December in Arizona means Double Races, Double Points & Double Track Records! Print
Written by Joe Paluch   
Monday, 19 December 2005 10:16
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Vince Vaccaro Arizona 2005 944 Spec Champion
The end of the Arizona 2005 season was held at Firebird International Raceway's Main Course. This was a double points weekend and Vince Vaccaro was crowned 2005Arizona regional champion. Two strong second place finishes moved Darren Griffith to 2nd in Points and a double win moved Glenn Gormley to 3rd in points.


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Glenn FIR Main Track Record Holder
Along the way Glenn set a new track record for 944 spec on the Main Course B configuration. The B configuration uses a tighter left right section after the looping turn 1 as compared to the more flowing standard configuration. Congratulations to Vince, Darren and Glenn! Jason Boles dropped from 2nd to 4th in points after missing the event.
To keep doubles theme going the 2006 Arizona season began with a double points affair at PIR just two weeks later. This time a cash purse of $250 for the winner brought out new and old faces. 944 Spec new comer Norman Hamden showed that 12 years racing an F stock 911 is great training for setting fast times in a spec car. In cool conditions Norman cranked out laps as low as 1:12.673 in practice. Returning series original Jon Ariano was also super fast setting a 1:12.857 in morning practice and 1:12.833 in qualifying. That was good enough for class pole with Gormley suffering gearbox problems and Hamden with transponder issues putting only one slow lap on boards in qualifying. Joe Paluch also returned to racing action sporting fresh paint, 2004 Champion Steve Sapareto and 2005 Champion Vince Vaccaro were also in attendance.

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A spilt start was given to the 944 spec cars thus minimizing the effects of poor qualifying on Hamden and a now repaired Gormley. As the green fell for 944 spec group Hamden anticipated it perfectly and shot to the front followed by Ariano, Gormely and Paluch.Shortly Hamden pulled a gap and the group of Ariano, Gormely and Paluch ran into slow traffic at the back of the main pack. This allowed Hamden to run free and clear, but second and third was dog fight to the end.
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Strong driving by Ariano gave him second place, and smart driving in a tough to drive car gave Gormley 3rd and the last of the cash prizes. Paluch was forced to settle for 4th. In the process Hamden ran a 1:13.124 to set the new track record with Ariano close behind with a 1:13.286.
Sunday dawned dark and cold again, but with a smaller field. Ariano, Gormley and Hamdenall stayed home rather than deal with the 27 degree cold morning air. With a smaller field the 944 spec class was mixed in with the general race group. Paluch took pole and never looked back cruising to his first 944 spec class win since January. This did however give him the lead in the 2006 points race.
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