Rally Flyer
Prescott Forest Rally Report by Paul Timmerman
MEDIA_ALERT
Event: Prescott Forest PRO Rally XI - Round #8 of the 1997 Michelin PRO
Rally Championship. Race cars from around the world will compete
at high speeds through the Prescott National Forest, with elevation
changes from 4,500 to 6,500 feet.
When: Friday - Saturday, October 2 - 3, 1998
Schedule_-_Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Registration and Technical Inspection
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Parc Expose, Display of Cars
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
3:00 PM - First car starts - Day #1 of Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
8:45 PM - First car finishes - Day #1
Schedule_-_Saturday
noon - 1:00 PM - Parc Expose, Display of Cars
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
1:00 PM - First car starts - Day #2 of Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
8:00 PM - First car finishes Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott
Schedule - Sunday
9:00 AM - Awards breakfast - Best Western Prescottonian
Where: Rally headquarters will be at the Best Western Prescottonian,
1317 East Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (520) 445-3096
Duration: 108 stage miles, 250 total miles, 10 stages
Rank: Full National Rally, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America,
administered by the SCCA PRO Rally Board, and sponsored nationally
by Michelin Tire Company. Presented by the Prescott Forest Rally
Association and the Arizona Region of the Sports Car Club of
America.
Interviews: Drivers will be available by contacting the press room at the
Best Western Prescottonian starting October 1. Series spokes-
people are also available through the press room including
local driver and former national champion Roger Hull, event
organizer Jeff Hendricks, owner of Willow Creek Tire;
defending champion Paul Choiniere; and ESPN2 rally producer
Doug Plumer.
National TV Coverage: Event will be covered in a 30-minute show which
will air on ESPN2 in November - date and times
to be announced - check local listings or call the
ESPN programming department at (860) 585-2236.
Other questions about the programs, including
sponsorship opportunities, can be addressed to Doug
Plumer, executive producer, at (617) 492-7444.
Expected Top National Entries: Paul Choiniere - defending six-time
overall
national champion - in his Hyundai Tiburon, won Prescott rally in '97;
Noel Lawler, second overall at Maine event, in Paul's '96 championship
Hyundai Elantra; David Summerbell, from Kingston, Jamaica, in a Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution IV - first in points after win in California and 2nd in
Minnesota; Carl Merrill, with Ford Escort Cosworth that produces more than
400 hp - third in points; Jeffrey Panton, from Kingston, Jamaica, with an
ex-Carlos Sainz Toyota Celica GT4; Tony Takaori, doctor from Kyoto,
Japana,
in new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III; Hiroyuki Genta, close second to
Summerbell at California event, in a Subarun Impreza; Mike Whitman, top
five finisher, in a Ford Sierra Cosworth; Group 5 leader Ralph Kosmides
from California in a new Toyota Twin-turbo Supra -325 hp; Lee Shadbolt,
from Oregon, points leader in his Production GT Subaru Impreza; Steve
Gingras, '97 Production GT champion, in an Eagle Talon; Roger Hull,
fastest
Prescott driver, in an Eagle Talon; Janice Damitio, fastest woman driver,
from Montisano, Wash., in a Toyota All-trac; Dave White, from Benicia,
Calif., points leader in his VW GTI; Bill Malik, Volvo 240, currently 2nd
in Group 2; Trevor Donison, from Vancouver, Wash., points leader in his
Production class Plymouth Neon ACR.
Visuals: There will be escorts to take photographers and
video crews onto the course during the daylight part
of the rally on Friday and Saturday. Anyone requiring
supplied photos or video should contact Andy Schupack in the
press room starting October 1. Rally cars going through mud,
over yumps and rough terrain, and sliding at high speed through
tight turns provide exciting visuals.
Media Info: We will provide phone-ins on event information,
driver interviews, and results. We will fax
stories and agate Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
We have B-roll available for TV. The press room will be
located in the Best Western Prescottonian, Prescott.
