Announcements
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September 3 & 4 at NJMP (Lightening Circuit)
CJ Rachuba in his Number 7 Banshee is close to securing the
Championship in the Tyro division.
This weekend at the NJMP proved to be a challenge.
CJ's dad, Chris, had his mechanical knowledge put to the test.
A collision at turn one damaged an A-arm and a steering tie-rod end.
The Banshee was repaired but then during the race the throttle cable worked loose and CJ had to be "flat-towed" into the paddock.
But I believe enough points were gathered. Once the points are posted we will see how many more points are needed to get at the final event. The final event of the 2011 season will be held at the challenging Schenandoah circuit at Summit Point, WV. on October 22 & 23
Greg Saunders moved closer to securing the "Rookie" honors in the F/1600 class with a fourth place finish on Saturday while on Sunday Greg closed down on second place but needed two more laps to catch and pass Jay Hoogendoorn and had to settle for a third place after a hard charge from the back of the pack. Greg had to start last due to an accident that damaged Greg's valve cover and bent a radius rod during the qualifing race. Jack Donahue (Gregs closest competitor) had a hard crash on Saturday and was out for the weekend. Jay is gathering points and will take the challenge down to the final races.
Mike Kenney did some testing of the Banshee prototype.
Updates are being track proven before release. The weekend went VERY well. While it was the first time Mike even sat in the Banshee he was able to drive it to a second place finish on Saturday and
on Sunday he drove in the F/PA field because we had to use the valve cover for Greg's engine, so we started "back of the pack" on Sunday.
Mike's times were competitive to say the least.
Mike was complmentary of the handling but the extra room in the
cockpit was a surprize and he needed more padding. A change in the size of the clutch master was determined. Thanks Mike!
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The racing at the NJMP using the Lightening layout was enjoyable the only negitive comment was that this layout is not challenging enough. There are a mere 3 shifts per lap and it seems that the engine is more important than the drivers skill. The difference between the "Club Classes" F/T, F/1600 & F/PA are very wide and that fact makes you think it is more about drivers experience and not engine power (?)
Matthew Amos set fast time on Saturday but a first lap spin put Matt WAY back. Sunday Mat came from the back of the F/PA pack to take the top step on the podium. Matt has been racing a Formula Haus set-up, engine and chassis for three seasons along with winning some Hill climbs that are near his home.
In F/T, CJ took his Banshee to another win on Saturday
but was sidelined with engine problems for the Sunday race.
In the F/1600 battle for "Rookie" honors, Greg Saunders kept his Banshee ahead of James Donahue in their duel on both Saturday and Sunday.
The next race will again be at the Lightening circuit on Setember 3 & 4. I am hoping to see more Banshee entrants, we have not seen Dan Cezar, Jr. yet, or John Heckman but perhaps we will see John Caporaso and Theo Kouloukas.
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July 30 and 31 will host FRCCA races on the Lightening circuit.
Banshee's are scheduled to compete with CJ Rachuba in Tyro for both races as he continues to led that division. CJ's father, Chris, will only be able to race on Saturday due to scheduling conflicts. Greg Saunders continues his battle to gain "Rookie" honors in the F/1600. The following drivers are questionable with NJMP being a long tow for Theo Kouloukas; scheduling conflicts effect John Caporaso, while no one has heard from Dan Cezar this season. John Heckman will be missing because of the demands in keeping the FRCCA running, while at the same time trying to move to NC for his new position with the Mack truck company. If you know anyone that can help, in any manner, please, help Heckman keep this great club racing.
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CJ Rachuba has gathered two more wins. On Saturday CJ led every lap to take home the top honor. John Caporaso drove his Banshee into third place. Banshee's first and third. The Sunday race found Theo Kouloukas entered but John Caporaso was not entered for Sunday. CJ would have his hands full trying to hold off Kouloukas. CJ did not make any mistakes and again led every lap. CJ was hounded by Kouloukas but took away all the points with another win. Banshee's first and second. The weekend had Banshee's taking first, second and third BUT it took two days to do it.
