| Race report by Gene 'the machine' Hickerson |
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| September 18, 2004 was round #5 of the Pro-line Southern California Saturday Series at the large Pro-line test track in Banning. The sell out crowd of 150 entries included the 2002 Champion Gene Hickerson, the 2003 Champion Dean Sexton, and this years series leader Scott Hughes. With only 2 rounds remaining, the competition was very fast and close. |
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Qualifying was tight as Adam Drake took TQ of round 1, less then 2 seconds behind were Jeremy Kortz, Bob Tillman, and Hickerson. In round 2, Chad bradley take over TQ by 1 second over Drake. The top 7 were all with in 4 seconds of each other on the very bumpy track with many doubles, triples, table tops, S-curves, and 180's.
The B-main had several top drivers competing for the 2 bump-up spots. Greg Waller, Sexton, Marty Korn, and Michael Sharwin all fought to get into the A-main. Korn and Sharwin ended up with the 1st and 2nd to get in to the final.
The A-main was 15 minutes long, which brought pit strategies into play. About half of the drivers decided to go on 1 pit stop, while the others chose the safer route of 2 stops. At the start, there was a first turn pile up, with Hickerson getting the worst of it again. Bradley and Drake battled for the lead, while Hickerson started his charge from last place. The leaders swapped positions several times as the pits stops started to take place. Hickerson had to stretch the fuel mileage on his Mac Mod to to make 7:45, in order to catch back up from the 1st turn mayhem. After all the pit stops had been made, Bradley was still in 1st, followed by Drake, Hughes, and Hickerson. In the last 3 minutes, Hickerson caught Hughes and the battle was on for 3rd position. Hughes stuffed it into the pipe and allowed Hickerson to take over 3rd. Hughes caught back up, only to clip a pipe again, giving Hickerson some breathing room. Hickerson then set his sights on Drake, but ran out of time. Bradley took the win, followed 6 seconds behind by Drake, and 4 seconds behind was Hickerson, taking the final podium finish. |
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Bradley made up some much needed points on Hughes to fall just 1 point behind Hughes going in to the final round next month at The Dirt in Hemet.
Check out the following for complete points standings: www.pro-lineracing.com
1. Chad Bradley
2. Adam Drake
3. Gene Hickerson XRAY
4. Scott Hughes
5. Bill Hagen
6. Micheal Sharwin
7. Marty Korn
8. Bob Tillman
9. Jared Tebo
10. Jeremy Kortz
Photos by Allison Mann
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