Motorsports Racing News & Blog Articles
Over one hundred fifty entries at Loring races
Episode 406
August 7, 2022
Loring Super Motorsports Saturday
Summer is too short and being in two places at once just is not working. Race events at the former SAC Air Force base did allow me to do exactly that. Several times Saturday, I looked across the turnout at 2-mile mark and saw a wonderful site; race cars doing autocross to my left going north while land speed enthusiasts heading south on my right.
Both start line were within a hundred yards from each other allowing me to quickly walk to where I needed to get photos. Needless to say, I enjoyed that set up. MassTuning’s Armin Mejia said he had forty entries and CMC autocross chair Rick Drangmeister said they had over ninety entries both days.
Another dilemma persisted however, every person at the track has a story and time or circumstance limits whose story I am able to share. Following is a few of those stories. Do not be discouraged, both groups said they will be back next year and Lord willing so will I.
Massachusetts racer leads the charge for more women in local motorsports
At the start line of the MassTuning Mile Run land speed event at Loring was Victoria Johnston, Bridgewater, Massachusetts in her 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT. Her 392 hemi-powered car features a Barton shifter, H & R lowering springs and whoa power by factory Brembo brakes and pads. She was assisted at the event by fiancée William Parks also from Bridgewater. (HTF Motorsports photo)
While taking photos at the MassTuning land speed mile run start line, I noticed a brash sounding Dodge Challenger as it made its way to the start line. When it got closer, I glanced at the driver an noticed a pert young lady at the wheel. When the starter gave her the ok to go signal, she aggressively left the line and quick shifted her way up the course to attain a top speed of 153 mph.
Her enthusiasm for motorsports and women in motorsports became evident from the start of the interview until the finish. She recently finished up a job in the automotive dealership industry and was in the process of entering the heavy equipment construction business.
Victoria did not grow up in a racing family, however, her mother and father were muscle car fans. They often would point out a Hemi-powered car, SS, or any car they considered “hot” to their daughter. She soon was noticing those types of cars on her own.
Racing is expensive and at times the exclusive territory of those with large amounts of disposable income. Johnston was not a rich young lady. She liked cars yet assumed her experience with racing might be limited to spectator or possible race official.
When Armin Mejia, one of the founders of the group Mass Tuning, invited Johnston in 2016 to be a corner flagger at Canaan Motor Club track Canaan, New Hampshire, she accepted.
The sounds and sights of the cars at speed pipped her desire to get behind the wheel and try her skills on the track. In 2018 she made the transition from spectator to participant when she brought her 2010 Dodge Challenger to a track day event at Canaan where she got help with race lingo and on-track techniques.
At Canaan Motor Club in 2018 with her 2010 Dodge Challenger. (Victoria Johnston contributed photo)
Since that time, she and her fiancée have visited several tracks where she gained valuable seat-time experience. Tracks include New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Palmer Motorsports Park, Club Motorsports, Thompson Speedway, Nelson Ledges, Carolina Motorsports Park, and now Loring in Maine.
Club Motorsports has topped her list of favorites especially turns 6 thru 9 on the 2.5-mile 15-turn course which features 250-foot elevation changes and some of the most spectacular views of any track in the states. The g-forces experienced on the run down the hill and powering up through turn nine are thrilling according to the Massachusetts racer.
Not one to shy away from a motorsports challenge, in 2022 she tried ice racing on Lake Champlain with her Dodge on non-studded winter tires. Obviously, the Dodge is not a “trailer-queen”. (William Parks photo)
Attributed as mentors along her motorsports path were fellow racers, Rachel Eaton, Amy Dilks, and Margaret Sharron. Mentioned also was Lady Driven New England Facebook group who will be hosting ladies only track day September 3 followed by track day for all on September 4th. Hosting track will be Canaan Motor Club.
Johnston and her fiancée Parks drove Saturday all night to be at Central 44’s 4th Annual All Mopar car show in Raynham, Massachusetts. She said she was going to leave her car unwashed with remnants of grime from Loring and tire flecks on rear fenders.
