February 2008

February’s NECC race brought us to Slot Car Emporium in Warwick, RI for the 2nd time this season. There were 68 entries through the whole day.

The day began with the Novice class on the oval. The race was a massive wreck fest which left the end result to whoever survived the longest. Taking down the win was Max Davidowitz, followed by Alex King and Kris Kerr in third, all from Need for Speed Raceway. Rounding out the top 5 were locals Adam Mirza and Gia Celani.                   .

The next event of the day was Senior Group 10 on the King, which saw 15 entries. It was a good, clean race (for the most part), which saw a twist or two thrown in the middle. In the end, local racer James Grandi took down his first Senior 10 win, followed 3 laps back by another local, defending Senior champion Nathan Teto, with Modelville Hobby’s Rick Holmstrom taking 3rd by 1 section over Ray Duran. Cody Swan rounded out the top 5.

After the lunch break, it was time for 4-1/2” Stock Cars on the Oval. This class drew 15 entries. This was also a wreck fest, and again the winner was not so much a dominant car as a survivor of the havoc. There were a number of fast cars taken down by troubles throughout the race, all leading up to a very close battle for the lead. Taking down the win by a mere 2 sections, with his body torn and the nose covered in tape, was Joseph Mazzulo over local racer Dan Grandi. This was a very strong run for Dan, as this was his first appearance running NECC 4-1/2’s. Bringing it home in 3rd was Bob Creighton, having a fine performance as well. 4th was Nathan Teto and 5th was Rick Holmstrom.                    

The fourth class of the day was Outlaw Group 10 on the King, which also saw 15 entries. I might add it’s a rare oddity to have 3 classes in a row with the same number of entries. Right from the beginning it was clear as to who had the strongest car, and that the rest of the field was pretty much fighting for 2nd. The winner by a margin of 17 laps was James Grandi, taking down his second win of the day. Ironically enough, James won this same event last season with the same exact chassis and motor. Coming in 2nd was Cody “Swanja Boy” Swan and 3rd was former Outlaw champion Nathan Teto. Rapid Raceways’ finest Dave “Mr. Concourse” Gesner takes 4th and Hudson Valley Raceway’s Ray Duran was 5th.
 
The final race of the day was GTP on the King, which saw just 12 entries in a race which had a fair number of twists in it. The beginning of the race saw Cody Swan and James Grandi locked in a battle for the lead, but mechanical troubles led to Grandi dropping back and missing 2 heats, leaving the door wide open for Cody. In the end, it was Cody taking down the win over Mike Resnick and local racer Rollie Lapierre, with his first podium finish. Father Dan Grandi beats out son James, in a battle for 4th and 5th.

The March race brings us to the powerhouse tracks of Danbury Raceway in Danbury, CT on March 15th. We hope to see everyone there!