R A C E  R E P O R T

Thunderhill, CA
May 31, June 1, 2003

Steve Link finally gets his first win after fifteen races! Steve has been the top 510 competitor the last two years in the VSRG 2.5 Challenge series and it was a long time coming but the look on Steve’s face in the winners circle told the story. Floyd Link, Steve’s father and crew chief, was almost in tears as Steve crossed the finish line to take the checkered flag. Link has been close many times, been top qualifier, and led some races over the years but at Thunderhill he drove a perfect race to take his first win.

The early weekend favorite was Mickey Cohen and his yellow Datsun 510. Cohen was lapping Thunderhill at record pace in practice with Link, Bonura, and Richard Beard not far behind. Bonura was out by Saturday night with a blown input shaft and clutch pack,   “I guess we should have used a Ferrari 400i clutch like my hairdresser's car, they never go bad” said Bonura. Timo Passi, Bonura’s crew chief had tried to use JB Weld to hold the shift lever in place but the “Finn’s Fix” wasn’t going to work for the input shaft leaving them on the trailer for the rest of the weekend.

Richard Beard’s Alfa lost a motor Saturday morning and they spent the rest of the day making an engine swap and would miss the qualifying race. Richard would start from the back of the field on Sunday to try and hang onto his “Rookie of the Year”points lead.

KBR was back at Thunderhill with the blue brick but also lost a motor in practice Saturday morning. Ted and Chris loaded their Alfa and left the track as soon as possible to begin the repairs saying they’d be back at Fontana. This was a big disappointment since Thunderhill 02 was KBR’s first podium and the brothers were looking to repeat.

Most were having a good go at the track with Jim McAdory quietly looking like he was going to get his first podium after posting a third in Saturday’s qualifying. Robert Murphy, a new racer to the series from the NASPORT ranks, was also looking strong in his well prepared and authentic period 510 racer. Also returning to the series was Tom O’Callaghan (Alfa GTV), Doug Ellinger (Alfa GTV) and Nick Martin (Mini Copper S), “More Mini’s should do this series, it’s a lot of fun” said Martin.

When the green flag fell on the main event Sunday Cohen, Link, and McAdory’s Datsun 510s led the field into turn one with Richard. Beard sweeping around the out side to take fourth. Richard Beard slipped past McAdory when he lost oil pressure on lap four. Link stayed on the back of Cohen for the first half of the race with Richard Beard taking notes in third.  Forrester, John Beard, O’Callaghan, Murphy, Ellinger, and Martin were not far behind.

Early on Cohen managed to pull a two second lead out on Link and Richard Beard until a big spin in turn two gave Link the he lead. Richard Beard was doing his best to hang onto Link but coming over the hill at turn five he got sideways and let Cohen back into second. And that’s how they finished at the front; Steve Link, Mickey Cohen, and Richard Beard.

However the race wasn’t over for the rest of the field, John Beard had his hands full with O’Callaghan , Murphy, Ellinger, and Forrester all changing places. The mid pack had a great race and had the spectators on the edge of their seats for most of the race. Their finishing order was Murphy, John Beard, O’Callaghan, Forester, Ellinger, and Martin. All had smiles after the race and soon were bench racing in the pits.

Thunder hill was another perfect weekend with lots of track time for the VSRG 2.5 Challenge competitors and usual low key atmosphere of an Ed and Sally Swart’s HSR-West race weekend was great. If you haven’t been to an event yet sign up or come watch the races. Everyone left the track looking forward to the fact that the season is now in full swing and excited about the up coming spectators events at Fontana June 20-22nd and Portland July 11-13^th.

-O-