Fastest in the mile
Over 40 entries in the MassTuning one mile race ended with Gilles Chiasson, Caraquet, New Brunswick with top speed, 220 mph. Chiasson set a goal of 222 prior to the event. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Thumbs up from Gilles Chaisson with top speed (220 mph) at Mass Tuning event held at Loring Saturday. His 355 hp turbo Suzuki Hayabusa was tuned by land speed legend Scott Davis holder of many records at Loring. Gilles has been racing land speed events since 2013 (HTF Motorsports photo)
Both sides bonus
Joey Nguyen, Quincy, Massachusetts lights ’em up on the start line on the mile run as part of MassTuning’s event at Loring. The proceeds from the Loring standing mile went to Mission 22, a service organization helping battle military suicide. Nguyen is part owner of Bob’s Automotive Services, a neighborhood auto repair shop with over 25 years of service to the neighborhood. His C6 ZO6 Corvette ran in the mid 160’s. (HTF Motorsports photo)
A few cars did both the autocross and standing mile events. Joey Nguyen was one example. He said he liked his Corvette since it was less fragile than his Subaru STI. CMC starter Teagan Prince, Madison, flags Nguyen off on another run on the autocross course. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Joey Nguyen’s auto repair services were put to good use when fellow MassTuning group member Brendon Puntin’s rear hub gave up the ghost on Friday’s Test and Tune. They were able to locally source the bearing and had the car back together on Saturday. Joey mentioned that his motto is the time-honored saying, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Mega-Autocross Concurrent with MassTuning event
Cumberland Motor Club has held their largest autocross of the racing season, a two-day event, for several years at the former air base at Loring. One of the largest venues in the states allows their members a chance to drive at speed over a mile while slicing through the cone filled course.
The younger members of the club camp out along the runway, swap stories, and cookout over a camp stove. It seems the experience adds to the intrigue of the event. Members pitch in and lend a helping hand where needed.
For the first time since COVID hit Club Delta Quebec finally were able to cross the border and compete at Loring. They were a welcome addition to the autocross and mention was made that CMC members were interested in possibly attending a Canadian club event. (Club Delta Quebec photo)
The wrecked finish line timer attests that sometimes racers come in a little fast and out of control. After the sensor was replaced, the races continued. (HTF Motorsports photo)
“Cone Killer at Saturday event, Britney Carter, drives a 2011 Subaru WRX. The next photo shows her unique color scheme. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Britney Carter, Steep Falls, unique color scheme on her 2011 Subaru WRX. I believe she said she hand cut all the purple vinyl pieces used to create her one-of-a-kind car “paint” job. CMC starting line flagger Teagan Prince is in the background. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Brownfield’s Rick Drangmeister, a retired electronics engineer, was top speed holder Saturday at CMC Mega-Autocross at Loring. Typically, he or Old Town’s Patrick DeArmott have fastest times. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Sunday results: Fastest raw time; Braelan Creswell, Yarmouth, Me, 2017 DR Kart M99 #55.
Fastest car; Rick Drangmeister, Brownfield, ME, 2004 Mazda Miata #125.
Fastest PAX time (handicapped); Patrick DeArmott, Old Town, ME, 2004 Infiniti G35 #16.
Fast female: Janet Adamczak, Old Orchard Beach, ME, 2018 Ford Focus ST.
Cone Killer (the driver who wiped out the most cones): Tim Case, Bangor, ME, 2015 VW Sportswagon SEL TDI #53
Only County racer
Novice driver Franco Scalora, Caribou, was the only County resident to try his hand at autocross. His Chevy Cavalier was a daily driver until recently Rick Drangmeister said, “Franco did well. He finished near the top of the novice group. You’d have been proud!” Hopefully more County racers will take advantage of the events in 2023. (HTF Motorsports photo)
In his first autocross is Franco Scalora, Caribou and riding along is fiancée Meagan Engstrom, Connor Township. Scalora took his former street car to the track with little modifications proving that you can have fun without spending a ton of money. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Will be back
Both Armin Mejia, MassTuning and Rick Drangmeister, CMC remarked that they were pleased with the way both events ran over the weekend at Loring. Drangemeister commented, “The Loring autocross weekend went well. The collaboration with MassTuning to run the land speed event in conjunction with the CMC autocross went off smoothly. A few drivers had runs in both the autocross and the land speed races on Saturday.”
“Weather was a little threatening Sunday afternoon but the rain held off until after all runs had been completed. We all love coming up to the county to get away and enjoy a weekend of racing. Already looking forward to next year.”
