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04-19-03 |
Whiteland Raceway |
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The day started out bad when our motor would not start. Turns out that there was a problem with the coil. A friend loaned us their drivers practice motor allowing Brooks to at least race. The motor was not as strong but at least he could get out there. With him being this young and his first race in Cadet we formed this plan for the first 6 races of the Cadet season. Game Plan-
Heat Race- Brooks started 5th in this race and made it safely to the lead pack. Brooks ran with 2nd & 3rd for the entire race but with the gear we ran he had nothing for them. They pulled him off the corner but then brooks ran them down at the end of the long stretches and then they would do it again. Solid first Cadet race performance and first race of the year. Feature Race- Bad luck again. The borrowed motor now would not start. We changed plugs and tried the pull cord as well as the electric starter, but nothing. The field took the track and then took the green. We got the motor started finally but he was already down a lap by the time he got onto the track. Brooks entered just in front the leader Chip Challis and battled him to keep from going down another lap making for some great racing! Remember the name Chip, he is who we are chasing and using to measure improvement. Brooks battled Chip going into turn 2 and Chip got into a bad situation and had a choice, wreck himself or Brooks. Chip being an outstanding driver and sport, spun himself out instead of Brooks! Classy Move. He got back on the track and caught Brooks again several laps later and this time Brooks returned the favor with a Classy move and Moved up the track and waived Chip by because 2nd place was much closer this time do to his spin. Brooks said he could have raced him but it was the last lap and didn't want to hold him up or crash him. That was 2 drivers at opposite ends of the age brackets showing the same high level of sportsmanship! Brooks did pass back one driver and almost got to 4th as well, but both had a lap on him still so 6th place is the best we could get in this situation. Brooks showed a lot of class given the situation. He congratulated his competitors and showed no disappointment on the outside but later was bumming! We explained to him that things happen and retold the story from the year before when leading 2 races at the end and had mechanical failures robbing him of the wins and top 3 finishes. We also explained that at 7 years old racing in an 8-12 year old class that he is not supposed to win! Yet! Brooks was ok after that and was back in good spirits! Brooks' day will come, and it will come this year! Brooks handled the day like he does everyday, quite, mature, and with class.
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