As we hit the road, seeking to fulfill our need for competition and speed, we didn’t know what would happen.After 10+hours on the road, and a stop to pick up 2 trailer tires, the 4 Florida boys made it to the track around 4. There were 6 racers from AL.The clear blue skies and mid 70’s made it perfect for practice. At night the temps went down to 50.The track is 4/10 of a mile with 10+ degrees of banking. Some groves were cut into the track from a day of racing motorcycles and quads. Charlie won Heat 1 with me loosing my chain after the first lap.In Heat 2, I started on the pole. I took the win with ¼ to ½ a lap on everybody. Charlie came in 4th. On the last 100 feet from the finish line, I felt my piston burn. I had to replace the motor. (My spare motor is a 256cc 74 mm crank stock piston.) Would not being able to run
my monster motor put me at a disadvantage? Would I lose my edge? Well, Charlie and I always have good battles, so not having my best motor would prove to be a challenge. A 15 lap feature was ahead of us, using a 14/37 or 36 gear. Charlie knew he needed an edge on the top end so he chose to go to 14-36. I had no time to think about more top end speed. I was thinking about the right jetting combo. I burnt at 106 main and 80 boster. I thought I had an85 in there. A 85 or 90 is what was needed to go 15 laps wide open. I was using 106-85 on the spare motor. I thought I would be OK with the jetting.Turns out I had a 38 tooth rear gear, no wounder I was down on top end speed. (Temps were in
the low 50’s) In the feature, after 1 lap it was Charlie checking out with me in pursuit. I couldn’t gain on him. I was running the low to mid grove and he was running the high grove. He made the right choice.Charlie took the win, Luis went out on lap 4 with motor failure. As for Brandon, he hit the wall in practice and end the front axle. He and his pit crew worked tirelessly to find some way he would be able to make the feature. A local guy (Jason) took Brandon, along with his bend axle, to one of his buddies’ shop and a fixed micro emerged. Great job!There is something about spending countless hours driving to a race, sacrificing sleep and sometimes food and family, to join other like minded guys doing the same thing on a quest to win and be crowned King Micro driver of the South. Charlie Rose once again accomplished that goal. Great job brother! Well,…maybe I will get you next time. One can only hope! Dave
Results
1 #77 Charlie Rose
2 #88 David Van Raalte
3 #89 John Napiontek
4 #76 Darryl Dement
5 # 82 Bruce Bender
6 # Billy Atkins
7 # 98 Jimmy Fruiccione
8 # 38 Joe Atkins
9 #Branndon Lineburger
10 # Louis Rameriz