Contact: Andy Schupack - Michelin PRO Rally Championship
media liaison:
(520) 445-3096 - press room - 10/2 - 10/5/97
(401) 739-5677 (before September 30; after
October 4)
# # #
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
PRESCOTT FOREST PRO RALLY - Prescott, AZ
Preliminary Entry/Start List
Start Car Driver/ Co-Driver/ Make/Model/Class/
Pos. No. Hometown Hometown Division/Tires
1 Paul Choiniere Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon/Open
Shelburne, VT Great Neck, NY National/Michelin
3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth/Open
Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT National/Michelin
Jeffrey Panton John de Marcado Toyota Celica GT4/Open
Kingston, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica National/Michelin
77 Dave Summerbell Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer
Kingston, Jamaica Kington, Jamaica Evolution IV/Open
Noel Lawler Charles Bradley Hyundai Elantra/Open
Manchester, VT Atlanta, GA National/Michelin
30 Hiroyuki Genta Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza/Open
Kyoto, JAPAN Kyoto, JAPAN National/Dunlop
11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra/Group 5
Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA National/Michelin
22 Dave White W. David Watts VW GTI/Group 2
Benicia, CA Carson City, NV Nat./Div./Michelin
6 Steve Gingras Eric Carlson Eagle Talon/PGT
Elk River, MN Oregon, WI Nat./Div./Michelin
Tony Takaori Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Kyoto, JAPAN Tempe, AZ National/Falken
8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240/Group 2
Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
17 Roger Hull Sean Gallagher Eagle Talon/PGT
Prescott, AZ Santa Ana, CA National/Goodyear
119 Lon Peterson Jim Love Plymouth Arrow/Group 5
Victorville, CA Chino Hills, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra Cosworth/Open
W. Memphis, AK W. Memphis, AK National/Michelin
Carl Jardevall Amity Trowbridge Volvo 740/Group 5
San Carlos, CA Seattle, WA National/Michelin
35 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza/Prod. GT
Tigard, OR Tigard, OR National/Michelin
90 Tom Bier Ole Holter Saab 99/Group 2
Solano Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Nat./Div.
25 Fred Ronn John Dillon Toyota Celica/Group 2
Agoura, CA Thousand Oaks, CA Nat./Div.
66 Doug Robinson Bill Hidde Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Ramona, CA San Diego, CA Nat./Div.
52 Steve Bender Craig McHugh VW Rabbit/Group 2
Corona Del Mar, CA Irvine, CA Nat./Div.
45 Arthur Odero-Jowi Farina O'Sullivan Mitsubishi Eclipse/Prod. GT
Arlington, TX San Fran., CA Nat./Div.
21 Trevor Donison Ben Bradley Plymouth Neon/Production
Vancouver, WA Portland, OR Nat./Div./Michelin
Divisional Only
4 Ron Wood Kelly Walsh Audi Quattro/4WD
Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Divisional
16 Harris Done Ray Hocker Mazda RX-7/02
Santa Monica, CA Ridgecrest, CA Divisional
35 Mark Brown Shane Polhamus Toyota Corolla/U2
Mesa, AZ Mesa, AZ Divisional
60 Randy Holland Jack Whittington Ford F-150 Pickup/02
Billings, MT Billings, MT Divisional
28 Bobbi Whitman Donna Mitchell Datsun 510/02
Farmington, NM Moorpark, CA Divisional
Cable Rhodes Tyler Rhodes Mazda RX-7/02
Prescott, AZ Prescott, AZ Divisional
24 Mick Kilpatrick Chris Bradshaw Dodge Colt Turbo/02
Durango, CO Chatsworth, Ca Divisional
50 Eric Oyague Alfredo Oyague Toyota Corolla/U2
Van Nuys, CA Northridge, CA Divisional
93 Neal Gaborno Patti Scott Mitsubishi Pickup/U2
Prembroke, MA Montrose, CA Divisional
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #1 - Wednesday, September 30, 1998 - 6:00 PM PDT
1. Welcome to Prescott, Arizona, and the 11th running of the Prescott
Forest Rally. This is the third time the event has run as a full
national PRO Rally (1993 and last year). The rally runs on gravel
roads through the Prescott National Forest, Chino Valley Ranger
District. The event runs in both Ponderosa forest, and, in the high
desert, Juniper forest. The weather promises to cooperate, with
temperatures in the mid-80's during the day and the low 60's at night,
with no precipitation predicted. The course has a reputation for being
rough, but organizer Jeff Hendricks thinks competitors will like some
of the new stage roads added for 1998, especially those on Friday night
south here are a couple of impromptu water crossings.
2. Replica Productions of Cambridge, Mass., producers of the ESPN2 rally
coverage this season (Wild West, Rim of the World, Susquehannock Trail,
and Maine Summer so far), is here this weekend to cover this event for
airing in November. Air dates - sometime in November - will be
announced shortly. The Maine Forest Rally, which aired in early
September, was viewed by 200,000 households - the first time the rally
telecasts have broken that mark. The Ojibwe Forests PRO Rally is the
next scheduled telecast, slated for Tuesday, October 27, at 6:30 PM
Eastern time on "The Deuce."
3. Kermish-Geylin Public Relations, Inc., the New York-based PR firm
which is handling the Michelin PRO Rally Championship publicity, will
not be doing so for 1999. In a letter to both SCCA and Michelin, KGPR
President Mike Geylin expressed his thanks for allowing the firm, and
its account executive Andy Schupack, to be involved with PRO Rally
during its recent growth, and wished the sport continued success in
the future. Geylin said that the company has taken on new activities
that make it impossible to continue with the PRO Rally publicity.
SCCA and Michelin are currently looking for a new PR person for 1999.
