The Ohio Challenge Cup rolled into Fremont's Fastraxxx for its season opener on the popular "Bullring" 95' American Royal. With a solid turnout in all four divisions, it was time to drop the green on Ohio's Stamped Steel Series.
GT1-B led the proceedings as track owner Chris Earnhardt broke through for a great win on his home track. He was followed closely home in second and third by last season's points rivals Dan Halfhill and Joe Gerencser respectively. OOS racer John Notestine ran an Elmo backup to pick up the fourth spot over Michigan Mafia member Johnnie Detroit. Newcomer Floyd Wagner acquitted himself well on the tight Royal with sixth spot over Haley Halfhill, while Columbus's Dave Doerschuk and local Matthew Deisenroth both ran into mechanical trouble.
GT1-B Results
Chris Earnhardt – 236
Dan Halfhill – 231
Joe Gerencser – 225
John Notestine – 222
Johnnie Detroit – 220
Floyd Wagner – 213
Haley Halfhill – 207
Dave Doerschul – 199
Matthew Deisenroth – 197
GT1-A was a nail-biter of a 9 man round-robin. After 8 heats, Ron Hershman stood atop the pile with a big win over Dave Decoster. Fastraxxx locals Rob Voska grabbed a fine third on the day, while panels decided fourth through sixth for Elmo Vallance, Steve Peppler, and Justin Porter. Ron Vincek was the last man running in 7th, while Jeff Hees, Bob Foster, and Jim Pace Jr all ran into mechanical issues mostly tied to crash damage.
GT1-A Results
Ron Hershman – 278
David Decoster – 268
Rob Voska – 263
Elmo Vallance – 261.11
Steve Peppler – 261.02
Justin Porter – 261.01
Ron Vincek – 254
Jeff Henes – 227
Bob Foster – 217
Jim Pace Jr. - 211
Group 10 continued its reputation for being a tough class as fiteen of the big 16D's made for some exciting racing on the Royal. Elmo Vallance set the tone for the day in qualifying with a new track record as TQ, but it would be Ron Hershman grabbing the win, beating out Dave Decoster once again for the top spot on the podium. Making the podium match up completely to GT1-A, Rob Voska slotted in for another third. Behind Voska, it was another close matter of panels for fourth for Jim Pace Jr, Elmo Vallance, and Justin Porter, while Ron Vincek claimed another seventh place. Steve Peppler shook off his rough GT1 run to take eighth. Joe Gerencser had one of his best days in G10 with ninth over an oddly struggling Bob Foster. Dan Halfhill would win a father/daughter battle over Haley Halfhill for the eleventh spot, while mechanical issues plagued Floyd Wagner, Dave Doerschuk, and Johnnie Detroit all through the B-main.
Group 10 Results
Ron Hershman – 282
Dave Decoster – 272
Rob Voska – 268
Jim Pace Jr. - 264.11
Elmo Vallance – 264.07
Justin Porter – 264.06
Ron Vincek – 257
Steve Peppler – 253
Joe Gerencser – 241
Bob Foster – 240
Dan Halfhill – 237
Haley Halfhill – 226
Floyd Wagner – 214
Dave Doerschuk – 210
Johnnie Detroit – 203
GTP had 16 of the Ohio Challenge Cup's fasted and was set for a wild race. Ron Hershman earned a sweep of the day with both TQ and the win in GTP, while Jim Pace Jr rocketed onto the podium in second. Dave Decoster scored third to ensure podium finishes in all three classes, fighting off Justin Porter from fourth. Steve Peppler managed his best run of the day in fifth over Jeff Henes, while Dan Halfhill claimed seventh for a solid run out of the B main. Bob Foster made up for a rocky G10 to beat out Ron Vincek by a lap for eighth, who in turn knocked Elmo Vallance down to tenth by a lap. Joe Gerencser claimed eleventh over Haley Halfhill, whose solid early run was undone when her controller trigger spring snapped! Unfortunately, in the crash damage and mechanical issue pile were Chris Earnhardt, Johnnie Detroit, Dave Doerschuk, and Floyd Wagner. All victims of the high speed traffic of a GTP race on the Royal.
GTP Results
Ron Hershman – 296
Jim Pace Jr – 282
Dave Decoster – 276
Justin Porter – 271
Steve Peppler – 268
Jeff Henes – 263
Dan Halfhill – 256
Bob Foster – 247
Ron Vincek – 246
Elmo Vallance – 245
Joe Gerencser – 238
Haley Halfhill – 230
Chris Earnhardt – 223
Johnnie Detroit – 218
Dave Doerschuk – 192
Floyd Wagner – 155
As always, between tight racing, Lee's Chicken, and great senses of humor, Fastraxxx Raceway in Fremont has provided a fantastic day of racing and fun for the Ohio Challenge Cup. The circuit makes its way in October to its first Pennsylvania date at North East Slot Car Raceway on October 20th on their 100' Ogilvie Reverse Orange. See you all at the races!
