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Sanders Wraps-Up
Ohio/Indiana Region Championship Mt.
Meridian, IN -- This past weekend two Challenge Series racers journeyed
to Putnam Park for the regions final event for 2006. The weather was
perfect with bright sunshine and temps in the low 70's. Without Ed
Boothman (Naples, FL) in attendance, Brian Sanders (Cincinnati, OH) was
assured of the region title before the races began. Ed had competed all
year in the OH/IN and Midwest regions but decided to take his car back
with him to Florida after the Nationals. The other competitor to make
the trip to Putnam was Lyle Riggen (Channahon, Illinois). Lyle had
missed three other region events, so unfortunately he was not a threat.
While Lyle may not have been a threat for the
Region Championship, he was certainly a threat to win the races. This
became apparent during qualifying when only three tenths separated the
two with Brian getting the pole. With only two Challenge cars in the
race, Brian and Lyle would grid on the front row together with four CMC
cars lined up behind them for the standing start. As the green flag
fell, Brian was able to get a decent launch and claim the lead by turn
one. While traffic hampered Lyle, Brian's race was very clean and made
for an easy win.
On Sunday, qualifying proved to be just as close
as Saturday with Sanders winning the pole by 0.243 seconds. The big
difference being that both drivers were nearly 2 seconds quicker than
yesterday. This qualifying performance put both drivers on the front row
ahead of the CMC cars. This time the drivers would try their hand at a
rolling start. As they came to take the green flag, Lyle managed to get
a slight jump on Brian but it was short lived as Brian regained the lead
by turn one. However, this time Brian did not watch Lyle fade in his
rearview until about mid-race when traffic became a factor. But as Brian
began to deal with the traffic, Lyle had filled his mirrors again. On
the last lap, exiting turn 10, Lyle got a good run and pulled up beside
Brian but just too little too late.........Brian won by 0.154 seconds
This has been an incredible season for OH/IN
racers! Everyone has really stepped up their game. I want to personally
thank all the racers who competed at one time or another in our region.
A special Thanks to Ed Boothman and Gary McDaniel for traveling a good
distance to come play with us.
Some of us have one more event. In two weeks, we
will travel to the land of cheese for the chance to tame the 4 miles of
Road America.
--Brian Sanders
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