ROBINSON WRAPS UP ORSCA OPENER

Words and photos by Ian Tocher
3/24/04

hat would an outlaw race be without a little controversy? A timing glitch helped determine the Outlaw 10.5 outcome of the Outlaw Racing Street Car Association's inaugural points event Mar. 19-21, at Carolina Dragway, but by all other accounts it was an auspicious beginning for the Atlanta-based series.

Michael Robinson had luck on his side when Mike Hill couldn't answer the call to stage for the Outlaw 10.5 final.

Twenty-three cars showed up to contest ORSCA's premier class, with 21 of them making laps on raceday. The Limited Street and EZ Street fields weren't quite so full, but ORSCA administrator Johnny Fenn is confident those classes will grow with time. Additionally, a strong showing of 6.0 and 7.0 index cars rounded out a full day of racing.

When Mike Hill couldn't stage his turbocharged 2002 Mustang Cobra for the Outlaw 10.5 final, Mike Robinson took the winner's trophy -- as well as $7,500 -- home to Dallas, GA. The controversy stemmed from Hill's semi-final match against Joey Martin in an '03 Cobra after the timing system failed to give either racer a time or speed. Hill's car was all over the right lane, but he gathered it in to create a finish too close to call, so track and ORSCA officials decided to have them run again.

Like all four Outlaw 10.5 semi-finalists at Carolina Dragway, Washington, GA's Mike Hill had a bye in the first round.