Other racing news
Ryan Messer finally gets a win in 2022. Crew chief Robb Messer said, “So we finished a race… oh, and we WON! Finally making some progress on getting Ryan the feel he’s looking for and that will also stay good for the long run. Although the night belongs to the Street Stocks, it feels great to win our second Pro Stock feature on Ricky Bobby night! We got’er to the front old friend.” (Photo from Grizzly Photography 1)
CORE autosports with Maine connections finished on the podium at IMSA Road America race. Drivers Jon Bennett and Colin Braun battled the elements to maintain their point lead. Their story found on their website http://coreautosport.com/2022/08/07/rollercoaster-race-at-road-america (CORE autosports photo)
Kody Swanson wins Rollie Beale Classic at Toledo Speedway. Read all about it https://www.usacracing.com/news/silver-crown/item/11476-takin-names-swanson-surpasses-beale-s-46-year-old-record-at-toledo (Photo by Racephoto1.com Christopher Pederson)
Sting Ray Robb with best finish in 2022 Indy Lights season, second place at Music City Machine race in Nashville. (Andretti Autosports photo)
More about Sting Rays race here:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022) – Linus Lundqvist showed why he is the class of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires field this season, leading all 35 laps from pole Sunday to win the Indy Lights Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville.
Lundqvist earned his series-leading fifth victory this season in the No. 26 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing entry, beating second place Sting Ray Robb to the checkered flag by 7.2221 seconds in the caution-free race. Lundqvist expanded his series lead to a commanding 95 points with just four races remaining this season.
SEE: Race Results
Swedish driver Lundqvist was fourth quickest in both practice sessions this weekend but started from pole when the field was set by entrant points after qualifying was canceled Saturday due to thunderstorms.
“So excited and so, so happy,” Lundqvist said. “We showed that we had the pace on street courses. In practice, I just had to dial myself in a little bit. Obviously, we got maybe a little bit lucky with qualifying, but I think we showed in the race that we had the pace to win.”
Andretti Autosport teammates Robb and Hunter McElrea finished second and third, respectively. Robb passed McElrea on Lap 32 for second, the highlight of a stirring duel between the duo for many laps on the 11-turn, 2.1-mile temporary street circuit that includes two trips per lap over the Cumberland River via the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Matthew Brabham finished fourth in the No. 83 Andretti Autosport car, with Christian Rasmussen rounding out a 2-3-4-5 result for Andretti Autosport in the No. 28 Road to Indy/Stellrecht entry.
McElrea stayed close to Lundqvist for the first six laps around the tricky, bumpy circuit. McElrea nearly hit the rear of Lundqvist’s car in Turn 4, exiting the bridge, on Lap 5 as he tried to look for an opening.
But Lundqvist gradually pulled away, growing his lead to .9513 of a second on Lap 10 and 6.3779 seconds by Lap 25.
Lundqvist’s checkout from the rest of the field shined a spotlight on the fierce race for second between teammates Robb and McElrea.
Robb looked for a way past many times over the closing half of the race. He finally made the decisive pass on Lap 32 as both drivers exited the bridge and headed toward Turn 9. Robb’s No. 2 Sekady car and McElrea’s No. 27 Andretti Autosport machine made contact, but Robb quickly gathered himself and dove under McElrea for second place.
McElrea’s car appeared damaged from the contact, and Robb drove away to beat his teammate to the finish by 3.1723 seconds.
While Lundqvist holds a lead of nearly two races’ worth of points over second-place McElrea, the tight duel between Robb and McElrea mirrors the race for second in the standings. McElrea leads third-place Robb by just eight points, with Andretti Autosport teammate Matthew Brabham is just 20 points behind McElrea in fourth.
The next Indy Lights race is the second and final oval race of the season, Saturday, Aug. 20 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Live coverage starts at 4:15 p.m. ET on Peacock Premium and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Car Show opportunity this week
Troy Haney, event organizer said, “Want to help us show the kids a blast from the past? Let’s get those classics and muscle cars out for all the kiddo’s to see. Join us for this unique car show that includes a rolling car show in our parade and then return back to the wellness center to park and show off your piece. This is a great way to help introduce kids to preserving out past.”
Let’s go racing,
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria (Matthew 5:16)
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