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
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