Smith wins open blower event; Roberts breaks through for first win

National Dragster, Oct 17, 2003 by DeSalvo, Pete Jr

ESTA SAFETY PARK, Cicero, N.Y. (July 20) - Though they had to wait out a brief shower near the end of the day and the delay caused by a few car breakdowns, ESTA Safety Park officials completed their event with a good turnout and some exciting racing action.

In the Open Blower event sponsored by Bill Lake Modular Homes, Howie Smith drove his '97 Grand Prix to victory and a $2,000 payday. Smith had the slowest car in the field, but since this race was run off of dials, that didn't matter, and he used his sharp bracket racing skills to secure the win. Top qualifier Joe Lilienthal was the runner-up with his '48 Jeep-bodied race car. In the final, Smith had a huge handicap head start off a 14.96 dial to Lilienthal's 7.00. Lilienthal had the better light, .554 to .647, but ran under his dial with a 6.961, giving Smith a 15.123 win. Al Densten was the lone semi-finalist with his '73 Pinto.

The final of Super Pro pitted a couple of door vehicles: Rob Forbes' '93 Chevy S-10 and Tom Samsel's Olds Omega. Forbes' slight starting-line advantage, .544 to .546, allowed him to drive around Samsel for a 10. 349 (10.28 dial) to 11.438 (11.50) win. Tim Roberts was the lone semifinalist.

Steve Doss was back behind the wheel of his '85 Monte Carlo after suffering some mechanical damage a few weeks earlier, and he picked up his second Pro Sportsman win of the season. Doss ran a 10.172 (10.17) to defeat a red-lighting Mark Dobie and his '68 Nova. Dave Paterniti earned semifinal honors.

In Pro Bike, Jeff Strickler picked up another win aboard his '85 Suzuki. Strickler coupled a .614 light with an 8.741 (8.53) to defeat Skip Tamburino, who posted a 12.547 (12.27) with his '80 Kawasaki. Hank Stanton finished in the semi's.

Liz Bronk picked up a popular win in Pro Sled with her '97 Polaris. Bronk cut a .569 light and ran an 11.653 (11.66) to stop Jim Muth, who ran farther under his dial with a 10.621 (10.65). Eric Johnson was the lone semifinalist.

April Martin won Burkart Sport Compact with her '98 Buick Regal. In one of the closest finals of the day, Martin had a .545 light and ran a 16.419 (16.42) to defeat Mark Dolin and his '90 Chevy, Dolin had a .537 light but ran farther under his dial with a 17.779 (17.80). Ron Haley was the lone semi-finalist.

John Finch won the Street Money class with his '03 Ford. Finch clicked off to a 15.07 after his opponent, Seth Davis, fouled in his '00 Camaro. C.J. Alexander was the lone semifinalist with his '01 Saturn.

Howard Roberts wheeled his '71 Nova to a fifth straight Mod Trophy final round and finally broke through for his first win. Roberts had a .551 light and ran an 11.20 (11.10) to stop Seth Davis. Davis had a late .755 light and ran under his dial with a 12.329 (12.40) from his '00 Camaro. Bill Wyatt finished in the semi's.

Street Trophy was determined by another red-light, and this time Scott Bird, driving a '75 Chevy, was the benefactor. Bird was late with a .778 but won with a 16.459 (16.45) that defeated a fouling Zeb Swinney. Scott Canfield was the lone semifinalist.

Jim Pudney won the Bike/Sled Trophy title on his '00 Kawasaki. Pudney had a .562 light and ran a 10.091 to stop John Hammon, who broke out with an 11.560 (11.60). Clay Lonis and Brian Leary were the semi-finalists.

Reigning Jr. Dragster champ Jack Vault Jr. sped to another win, posting a 9.223 (9.18) to stop Katrina Bear. Bear was a bit late at the Tree with a .728, and she ran under her dial with an 11.039 (11.10). Alyssa Darrow was the lone semifinalist.

Mark Consiglio drove his Nova to the Gamblers title with a 12.806 (12.73) to defeat a red-lighting Jerry McCarthy.

- Pete DeSalvo Jr.