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Bertil Roos Race Series: Returns To Pocono For Race 2
 
Blakeslee, PA
April 19, 2010
 

For Race 2, the Bertil Roos Race Series returned to Pocono to race on the challenging and demanding East Track.

Group 1 Race 1:
After a stellar qualifying session Saturday morning the front row was set with Tim Nichols taking pole over Mark Vultaggio. At the start it was Tim that held the lead from turn one followed by Mark, Stuart Rettie, Kevin Anderson, and young Paul Alspach all in close pursuit. On lap 3 a mechanical issue saw Paul drop to 9th place and on lap 4 retire ending his race early. Posisions at the front stayed the same until on lap 7 Tim had a error in turn 8 and spun, he rejoined in 4th. Mark took over the lead followed by Stuart and Kevin rounding out the top 3 until the following lap when Tim passed Kevin for 3rd. A close battle behind the top 4 for fifth place was heating up as rookie contender Andy Ourant bested veteran Joe Homa for the spot.

Group 1 Race 2:
Drama started early in Race 2 when Andy Ourant who finished 5th in Race 1 suffered a suspension failure but managed to keep enough control of the car to pull off in a safe area. Soon to follow on the retired list was Tim Nichols who on lap 4 had an engine issue which led to his immediate retirement. Up at the front it was Mark leading and pulling away from Kevin and Stuart. While behind the top 3, Dave Long who had a quiet Race 1 had made his way to 4th followed by Paul coming from last who on lap 9 would take the spot from Dave, Gary Peck and finally Joe Homa. The next and final big change in the race came on lap 14 when leader Mark and a throttle issue that saw him retire from the lead. Kevin who took over the lead started coming under pressure from a hard charging Stuart but managed to hold him off and take his second win of the year.

Group 2 Race 1:
In Group 2 the front row was made up of long time series driver Phil Lambert on pole and Steve Darrah starting second. Phil took a commanding lead from the start and never looked back. Behind him rookie Peter Cellino made a good start and slotted in second but on lap 2 locked up going into turn one and over shot the corner and rejoined last. This put Steve back into second place followed by Toulouse Lafond, Earl Ihrie, and Norman Lizzul rounding outthe top 5. Behind them was a hot battle for 7th between Zane Gibbs, Thomas Cochran, Stefan Amraly and Peter Cellino. Peter who had rejoined last after the mistake in turn one took 7th and when in pursuit of the 5 way battle for second being rounded off by Alastair McEwan only to have an off on lap 11 and come afoul of the “3 times 4 wheels off” rule and was done for the day. Excitement came however on the last lap when Norman spun in the final turn and was collected by Alastair. The two would restart and drag race to the flag.

Group 2 Race 2:
Another good start from Phil saw him hold the lead but this time would be followed more closely by Toulouse who on lap 2 over took Phil for the lead. In his excitement to counter attack coming out of turn 4, Phil, lit up the tires and spun off but would rejoin 8th. Touloouse would hold the lead but would come under fire first from Earl and finally by Norman toward the end. Behind the top 3, Steve, who on the first lap sun in turn 9 and rejoined last made his way back to 5th and was attempting to run down Alastair for 4th. Behind them first time series driver Stefan Amraly suffered a mechanical issue which saw him retire. At the flag however it was Toulouse Lafond taking his first win with the series in just his second year with Norman taking 2nd and Earl finishing 3rd.

The final finishing orders are as follows:


Group 1

 

Group 2

 

 

 

1

Kevin Anderson

 

1

Toulouse Lafond

2

Stuart Rettie

 

2

Norman Lizzul

3

Paul Alspach

 

3

Earl Ihrie

4

Dave Long

 

4

Alastair McEwan **

5

Gary Peck **

 

5

Steve Darrah

6

Joe Homa

 

6

Phil Lambert

7

Mark Vultaggio

 

7

Zane Gibbs **

8

Tim Nichols       

 

8

Thomas Cochran **

9

Andy Ourant **

 

9

Stefan Amraly **

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10

Peter Cellino **

** Denotes Rookie Drivers