7/6/02

24-Lap Bike Not Quite Enough For 25-Lap Race in Springfield.

Returning once again to the current Mecca of American dirt track, Springfield Illinois, Carr , Kenny Tolbert, Travis Smith, and the Ford QCCPOV team were prepared to redeem themselves somewhat after their innovative new VOR mount let them down with a mechanical gremlin early in qualifying for last May's Springfield TT, forcing them back to the trusty C&J Rotax steed in the main. Carr rode Ol' Reliable to fourth in that contest, but three more purposeful motocross-based bikes finished ahead of him then, and this week, the number of converted DTX-type machines present had multiplied. It was time for the new VOR to shine.

A strong, steady ride in the main pushed Carr to second behind almost-21-year-old Nick Hayden, who was not making mistakes and keeping his lead on Chris' #4 VOR, this time running strong and smooth. It all looked like another championship-style aggressive ride until an electrical failure put the Italian-built powerplant out of service with just one lap remaining.

Carr was credited with thirteenth place, and his lead on Varnes has shrunk to nine points, but the season has yet to pass midway and the Ford team will work to build the cushion back up again. Next Saturday presents a new set of challenges when the series visits Thunder Ridge Raceway in Prestonburg, Kentucky, a new and unfamiliar oval. Chris' experience and Tolbert's Texas savvy will certainly send them to the front quickly at this new venue.

"We were running real good, had a great battle in the heat race with Joe Kopp. I shadowed him for about eight laps and I was able to get by him on...oh about lap eight. I got away form him and won the heat race - the second-fastest heat. Nicky Hayden had the fastest heat. He was going real...his lap times didn't vary much, mine kind of bounced around a little bit. I'd have some good laps that were quicker than his, but he was more consistent.

"Main event, I got off the line about third, cruising along behind Bigelow for what seemed like about twelve laps before I finally got by him. Nicky had checked out on us, pretty much. I maintained the same pace with Nicky, but had nothing for him ,really. If I could have gotten off (the line) with him, maybe it might have been a little bit different, maybe it would have made a better race of it.

"But then - all for naught. The thing gave up the ghost on lap 24. I cruised across the stripe, got the white flag, and pulled her to a stop. One of them things that happens. (laughs)"

You were riding the VOR?

"I was riding the VOR, the thing was working really well, and I was very pleased with it. Something electrical gave up on it - I don't know exactly what it is, but I'm sure the boys will find out in due time."


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