Champion Shaw takes Race 1 in 2208
by Edgar Perez
07/12/08 - Englishtown, NJ - After a couple rain postponed and delay races, the first American Racing Headers Pro 8 Shootout presented by Carroll's Rod and Racecraft of the season was completed. The series has succumbed to some bad luck so far this year but not today. We had five Corvette racers come out to race including defending 2007 Champion Mark Shaw. Shaw was joined by Bill Maloney, Michael Conway, Edward Monari and David Shen, the defending Pro 10.0 Champion
For today's Corvette Challenge bracket results click here.
Qualifying
Bill Maloney took the number one position in qualifying with is 1997 Black Corvette sporting his new 1000 rwhp turbo system and 402-inch LS2 motor built by the Vette Doctors. The car had been in hiding the beginning of the season and had it not been for rain, he would have missed two races. He didn't and all players were on the same field. The first qualifier he let off as it is was the first trip down the quarter. The second qualifier he click off the number 1 spot with an 8.555 at an amazing 173.18 mph. He was followed by the Champ, Shaw, in the second spot. Shaw was able to wheel his 1970 Monza Red C3 with 511-inch motor assisted with nitrous to a 9.122 @ 152.33. The very common 1-2 spot was set. In the third spot was Michael Conway but with his partner, Eddie Monari's 1986 Corvette owned big block Corvette. He came in with a9.433 @ 140.55 MPH. Monari drove the familiar Torch Red Corvette we normally see Conway in. Carrying 346-inches and a two large bottles of nitrous, Monari would qualify 4th with a 9.935 pass at 135.92 mph. The final driver in the qualifying order was David Shen. Still kickin' it naturally with the 1965 Red Corvette, his qualifying time was 10.083 @ 131.14. Unfortunately that did not meet the minimum ET required to qualify for the class of 9.99 and Shen was off to the Bracket class, in which he did very well going to the semi-finals.
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| Runner up Bill Maloney
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| Winner Mark Shaw
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Photos by Mike Roberts
Round 1
We would go two rounds since were down to four Corvettes. The first pair out was Bill Maloney (1) vs Edward Monari (4). Both drivers were late on the trees with Monari going .415 and Maloney better at .296 and the race was over as Maloney pulled away. Monari ran 9.700 @ 139.00 and Maloney clicked off the turbo power still going 9.275 but at 118.69 mph. It certainly was odd to see the familiar Red Vette driven by someone other than Conway. We would see Conway in the next pass but in the new team car, the '86. Mark Shaw (2) would be Conway's opponent. The champ did his thing on the tree taking a .115 to .143 reaction time advantage. Conway kept it close however as he barreled to the finish with a 9.261 @ 146.53 but it was not enough for the Champion's power as he motored to the win with a 9.101 @ 151.37.
Round 2
It is a very familiar final to see the number 1 and 2 qualifiers square off at just about every race. It just so happens that it is these two drivers and cars commonly as well. Maloney has come into the final as the number one qualifier in the past and not come away with the win. This pretty much means that Shaw, the Champion and the Underdog, can and has come out on top. The drivers staged the machine and Maloney begins to build boost. This time for Maloney it would be a much better tree as he jumps out front with a .112 RT and Shaw follows with a .147. Almost immediately, Maloney has a problem and Shaw is flawless in execution and gets ahead. Maloney gathers it up and begins to real him in with the big 173 mph capable power. He runs out of track and Shaw, is again the victor, as in last's years final race, over the number 1 qualifier. The two drivers continue to keep us on the edge of our seats and there is never a shortage of surprises. Maloney later stated the shifter got out of place on him. He vows to get this fixed and be ready to make another attempt at it for the next race of the season, August 9th.
Awards and Payouts Today
- Winner Mark Shaw earned a payout of $100 cash and a trophy
- Runner-up Bill Maloney earned a payout of $50 cash and a trophy
- Number 1 Qualifier Bill Maloney received a plaque for his 8.542 qualifying run
- Mark Shaw received the Best Reaction Time plaque for the best winning reaction time in the first round at .139
2008 Points Standings
Mark Shaw, defending Champion, starts the season on top of the points standings with his win. He leaves today with 77 total points. Maloney walks away in second place with 58 points. Conway leaves in 3rd with 36 and teammate Monari is 4th with 35 points.
As always, we couldn't enjoy our passion for racing without the tireless efforts of our coordinators - Edgar Perez, Bob Trieschmann and Dennis Kazimir. We'd be reduced to time shots only without our sponsors - many thanks for the continued support of
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Next Race
The next American Racing Headers Pro 8 Shootout presented by Carroll's Rod and Racecraft will be Saturday August 9, 2008. It is the second points race for the fastest class our series has to offer so you will not want to miss it. Gates open 8:30 am.
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