Wolff Pack Run-2009

Good Afternoon..!!

Here are the results and story of the Great Wolff Pack Run 2009..

STOCKS NOW HAVE A BACK TO BACK CHAMPION &
MODS HAVE AN ALBERTA CHAMPION!, FIRST TIME SINCE 2005

Ya, Umm let's say "socializing" got in the way of the final report. It's late..but "time" never left me at all..

Day 2 was again another hot one tempurature wise, and it looked like we had only lost 2 cars from the first night. When I got to the track many teams were working hard to freshen up the cars, and go chasing trophies.
The first night would end on a slightly dry but still tacky track. Night #2 ended up a dry slick racing surface that would change some drivers luck, and add some different cars to the mix.

STOCKS:
Heat 1A would again have the #11 and #66 in the same race, like the day before. Again the 2 would look solid in a field that spread itself out. Running in 3rd place the #66 would get a R/F flat causing him to retire early. A suprise to all was a great end of race charge by Shabreena Oslie who would take 3rd in her heat. Final order(top 4) was: 54, 11, 67, 45B(on a flat L/F tire!, good job)

In heat 1B the #45 would have tire issues (I believe) and for the second day in a row, tag the outside wall ending his heat early. Top 4 was: 98, 20, 17 and slamming the front straight wall coming to the checkers in 4th place was #7.

Heat 2A had a great battle by the #66 and #11 for top spot. We got a taste of what might come through in the main event by those guys. The #6 truck would have is best finish of the weekend to this point by crossing the line in 3rd. top 4: 66, 11, 6, 54.

Heat 2B would start short on cars as the #7 would not make the call after his "wall test" in the first heat race. This one was a quick, clean race with only 4 cars on the track when the checkers flew. Top 4: 77, 17, 98, 3

The stock main was looking to be the race of the night, and it was good to see the current Bridge County Raceway points leader in the #7 car make it out and take the last starting spot.
This was a GOOD race with lot's of passing and drivers keeping the finish on thier minds. One of those was the #6 who came out of his heat race to start pole in the main and lead for the first time all weekend. While leading his hood would start to come loose and catch air in the corners, but that would prove the least of his worries when he would have a near spin causing him to fall back 4 spots.
Another noteable was the #17 who was very fast night 1. He would make it up to challenge for 3rd and he wasn't going to stop there.. Untill he did!. The #17 would spin, get back going, stay on the lead lap but in last place. Later in the event he would spin again putting him down a lap.
A yellow flag would come out near race end, and on the re-start the drivers would have a green,white,checkered finish for the ages. When the green flag was waved that #66 truck went like a rocket to the outside of the #77, puckered his cheeks and somehow made it stick to take the lead for the first time all race. It proved the best time as he would take the win on night #2.
Finishing order: 66, 77, 54, 7, 67, 17, 11, 14, 45, 20, 3, 98

It looked like the "deal" between #66 Rick Mitchell and #11 Calvin Fitch would hold up all weekend with the #11 winning night 1, and #66 winning night 2. the #66 just wasn't able to load up on points like the #11 though, as the #11 of CALVIN FITCH would become a back to back champion at the Wolff Pack Run in the stocks division. Good racing all weekend by the stocks, and a great finish for the last night would "put them on the list" for the 2010 Wolff Pack.

IMCA STOCKS OVERALL WINNER: #11 Calvin Fitch!!

TOTAL POINTS 2009 WOLFF PACK- STOCKS(top 5): 11, 77, 17, 54, 66

MODIFIEDS:
Night #2 would say goodbye to future papa and 8th place finisher the night before of #36. He didn't get a phone call but wanted to be a little closer to home. Still no baby, but we were glad to have him on the first night.
Missing from night 1 was #27 Terry Vicente who was at a wedding. He would arrive fresh and full of "love" to compete on the second night and try his best to load up some points in the BCR championship race.
The #22 of Wes Stair was poised to try and re-peat his great run from the night before (Overall winner, 2nd in the main). Before the event The #22 and #17 of Arvid Fonstad had the best chance of keeping the Wolff Pack trophy in Alberta for the first time since 2005.
The #71 of Joey Galloway would add some weight to his car in hopes of winning and passing tech on night 2 after being DQ'd for a weight violation on day 1.