Schupack will continue in his role as the series PR liaison through
December 31, 1998, and will work with his successor as soon as one is
named.
In a statement issued by Dennis Dean, VP Rally/Solo for SCCA, Dennis
said, "It is with sincere regret that SCCA acknowledges Kermish-
Geylin's decision to reallocate their priorities for 1999 in a way that
prevents them from providing their superb support to the Michelin SCCA
PRO Rally series. Andy Schupack's contributions to the series over the
many years he has been associated with it are legendary. He has proved
himself and his firm to be not only staunch advocates of the series and
the sport, but also friend and supporter to the competitors,
organizers, sponsors, and supporters of the series. His contributions
to SCCA's efforts in the conduct of the series have been many and have
been much appreciated by all. Everyone on the SCCA staff extends their
thanks and wishes Andy and Kermish-Geylin nothing but the best in their
future endeavors with the hope that they depart with the same fond
memories of the series that we all enjoy, as a result of their singular
efforts."
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #2 - Wednesday, September 30, 1998 - 5:00 PM PDT
4. In the last few years, the Prescott Forest Rally has provided some of
the more bizarre PRO Rally stories on the circuit. In 1992, Rod Millen
rolled his Mazda and shattered the windshield, but won the rally after
borrowing glass from Toyota truck competitor Gary Gooch. In 1995,
Harris Done won this event in a divisional Mazda RX-7, while Rui Brasil
took his old Audi Quattro to victory in '96 as Bill Malik and his co-
driver missed a timing mistake that would have given them the win.
It was here that actor Jason Priestley made his national PRO Rally
debut (1993), and Jeff Zwart won one of the his two PRO Rally victories
here that year in his Porsche Carrera 4. Last year, of course, Paul
Choiniere had a 12-second lead on Henry Joy going into the last stage
when Henry's Mitsubishi Lancer took a 200-foot dive into a canyon.
5. The web site for the Lake Superior PRO Rally is up and running - you
can dial in at <www.up-plaza.com/lspr>.
6. "African Americans On Wheels" magazine has a brief article on Auth ur
Odero-Jowi's Team TPi Rallying in the Fall 1998 issue. Visit their
website to read the article at URL:
<http://www.automag.com/fall98/feature-f.htm>
Click on the "Around the Track" hyperlink and scroll down to the bottom
of the feature article. The article is titled "Introducing Off-Road
Racing".
7. Congratulations are in order for Subaru co-driver Paul Eklund, who won
the E-Stock national championship recently at the SCCA Solo Nationals.
After finishing in the top five for the past four years at the Tire
Rack SCCA Solo II National Championships, Paul Eklund has put his
Primitve Racing Toyota Celica GT into the winner's circle in the
competitive E-Stock class.
"I've been making the long trek from Oregon for the last four years, and
it feels good to have it finally pay off," says Eklund. Eklund finished
ahead of Larry Fine also driving a Celica, the 1994 champion Steve
Brolliar driving a Neon, and last year's champion David Pearson driving
a Saturn. There were 30 drivers in the class representing Toyota,
Honda, VW, Saturn, Dodge, Plymouth, Ford, and Subaru and the margin of
victory was 3 tenths of a second.
8. The Jeffrey Panton/John de Mercado Toyota Celica GT4 for will a no-show
at the second straight event due to hurricanes in the Carribean causing
car transportation problems.
9. This event will feature two of the Japanese teams which have done well
in U.S. in the past several years. The Hiroyuki Genta/Kazumasa Takata
Subaru Impreza Open class car, which finished second here last year
behind Paul Choiniere, was also second by only a bit to the David
Summerbell/Chris Griffin Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV earlier this
year at Rim of the World in California. Tony Takaori, who has also
finished second overall twice in U.S. PRO rallies (here and in Maine
in
1994) will be here with co-driver Ken Cassidy in the Japanese-prepared
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #3 - Thursday, October 1, 1998 - 11:00 AM PDT
10. Like pennies from heaven, ESPN2 has announced the re-airing of several
of the previously-broadcasted events, along with times for the last
two telecasts. Notice that three of the repeats will run back-to-
back-to-back this coming Monday. Also, the Ojibwe repeat time has
changed. Here's the latest -set your VCRs (all times Eastern):
Wild West PRO Rally - Monday, October 5, 2:30 PM
Rim of the World - Monday, October 5, 3:00 PM
Susquehannock Trail - Monday, October 5, 3:30 PM
Ojibwe Forests Rally - Tueday, October 27, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 AM
Prescott Forest Rally - Sunday, November 15, 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 19 3:30 AM
D&N Bank Lake Superior Rally - Sunday, November 29 - 7:30 PM
As always, these times are subject to change - we'll let you know
if we get updates.
11. We just heard from Pete Morris, Toyota Corolla divisional competitor
and winner of the national Production class at last year's Rim of the
World event. Morris rolled his car at the Gorman Ridge rally last
weekend in Southern California, and will not it to this event.
