WTG Ben. I think I told you way back early on that it could be a long day,
hee hee. :-)
Glad it all came off well. Sounds like you had a great day!
--Rocky
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Thatcher <bthatch@juno.com>
To: bspvette@mailinglist.net <bspvette@mailinglist.net>;
autox@autox.team.net <autox@autox.team.net>; solo2atlanta@ilist.net
<solo2atlanta@ilist.net>
Cc: mameyers@trusted.net <mameyers@trusted.net>; grmtim@aol.com
<grmtim@aol.com>
Date: Monday, September 20, 1999 6:28 AM
Subject: NOPI National Auto-X Tourney quick notes
>91 drivers made it to the NOPI National Auto-X Tournament last weekend.
>We had beautiful weather and almost enough sunlight to finish on Sunday
>(grin).
>
>I'll be getting the complete final results to you later but you must know
>that it all came down to a head up competition between Heath McMillan's
>CSP CRX (who had fought his way back through the loser's bracket) and
>Carter Thompson's AS MR-2 Turbo. McMillan came out smokin' on his first
>shot and narrowly won the first round. But, because Thompson hadn't had a
>loss in the winners bracket they came back to the line, switched sides
>and took off again as each minute made the track darker since the sun had
>already set.
>
>McMillan got a little sideways in the first slalom which might have
>marked the difference as Thompson was smooth, clean and fast to take the
>first NOPI National Auto-X Tournament Championship. Thompson won $350.00
>and a set of Toyo tires for his Group win plus a set of Konig "Caffeine"
>wheels for the overall championship. Congratulations to Carter Thompson!
>
>As I said above, it was a very long day on Sunday (we finished the
>championship round as track security was trying to get us off the lot
>right at 8 pm). This being our first attempt at the heads up tournament
>concept meant we had a few teething problems and challenges. I can
>promise you that NOPI 2000 will be even better and won't take as long to
>run..
>
>I'd like to personally thank NOPI, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, Toyo
>tires as our terrific sponsors.
>
>The following people deserve the highest honor and credit for their hard
>work above and beyond the call of duty:
>
>Tom Simon put in 3 full days side-by-side with me to help set up the
>course and make the event run as smoothly as possible.
>
>Kent DeJarnett was in the pressure-cooker all day, Sunday, managing a
>hectic grid filled with racer ego's and tempers. Poor Kent hardly had a
>chance to go to the restroom. I owe 'ya bud.
>
>Rick Tinsley filled the gap at safety steward as Dan McMahan was at
>Topeka until Sunday. Rick also helped me through a ton of issues all
>weekend and was tireless in his efforts to make this event a success.
>
>Paul Barros ran registration all day Saturday even though he was ill.
>
>My dear wife Nancy also handled the registration booth all day, Saturday,
>and again on Sunday morning even though she didn't run.
>
>Tere Pulliam, my "boss," who kept the scoring in the trailer straight all
>day Sunday. Mark Sipe and Rick Cone both volunteered to announce and keep
>score most of the day except when they were running.
>
>Rex Weatherford for doing tech on Saturday and Hank Howell for filling in
>on Sunday. Brett Howell and Michael Threatt filled in with any needed
>jobs both days.
>
>Heath McMIllan who let me place the burden, at the last minute, of being
>the Protest Chairman for the event .
>
>Plus all the other unsung heros I forgot to mention.
>
>I'm tired but already looking forward to NOPI 2000.
>
>Ben Thatcher
>Apex Benefit Services & Motorsports
>Stockbridge, GA
>Phone 770.474.1402
>FAX 770.474.0938
>
|