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So the 2009 racing season in Cumberland is officially over with the running of the Pumpkin Carve.  This year saw some great battles, and this final weekend was no exception.

Going into the weekend, I lead Mustang Boy by just 0.6666667 points for the cup.  I knew I couldn’t beat him on talent, so I needed a miracle. Upon waking up Saturday morning, things were looking good (for me).  ”Yes Jesus, rain will do.  I’ll get you back later man. Holla!”

All through setup and the drivers meeting, it was rain.  Miserable, cold, wonderful rain.  See, Mustangs are afraid of water, and BMWs love it so much they routinely let it in through their seals.  I could best Mustang Boy on a wet course.  To keep things even, we both decided to run the same heat, but by the end of the drivers’ meeting the rain had disappeared along with my hopes of winning the cup.  Long story short, he won.  So that’s enough about that.  Kate, on the other hand, did as expected and took home the TZT Cone Award.  BMW parts would like to thank you for all the fog lights, fog light delete pates, brake ducts, bumper clips, fender liners, and under-body trays you have helped them sell this past year.

CCAC Writeup – None But the Brave

To add further insult to injury, Kate and I, running in STX on Saturday, were forced to take a 2-3 finish to the evil Eagle Talon of Slem Kraus, who bested my 51.929 by almost three and half seconds (maybe it was all the dirt in and around my car that slowed me down… oops).  Slem Kraus; even that name sounds evil.  Mustang Boy took first place over a field of four with a very fast 49.264.  Rich landed squarely in the middle of BSP with a 52.651, only 4 seconds off the season leader, Steve Hotchkiss.  Doug won DSP with a 50.837, showing me and Kate what we’d be in for the next day.  Patrick was the only Geraghty that day, and won ASP with his 54.203.

CACC Writeup – Trail’s End

Sunday brought us a beautiful fall day in Cumberland, with sunny but cool weather for us to race in.  With the pressure of the Cup off, Kate and I had planned on running in DSP, but I played “car whore” again and instead drove Rob Robeson’s RX8 in B-Stock, where I got my clock cleaned (52.283, 2.944 back from first) by Shawn Roberts, Chike Dellimore, and Katie Orgler, all visiting from the D.C. area.  Thanks a lot for stopping by… Doug, Andy Thomas (in our BMW), and Kate all competed in DSP that day, with everyone taking a hit from the freakishly fast Integra of Miro Valent and the BMW of Brian Launer.  This was record attendance for DSP this year, with a total of 6 entrants.  Doug finished up in third witha 52.041, Andy in fourth with a 54.923, and Kate in fifth with a 55.852.  Rich moved up a spot to second in BSP.  His 52.932 only about two and a  half seconds off the leader, Steve Hotchkiss.  Patrick got knocked down a few pegs to third in ASP, but still put down a solid 55.395.  Mustang Boy, if anyone cares, won ESP again with a 50.857.

Thomas and family did stop by the bar Saturday night and it was great to see them.  We’ve missed them this year and hope they can come out and play next year.

The last race of the year is always sad.  Sure, there are other events in our area, but nothing is quite like Cumberland.  Despite the close and exciting racing, it’s the people that really make the difference.  There is no better way to surround yourself with good people than coming up to a CBE race.

Kate and I took a ton of pictures this last time, and you can view them here – http://picasaweb.google.com/kate.mewhiney/PumpkinCarve09#

Thanks again for another great year, and stay tuned for team updates, including the new class of 2010!

Final Team Standings
1. Mustang Boy (70 points)
2. Gimp (69.66666667 points)
3. Doug (60 points)
4. Rich (53 points)
5. Kate (51 points)
6. Patrick (16 points)
7. Bill (11 points)
8. Thomas (0 points)