Gifford and Downs Win NMRA Bradenton for Modular Depot!

[KenB]

<p> <img src="http://www.modulardepot.com/bradentonwinhome.jpg" align="right">Seems like yesterday that we were packing up leaving Bowling Green. Victor Downs had some valvetrain issues and went out first round. And although Steve Gifford set the record and won the event, coming up 15 points short for the championship made it hard to celebrate.

Just like every off season we vowed to be ready with our guns blazing for the season opener at Bradenton. And just like every off-season, we didn't get halfway done with what we set out to accomplish. On top of that, no local tracks were open for testing. So we headed to Bradenton untested without much changed from the season closer at Bowling Green. Who would've thought that would be a recipe to come home with the two wins.</p>click below for more...

[KenB]

continued from above...


When we arrived for testing on Thursday, weather didn't look too hot so we hurried up with Steve's car to make a quick hit. Without much changed at all from Bowling Green, Steve clicked off an 11.25, .05 quicker than his 2007 record. We decided to park the car for the day based on that performance. Victor, on the other hand, scrambled all weekend. We were struggling with some new suspension hardware, dealing with the 100lb. weight penalty and having no seat time since Bowling Green.

During Friday testing and first round of qualifying, we really struggled with Steve's car. The track was in much better shape than Thursday testing, and that can be a problem for Steve's car. After finding some bad struts late Saturday, we figured out why the car wasn't leaving like it was in Bowling Green. Steve wound up #2 qualifier with an 11.283 with Tommy Godfrey coming in at #1 with an 11.238. Due to the great 9 car ladder, we met the rival in last year's points battle in the semi finals. A match-up that never disappoints, Steve won on the hole shot 11.274 to Tommy's 11.272. Steve cut an .040 light to Tommy's .100, going on to win the final against John Leslie with a smoking 11.20 hit. Steve was just about flawless the whole weekend, cutting no worse than a .071 light.

With Victor's Pure Street car, we struggled even more, qualifying 8 out of 9. Knowing we had the power to be near the top, we continued to make adjustments and finally clicked off a 10.39 in the first round. Catching a few breaks along the way, Victor would face Teddy Weaver in the final. With both cars running 10.3x's all day Sunday it would make for a good race. Victor got the job done on the tree winning on the hole shot. 10.366 to a 10.347 with .082 and .195 lights respectively.

That's Victor's second win and Farmer Steve's 3rd in a row. Great job fellas, can't wait till Georgia!


For complete race coverage visit:
http://www.stangtv.com/events.php


Ken Bjonnes

[bobtsgt]

hell yeah guys. Looks like the team performed excellent as usual. Can't wait to see the Georgia results.

[03silversnake]

dont credit the drivers to much. you busted your butt all weekend withh three bad race cars. your the reason for the winners circle picture.

[96SOHC]

Nice job guys! See you at Reynolds.

[Ian Mullane]

Awesome job and nice picture. Why does Victors car get to be in front?:-p

Steve??

[03silversnake]

Awesome job and nice picture. Why does Victors car get to be in front?:-p

Steve??

its all about victor:shock:

[Rich@MD]

Congrats to everyone on the MD race team and to the drivers...definitely a team effort! I really enjoy coming to the races and hanging out with you all.

[rhoover2]

Congratulations to the drivers and the team effort. Even though my car was not there my hat goes off to the team effort that took place. And thanks to Ken we still managed to put points on the board for the NEW members on the team.

Thanks Ken!!

[thaynal]

This was my first weekend with the MOD DEPOT team. Victor and Steve showed what it take to win, alot of hard work. Ken never lets up. Thanks to him, I had a car to drive. He let me beat the hell out if his daily driver just to get some points. The learning curve was very steep for me. Can't wait to get to Ga. with a loaded gun, as I think all the parts for RHOOVER2's car are at MOD DEPOT and should be ready to go. Thanks to all that were in Fl. You all treated the new guy like I was part of the family.

[KenB]

No problem guys it was great having you around. The first aid kit came in handy! Can't wait till Ga!


Ken

[Harvs04GT]

when is the Ga races?

[rhoover2]

tommorrow 4/4 thru the 6th