Heat race #1 had the top 2 cars from the night before in it of #22 and #17. One to not count out was the #66 of Bob Heffer, who would show up and show off as he would walk away with the win followed by the #22, 61, & 17.
Unfortunatly after his best finish of the weekend #66 would forget to report to tech and be DQ'd after such a great run.

Heat race #2 would see the #20 of Nathan Linford lead most of the race but fall to 3rd in a quick, clean race sending 4 more straight to the "A" main. Top 4 finishers: 10, 59, 20, 13

Heat race #3 had #71 taking a page out of the #66 playbook as he too would run away with the win. Strong runner #42 of Brian McCaughan would rocket his way up to 2nd before a load of smoke came out from under the hood, ending his weekend of racing. 3rd, 4th & 5th place had one heck of a race going to take the final spot, and put on a great show for the fans. Top 4: 71, 27(Vicente), 72, 33

The 4th heat race was a main event all in itself. If you drew a pill that put you in this race it was going to be tough. Some of the "hitters" in this one were the #69(Lacelle), 27eh(O'Connor), 88(Beaumont), 9(Bonneville), 62(Zelinsky), & 50(Boys) and only 4 spots to give away. I could not get over what was going to come of such a stacked qualifier. It ended up being one of the best heats all night as these guys showed thier skill and had a fantastic race. Top 4: 69, 88, 27eh, 62.
The #27eh was black flagged during the last few laps for rough driving, sending the Port Hardy, B.C. driver looking to get in through the B or C main.

A few suprises heading into the LCQ "B" & "C" mains were the #9 of Roger Bonneville for the second night in a row. After not reporting to tech the #66 would also be looking for a transfer spot, and BOTH of the "island" cars of #91 (Beaulieu) and also a very quick #27eh or Lawrence O'Connor would need a top 4 to get in.

The "C" MAIN would start the #91 & #27eh from the rear, making it a possible "tough go" for the 2 drivers.
The #9 car would jump to an early lead and never look back. Bringing out a yellow was the #78 car who slammed the front straight wall after a "3 wide gone bad" ending the 2008 Rookie of the year's evening.
Shortly after that with the #9 still leading the #50 would make a "unlucky" decision by going to the outside of the #87 car and these 2 would hammer the back straight wall causing major damage to the 50, and taking away both cars chances of seing the "A" main from the cockpit.
Suprise of the race was the #27eh bouncing off a car being passed and breaking 1 axle, ending the Port Hardy, B.C. drivers weekend after such a promising night 1.
TOP 4: 9, 91(Beaulieu), 6, 83

The "B" Main would see the very quick #66 car start tail in a "must do" situation. It would be the #91H of Perry Huszarik who would lead for 3/4 of the way before spinning alone, bringing 2 others with him. He was unable to re-fire his car ending the weekend also after a promising first night. Special moment was #73 Dusty Hicks finishing 3rd and qualifying for the "A" main. We hear Dusty is moving to New Brunswick so this was his last Wolff Pack, good run!.
TOP 4: 66, 37, 73, 15

Before the main event a "gentleman's" decision was made from the #6 team. During thier heat the car had begun to smoke quite heavily. In fear of loosing a motor they were going to go out, take the green and retire BUT instead would give up the starting position to "long hauler" #27eh of Lawrence O'Connor who travelled nearly 18hrs to get here. Starting tail he would have a great task ahead.

