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WSORR Bark River II Race Report
(excerpts from
Oberg Motorsports Newsletter)
Eagle River,
(august 16, 2007) - We were back in Bark River for three big rounds of
WSORR racing. The extra round was a make up round for the one that was
missed when Lake Odessa was canceled back in June. This made for a big
weekend for the Oberg Team but we are always up to the challenge. Overall
we made out quite well. We regained the points lead at one time during the
weekend only to give it up once again. I think its going to be a back and
forth thing right to the end. Pro II has seen three different leaders in
points so far this season and those three will take it right to the wire.
We arrived in Bark River early on Friday to prep for the afternoon
practice. Mike had made some adjustments during the break and wanted to
shake the truck down to make sure all was well. He was happy with the
adjustments so we prepped the truck for Round 7 on Friday evening.
Round 7
Mike didn’t get a great start when the Green Flag flew but that proved to
be a blessing in disguise. When the flag flew Mike hit neutral instead of
the gear he wanted. Everyone had a jump on him. There was a major pile-up
in turn one that allowed Mike to sneak on by and take an early lead. He
was able to pull a good lead early until the track wore in and became a
blue groove. The tires were grooved for a loose track so as the race went
on he started to lose some traction. This allowed Carl Renezeder to get by
and take the lead, and the win. Mike took 2nd with Scott Taylor in 3rd and
Kevin Probst in 4th. Probst still maintained the points lead at 141 with
Mike close behind with 139 and Taylor right behind him with 137. We
weren’t concerned with anyone after that as fourth on down are in excess
of 30 points behind the lead three.
More changes were made for Saturday so Mike again went out for practice to
shake the truck down. Everything seemed alright so it was left at that.
The guys checked everything over and we were ready for Round 8.
Round 8
Mike had a better start this time but once again there were problems in
turn one. By the time that mess was straightened out Mike was in 3rd with
1st and 2nd way out in front. Mike tried his darndest to catch them but
couldn’t do it. Evan Evans won the race with Carl Renezeder in 2nd and
Mike maintaining 3rd. This did give Mike the points lead with 158 points.
It wasn’t by much though with Probst having 157 and Taylor at 151.
We were going to need some changes to maintain that lead on Sunday. The
guys worked into the night and got back to it early in the morning Sunday.
Mike took advantage of practice once again on Sunday due to the changes
that were made. They were trying to do something different with the
gearing but didn’t have enough gear sets on hand to get it where they
wanted it. Mike did have fast time in practice if that was any
consolation. The guys went through everything after practice to be ready
for Round 9.
Round 9
Mike got a great jump at the green but there was contact in turn 1 between
Renezeder and Taylor that held Mike up. Taylor came out of that the best
being able to grab 2nd place. Mike came out of it in last position. He was
really going to have to work for it now. He put that right pedal down and
started picking them off one by one. He had 2 trucks that held him up for
too many laps and was only able to work his way up to 4th place. Taylor
won it with Evans in 2nd and Rhonda Konitzer in 3rd for her 1st podium
finish in WSORR. This win gave Taylor the points lead with 176. Mike is in
2nd with 175 and Probst in 3rd with 173.
Next stop, “The Big House”, Crandon International Off-Road Raceway for
Rounds 10 & 11, and also the Borg/Warner World Championship. This is all
happening on Labor Day Weekend. We are looking forward to a shot at the
Borg/Warner Cup. Especially after we missed winning the Chairman’s Cup by
a lap and a half due to a yellow caution flag that only Mike received.
This then opened the door for Pro 4x4 Driver Carl Renezeder to take the
win. Without that yellow, Mike would have won. Ironically, Carl’s main
Sponsor is Lucas Oil, which is also the main Sponsor of the WSORR. We are
backed by their main competitor, Amsoil. Many of us thought there was a
conspiracy there but could never prove it. If Mike had won that he would
have been the 1st Driver in history to win two of the Big Cup Races in a
2-wheel drive truck. Maybe this will be the one.
So for anyone
that hasn’t made it to a WSORR event, this is the one.The Granddaddy of
all events. Many of us will be on hand by Thursday of that week. All the
festivities start on Friday morning with the “Big Parade” and “Pit Crew
Competitions” in downtown Crandon. So let the party begin.
See Ya There,
Mark "Gilly"
Gelhausen