12. As we reach the seventh PRO Rally of the season (round #8 because the
first event - SNO*DRIFT - was cancelled), the points chase becomes
quite interesting in most of the classes. Let's look at the two-wheel
drive classes. Only the best six finishes count, so those who have run
most of the rallies will have to start dropping points from previous
low finishes.
--In Group 5, the Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra twin-turbo will
be the first team to clinch a national championship, with the two
starting points they receive giving them the title.
--The only other competitor who will clinch a national title when the
rally starts tomorrow is Honda Production driver Scott Embree.
Embree's driver, Jay Kowalik, is only two points behind Plymouth Neon
pilot Trevor Donison for the driver's championship, but Jay and Scott
are not here this weekend. In fact, Donison is the only Production
entry for Prescott, and if he finishes, he will clinch the
Production class champion, and win the Donison Cup, named after his
father (see a future press note for this event for a story on the
late Roy Donison).
--In Group #2, the Dave White/David Watts VW GTI has an eight point
lead over the Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom Volvo 240, with both
drivers running five events so far this season. Both can keep their
points they score here, but White would have to drop 10 points from a
win at Lake Superior, while Malik has a DNF and could keep all his
points from both events. In either case, this is a must event for
both drivers. In the co-drivers chase, Edstrom can clinch the title
here as White has had several different navigators helping him this
season.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #4 - Thursday, October 1, 1998 - 1:00 PM PDT
13. Trevor Donison recently provided this insight into the life of his
father, Roy Donison, for whom the Production class championship cup
is named:
My Father (Roy Donison), became involved in performance stage rallying on
the west coast when it started. He raced Mazda RX2's and RX3's. Early in
his racing career he was called "Crash" Donison. He typically destroyed
(and I do mean destroyed) a car a year, sometimes 2. He probably still
holds the record for how tightly a car can be wrapped around a roll cage
(Ask Paula Gibeault). One time in California he rolled a brand new
professionally prepared RX3 five times side to side, then 3 more times end
to end (yes, he went of a much longer exposure than Henry did last year in
Prescott ). His only injury was a severly broken left arm that had went out
the window and had the car roll on it. With surgery he was able to have
complete function in his arm.
In 1975 my father decided that he wanted to run the POR Pro Rally. He
packed up his Rally car and DROVE it to the event. His co-driver was R.
Dale Kraushaar. They ended up finishing 4th overall and drove the car back
home...
In 1979 at the Olympus Rally in Olympia Wa, he was racing in another RX3
and was doing well until the I think the 3rd stage. During that stage they
lost the fan belt and the car overheated badly. They replaced the fan belt
on the stage and refilled the radiator with water from a creek, then
continued on their way. On the next stage they had a problem with the fuel
pump. Total, they lost about 60 minutes on two stages. This put them way
back in the starting order with the slower cars. They didn't do a re-seed
so my father proceeded to pass multiple cars stage after stage. He ended
up winning a couple of stages towards the end of the rally because Hendrik
Blok had a half an hour lead and had slowed down. He would have finished
2nd overall without the problems of stage 3+4.
While looking to purchase a Production car to run the rest of the season
in, he learned that the Plymouth Arrow came with a Factory option package
called the Fire Arrow. It had a 2.6 litre engine and much more power than
the Colt. The car was Production legal because the Fire Arrow was an option
package but the model was a Plymouth Arrow. He finished First in production
all 6 of the events he entered with the car. He finished in the top 8
overall every event he entered that year. He finished as high as 4th
overall in a production car. He also won stages in this car, but I am not
sure at what events. Some people have said that the car is what was so
fast, but after a couple of events there were other people running the Fire
Arrow and he beat them all by at least 15 minutes. This is why we now have
Production GT and why the rules indicated that a Plymouth Fire Arrow is a
GT car until last year.
Unfortunately, late in 1979, while testing tires, he was involved in a
head-on collision with a 4wd truck. I saw the car. The truck hit just
off-center on the passenger side. From the front bumper to where the bottom
of the front winshield started was only about 2 feet after the accident.
The car was nearly as wrecked as the Princess Di Mercedes. The shame of
this accident is, that he wasn't wearing his shoulder harnesses and his
helmet was still in the back seat. Either one probably would have saved his
life. He was 32 years young.
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #5 - Thursday, October 1, 1998 - 4:00 PM PDT
14. The Woodner Cup - for overall 2WD finishers - is close as well,
with top Group 2 and Group 5 competitors battling for the prestigious
awards, whose past recipients include Sam Bryan, Henry Krolikowski,
Goran Ostlund, Peter Cunningham, Roger Hull, Cal Landau, and Doug
Shepherd (twice). Right now, Bill Malik enjoys a four-point lead over
Ralph Kosmides and a 12-point lead over Dave White. Bill forged into
the lead at Ojibwe with his fifth-place finish overall in August -
tops in 2WD.
