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Grasseed

Posted 10/13/2010 22:37 (#1394094)
Subject: Tillage Radish race report. (Pics too.)

Suver, Oregon

Hello race fans and thanks for checking in. Max Mulkey and the Tillage Radish racing team were hard at work last weekend prepping for, and racing in the final round of the 10 race Oregon State Championship Karting Series.

Max and crew tested in the rain on Saturday in preperation for a wet race on Sunday. The young driver put in 140 laps during the afternoon and the team tried multiple chassis set ups trying to find every edge for Sundays race.

The race this week was held in Mac Minnville at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds. Max went into the weekend with a 10 point lead over his main rival Nick Fergusen. There is a 10 point spread between 1st and 2nd place. If Nick were to win, and Max finish 2nd, they would be tied in points. They would have the same amount of wins, 2nds, and 3rds. Fergusen would clinch the title because he has 1 fourth place finish, and Max had none.

The pressure was on.

The day started wet , with a steady drizzle. The testing paid off as Max was the quickest qualifier by .25 seconds. Fergusen was second, but unable to Match Max's pace on the wet track.

The first heat was also ran on a wet track, but the rain had stopped. Max drove his Tillage Radish powered machine into the lead at the start, and led every lap. Fergusen Stayed close, finishing withing 2 seconds of Max at the end of the 8 laps around the 7/10ths mile track.

Time for the second heat, the rain is gone, the track is starting to dry, is it dry enough for slicks?? The team decides to play it safe and stick with the rain tires. Fergusen, and Grant Heizenraider choose to go with slicks. The start for the second heat is inverted, so Max is starting from the back of the feild. At the Start Grant goes to the front, and within a lap Fergusen and Mulkey are right behind. Fergusen and Heizenraider are trading the lead a couple of times a lap. Max Stays close for several laps, then his tires overheat, he is driving off line looking for moisture to cool them, and he tries anouther run to the front. But it wasn't enough. Fergusen wins the heat, Grant is second, and Max finishes third...... So much for playing it safe.

The sun comes out. The track is almost completley dry for the main event. Fergusen, a two time state champ, is fired up, he wants a third title.

Max and team know that the main will be fierce. The team needs to wisley pick the right chassis set up. What they learned Saturday is of no use now. Toe settings are changed. The front track width is changed. The rear track width is changed. The gearing is changed. Slicks are installed. Pressures are set. Prayers are said.

Time to race. The whole season has come down to these 12 laps. It's Max's second year of racing. The 14 year old has driven brilliantly all season, his worse finish a sixth in the opening round. Fergusen is the veteren of the Junior racers. 16 years old. 7 years of racing. 2 state titles. His worse finish this year was a fourth.

The stage is set. Fergusen has the pole, Max is on the outside of row one. Heizenraider starts third.

At the start Max rockets into the lead with Nick right behind. The two run nose to tail for several laps before Fergusen muscles past coming onto the front straight. Max tucks in behind and uses the draft to pass Nick back into the 60 mph turn one. He makes it stick and is back in the lead. Fergusen again makes a run at Max in turn seven, they are side by side, but Max doesn't budge and hold the lead. Fergusen makes several more attempts, each time Mulkey fights back and keeps the lead.

Lap 10. Max tires of the game, and cuts 3/10's of a second off of his lap time, down to a 45.01.
Lap 11. Fastest lap of the race. 44.91.
Lap 12. A 44.96. Victory. Championship. Fame.

What a season! 4 wins, the last 3 in a row!

Thanks to the Lord for letting us race, and for all of his blessings.

Thanks to Steve Groff for his support this year. NASCAR in 2015 Steve???

And thanks to all of the race fans here on New Ag Talk for cheering Max on this year. It has been very special to hear from fans all over the country, and overseas as well.

Sincerly, Max and Garth.

Edited by Grasseed 10/13/2010 22:46