Until Next Time.. by Matt Skibisky

I hate this time of year. It seems like yesterday that the smell of new tires fills the air, now it’s the smell of…dare I say…winter. 65 drivers showed up at LAZ on Sunday for one last hurrah of 2011. Bob Doiron took a shot at making the course. We staged a bit farther back, launching into a slight straight, following right into a long left sweeper. After a decreasing radius left, a short straight led right into a 90 degree right hander. As you drove back upon the start, a tight right hander led right into a 3 cone slalom. After the slalom was a right handed skid pad. Throttle control was crucial here, as the exit flew into a large offset slalom. With your hands very busy, a short burst of the throttle finished the course.

Winning Super Stock was the GT3 of Peter Alexopoulos with a 36.164. Coming in second, making his CART return, was the Corvette of Tom Cavuto. Coming in third was John Williamson. Out-powering Andrew Grigg’s Speed3 and the two Mini’s was the WRX of Ken Johnson. Johnson finished with a 37.159.

Winning BSP along with taking home the Fastest Time of the Day was the Cayman S of Jim Matons. Matons’ FTD was almost taken away at the end of the day by the Legends car of Sean Colson, but Matons led BSP and took FTD while beating up all those corvettes with a lightning fast 35.121. Winning CSP was Paul “Quiet Down” Omichinski. Paul, I’m running out of clever nicknames, so hurry up and get your voice back. Anyway, Paul led Kevin Fitzmaurice by 1.6 seconds, winning with a 36.824. Winning DSP while being bumped from FSP was the Cobalt of Matt Skibisky. Skibisky finished with a 38.277. (Thanks for not showing up, Jason.) Moving on to ESP, aka, the “Guess Which Mustang Won?” class. Cole Leether decided to beat up on Dad again, as he led ESP with a 37.185. Coming in second was his father, John, and third was Mark Eastwood.

X Prepared was led by the Facory Five of John Santos. Santos couldn’t quite get another FTD to add to his collection, but still finished with a quick time of 36.029. As requested by a person who shall remain nameless, I am required to add this next remark. Jay beat Bob…by 2 and half seconds. Winning C Prepared in his Leakur XR4Ti was Ray “The Garlic Man” Covino. Covino out stuck Marc Boerma, finishing with a 37.502. F Prepared was led by Adam Nogiec in Bob’s 944. Adam led Bob by 1.5 seconds, winning with a 38.592.

Winning A Mod and barely missing out on an FTD was the Legends car of Sean Colson. Colson held off the “Miata lookin’ thing” of Jim Jaffe, winning with a 35.313. Jaffe did in fact get a 34.7; unfortunately, it was in a fun run.

Putting a beating on STA was the Miata of Austin Golankiewicz. Austin led Scott Murray with a 36.853.

X Novce was won by the Civic of Ken Ruby with a 43.596. Y Novce was won by the Impreza Wagon of Eric Schneider with a 37.935. Z Novce was won by the RX8 of Will Denvir with a 39.309. All winning Novice drivers along with all Novice drivers with more than 3 events will be moved to their assigned classes.

Although we are done for the year, don’t think we’re done for the year! We still have a Christmas party, and don’t forget to sign up for our annual Awards Banquet! Check up on the website for information. Thank you to everyone who made 2011 a success!

"As competitive as all of us have been, the relationships have stayed very, very close, and that has been a very enjoyable experience for me. We push each other harder than anyone else out there. Our goal for next year is to all stay together and stay the winning team that we have become." -Dan Wheldon