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.
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)
Thanks for a great year, guys. It was an honor to be added to your ranks this year (thanks Title IX!), and it’s been a blast.
I will humbly add my name to the Cone Award, where other great cone crushers have come before me. Thomas, I dare you to come back next year and try to win it back from me!
And Paul, sorry about beating up on your daily driver so much. Just think of it as motivation to get the Camaro done faster.
But I still maintain the fog light was not my fault.
Thomas really did stink up the race for last place this year…. I am honored to be on the TZT Podium in my rookie year!
I hope to spend some quality time at the TZT clubhouse with Mustang Boy and Gimpy this winter… got to get in there and clean up and get my bad ride done and back on the road/track…
and I like the AllSports GP Idea for some mid-winter gee’s
Indeed the end of the season means the beginning of the long dark cold. On the topic of the Cup, it was never a certainty. When I saw the rain in the weather report I was convinced that it would be for naught. Remembrance of my season opening performance in backwards finishing abounded in my mind. I may have won again, but I maintain that all is just in vengeance for past spankings delivered via a Hyundai.
The fun I had this year was not simply about the competition, it was about the people. The nights at Henny’s then Denny’s, “OMG my Camaro is doing 80!”, helping Doug with the thrice blasted CIS on the Elquantimino, even the Captain Sullenburger jokes, these are all the stories that made my year as complete as it has been.
The Cup shall rest on my mantle for another year, only time will tell whose it shall rest on after next season. The build and maintenance season is upon us, who knows who will come out on top next year.
‘Twas the best of times; ’twas the fastest of times…. I got to say, that I really enjoyed the camaraderie and competition this year. TZT is clearly not to be taken lightly. Especially since our quick wit and dynamic tones turned out to provide comedic commentary for 3 of the 4 heats this weekend. If we can’t drive to FTD, we can sure talk it.
I felt this weekend was my best performance of the season and was really glad to end things on such a high note on Sunday. Second in BSP, beating out not only the Chief, but besting Al Hogan for the first time this season. I’m sure taking a spin behind the Door Knob Racing Corvette of Steve Hotchkiss had some influence on me.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold over the winter. I got a good taste of horsepower and have the need for more. We’ll see.
And while most of the team is flung out far and wide, I hope to see you all soon.
I decided to go for the sweep on Saturday and was able to fight the urges and pull it off. I’d like to thank marriage, my child, and my job for making this moment possible. Hopefully life gets back into line for next year between work and home and I can get back to the airport for some R&R.
Got the Golf to finally run Monday. It’s like the stars wouldn’t align for me until it was too late…
Agreed it was a great weekend! It was nice to see everyone again and I will add to the pile-on that it’s the people that truly make Cumberland a special place to race. I left feeling incredible about the way the car performed and am looking forward to seeing what the boxes in my garage will do for next year. I truly hope my dad and Thomas will make it out more next year. Either way, I got to see everyone and that made teh 6 hour drive completely worth it. I will note that the NC region SCCA runs year-round so if anyone gets the itch over the winter, we’ve got a place to crash.
Here’s to you guys. Thanks for another season of great memories. Despite all the changes in my world, racing in Cumberland and Team Zip-Tie will remain a constant for sure.