15. More on the upcoming D&N Bank Lake Superior PRO Rally. As previously
announced, there will be a limit of 50 cars due to forest service
regulation. More than 30 teams have already entered the
October 23 - 24 event in Houghton, Mich. Those who are thinking of
entering should do so right away as not to get shut out.
16. Sergei Bellesov, the Russian rally driver who now lives in Mexico,
Maine, towed his Mazda 626 Group 2 rally car to the event as a last-
minute entry. His co-driver, Catherine Roso from Portland, OR, has
run several national and divisional events this year. Sergei bought a
brand new engine from Mazda for this event, and will break it in by
driving the 200 miles round trip tonight to pick her at the airport.
17. Continuing the tradition of Finger Lakes Region national stewards who
have broken their rental cars inspecting the stages of the Prescott
Forest Rally, John McArthur got two flat tires on Perkinsville Road in
Chino Valley and needed to hitchhike seven miles into town to get off
the course. In 1993, Rusty Campbell punctured an oil cooler on his
rental, and had to walk five miles to the near road. Maybe everyone
should just leave the organizer's route book as is...
18. The Mike Whitman/Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth experienced
electrical problems at Ojibwe, but the current trouble occurred when
Whitman heard a "pop" in the transmission when he loaded the car on
the trailer. Fortunately, T.A.D. Motorsports was bringing a rebuilt
unit to him at this event anyway, and Whitman is changing the
transmission on Thursday night.
19. After running the stages today for inspection, both the national
steward John McArthur and ESPN2 producer Doug Plumer report that the
stages are very rough, with many sharp rocks embedded in the road a
threat to tires. Organizer Rob Cherry plans to counsel drivers before
the start of the event to go cautiously on Friday night, as the new
stages contain both "neat and rough stuff - sometimes only tenths
apart."
20. Carl Merrill said his car is "completely revamped" after a series of
setbacks which caused a DNF in Maine and a disappointing 12th in
Minnesota.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #6 - Thursday, October 1, 1998 - 7:00 PM PDT
21. In the overall points chase, it's come down to a three-man, two-race
season. Eight points separate the top three teams, and with the
various DNFs meaning that no one has to drop points (Merrill might
have to drop the single point he earned for his 12th-place finish at
Ojibwe).
In Pennsylvania in June, the Paul Choiniere/Jeff Becker Hyundai
Tiburon was battling the Jamaican Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV of
David Summerbell/Michael Fennell and the Ford Escort Cosworth of Carl
Merrill/Lance Smith for the lead when the Tiburon hit a stump at
80 mph, breaking a wheel, flipping several times, and ending up well
off the road - finished for the event.
In California in May, ex-champion Buffum took the wheel to replace
Choiniere as Paul stayed home with the flu, and Buffum was leading
when the rear crossmember broke on the Hyundai during the rough Rim of
the World event. In August, Choiniere lost an water pump belt too far
from the end of the stage to finish the event - another DNF.
Rivals Summerbell and Merrill missed golden opportunities to keep
Choiniere down in the standings by failing to finish at the Maine
Forest event. Summerbell, after falling several places in
Pennsylvania when his Lancer ran out of gas, was within 12 seconds of
Choiniere (and the series points lead) going into the last stage in
Maine when he overcooked it on a sweeping turn and ran off the road,
causing a flat tire which ruined the suspension, causing a DNF.
A second place finish in Minnesota has put him on top of the standings
by a single point over Choiniere.
Merrill had a shot at the lead in Maine in July as well, but yanked
the driveshaft out of the transmission after the Escort went airborn
and came down hard on a rock - also a DNF. Merrill had another chance
to lead the standings in Minnesota, but late turbo trouble caused
another DNF. Merrill now trails Summerbell by eight points.
So far this season, Choiniere has three victories (Doo Wops and Wild
West - both in Washington State, and the recent Maine Forest Rally).
Summerbell has won one event (Rim of the World); John Buffum won
Ojibwe in Minnesota in Choiniere's back-up Hyundai; and Canadians
Frank and Dan Sprongl in their Audi Quattro S-2 have the other victory
(the Susquehannock Trail PRO Rally in Pennsylvania).
The only other car with more than one top-five finish is the Mike
Whitman/Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth - like Summerbell's racer,
a right-hand drive machine. Whitman has three fifth-place finishes so
far this season to put him fifth in the points.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #7 - Friday, October 2, 1998 - 4:00 PM PDT
22. An important announcement from Replica Productions. Because of the
ESPN NFL football package, the network is cancelling much of its
motorsports programming for 1999, including the ESPN2 PRO Rally
package. Fortunately, Replica Productions executive producer Doug
Plumer, with the help of the SCCA, has negotiated a six-race deal with
SPEEDVISION, the 24-hour auto racing/motorcycle racing/boat
racing/airplane racing cable channel. A schedule of TV events will be
announced later in the year after the PRO Rally Board determines the
1999 Michelin PRO Championship schedule (to be announced at the year-
end banquet in Michigan).
