2008 Halloween Classic at The Gate

Words by Dustin Richards

What is it that draws 280 entries to the basement of an abandoned mall in Cleveland Ohio? Is it the slue of big names like Blackstock, Cyrul, Hubert, Doseck, Calandra, and more? Maybe it is the countless national championships and multiple world championships. Maybe it is the fact that it is the first leg of the Northwest Grand Slam Series the biggest and only carpet series. Maybe it was that this year the ROAR Carpet Nationals are held at the Gate. Or maybe it was plainly that the Halloween Classic has consistently been one of the biggest and most completive on road races of the year. After talking to many of the racers all of the above is true but one thing is for sure, if you missed the Halloween Classic hosted by the Gate in Cleveland Ohio you missed a good one and should defiantly make it out next year.
 
Before I begin I would like to send a HUGE thanks to Andy Hillman of HPI-Hot Bodies America and Joe Pillars of Team Orion. Andy was extremely helpful in preparing me to run this event. Joe hooked me up with the best power anyone could ask for to keep my Hot Bodies rides near the top all weekend.
 
I ran 13.5 Touring Car and Vintage Trans-Am Touring Car.
 
Practice was all day Friday with 3 rounds on Sat, one on Sunday, followed by mains. In the practice runs every time I hit the track my stuff got better however it was a very limited practice environment due to the large number of entries. On Sat quals started and I was in the main of 13.5 T/C all day. In Vintage Trans-Am I struggled and was in and out of the show. On Sunday I got bumped out of the main of 13.5 but had a good run that put me 8 of Vintage. So we were set with a B in 13.5 and an A of Vintage. With the mains set if was a dog fight from the first turn with tons of racers who “had something to prove” in 13.5. I ended up 2nd in the B whishing for a better finish but considering the company I was in, it still was a good weekend. In vintage I finished 6th in the A having done well there considering the immense amount of talent that showed up for this class.
 
All and all it was a great weekend full of tons immense racing action. Thanks to all those who supported me that weekend
 
HPI-Hot Bodies America
Team Orion
Hobbico
Lunsford
Gecko Tires
And BK Paintworks
 
And I still have one more Halloween race next week so look forward to that race report coming soon.

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