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Open Road Race zooms to a speedy success
The residents of Fort Stockton may have noticed an abundance of corvettes and other high performance cars in town this past weekend. The reason, the 2007 Road Runner Open Road Race was underway.
Drivers from all over Texas, and a few out-of-stators, gathered here in Fort Stockton for the race. The race consists of a round trip from Fort Stockton to Marathon and back again while trying to maintain a target speed the entire length of the coarse. Each car is entered into target speed classes ranging from 85 mph to 155 mph depending on the car specs and tire ratings.
In the 85 mph class there were only two entrees. Second place went to Gary Bartley from Brazoria driving his 1970 Mangusta with navigator Sylvia Bartley. First went to David Lamb out of Dallas in his 1995 S-wagon.
Again, only two entrees were in the 90 mph class. Second went to Clayton Snyder of Penalosa, Kan., driving a 2004 Sebring with navigator Nancy Snyder. First place was Bill Warren from Midland in a 1999 Riviera with Erich Bechtel navigating.
There was only one entry in the 95 mph, which was Glen Roberts from Nathrop, Colo. Roberts, driving his 1967 Mustang, finished with an impressive 0.005(0:00.162+t) score.
There were six entrees in the 100 mph target speed class. Third place went to Dale Trollinger from Rowlett driving a 2005 Corvette with navigator Sandie Trollinger. Second went to Francisco Couarrubias from Laredo driving a 1973 Opel GT with Navigator Samir Khatti. Winner of the class was Stephen Walker from Georgetown in a 2005 Mazda RX8 with Dennis Walker as navigator.
The 105 mph class had seven entrees, with third place going to John Trevey out of Austin with navigator Bill Hayes in a 1966 Mustang. Second place went to Mitch Clark from Midland in a 2002 VW Beetle with navigator Dave Sowa. First place was Allen Glenn from Woodlands and navigator Becky Glenn driving a 2006 Corvette.
The largest class with 21 entrees was the 110 mph class. Third place was Doug DeMots with navigator Randall Marsh from Aurora, Colo.., in a 1965 Cobra. A.J. Ranft and navigator Shell Storer from Garden Ridge took second in their 2004 BMW. First place went to David Byrd and navigator Andy Kier from Rowlett driving a 1968 Mustang.
Only two entrees made the 115 mph target class. Second place went to Bob White of Austin driving solo in a 1967 Mustang. First place was Mike Black with navigator Janet Black from Garland in their 2004 Corvette.
Ten entrees made up the 120 mph target class. Taking third was Bill Boden out of Fort Worth and navigator Gwen Kausthagen in a 2005 GTO. Roy Priebe from Howell, Mich., and navigator Eric Priebe in a 2000 Camaro took second. First place went to James Davis from Tucson, Ariz., with navigator Steve Vlastaris driving a 2006 Mustang.
In the 125 mph class, James Watters Jr. from Fredericksburg and navigator Kevin Roark took third in a 1999 Corvette. Taking second was Scott Sparkman and navigator Stephanie Sparkman from Midland driving a 1999 Corvette as well. Winners of the 125 mph class were Blue Offutt and navigator Tim Eull from Sahaurita, Ariz., driving a 1993 Mazda RX7.
In the 130 mph class Third place went to Joe Syslo and navigator Marianne Syslo out of North Richland Hills in a 1999 Corvette. Finishing second place was Bob Young and navigator Daniel Young of Midland driving a 2004 Corvette. Taking first place was Bruce and navigator Stephen Wood of Alpine in their 1999 Mustang.
In the 135 mph target speed class, Craig Loeck driving solo from Lincoln, Neb., took third in a 1996 Corvette. Vernon Stump, also driving solo, from Alpine took second driving a 1998 Corvette. First place went to Tom Vester and navigator Russell Roach from Boerne, driving a 1953 Studebaker.
Roland Gladden and navigator Judy Gladden of Odessa took third in the 140 mph class driving a 2006 Corvette. Second place went to John Kerr and Michael Salsman from San Antonio in a 1979 Firebird. The winner of the 140 mph class was J.C. Collier and navigator Cobra Collier from Phoenix, Ariz., driving a 2006 Lamborghini.
In the 145 mph class, Lester Pittenger, driving solo, from Bridgewater, N.J., took third in his 2001 Corvette. Also driving solo was second place driver Cynthia Caracciolo from Flower Mound in a 1996 Corvette. Winners of the 145 mph class were Karl Samuel and navigator Audrey Samuel from Weatherford driving a 2004 Corvette.
In the 150 mph class Matthew Doffer and navigator Steve Prewit from Midland in a 2003 Mustang took third. Second place went to Wayne Meinert and navigator Ruth Meinert of Garden Ridge driving a 2007 Corvette. First place went to Ted Zaleski from Spring driving solo in a 1990 Corvette.
In the final class of 155 mph, there was only one entry. Charlie Friend of Alamogordo, N.M., set a new course record, driving solo, with times of 14:52.186 and 14:51.115 in his 1965 Corvair.
The team results were fifth place; Team F-Body, fourth place; Team Invaders, third place; Team Motley Crew, second place; Team Lone Star, and first place went to Team Ford.
Following the race on Saturday, there was an award banquet held at the civic center. There was good food provided by Paul Pasqua and Crew.
Everyone is hoping to have another excellent turnout in April for the Big Bend Open Road Race.
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