| March 8, Fontana. CA. The new Online-Racer.com - RPM
Racing Team started the season with the American Iron Racing Series at
California Speedway. The fabulous speedway was the setting for the season opener where the
new RPM Racing Team driver Karen
Salvaggio got a chance to test in the Boss 5.0 (GB400R). The team which consists of Edward Inclan -
Driver, Michael Noval - Driver, Karen
Salvaggio - Driver, Doug Gladney - Crew Chief, Andy Salvaggio - Crew, Susan
Inclan- Crew/hospitality will compete with the American Iron Racing Series for
the rest of the season.
The weekend was full of exciting door to door racing. The 2.88 mile
18 turn road course made for some great racing. On the front straight
some of the AIX cars were seeing 170 mph + speeds, which is only a few
miles per hour less than that of NASCAR's.
Friday was open practice where we got a chance to test the car after
several months of hiatus. The Boss 5.0 was running perfect. After some
re-jetting the car was running 1:55's without having to over work the car.
Karen would drive all Saturday and turn the wheel over to Ed for the Sunday
race.
13 AI/AIX cars went out to practice on Saturday with lap times ranging
from 2:17 to 1:51's. Karen was turning 1:59's consistently and
considering this was the first time she had ever driven the car she was
doing great.
After the qualifying session, the California Speedway began its car
toll. Our Boss 5.0 was the first to let go with a broken crank. Bruce
Griggs in the #40 AIX Mustang laid down the fastest qualifying lap at
1:51 and averaging speed of 93.35 mph. In the AI class Vagil Karas
set a 1:52 record.
Race group "A" that consisted of a 29 combined AI/AIX and
CMC (Camaro Mustang Challenge) field. The action started in the first
couple of laps where the leader Griggs spun out and lost some ground
which he quickly recovered. John Lindsey took the lead at that point and
held it until the end. In lap 6 Ed Varon
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Ed Varon
was not the only unfortunate victim of California Speedway. A
CMC car and some novice drivers had similar incidents....That's
Racing! |
clipped one of the tire barriers on turn 18 and caused him to launch sideways and then
got upside down! He was quickly
removed from the wreck and was able to walk away without injuries.
Unfortunately this caused a red flag and the race ended with only 7
laps completed.
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Saturday's Race Results
- For the rest of the weekend Group A results click
here |
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