Blackhawk Farms proved to be a banner event for 944 Spec, with the class coming away with the first presentation of the Carillo Pistons "Piston Cup" This was awarded to the class showcasing the best racing to watch at the event. Great racing, and great off-track camaraderie is what 944 Spec is all about!

Saturday's race started the excitement early. Andy Berberich was on pole, Angel Blasquez outside pole, Ray Freundt 3rd, Eric Kuhns 4th, and new 944 Spec racer Michael Dalton of Norfolk Medical 5th. An arthritic or bashful starter gave a "two-step" flag. Kuhns went on the first twitch, getting a great run on Blasquez, but had no where to go except the grass on track left. After sizing up the room available & the condition of the "fairway", Kuhns succeeded in making the "pass through the grass", moving into the pack of Spec Miata (more intimidating than racing on the grass!), and slotting in behind the 944 Raceworks entry of Freundt. Berberich soon got by Kuhns when he got crossed up avoiding another car. Berberich & Freundt then  went side by side, ending up with Freundt going 4 off, but safely getting back on track without letting up. This allowed Kuhns by, hot in pursuit of Berberich's Kauth & Meyer sponsored, Co-op racing 944. After several laps of chasing Berberich, including one huge tank-slapper in turn 5 that Berberich skillfully saved, Kuhns finally got a run into turn one, and passed Berberich for the lead. Berberich made one last attempt in turn seven before Kuhns was able breath a sigh of relief at the checkered flag, taking his first win of the year, in the first event since his crash at Putnam. Back in the saddle! Freundt cruised in 3rd, Blasquez 4th, and Dalton enjoyed his 1st 944 Spec race in 5th.

The second Saturday race was a bit more conventional, but featured nose to tail, clean racing the whole race between Kuhns & Berberich. Neither made any mistakes, and in the end, a good start won the race for Kuhns. Freundt out-drove Blasquez for 3rd, and Dalton fought overheating problems on his newly resurrected 944 (hadn't run in 4 years prior to the weekend!). 

Sunday dawned as another nice day (finally a couple of dry race days!). Kelby Hartman, who came up to support us for the weekend, found Dalton had a split hose to the heater core, which was bypassed, and Dalton was able to run the entire race Sunday without incident. For the race, Series Director Kuhns opted to shake things up by ordering a standing start. Fortunately for Blasquez, a nut & bolt check had revealed loose axle bolts that were tightened before the stress of the standing start! Unfortunately for Kuhns, 944's don't make much torque at 3K RPM, and he was left at start by Berberich, who had dialed in a 4K launch RPM (Oh the irony, since Kuhns requested it!). Kuhns was nearly rear-ended by Freundt from behind! At least he didn't put his car in reverse, like one of the CMC boys last year. As the race went on, Freundt found his way deep into the brush outside turn 6. Once he made it out, it looked like his car was in military brush camoflage, but little damage was done. Blasquez also had a rare spin, but without much inicident. This time it was Berberich who drove error-free and went on to win.   Dalton drove his newly reliable steed home to finish his first weekend cleanly.

Next up is Autobahn, July 17th-19th, where Porsche will be the featured marque. We'll have a free pro photographer on hand to take pictures on & off - track, family day, plus a charity event, with give-aways! Another enduro beckons friday night, too! Let's continue 944 domination of the E2 class! This weekend will be huge, so bring your friends, and we'll have the biggest field yet!