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Words and Photos by Mac
Fosmire
6/14/04
I don’t know why we still
call this event the “Sunshine State Nationals”.
It seems that every year we are interrupted
by thunderstorms.
Well, be that as it may, the event went off
without a hitch, other than some rain delays
on Saturday and Sunday. The always super Gainesville
track crew did their usual great job getting
the track back in shape after the delays.
Let’s jump into our wrap-up report with
the UPR All-Ford Car Show results. Normally
when it looks like rain over the weekend, the
show cars stay home. Not in Florida, however.
They were out in force. Between Saturday and
Sunday, over 180 super looking Ford vehicles
were on display in the Car Show area. The big
winners included Kyle Young for Best Mustang
(’94-’04). Best Interior went to Chuck
Kelly with his ’56 Sedan Delivery. Best
Paint went to either Clinton somebody or somebody
Clinton (great paint but poor penmanship). Best
Engine went to Chris Garrett and the Best of
Show went to Chad Noel and his ’03 Cobra.
Next we move onto the Tremec Transmission True
Street Results. Naturally, Rod Short, one of
the editors of MM&FF magazine, the True
Street Presenters, was keeping his eyes open
for the coveted Editors Choice Award. So, how
did the True Streeters do? The top spot was
nailed down by Michael Saponara with an average
of three runs being a 9.052. For the record,
Saponara ran an 8.975 on his second pass. The
number two spot was Charles Manchester with
a 9.662 average. The quickest 10-second award
went to Christopher Patchen with a 10.781. Andy
McKee averaged an 11.243 for the 11-second award.
Carl Valentine ran a 12.192 for the 12-second
award. The 13-second award went to Darryl Buckner
with a 13.009. Eric Larson averaged a 14.051
for the 14-second spot and Phil Vincek finished
off with a 15.122 for the 15-second award. I
guess that 8.9 second e.t. convinced Rod Short
because Saponara was also awarded the MM&FF
Editors Choice Award.
Now, on to the Showdown Classes. In the Mr.
Gasket Pro class, the number one qualifier (again)
was Chuck Samuel with a 6.589 at 214.79. Joe
DaSilva was next with a 6.720 at 216.24. Right
behind DaSilva was Randy Eakins at 6.792 at
only 182.14. Brit (we’re gettin’ better)
Floyd ran a 6.857 at 209.54 for the fourth spot.
John Gullet was fifth with a 6.983 at 211.86.
And Doug Mangrum’s new Mustang was sixth
with an 11.88 shutting off early. On Sunday
morning, prior to eliminations, Mangrum ran
a test pass in the mid 6’s so it looked
like everybody on the ladder had a shot.
Low qualifier Chuck Samuel (lead photo) was
also eligible for the Pro Challenge Lottery
money, sponsored by USA Motorsports.
In round 1 of eliminations, it was Eakins over
Mangrum (7.082, 172.91 to a shutting off Mangrum).
Gullet edged DaSilva with a 6.602, 212.06 vs.
DaSilva’s losing 6.892, 214.89. Both drivers
cut identical lights at .074. And Samuel took
out Floyd in another super close race, 6.572,
213.87 vs. Brit’s losing 6.698, 214.74.
In round 2 it was Gullet over Eakins, 6.753,
208.71 vs. 6.822, 209.98, and Samuel made the
bye run at 6.571, 214.64.
In the finals it was Samuel ($8,500 richer)
over Gullet, 6.550, 215.51 vs. Gullet’s
runner-up 6.882, 208.71.
Six of the best Pro cars in the country put
on one whale of a show for the folks.
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