2003 & 2004 MSOKC HPV Champions
2004 MSOKC Super Can Runner Up

24 October - We Go Out Of '04 With A Bang

After struggling early Dana pulled it together in the feature. Until....

After a lackluster performance by the entire team in the two heat races, Dana pulled it all together for us in the Super Can feature of the Mid State Ohio Kart Club non-championship "money race". The 15 lap feature - almost twice a long as usual - saw Dana running a solid third in the 99 kart (Tracy had a commitment at church), and closing just a little on second place... until the engine let go a lap and a half from the checkered flag. It was the final bitter pill in a day that had wild highs and lows.

With Tracy not available and HPV not being offered in the "Octoberfa$t" money race sponsored by Grand Prix Distributing and J&J Racing, it was up to Dana to come to terms with the #99 kart. She had run the Super Can class in July in Tracy's absence and really didn't enjoy it very well, preferring the additional speed and acceleration of her own ride. But being the final race of the season and with a little dough on the line, she suited up.

Dana returned to the lower-powered Super Can for the potential $s.

Lack of use and lots of rain in the weeks prior to the money race delivered a very green track but Dana was able to dial her old kart in pretty quickly. By the time we gridded up for the first heat she was happy with the balance and was ready to go.

Dana drew the first starting position but got run wide at Turn 5 on the first lap and fell to about seventh before she could slot her way back into the line of karts going by. She picked up a position or two before the eighth and final lap but only managed to salvage a third or fourth from a pole position start.

The usual start order inversion had her starting DFL for the second heat. Most of the race was over by the time Dana made much headway from that spot but eventually she clawed her way up to fifth. It was at the scale house after this race that we realized we had never reduced to weight of the kart to comply with the lighter minimum for this race. Between races the kart went on a diet.

An unnecessary weight penalty made it tough to get through traffic.

Significantly lighter, Dana took up her 3rd starting position on the grid, which was a nice surprise after rather dismal heat performances. On the grid we sized up our chances. Bob McConnell, we felt - we hoped - would begin to fade after 8 or 10 laps. Adam Risner's new Vega tires had not been heat cycled properly and were questionable as to whether they would go the whole 18 lap distance.

Heath Tatman closed late but was handed 3rd when our motor went quiet with 1 lap to go.

At the green she seemed to be much more on pace but it was hard to tell if that was more from Dana pumping herself up after the earlier disappointments or from the more nimble kart. Probably both. Adam seemed to stretch an impressive lead easily and Bob edged ahead every lap. Behind Dana Heath Tatman was a comfortable margin behind. Dana cranked off consistent, fast laps but the Vegas were too good and never let Adam down and Bob never faded. Instead, the outcome that we never considered happened: Half way though her 17th lap Dana's engine locked up and she rolled to a stop between Turns 5 & 6 in disbelief.

Like my Dad was fond of saying, "Yas pays your money and yas takes yer chances". It was a fun day in that there was no championship involved and we were just racing for the enjoyment of it.

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