23. The Lon Peterson/Peter Workman Group 5 Plymouth Arrow is not the 185-
hp racer we're used to seeing, as that car is being completely rebuilt
over the winter. For this event, Peterson will be driving John
Moore's very stock Plymouth Arrow, with approx. 130 hp., although the
car has Lonnie's suspension and some internal engine modifications.
24. With registration coming to a close, it looks like 37 cars will take
the countdown this afternoon for the start of the rally (26 national
cars, 11 divisional only - with 22 total running the divisional). The
only question mark at this time
25. A close scrutiny of the Production class points reveals that Trevor
Donison and Jay Kowalik are tied for the lead with 66 points each. We
had previously reported that Donison had a two-point lead, and could
clinch the championship by winning here this weekend. Now, if Donison
wins Production here, he would have to get at least his two starting
points at the D&N Bank Lake Superior event. Complicating the
situation is the late entry of Roland McIvor's Nissan Sentra in the
class, and Roland found a co-driver - Wild West organizer John
Forespring - only 45 minutes before the start of the event. Now
Donison has to beat McIvor to get those 22 points. Otherwise, Kowalik
still has a chance to win the title at Lake Superior.
26. 36 cars started the 11th running of the Prescott Forest PRO Rally.
The one DNF (he crossed the start line backwards in order to get his
two starting points) was the Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Ford Sierra
Cosworth. While testing the car this morning, the car popped a half-
shaft out of place, and popped the replacement out less than 100 yards
later. With no more parts and no more time - the car was towed into
Parc Ferme as the other cars were starting - the team was forced to
take a DNF. Garen's two starting points put him in line to win the
Rookie of the Year award (best overall points for a seed six driver).
27. The cars will run four stages tonight (Friday), with a re-seed after
two stages at the Mill Restaurant service in Crown King - a very old
mining town in a remote area south of Prescott. They will run 44 of
the 108 stage miles, with dusty conditions probably requiring two or
three minutes start intervals during the night.
# # #
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
PRESCOTT FOREST PRO RALLY - Prescott, AZ
Final Entry/Start List
Start Car Driver/ Co-Driver/ Make/Model/Class/
Pos. No. Hometown Hometown Division/Tires
1 1 Paul Choiniere Jeff Becker Hyundai Tiburon/Open
Shelburne, VT Great Neck, NY National/Michelin
2 3 Carl Merrill Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth/Open
Ogunquit, ME Colchester, VT National/Michelin
3 16 Dave Summerbell Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer
Kingston, Jamaica Kington, Jamaica Evolution IV/Open
4 43 Mike Whitman Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth
Farmington, NM Ridgecrest, CA National/Michelin
5 18 Noel Lawler Charles Bradley Hyundai Elantra/Open
Manchester, VT Atlanta, GA National/Michelin
6 30 Hiroyuki Genta Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza/Open
Kyoto, JAPAN Kyoto, JAPAN National/Dunlop
7 6 Steve Gingras Eric Carlson Eagle Talon/PGT
Elk River, MN Oregon, WI Nat./Div./Michelin
8 11 Ralph Kosmides Joe Noyes Toyota Supra/Group 5
Newport Beach, CA Bothell, WA National/Michelin
9 22 Dave White W. David Watts VW GTI/Group 2
Benicia, CA Carson City, NV Nat./Div./Michelin
10 8 Bill Malik Christian Edstrom Volvo 240/Group 2
Burbank, CA Los Angeles, CA Nat./Div./Michelin
11 55 Tony Takaori Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Kyoto, JAPAN Tempe, AZ National/Falken Open
12 17 Janice Damitio Amity Trowbridge Toyota Celica GT4/Open
Montesano, WA Seattle, WA Nat./Div./Michelin
13 27 Roger Hull Sean Gallagher Eagle Talon/PGT
Prescott, AZ Santa Ana, CA National/Goodyear
14 119 Lon Peterson Peter Workman Plymouth Arrow/Group 5
Victorville, CA Calgary, ALB Nat./Div./Michelin
15 14 Garen Shrader Doc Shrader Ford Sierra Cosworth/Open
W. Memphis, AK W. Memphis, AK National/Michelin
16 117 Ken Stewart Jim Dale Chevy S-10 Pickup/Open
Grove, OK Conway, AK Nat./Div./Cooper
17 15 Carl Jardevall John Elkin Volvo 740/Group 5
San Carlos, CA Portland, OR Nat./Div./Michelin
18 35 Lee Shadbolt Paul Eklund Subaru Impreza/Prod. GT
Tigard, OR Tigard, OR National/Michelin
19 25 Fred Ronn John Dillon Toyota Celica/Group 2
Agoura, CA Thousand Oaks, CA Nat./Div.
