UKIAH, California — It was the final points race for both the Dennis Furia Heating and Air Bandoleros and the 4-Banger class at the Ukiah Speedway Saturday night, and when it was all over 10 year old Kolby Beery of Redwood Valley emerged the 2011 Bandolero champion, and Jesse Hutchins of Ukiah claimed the 2011 title in the all new 4-Banger division. All other North State Racing Association classes will end their points season next weekend during the two-day Labor Day Spectacular on Saturday and Sunday nights.
"Auto racing continues at Ukiah Speedway this Labor Day weekend with two nights of auto racing."
Saturday's racing action saw three new faces in the winner's circle and two multi-time winners. In the Bill Binns Machine Shop Modified class veteran driver Norm Boucher of Cloverdale won both the heat race and the 30 lap main event. George Mavrakis of Cloverdale set fast time and took home top honors for the first time in 2011 in the Speedy Signs Street Stock 25 lap feature. Colby Furia, 8, of Cloverdale not only won his fifth straight heat race but also chalked up his first bandolero main event victory. Ron Duke Jr. made it eight season wins in the Bud Bomber ranks, and 4-Banger racer Jessy Thurman of Willits won both the 20 lap road course races for the third week in a row.
BILL BINNS MACHINE SHOP MODIFIEDS
With many of the modified drivers saving their cars for the big Tri Track Challenge event next weekend, a short field started their 30 lap main event. Richard Knight and Norm Boucher shared the front row with Eric Johnson and Darrin Knight in row two. An uneven start saw the race slowed before it even began, but the next round was a go with Boucher pulling slightly ahead of R. Knight. Knight drove deep into turn one causing his car to push into the back of Boucher, but both drivers regrouped and continued with Boucher taking command.
Darrin Knight was next to make a move, passing R. Knight on the outside to assume second place on lap two. Eric Johnson swapped places with R. Knight on the same lap, as Boucher was putting a healthy distance between himself and the rest of the pack. D. Knight spent the next 25 laps running down Boucher, but Boucher held on to earn his first 2011 Ukiah Speedway victory. D. Knight finished second in the non-stop event with Johnson third and R. Knight fourth. D. Knight set fast time for the night with a 13.451 second lap.
SPEEDY SIGN STREET STOCKS
In only his second appearance this season, George Mavrakis seemed to be the man to beat and when the green flag dropped on the street stock main, Mavrakis bolted out into the lead leaving the battle for second to Louis Hoaglin and Jermy Lippincott. Hoaglin pushed high on lap eight allowing Lippincott to take over the runner-up spot. The remaining laps went smoothly with Mavrakis taking the checkered flag one-half a lap ahead on Lippincott and Hoaglin. Hoaglin won the 10 lap heat race.
DENNIS FURIA HEATING & AIR BANDOLEROS
It was the final event for the year for the Bandoleros, and when the youngsters started their 20 lap main event Salinas driver Quintin Harris pulled ahead. But when Harris pushed high the following round Tim Buzzard Jr. drove under him to take the lead. While trying the take the lead back, Harris lost control and spun on the front stretch to bring out the first yellow on lap four. The restart saw third-place runner Kolby Berry clipped by Harris, sending Berry into the infield for caution number two.
When racing began again Buzzard was out in front of Dylan Washburn with Trystan Mucci in third and Colby Furia fourth. The next five laps had Colby Furia working on Mucci. On lap 10 Furia passed both Mucci and Washburn and set his sights on Buzzard. Buzzard slowed slightly on lap 13 and it was all Furia needed to drive around Buzzard to take the lead. The following circuit Buzzard slowed and pulled his car into the pits. This left clear sailing for Furia who drove the distance for his first bandolero win. Mucci finished second in front of fast qualifier Frankie Pickrell, Berry and Harris.
BUD BOMBERS
Fourteen cars took the green flag in the bomber feature with pole setter Kevin Brackett out in front as Todd Jurrens faded on the high side. The inside lane took off with George Abella, Rick Jelton, Jimmy Sorrels and Ron Duke Jr. rapidly gaining ground. Abella battled with Brackett for eight laps before he took the lead, and both Sorrels and Duke followed Abella to the front. Sorrels looked to the outside of Abella, and when he did, Abella's car slid up the track and made contact with the front of Sorrel's car. Abella lost control and spun on the front stretch. This put Sorrels and Duke side-by-side for the restart where Duke rocketed away.
Rick Tommila and Bubba Allen got by Brackett on lap 12, and at mid race it was Duke, Sorrels, Tommila, Allen and Jelton. Allen moved to the outside passing Tommila on 17. Three rounds later the yellow flew again when Dave Land III spun on the back stretch. Allen picked off Sorrels on the restart, and as Tommila lost ground on the high side, Bob Mook joined the front-runners.
Duke led the pack across the checkered flag followed by Allen, Sorrels, Mook, Jelton and Brandon Verde. Heat wins went to Robert Byers and Allen. Mook set fast time of 15.610.
4-BANGERS
In 4-Banger action is was Tim Berry the early leader with Trevor Abella in second and Brett Byrd third. Only three laps were in the record books then James Gard and Monte Abel were trying to occupy the same space, and when room ran out Abel hit the turn one tire, sending it clear off the race track. Able was unable to continue and retired to the pits. When racing continued Berry continued to dominate, but both Jessy Thurman and Jesse Hutchins were working their ways to the front, moving into third and fourth by lap 12. The race was slowed again on 13 when Brett Byrd's car broke and stalled in the middle of the course. Berry took off on the restart, but second place Abella's car slowed, ending his run on lap 15. When this happened Thurman drove around Berry in the corner tires and drove the final five for the win. Berry held off Hutchins for second, Hutchins was third with James Gard and Beau Adamson next in line.
The second 20 lapper ran in the opposite direction with Abel and Berry swapping the lead back and forth the first half of the race. As the pack got tighter room once again ran out with Berry and Gard making contact and stopping in the middle of the front stretch chicane. At the same time, while in the lead, Abel pulled his car to the pits leaving the number one slot to Thurman. Only two cars completed all 20 laps with Thurman first and Abella second.
Auto racing continues at Ukiah Speedway this Labor Day weekend with two nights of auto racing. Saturday features qualifying races for the final Modified Tri Tack Challenge Series with the 50 lap main event on Sunday. The Airport Auto Brokers Legends Cars, Speedy Signs Street Stocks, Bud Bombers and the Pro-4 Modifieds will run complete shows both Saturday and Sunday nights. Plus the weekend will conclude with the popular boat races. Gates open both nights at 5 pm with racing starting early at 6:30 pm. For more information call the speedway office at 274-1354.
