|
Autometrics Motorsports arrived at this year’s CMP Club Race ready to run in the brisk November air.
For Friday’s Sprint Race, Michael Branning, Wade Caughman and Jimmy Martin were in the Blue Run Group. Caughman and Martin qualified 1st and 2nd in their classes respectively and were 2nd and 3rd in the overall standings. Wade led the entire race with Jimmy and Doug Roach right on his heels, both fighting hard to stay in front of the other. On the last lap, Wade spun out in carousel, leaving Doug in the front position. On last turn before the checkered flag, Jimmy used lap traffic to secure a pass on Doug to take the overall win. Branning did not qualify for this sprint race. Consequently, he started the race at the back of the run group but moved up several positions during the race.
In the Red Group, Gary Pennington, Kevin Violette and Forrest Bowen qualified in 1st through 3rd overall. The race started and Gary began to break away from the pack. He would go on to win the race in 1st place overall unchallenged. Kevin and Forrest were having a good race together until Kevin was hit by another car and was taken out of the race. Forrest ran the rest of the race to finish in 2nd place in class and 3rd overall.
On Saturday, we had two Sprint races. In the Blue Group’s, Jimmy qualified 3rd in class and 5th overall. Mike qualified 7th in class. Wade was unable to run this race due to a fuel system issue. In the Red Group, Gary Pennington qualified first overall but could not run the rest of the weekend when his transmission broke. Forrest qualified 2nd in class and 4th overall. During the race, Forrest was able to take over the 1st place spot in class and finished in 4th overall. For the third Sprint race, race officials chose to use an inverted starting order. Both Jimmy and Mike placed third in their class. Wade finished 1st in class and 4th overall. They likely would have done a little better, but a lengthy caution effectively shortened the race by a few laps.
For Sunday’s Enduro, Jimmy, Wade and Mike each qualified 1st in their classes. Wade was 2nd; Jimmy was 3rd, and Mike was 9th overall. It was a good race with Mike Branning fighting with a “wider” car for the lead in his class most of the race, and that battle all the way to the checker. He ended up in 2nd place in class and 7th overall. Jimmy finished 2nd in E and 4th overall. Wade scored another win and 2nd overall.
In the 2nd Enduro, Forrest Bowen and Cory Friedman teamed up in Bowen’s 996 GT3 cup car. Forrest qualified the car 2nd place in class and 5th overall. Forrest drove the first half of the race, keeping his car near the front of the pack. Cory took over and immediately chased down the leader. On the last lap, Cory took over the lead on fading tires. He did a superior job handling a lapped car and held on the top spot.
Overall the weekend went great. Autometrics Motorsports ended up with 16 podiums, 6 poles, and 3 overall wins over the entire weekend. Everyone had a great time and we look forward to next year’s race at CMP with the new configuration and improved surface.
|