20 66 Doug Robinson Chris Beavis Mazda RX-7/Group 5
Ramona, CA Ridgecrest, CA Nat./Div.
21 16 Tom Bier Ole Holter Saab 99/Group 2
Solano Beach, CA Long Beach, CA Nat./Div.
22 88 Kendall Russell Lynn Dillon Dodge Charger/PGT
Knoxville, TN Indianapolis, IN National/Michelin
23 45 Arthur Odero-Jowi Farina O'Sullivan Mitsubishi Eclipse/PGT
Arlington, TX San Fran., CA Nat./Div./Michelin
24 7 Sergei Bellesov Catherine Roso Mazda 626/Group 2
Mexico, ME Portland, OR National/Michelin
25 21 Trevor Donison John Allen Plymouth Neon/Production
Vancouver, WA Bainbridge Is., WA Nat./Div./Michelin
26 82 Roland McIvor John Forespring Nissan Sentra/Production
Bessemer, AL Olympia, WA National/Michelin
Divisional Only
4 Ron Wood Kelly Walsh Audi Quattro/4WD
Costa Mesa, CA Costa Mesa, CA Divisional
77 Harris Done Ray Hocker Mazda RX-7/02
Santa Monica, CA Ridgecrest, CA Divisional
323 Paul Timmerman Suzanne Martin Mazda 323GTX/04
Pasadena, CA Pasadena, CA Divisional
601 Randy Holland Jack Whittington Ford F-150 Pickup/02
Billings, MT Billings, MT Divisional
5 Mark Brown Shane Polhamus Toyota Corolla/U2
Mesa, AZ Mesa, AZ Divisional
28 Bobbi Whitman Bill Gutzmann Datsun 510/02
Farmington, NM Ontario, CA Divisional
222 Cable Rhodes Tyler Rhodes Mazda RX-7/02
Prescott, AZ Prescott, AZ Divisional
24 Mick Kilpatrick Jim Gillaspy Dodge Colt Turbo/02
Durango, CO Durangom CO Divisional
50 Eric Oyague Alfredo Oyague Toyota Corolla/U2
Van Nuys, CA Northridge, CA Divisional
52 Steve Bender Craig McHugh VW Rabbit/U2
Corona del Mar, CA Irvine, CA Divisional
93 Neal Gaborno Patti Scott Mitsubishi Pickup/U2
Prembroke, MA Montrose, CA Divisional
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #8 - Friday, October 2, 1998 - 6:50 PM PDT
28. Shortly after the beginning of stage #1, one of the rally cars went
off the course, and a driver was injured. A helicopter has
transported the driver to a hospital - no confirmation of which one -
and the Friday stages have all been cancelled. We don't have
confirmation of any further details at this early time. We will
release additional information as soon as we have it.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #9 - Friday, October 2, 1998 - 11:00 PM PDT
29. Six miles into stage #1, the Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Ford Escort
Cosworth went off the road on a straight-away and hit a tree. Co-
driver Lance Smith was slightly injured, and is having a chest x-ray
taken at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott. It is not clear
whether something happened to Carl Merrill to cause him to go off the
road, or he suffered an injury as a result of the impact - we don't
want to speculate - but he was not breathing when the car came to a
stop.
Competitors Dave White, Tony Takaori, and Joe Noyes all administered
emergency CPR treatment until the EMTs arrive, and a helicopter was
called to bring Carl to Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott.
Takaori, who is a doctor in Japan, characterized Carl's pulse as
"steady, but weak" as he was evacuated by the helicopter.
Barbara Merrill, Carl's wife, who was visiting their son in Scottsdale
when contacted by the hospital, said the hospital reported to her that
Carl was "critical, but stable" condition as of 10:00 PM Pacific. We
probably won't get an update on his condition until the morning.
The competitors met with the organizer earlier in the evening for an
update, and agreed to meet again on Saturday morning to decide the
status of the balance of the rally.
13 cars started the stage - Roger Hull being the last one - before the
organizer closed the rally. Reports from the field indicated that the
Steve Gingras/Eric Carlson Eagle Talon was having all kinds of
problems (broken CV joint, flat tire, fuel management), but the
throwing of the four stages will give them a reprieve.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #10 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 10:00 AM PDT
30. This statement was issued this morning from the Yavapai Regional
Medical Center in Prescott:
Carl Merrill, from Ogunquit, Maine, died this morning, October 3,
1998, at 8:31 AM PST as the result of a cardiac event.
