[F500] Phoenix Race

[DSRGR at aol.com]

Here we are in sunny Phoenix, 72 degrees. Got Jeff Jorgenson, Jerry Lundgren, 
Chico, Mark Liepold, and Al Loehner. I'm having handling problems and get a 
water leak, so fall out after 5 laps. 

Jeff qualifies on the pole with Jerry second and Chico third. Jeff junps out 
to a huge lead. I have to slow for the FVs that catch me on the second lap so 
I just pull over to not hold them up. Jeff laps me on lap three and there is 
already a 10 second lead over the rest. Three quarters of the way through, the 
four are having a fun time and come up on a waving yellow. Al slows but Mark 
and Chico are coming too fast and Al has to brake too hard and spins. Chico 
tries to miss but Marks car rolls back and Chico hits left front to Marks left 
rear. Jerry hits Marks front lightly and continues. 

Mark has broken axle so is done for the weekend. Chico loses complete corner 
and radiator and is also done. Al broke something. I didn't get a chance to 
find out what but he isn't going to run Monday.  Of course Jeff and Jerry 
finished first and second overall. Jeffs fastest lap was a 1:06.... He holds the lap 
record here at 1:03. 

Lot of carnage today. first race was the SRF and they had a nine car pile up 
on first turn, first lap. Second race was the big bore guys and I saw the 
first two Cameros spin in unison on the first turn, first lap but continue. 
Somebody behind them spun and four more went to impound early. Later a Sports 2000 
got so badly demolished that they covered it with a tarp at impound. I've never 
seen them do that at Phoenix before. I later heard that the guy broke one leg 
in 4 places. Ouch..... 

Stay tuned for tomorrow..... Gene