Noon, thanks to the terrific cooperation of the racers and the excellent efforts of the Greenfield Dragway staff, we were able to enjoy yet another great weekend of Stock/Super Stock racing.

The weekend started off a little ominously, though. Along with the weather worries, our initial record turnout of 19 entries was reduced by three right away when Keith Johnston had brake problems and cancelled out, and then both Chris Chapman and Bill Sheppard had mechanical failures during testing on Friday night. Chris had transmission problems and was done for the weekend. Bill lost a head gasket, and while he got it repaired by Sunday, he wasn't able to do so in time for the start of our race. This was partially offset by the surprise appearance of Blair MacDonald after a major thrash to repair some recent damage to his engine, putting our final field number at a very respectable 17 cars.

With the approaching rain foremost in everyone's minds, our first qualifying session took place before 10AM, with John Armstrong taking the provisional top spot at -1.23, and Chris Howes in the 2nd spot at -1.18. In the second qualifying session an hour later Fred Thibeault found the grip that had eluded him on his first pass, and although John's time improved slightly to a -1.25, Fred edged him out for top honours with a -1.30 pass.


Final Qualifying Order For Race #1:


1. - Fred Thibeault, Wilmot, NS - B/SA 1969 Camaro 10.24247 / 11.55 index (-1.30753)
2. - John Armstrong, Melvern Sq., NS - SS/AA 1969 Corvette 8.69829 / 19.95 index (-1.25171)
3. - Chris Howes, Rothesay, NB - B/SA 1970 Challenger 10.36717 / 11.55 index (-1.18283)
4. - Jody Noble, Middle Sackville, NS - K/S 1965 Malibu SS 11.88191 / 12.85 index (-0.96809)
5. - Jack Kierstead, Onslow Mtn, NS - J/SA 1978 Nova 11.78721 / 12.75 index (-0.96279)
6. - Kelly MacKay, Mineville, NS - G/SA 1972 Demon 11.39569 / 12.30 index (-0.90431)
7. - Malcolm London, Saint John, NB - L/SA 1980 Malibu 12.11852 / 13.00 index (-0.88148)
8. - Terry Knapper, Moncton, NB - I/S 1978 Camaro 11.64977 / 12.50 index (-0.85023)
9. - Greg Nickerson, Lr. Sackville, NS - B/FIA 1996 Firebird 10.71985 / 11.55 index (-0.83015)
10. - Jeremy Keans, Brooklyn, NS - G/SA 1985 Camaro 11.48214 / 12.30 index (-0.81786)
11. - Blair MacDonald, Sackville, NB - GT/CA 1986 Camaro 10.41275 / 11.20 index (-0.78725)
12. - Mark Howes, Rothesay, NB - SS/JA 1971 Duster 10.64296 / 11.30 index (-0.65704)
13. - Dave Garland, Moncton, NB - SS/HA 1967 Camaro 10.39893 / 10.90 index (-0.50107)
14. - Don LaVoie, Dieppe, NB - D/SA 2003 Corvette 11.35894 / 11.85 index (-0.49106)
15. - Ray Ingram, Middle Sackville, NS - I/CM 1969 Chevelle conv. 11.61238 / 12.10 index (-0.48762)
16. - Wayne Deveau, Middleton, NS - GT/CA 1980 Olds Starfire 10.27487 / 10.70 index (-0.42513)
17. - Alan Harper, Salisbury, NB - SS/KA 1980 Mirada 11.58094 / 11.55 index (+0.03094)


Still watching the weather, we headed into the first round as quickly as possible. The round results are once again listed in a format similar to those used on other racing forums, listing the reaction time, then the ET, and then the dial.


Round 1:


Wayne Deveau .11254 RT, 10.65556 (10.25) defeated Terry Knapper -.02218 RT, 11.69092 (11.65)
Jack Keirstead .01618 RT, 11.78 (11.81872) defeated Dave Garland -.03643 RT, 10.38077 (10.39)
Don LaVoie .03576 RT, 11.38348 (11.33) defeated Kelly MacKay -.00568 RT, 11.40972 (11.42)
Malcolm London .06753 RT, 12.21365 (12.18) defeated Ray Ingram .08491 RT, 11.60239 (11.61)
Jody Noble .08990 RT, 11.84699 (11.88) defeated Mark Howes -.07118 RT, 10.59102 (10.66)
Greg Nickerson .10938 RT, 10.74215 (10.74) defeated Alan Harper .06516 RT, 11.61825 (11.55)
Chris Howes .04991 RT, 10.35099 (10.38) defeated Blair MacDonald -0.50000 RT, 10.60414 (10.43)
Jeremy Keans .07162 RT, 11.49450 (11.48) defeated John Armstrong .03707 RT, 8.68315 (8.71)
Fred Thibeault .06202 RT, 11.03881 (10.20) defeated - BYE

