9 replies to this topic

[Justin A. Porter]

September 14th kicks off the Ohio Challenge Cup's eleventh season and the opener moves back to Elyria after taking a year in Fremont at Fastraxxx. With the big 165' Ogilvie Hillclimb changing hands and under the capable ownership of Brian Lear, it's now A&J Raceway in Elyria that plays host to the OCC. 

Last year saw big fields with 68 total entries. Dan Halfhill grabbed the GT1-B win with 175 laps on his way to the GT1-B championship. Eric Shirey added to his command of the all-time win list with GT1-A, beating Bud Bartos by panels for the win at 203.11 laps. Shirey would then go on with a sweep on the day, taking home Group 10 with 202 laps and GTP with 210 laps. 

As always, doors will open at 8:00am with GT1 tech at 9:40am and racing starting at 10:00am. Entries remain $7 per class, plus $5 practice and $5 lunch fee. Join us as we start the Ohio Challenge Cup's second decade as Ohio's Stamped Steel Series!

[Justin A. Porter]

A&J Raceway will be open for practice on Friday, 9/13, from 5pm to 9pm.

[DOCinCanton]

What is the braid depth at A&J's?

[mgerbetz]

Everyone watch out for this mild mannered Doc guy. Seems like a humble young man......

Until he blows right by you in the race at your own home track. Packs up the fast cars and makes his way back down to paradise.

Fast retiree, Slot Car Racer.

[DOCinCanton]

I am looking forward to racing up in Ohio soon. I just don't want to embarrass myself. I will need a lot of help with car setup and gear ratios. We don't run the tagged 16Ds or the PS4002FK motors in Florida.

[Justin A. Porter]

What is the braid depth at A&J's?

Braid depth is .015" and I think Doc is going to fit right in with the usual assortment of our sport's elder statesmen and younger chargers that make up an OCC field. 

[DOCinCanton]

Justin; thank you for the kind words. I should fit in fine. I have 2 goals. 1) finish the main that I qualified in, doesn't matter which main. And 2) I will run a clean race for myself and hope not to ruin someone else race.

[DOCinCanton]

Michael: thank you also for the fine words. I simply want to race and have a great time doing it and stay out of everybody's way.

[Justin A. Porter]

A&J Raceway will have practice time tonight, 5pm onwards, in addition to the previously announce 5pm to 9pm Friday practice. 

[Justin A. Porter]

The Eleventh season of the Ohio Challenge Cup opened with a bang at A&J Raceway in Elyria, Ohio. The tour's longest track, A&J's 165' Ogilvie Hillclimb, once again proved a challenge to gathered racers with a big day of racing to start things off.

GT1 had 20 racers – 14 Pro, 6 Am – running in two 10 racer round-robins. There was a fair bit of rough and tumble racing as drivers fought for position, but track owner Brian Lear came out on top over reigning GT1 Pro champion Jeff Henes. Mike Lear came in close behind in third over a resurgent Ron Vincek. Bud Bartos brought home a top five in one of his rare OCC starts, beating out Justin Porter and Al Rutti. Eighth spot would belong to Larry Kowicki ahead of newly minted Pro, Dan Halfhill, who in turn would beat out George Katzakis who was making a return to 1/24^th scale after spending time touring with HO racing. Dave Decoster's eleventh would be the top spot for the Michigan Mafia, one lap ahead of fellow Mafia member Bob Foster. Ohio Oval Series head honcho Denny Murray would claim a difficult thirteenth, followed by Florida Slot Car Series board member Doc Dougherty.
For the six Am's, it would be a Gary and Gary 1-2, with MMW/A&J journeyman Gary Vinyard picking up the win over longtime Elyria racer Gary Sutorius. Last year's winner on the hillclimb, Jeffrey Henes, overcame a knocked-free motor to still claim third over OCC regular Haley Halfhill, while treasurer Joe Gerenscer and OOS competitor Tom Boos struggled with mechanical issues to come home fifth and sixth respectively.

GT1 Pro Results

Brian Lear – 201

Jeff Henes – 198

Mike Lear – 194

Ron Vincek – 192

Bud Bartos – 190

Justin Porter – 187

Al Rutti – 185

Larry Kowicki – 183

Dan Halfhill – 182

George Katzakis – 181

Dave Decoster – 175

Bob Foster – 174

Denny Murray – 167

Doc Dougherty – 162

 

GT1 Am Results

Gary Vinyard – 183

Gary Sutorius – 181

Jeffrey Henes – 175

Haley Halfhill – 174

Joe Gerenscer – 159

Tom Boos – 120

 

 

Group 10 saw a light but fast thirteen car field, with Brian Lear picking up where he left off in GT1 with TQ at 4.484 seconds. But that wicked pace wouldn't hold off brother Mike Lear who pipped Brian for the top spot by one lap. Jeff Henes would claim third as Ron Vincek followed with his second fourth place finish of the day. Dave Decoster would have a big improvement on his GT1 run with a fifth place finish over Dan Halfhill. Justin Porter claimed the seventh spot over Doc Dougherty behind in eighth. Bob Foster would take ninth place by panels over Haley Halfhill, with Joe Gerenscer, Denny Murray, and Tom Boos following.

 

Group 10 results

Mike Lear – 202

Brian Lear – 201

Jeff Henes – 197

Ron Vincek – 193

Dave Decoster – 192

Dan Halfhill – 190

Justin Porter – 186

Doc Dougherty – 180

Bob Foster – 179.08

Haley Halfhill – 179.01

Joe Gerenscer – 162

Denny Murray – 155

Tom Boos – 125

 

 

Some serious speed showed up in qualifying for GTP as Jeff Henes laid down a 4.186 second lap for TQ. But with big speeds also came some volatile racing as the fifteen strong field of GTP's fought tooth and nail for every inch of track. At the end of the slugfest, Mike Lear came up with his second win of the day over Brian Lear. Jeff Henes had set the early pace, but late race damage relegated the 2018-19 GTP champ to third with son Jeffrey Henes picking up a personal best in GTP competition in fourth. Justin Porter would run to fifth place over Al Rutti, followed by Bob Foster's best result of the day in seventh. Haley Halfhill would take eighth spot, followed by Doc Dougherty who would narrowly beat out Dan Halfhill by only one panel. Denny Murray's eleventh took him home ahead of Dave Decoster, with Joe Gerenscer, Ron Vincek, and Tom Boos felled by mechanical issues.

 

GTP results

Mike Lear – 211

Brian Lear – 206

Jeff Henes – 205

Jeffrey Henes – 199

Justin Porter – 198

Al Rutti – 190.17

Bob Foster – 190.13

Haley Halfhill – 187

Doc Dougherty – 186.04

Dan Halfhill – 186.03

Denny Murray – 184

Dave Decoster – 180

Joe Gerenscer – 165

Ron Vincek – 149

Tom Boos – 139

 

 

The 2019-2020 season kicked off with hard-fought racing and a great lunch in Elyria, it's on to the sole flat-track on the calendar, the UK Black at Washington Slot Car Club in Washington, PA. We look forward to seeing everyone there with the Ohio Challenge Cup!