Four GSQMRC Drivers Compete at Eastern Grands

The Quarter Midgets of America held their Eastern Grands races at Clarkston, MI Wednesday, June 27 through Saturday, June 30, 2012.  Four drivers from the Garden State Quarter Midget Racing Club competed, as well as two other drivers who have spent time racing the asphalt at the GSQMRC in New Jersey.

Ian Gillespie, twelve years old, ran in Senior Honda, Light 160 and Light World Formula.  He moved from the D-main to the C-main in his Light 160 but mechanical difficulties in that race prevented him from moving further up in that division.  In his Light World Formula C-main Ian was able to hang on to a 6th place finish that made him the X car for the B-main.  However, as no other driver ahead of him had troubles before the start of the race, Ian was done racing his World for the week.  Ian flipped his way out of the B-main and into the A-main for Senior Honda, surviving a tumble in turn 2 during that race.  He drove a nice race in the A-main to finish a respectable 6th place in his first Grands A-main race of his career.

 Fifteen year old Travis Schwarz timed directly into the B-main for the Heavy Honda just 0.09 seconds behind eventual A-main and National Champ Louie Keraitis.  While running 2nd in the B-main he got a flat right front which slowed his car to a 7th place finish due to the handling issues it caused and out of the chance to compete in the A-main.  His Heavy 160 was damaged in a practice accident on Wednesday.  He was in two spin outs with other drivers and was black flagged, sending him to last in his D-main event. 

Trevor Schwarz had an issue in timing with a right front flat and other mechanical issues.  The seventeen year old started scratch on the field in 7th and worked his way to a 4th place finish, moving him into the C-main.  On the initial green flag of the C, a pile up ensued in front of him and his car got tangled in the mess - on top of two of the other cars.  With the help of many other handlers, including Lou Keraitis, Sr. from the GSQMRC, he was able to get back out with the field for the green.  His car was running along nicely when the right rear shock fell apart along the front stretch, sending him into a flip coming out of two.  His day, and the Grands, were done.

After a slow start to the Junior Animal race, DJ Hunt (an Oaklane driver but he competes often at Wall) drove his way to the front at the end of the race to take the first Eastern Grands A-main of the day on Saturday, June 30th.  DJ, eight years old, also made the A-mains in Junior Honda and Junior Stock where he finished in the top 4 for both divisions.

Another driver that has raced at Wall, but belongs to Oaklane, is sixteen year old Richie Speeney.  Richie would take the checkers in the Heavy 160 race for that Eastern Grands title as well. He also competed in the A-main for Heavy Honda.

Heavy Honda champion, fifteen year old Louie Keraitis drove away with the A-main; by the end of the very clean race, Louie had managed to lap all but 2 other cars in the 10 car field.  He set a fast pace and picked his way through the lapped cars one at a time.  He did not fare as well with his Heavy 160 and Heavy World Formula.  It should be noted, however, that he took a very tight, biking World Formula from the B to the A-main - hanging on when many other drivers would have wrecked the car or just given up on being fast enough to get in the next main.

All of these drivers represented GSQMRC, Oaklane and Region 2 of the QMA with style and class. 

Come on out to Lil' Wall and support your future local racers.  Admission, as always, is free.  Racing is most Sundays starting at 10 AM and refreshments can be purchased at the track.  For more information, please see the club website at www.gardenstateqmrc.com