For 2011 we've added a new "Bounty Hunter" bonus; sponsored by LaFarge Concrete. $50 is up for grabs for anyone who is able to defeat the most recent race winner. If the winner repeats and wins this race he gets the extra $50 on top of his winnings. This promises to be a lots of fun for both the racers and spectators. The drama ended early as Chris Howes defeated past winner Blair MacDonald and pocketed the $50.

The other pairing that captured everyone's attention in the 1st round was Jeremy Keans and John Armstrong; the up and coming talent in his first Stk/SS race vs. the legendary local racer and engine builder. Jeremy took the win with his new G/SA Camaro that he and his father Gary built.


Round 2:


Jeremy Keans .04879 RT, 11.42268 (11.49) defeated - BYE
Malcolm London .03665 RT, 12.19816 (12.18) defeated Chris Howes -.02511 RT, 10.90883 (10.39)
Fred Thibeault .07920 RT, 10.43486 (10.38) defeated Don Lavoie .13847 RT, 11.36096 (11.36)
Greg Nickerson .01548 RT, 10.69528 (10.70) defeated Jack Kierstead -.00339 RT, 11.80660 (11.77)
Jody Noble .02423 RT, 11.99708 (11.84) defeated Wayne Deveau .08189 RT, 10.60470 (10.25)


Round 3:


Greg Nickerson .07922 RT, 10.73120 (10.75) defeated Jeremy Keans .01784 RT, 11.48237 (11.51)
Fred Thibeault .75780 RT, 18.68608 (10.35) defeated Jody Noble - BROKE
Malcolm London .11928 RT, 12.24199 (12.20) defeated - BYE


Jody Noble was unable to make the call when clutch troubles surfaced on a prior pass. His misfortune was Fred's good luck, and Fred made an easy pass into the next round. As the winner of this pair was slated to get a Bye in the next round, with this round win Fred was guaranteed a final round appearance.


Round 4:


Greg Nickerson .02864 RT, 10.75851 (10.72) defeated Malcolm London .08141 RT, 12.30993 (12.26)
Fred Thibeault .13467 RT, 11.14825 (10.30) defeated - BYE


Final Round:


Greg Nickerson .03591 RT, 10.71596 (10.75) defeated Fred Thibeault -.00315 RT, 10.34276 (10.35)


ACSSA STOCK/SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE RACE #1 WINNER

--------------------- GREG NICKERSON !! ---------------------------


ACSSA Stock/Super Stock Challenge Race 1 Payouts

Event Winner: ($500)
Greg Nickerson

Event Runner-Up: ($300)
Fred Thibeault

Event Semi-Finalist: ($100/person)
Malcolm London

Event Quarter-Finalists: ($50/person)
Jody Noble
Jeremy Keans

The following special awards were also presented:

Top Qualifier Award (Sponsored by A&J Automotive):
Fred Thibeault $100
(10.24247 on a 11.55 index (-1.30753))

Best Package In Eliminations Award (Sponsored by BMR Structural Engineering):
Malcolm London $50
(.03665 RT + .01816 over the dial = .05481 package in the 2nd round)

"Bounty Hunter" Award: (Sponsored by LaFarge Concrete):
Chris Howes $50
(defeated our most recent race winner; Blair MacDonald, in the 1st round)

"Just 4 Fun" Stk/SS Series Award: (Sponsored by Dents & Stones Automotive):
Jeremy Keans

Several fellow racers, family members, and fans came to us over the weekend to offer to help, or provided words of support for what we doing with this series. To these folks as well as all the racers, track personnel, fans, and sponsors that helped to make our first race of 2011 a success, a big "Thank You!" We hope to see you all at our Race #2 in PEI in two weeks on July 2nd!

[Dave Ley]

Great job and good luck with the new Association !

[tj310]

Nice to see a couple of stick cars...Thanx Trevor

[Mike Brogniez]

Thanks for the detailed race report, have a great season.
MB

[Kris]

Very cool!