Monday morning update, August 2nd, 2021
Hi all, as we are now into race season, it is time we keep you up to date on our racing activities.
To begin with, we are still waiting for the completion of our primary powerplant rebuild. Like many others have experienced during the pandemic, parts have been slow to arrive, but we are confident Ashaway Performance Engines will do a good job and give us the power we need.
As for the on-track activities, this past week, we ventured to the great state of Maine and visited a track we have never raced on. The team competed with the Modified Racing Series in the MRS VACATIONLAND 100.
The day would include three practice rounds, a qualifying heat, and a 100 lap main event.
During the practice session, Derek showed good speed and gave fantastic feedback, which allowed us to be in the top ten in speed all day and rise to 3rd on the charts for practice round two. This speed gave the team a good feeling for the qualifier race.
The team bolted on 4 new Hoosier tires for the qualifying heat and lined up in the third starting spot. Derek was able to get the early jump and settle into second place behind car number 55. On lap three, the leader bobble on the backstretch, and Derek dove under him to jump into the lead. Derek would hold the top spot for the next 8-1/2 laps of the 12 lap event. On the final lap of the heat race, car number 25 would make a move under him going into turn three, and they would drag race out of turn four towards the checkers where Derek would have to settle for position number two. This finishing position would put us in the third starting position for the main event.
Excitement was brewing as the team knew they have a good car and had high hopes of a strong finish. The plan was to play it smart and race smart until halfway and then begin our move forward. As the race started, Derek tussled for the first lap and a half to try to gain second place but eventually settle into third. Third place was okay with all as the top three cars ran nose to tail and would start to pull away. Derek settled in and, despite a short-lived challenge from the 7 car, he didn’t have any pressure from other competitors. The early portion of the race was playing into our hands.
As it has been for our season this year, lady luck did not accompany us to Maine. On lap 23, the official notified the team they saw fluid leaking from the car, and the Black flag was displayed to us. Derek brought the car to the crew’s attention in the pits only to discover an oil line had a hole worn through when it rubbed up again a pulley. The issue could not be fixed quickly and would end our day and relinquish to spectators for the remainder of the event.
What can you say? This is racing; no one on the crew would have expected a line to move nearly 3 inches and rub up against the pulley? It is one of those things that forces you to the next level, and you learn from it.
That’s it for now; thanks for following DDR Motorsports and driver Derek Robbie. We’ll see you at the next race on Aug 14 at Monadnock Speedway, where the team will attempt to qualify against 40 other races in the Tri-Track Modified Series.
Doug Robbie
Owner DDR Motorsports