4 Rookie Drivers ran their first full weekend in the Midwest with great nose-to-tail racing, lead swaps, and no contact between them.

Saturday, due to some car classification errors, the grid was a bit mixed, but started out cleanly, with Ray Freundt establishing an early lead. Some close racing between BJ Meyer and Angel Blasquez ensued behind him until Ray was punted from behind while checking up for a spun car, allowing BJ and Ray by and Jeff Eshelman to catch up. Ray became, in his own words the “Angry German” (hmm, I see nickname potential here!), and tore back up through the pack. BJ & Angel worked hard to keep Ray behind, but the Angry German would not be denied, passing both BJ and Angel several laps later. BJ passed Angel for second, then shortly after went too deep and allowed Angel by. In the last lap, BJ demonstrated some shrewd racecraft hooking onto a fast line of Miatas to freight train by Angel and into second place. Jeff rounded out the field with a 4th place finish. Eric Kuhns encountered some teething troubles with the new car and was unable to start Saturday.

Sundays race was overshadowed by a major accident in the other race group, knocking out qualifying, and making us all a bit more circumspect. The racer involved has been reported in good condition, answering the racer’s collective prayers. Eric started from the end of the field, as cars in all race classes were grided by Saturday’s qualifying time, with the rest of the 944 Spec racers spread out through the pack. Ray was “off to the races” up front again, and our bribes to have him punted again didn’t seem to work. Angel stayed ahead of BJ on Sunday, finishing second, and Eric worked his way up to second before his ailing fuel pump sidelined him the second day. Jeff Eshelman was MIA Sunday, but all the racers finished cleanly, and had a great time. Thanks again to our sponsors VFC Engineering, Toyo, CDOC, Doc’s Upholstery, and Ekquist Racing, all the racers have checks coming to them again this weekend.

Gratten is up next, with an enduro. Look for the new 944 Spec enclosed trailer. This will be a central feature of Camp 944 from now on, with community tools, etc, starting at Gratten. Thanks to Ray Freundt for pulling this 32 foot rig with his new Duramax diesel truck, and thanks to Ekquist Racing for making this all possible.

Between the races, and in the Day’s Inn parking lot, the 944 Spec team helped build Conan Dombrowski’s 944 Spec car. While we were not able to get it on the track, it was started and moved under it’s own power for the first time in many months. 944 Spec teamwork at it’s best!