Hi All,

We just wrapped up the final USSC race of 2006. There were 32 competitors for the event. Here is my take on the weekend:

I arrived on Saturday lunchtime to a nice 50 degree clear day. Friday's qualifying was:

FE

1) Derek Eastty 1:28.029 (BRC)
2) Michael Sadurski 1:28.736 (BRC)
3) Chris Taylor 1:29.543 (TZ)

ICE

1) Guido Kleinemeyer 1:29.318 (GAS GAS)
2) Andy Kiker 1:30.756 (Rotax)
3) Martin Reuck 1:30.793 (GAS GAS)

The qualifying was right at dusk and guys were literally blinded by the sun at some areas of the track. Once the sun went down, it got COLD, like under 30 degrees.

Saturday's FE pre-final saw Johnny West shoot from the 4th row to the front right before turn one. That Honda is FAST. Eastty late braked and was in the lead going up the hill. He took a descent lead on Sadurski (2004 ICE European Champion) for a couple of laps and then Michael starting pulling in on Derek. Michael got the lead on around lap 5. Derek and Michael got caught up in lapped traffic and hit each other going for the same piece of track. Sadurski lost his side pod and his radiator was damaged. Derek coasted to a win as he ran out of gas right before the checkered. West's bad luck continues with a junked piston on lap 2. Chris Taylor did well starting from the back and getting second. Frank Widmoser rounded out the top 3.

ICE pre-final saw Guido Kleinemeyer (2006 ICE European Champion) shoot off into a good lead. About 4 laps into it, the lappers really started to challenge the Europeans as they are not accustomed to running with all the different classes. Kiker to advantage of the traffic and got past Guido for a few laps. Once traffic got spread out a little and Guido got some clean laps, he was past Kiker and gone. The Gas Gas engine is wicked on the long tracks for sure. He won by 15 seconds. Second and Third were Kiker and Martin Reuck. Ingram had a rotor/stator self destruct.

I took the German out to dinner on Saturday night and tried my best to get them drunk/tired to help out the U.S. contingent. Great group of guys. It was cold again in the evening.

On Sunday, I got to the track at about noon and Bobby Butler comes over and says, "I've got a PVP w/ a 91' TZ that needs a base gasket. If you want to change the gasket, you are welcome to run the kart." How was I to say no. With the help on Jerry Echols mechanic, Bob, and Bobby, we got the kart done with 5 minutes to go. I missed the drivers' meeting because I was working on the kart. That will come back to get me. I started dead last in a kart I've never been in before. Got a descent start and past a few guys the first lap. On the 2nd lap going into turn 3, I locked up the rear brake (no bias adjuster) and spun right in front of Mark Crosyln. I pulled in the clutch and coasted backwards into a paved portion off-track. I turned the kart around coasted downhill and bump started back into action. Now I was way in the back of all the Unlimiteds. The kart was wicked loose and the rear brakes wanted to lock up. With those parameters understood, I pushed hard as I could. The old 1991 TZ had suprising power and proved reliable.

Saturday's event had our 30-min. race w/ a 45-min. race. The USSC race was over when the white flag was displayed. In Sunday's driver's meeting I'm assuming they said it will be just a 30-min. race and they will display the white and then the checkered for EVERYONE, not just the USSC. Well because I missed that and the engine was stuttering from low fuel, I slowed after the white flag and pulled in just before taking the checkered. 2 laps prior I had passed Chris Taylor, and as it turned out, for 2nd place as well. Oh well, I still had a blast and thanks a ton to "Go Boy Go Racing" for the kart and kick azz jumbo.

O.K. enough of me- FE report: Derek and Michael both has small mechanical issues that kept them from finishing. Poor Johnny only made a couple of laps before having problems. Juergen Renke started from the back, kept things clean and won the event. Chris Taylor ran strong but suffered from a faulty electric shift that kept him from competing for the win to take second. Jerry Echols is now the official 3rd place winner. When I received the timing sheet his transponder was not on it. Without manual scoring available, it's tough to give someone the spot. It was decided at the track to give Marc Crosyln 3rd place. After the ceremonies the scoring problem was discovered. Jerry Echols inadvertently got scored under Unlimited, not the USSC. All his laps were in fact counted by the transponder and timing now shows he was in 3rd. Sorry for the confusion, but it is what it is. Good job Jerry.

ICE- I don't have much of the details other than Guido had a problem and was sidelined. It sounds like Jim Ingram drove the wheels off his PVP. Starting 24th, setting fastest ICE lap of the weekend (1:28.707) and winning the race. Great job Jim. Andy drove to 2nd, but told me he's gonna need Gas Gas power to compete. Martin Reuck had problems in the beginning, I think he even came into pitlane, but did not give up and captured 3rd.

I think everyone had a blast. The Germans definately made the weekend special. Their enthusiasm and excitement is fun to be around for sure. The mornings and evenings were cold but the race temps were perfect. A pretty great event to wrap up the 2006 season.

I will be working on the Eastern Championship points to give you all the Champions for 2006.

Note- Unfortunately Kyle Martin did not show for this event. I know he had a tough time at Laguna and the Super Nats are next week. Those may played a part in that decision. But regardless, REGGIE BROWN is the official 2006 U.S. Superkart FE Champion.

Take Care,

J.R. Osborne