It's official! After some really good runs in the first round, Susan, Trayne, James, Russ and Nick advanced to the final round. The winners for the 2011 race are; Nick (1st place), James & Team (2nd place) and Russ (3rd place).
It was Nick who went the furthest in both rounds, claiming first place. Nick is no stranger to the winners circle. Starting in 2006, Nick claimed 3rd place. In 2008, 2nd place. 2009 was the first time he claimed 1st place. He was missed in the winners circle last year, but he has made a strong comeback! Congratulations Nick!!!
Second place was won by 'Team' James (?). The team consisted of James, his brother and friends. Their design, while clunky, ran very well. I'm sure it was the wide wheel base and evenly spaced axels that attributed to the car's stability. It definately wasn't the 'Hello Kitty' tape that held the engine to the base! After drawing a grotesque face on the base of the car, they named it the Troll Mobile. I think that luck had more to do with their coming in second than anything!
Russ (last year's winner) should have done better than 3rd, but he lost time in the pits putting together his second engine when he stopped to say good-bye to friends. After careful analysis, it was determined that the only difference between his first run and second, was the placement of the Piccolo Pete's in his engines. The second run engine did not have all fireworks facing straight and forward. This caused his second run to not have the same energy exerted as the first, giving him a 3rd place finish.
All in all it was a great race! Only one car ran off of the track and underneath a parked car near the starting line. No damage was done to the parked car, but the race car lost a wheel.
Pictures and videos are being uploaded - but it may take some time to get them all online. The first place run was NOT captured as it happened too quickly!! The race photographer (me) was taking a picture of the car on the starting line when it's fuse was lit. Before I could start the video, the car was down the street! Maybe next year I'll get an assistant!
Speaking of next year....I wonder who will win???? I can't wait to find out!
ABOVE PHOTO: left to right - Russ (3rd), Nick (1st), James & Team (2nd)
