NASA Putnam Park Super Touring Press Release

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Putnam had a little bit of good, a little bit of bad, and fortunately, no ugly for the Super Touring Series! We had a real nice turnout with active contingency in all classes.

Saturday’s race was dry for the STR2 group running in Lightning, but they still chose a single file green flag, leaving many scratching their heads. It was a unique trio of Thunder Roadsters with a combined age of over 200! John Buckert worked to the front, a few times I might add, and took the win, setting a new track record in the process (1:17.098). Ed Mecum took the silver and Gary Klein the bronze after retiring early.

Sunday’s STR2 race had less favorable conditions, but Buckert still managed the win with Klein improving to 2nd followed by Mecum. Great stuff.

ST2 has been a class dominated by corvettes the last few years, but 2011 continues to be a tough road for the Chevy’s. Saturday’s race was a nose to tail battle between Ryan Winchester (Mustang), Jeff Sawtelle (Corvette) and Greg Vannucci (Lotus) as the conditions went from dry to wet. Winchester pretty much went wire to wire for the win, but traffic played a part with Sawtelle and Vannucci’s battle and allowed Sawtelle to make a pass at the last turn to capture the silver. Round #1 to the Ford, although all three cars finished within 2 seconds of each other.

Sunday the rain continued and so did the marquee battle. This time the little red Lotus took advantage of his light nimble frame and ran for the gold. Winchester slid in for the silver followed by Sawtelle and then Rookie Upham. Round #2 to the Lotus.

ST1 used to be a pretty sparse field of cars, but not anymore as we started the weekend with six in class. Brothers Sweers continued to set the bar and run upfront, but not without pressure from Welham. This was a Viper, Viper, Viper battle the whole way. Alan Sweers got the better of brother Ray for the win, but Ray managed the fastest lap and new track record of 1:17.069. Welham picked up the bronze followed by Kirby, Myers and Lorton in that nasty old yellow vette.

Sunday’s ST1 field got a little smaller as a couple headed out early. It was a repeat performance upfront with Alan Sweers taking the win followed by Ray and Steve Myers.

Super Unlimited is a great group with a run what ya brung atmosphere. Mike Bagnoli ran his Speeds sport racer at a blistering pace to take the win Saturday. Rob Gewirtz took the silver, although he replaced his Diasio with a clapped our Porsche 951, and Dave Davison followed with the bronze, although he replaced his Chevy truck with one of his Nascar fleet. Nice to have options…….

Sunday was a walk-off for Davison as Gewirtz and Bagnoli went home to their wives. Credit to Davison for running the whole race in the rain.

Putnam Special Awards:
Biggest Support Vehicle – Scott Welham
Best For Sale Ad – Rob Gewirtz
Best Team Apparel – Ray Sweers for his Deney Terrio Dance Fever Jacket

Grattan Raceway is next, June 11-12! Grattan was just completely repaved and should make for some amazing battles. If you have not been to Grattan you need to make the trek. It is a really fun track with a great atmosphere.


John Graber
NASA Great Lakes
Super Touring Director
 
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