Greg Saunders had a good weekend and came home with a fifth on Saturday BUT Chris Rachuba (CJ's dad) took second pace honors in the same Banshee his son races; Chris is Over 6 feet tall while CJ is about 5 foot 7 inches, they acually change pedals and seat positions between sessions! On Sunday Greg moved up to third place keeping a points advantage over his nearest rival for Rookie honors.
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Banshee's do well at Beaver Run Raceway
Greg Saunders set the lap record on Saturday that held up even though drivers became more aware of the race tracks layout. Greg took a third on Saturday and a second on Sunday. Saturday was a hot day while Sunday was a mix of clouds,with some light drizzles, on and off, but not enough to stop or even slow down the racing.
Chris Rachuba & Son CJ
The Father and Son team of the RAACE entered Banshee # 7 came Home with First Place honors on Saturday but had to settle for second on Sunday as mechnical problems reard its ugly head with less than 1,000 feet to go while leading. CJ still has to get used to the clutch but he is doing very well on the racing side.
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Don't miss the point, trying to win the race.
Tommy wanted to be on the baseball team in high school even though he was "mentally challenged" the coach gave him a spot on the team and Tommy would cheer, pick up bats, bring water to all the players but he sat on the beach for the whole season. During the final game of the season the coach realized Tommy had not even batted during a game, even the games that the team won by a large score. It was the last inning and there was 2 outs, the coach put Tommy in to bat. The pitcher saw who Tommy was and threw the ball slowly and right up the middle. Tommy was able to hit the ball, not very well but the ball dribbled down toward the first base line. The team cheered Tommy to run to first base, the catcher chased the ball down and threw it over the head of the first baseman. The coach told Tommy to run to second base. The right fielder tossed the ball way wide of the second baseman, the team hollered "run Tommy, run". Tommy did not know which way to go, but the second basemen told him, Tommy went to third base. The shortstop fielded the wide throw and fired the ball past the third baseman. The coach headed Tommy to the home plate just as the left fielder caught up to the overthrown baseball. But he fumbled the pick-up and when he finally tossed the ball to the catcher it was too late. Tommy had hit a Homerun! Now are you wondering who won the game? Why do you ask, when none of either team cared and the newspaper only had a picture of Tommy crossing homeplate stating "Tommy hits home run in final game of the season".
You see,every player was a "WINNER" that day.
So what I am trying to get you to see is that you are doing what you have dreamed of,
do not ruin it by judging your fun by where you finish the race.
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Formula Haus is giving awards for racing!
It may seem complicated but it does reward competition.
The program goes like this; If you win you receive a Gift certificate for $100.00 in labor or $25.00 in parts, regardless of the number of Banshee's entered. Here is the confussion part; if you do not win, then the highest placing Banshee will receive a $50.00 labor or $10.00 parts certificate,
BUT there has to be at least two Banshees in the race,
only one certificate can be used per purchase.
Presently there are Four Banshee's in the Tyro class,
John Caporaso # 3, Dan Cezar, Jr # 84, Theo Kouloukas # 77,
Chris Rachuba # 7.
The F/1600 class has three entrees;
John Heckman # 2, Dan Cezar # 84 & Greg Saunders # 12
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Theo Kouloukas takes advantage of the Awards contingency
by winning the Tyro class and then ordering a clutch assembly!
Rachuba Banshee is one of RAACE's promotion cars and Chris works closely with the group that is trying to stop abuse of children everywhere.
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John Caporaso is the latest driver to choose to race the Banshee. John's entry
into the Tyro class with his used Banshee could make the fourth Banshee in that division; Theo Kouloukus, # 77; Chris Rachuba, #7; Dan Cezar, JR, # 84 and John Caporaso, # 3; would be the four Banshee's. Although it may seem as though this is the # 5 Banshee that was Silver it is not, the # 5 Silver Banshee is now the #12, Black & Red, Banshee owned by Greg Saunder, winner of the 2010 Tyro Championship, who is racing in the F-1600 class this 2011 season and
aiming at "Rookie of the Year".
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Below Dan Cezar in His Banshee!! Dan was the first owner of a "Banshee". He races in the F-1600 division of the FRCCA club class.
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