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“Rain, Rain Go Away” was chant of the more than 80 competitors who turned out to take part in Philadelphia Region’s first summer series event held at Camden on Saturday, April 26^th. A challenging course, set by outgoing Philly Autocross Chairman Rob Leone, was about to be embarked upon, where “cajones grande” would be required to rise to the top. A rain soaked course in the first heat, where windshield wipers were required for a few runs, was the order of the day. Even D-Stock WRX competitor Andre Downey exclaimed, “There is no grip to be had out there!” The only one loving the first heat conditions was Alan Pozner in his D-Stock Type R, who was smart enough to come prepared with the mother of all rain tires, Hoosier Dirt Stockers. With Alan’s tire choice and his usual deft touch behind the wheel, he was standing on FTD after the first heat with a 49.321. The second heat brought slightly dryer conditions and a battle between Rob Leone in his C-Stock MR2 Spyder, also equipped with the famed Dirt Stockers, and Chris Woolard in his spanking new A-Stock Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. Rumor has it even Las Vegas had odds on this match up. Trading times like kids trading insults, after 5 runs it was…Frank Gonzalez on top re-setting FTD with a 47.202 in co-driver Steve Landstra’s ZO6. While Woolard and Leone were battling, Frank stayed steady to course and dropped his times all heat. Third heat brought a steadier drying course and the usual suspects in the STS and STX classes. When it was finished and the smoke had cleared, STS had Corey Ridgick on top of Dan Shalkowki, the newly appointed Chairman of the Philly Region Autocross program, by .878. Ridgick’s 47.258 was close, but not quite enough to unseat Frank at the top of the FTD chart. Jon Rush, who caught a co-drive in the Shalkowski 2.5RS, was atop of the Pro Class with a 47.369. The fourth and final heat of the day brought the driest of conditions and some of the fastest times yet. Steve Lockett, SM, Ken Buck, FSP and Jim Blanton, CSP were all on top of their game, re-setting the bar for FTD. Jim Blanton prevailed co-driving Steve Ashcraft’s Mazda Miata to a 45.116, while PAX honors went to Corey Ridgick

Special thanks to Rob Leone for providing a great event, and of course the Drexel SAE guys for providing the much needed hot food on such a soggy day. Now where’s the number for The TireRack, I need to order my Dirt Stockers ASAP!

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