MODIFIED MAIN:
Once again a VERY impressive 4 wide salute would have the fans on thier feet and ready for the main event, and to see just who would take home the crown in 2009!.
A body tingling start would be cut short.. a few times. 2 Laps into the race, 3 cautions and about 35 laps under yellow later we finaly got some racing in.
The front of the pack had a blistering pace with #59 John Barber strongly leading the way when a back marker spun infront of the leaders collecting 3rd place car and night #1 overall winner Wes Stair. Body damage and a flat tire would send the #22 pitside for some "more round" rubber.
Re-Start: 59,71,61,88,69,17,62,9
Around lap 6 (yes, it felt like 100 laps under yellow at this point) the #83 car would spin causing the yellow, and recieving the black flag ending his night.
Re-Start: 59,71,61,88,69,17,62,9,13
After getting a few short laps of racing in, and #59 John Barber putting on a school a multi car tangle would create more bad luck for the #22 as he would pile into the #73 hanging up both cars together and bringing out another yellow.
Re-Start: Same as above
At this point 2 cars were starting to show some presence. The #9 of Roger Bonneville starting near the back was up to 7th, and the 27eh was finding his way up front. both drivers were "thinking" thier way through the pack and made them ones to watch. On the Re-Start the #27eh would shoot his way up to 9th about lap 11.
The #91 of Chris Beaulieu would spin causing another yellow shortly after #71 took the lead from #59.
Re-Start: 71,59,61,69,17,88,9,66,27eh,62,33.
When the green flag came out it was apparent the #59 of John Barber had an issue as he fell back quite fast. After we find out he lost his power steering, making it a car with a driver who needed some Popeye spinach. The #9 who was making an impressive charge to the back would also have mechanical problems (pull bar) causing him to drop back and then retire from the race.
At 1/2 way the #27eh got up to 5th, then no sooner up to 3rd place with about 10 laps to go. At this point the #27eh was the most entertaining car on the track with his fantastic run through the field.
Coming to 5 laps to go, the top 3 cars were putting on a GREAT race, as they were bumper to bumper and a chance for any of them to take the win.
With 4 laps to go the final yellow would come out for the #10 car.
Re-Start (4 to go): 71,69,27eh,61,17,88,66
The next 4 laps would be the best racing of the weekend for the modified class as the 27eh and 69 would jockey positions and challenge the leader #71 all at the same time. 1st, 2nd & 3rd were tight as can be with an unclear advantage to any car. Behind them about 4-5 lengths back was 4th,5th & 6th who were also bumper to bumper in a race of thier own, with just ONE lap to go.
Coming out of turn 4, to get the checkered flag the #69 made one last dire move to take the win away from the #71 tagging the outside wall, shooting up some sparks and crossing the stripe a HALF a car length out of first place. WHAT A FINISH!.
DAY 2 FINISHING ORDER: 71, 69, 27eh, 61, 17, 88, 66, 59, 62, 15, 45, 73, 22, 33, 10, 27(Vicente), 9, 13, 83, 2, 37, 20, 72

OVERALL 2009 WOLFF PACK WINNER: #17 Arvid Fonstad.
First time since 2005 at the FIRST Wolff pack that an Alberta driver takes home the big prize!!.

TOP 5 OVERALL (Weekend): 17, 62, 22, 66, 71

Thanks to all the Sponsors and supporters of our "Daytona 500". This race has now become THE race to be at. I Can't imagine the work & effort that goes into an event such as this. From Trophies to wrist bands, patouts, points, sponsors, promotion, registration, paintings, camping arrangements and ALL THINGS INCLUDED. All of this stemming from the imagination of a guy we call GEORGE WOWK. This little brainstorming session of his, has turned into the "mecca" of Dirt Modified racing in Canada.

I once again had the privilage of working with the most fun group of volunteers, in the Bridge County Raceway Staff as the "raceciever guy". Like it or not we could have everything else, but without this FANTASTIC group of people there wouldn't BE a race. Volunteers do this for the love of the sport, in thier OWN time so guys like us can play with our cars. The next chance you get THANK the BCR staff, and while your at it thank the volunteers at your home track as well. They really do go the extra mile.
("Standing Ovation"...clap,clap,clap,clap,clap,clap,whistle,whistle,clap,clap)

So when someone asks you what you did for the long weeknd it's simple... I hung out with 300 people I know in some way shape or form, enjoyed a great BBQ when it was all over, & raced a car, crewed or was behind the scenes. Some of us camped, some of us celebrated, some have cars in need of repairs, But we ALL got to enjoy OUR sport of racing for 2 days of summer in awsome weather, at a great facility on our BIG race weekend. I hope you all had fun!
IMCA stocks & Mods are THE BEST group anywhere, I'll put money on it!

Will there be a 2010 Wolff Pack?, Where will it be?, Who will show up?, Who will win?, only time will tell.

Thanks,
Shawn White

Best Regards

Georg J.P. Wowk

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