Arrangements are being made to bring Carl back to Maine.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #11 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 2:30 PM PDT
31. At the organizer/competitor meeting this morning, organizer Rob Cherry
let the entrants know that the Merrill family urged them to run the
event today. As they did in a similar meeting last night, the
organizer emphasized that the competitors, workers and officials all
followed the correct emergency procedures. The competitors agreed
that they would run the event, and the rally schedule is being pushed
back one hour. All four stages yesterday were scrubbed, but the rally
did officially start yesterday, so today's first stage is #5.
32. The Merrill family said that the attending doctor described what
happened to Carl as sudden cardiac arrest, and that the subsequent
off-road crash was probably not a factor in his death.
33. For those who want to send cards or letters, you can address them to
Barbara Merrill, Box. 896, Beach Street, Ogunquit, Maine 03907.
Merrill was 62 years old.
34. The Steve Gingras/Eric Carlson Eagle Talon has been fixed overnight,
and should be a full strength today.
35. There have been several co-driver changes for today. In the
divisional event, Claire Marie Chizma, from Newhall, CA, will ride
Neal Gaborno in a Mitsubishi Pickup, while Donna Mitchell, feeling
better after being ill yesterday, will take Bill Gutzmann's place in
Bobbi Whitman's 510.
36. The Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Ford Sierra Cosworth, issued a reprieve
with the four stages cancelled, were able to fix their half-shaft
problems overnight (adding spacers), enabling them to start the event.
37. The Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Ford Escort Cosworth was given a
ceremonial "first on the road" start this afternoon. A five-minute
period silence followed for those who wanted to remember Carl and his
contributions to the sport. The cars left with "Carl Merrill #3"
stickers on their windshields. 36 cars started the event this
afternoon.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #12 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 7:30 PM PDT
38. The first stage of the day - stage #5 - saw the Subaru Impreza Open
class car (prepared to Group N specs) of Hiroyuki Genta/Kazmasa Takata
go off the road early in the stage losing two minutes to the field.
Choiniere had a 15-second lead over Summerbell after stage 5.
39. On stage #7, the Choiniere/Becker Hyundai lost a bolt from the rear
suspension four miles into an 11-mile turnaround stage, and lost
almost 12 minutes to the field. At the turnaround, Choiniere took
a similar bolt from the trunk latch and affected the repair himself,
enabling the team to stop losing time to the field.
40. The rally fell behind schedule on stage #7 when the Roger Hull/Sean
Gallagher Eagle Talon went off the road far enough to be out of sight,
and the stage was held up until the TV helicopter found them. It was
a mechanical DNF, and the rally resumed.
The Tony Takaori/Ken Cassidy Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III was fastest on
stage #7.
41. The report on the Merrill/Smith car, which was inspected by PRO Rally
National Safety Steward Greg Lund, National Series Steward John
McArthur, and PRO Rally Board member Doc Shrader. The Ford Escort
Cosworth, which hit a tree after Merrill had his cardiac event, held
up well with only slight damage and all safety equipment intact.
42. After Stage #8, Summerbell/Fennell were in front in their Mitsubishi
Lancer Evo IV, with the Lawler/Bradley Hyundai Elantra second - only
14 seconds behind. Lawler had caught up to Summerbell, but had to
back off near the end of stage #8 because the Elantra was overheating.
The Ford Sierra Cosworth of Mike Whitman/Paula Gibeault was third.
43. Others who are having trouble include the Bill Malik/Christian Edstrom
Volvo 240, which is having electrical problems and was trying to
borrow a battery at the turn-around stage to keep him in the Group 2
title chase.
The Genta/Takata Subaru, having lost time from his earlier off, is
losing more time with turbo problems.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #13 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 10:30 PM PDT
44. The eleventh running of the Prescott Forest PRO Rally, and we have yet
another overall winner - the fifth different one this year - as the
Hyundai Elantra of Noel Lawler/Charles Bradley scored a 23-second
victory over the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV of David
Summerbell/Michael Fennell. Summerbell was 14 seconds with one stage
remaining, but the last stage got narrow and rough near the end - and
knowing Choiniere was back in the pack - the Jamaicans opted for the
cautious approach to secure a good finish. Meanwhile, Lawler went for
broke and beat Summerbell by almost a minute on the last stage.
The Mike Whitman/Paula Gibeault Ford Sierra Cosworth was third,
50 seconds back.
In the classes, Arthur Odero-Jowi/Farina O'Sullivan were fourth
overall and first in Production GT - a good performance following
their strong running in Maine which was negated by a scoring
omission. The Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra twin turbo
was fifth overall and first in Group 5 - clinching that class
championship and making progress towards the Woodner Cup. Dave
White/David Watts in the VW GTI edged closer to the Group 2
championship by winning that class, while the Roland McIvor/John
Forespring Nissan Sentra SER scored its first national win in
Production.
National provisional results - top finishers
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE CLASS
18 Noel Lawler/C Bradley Elantra 1 54:05 1 Open
16 D Summerbell/M Fennell Lancer 1 54:28 2 Open
43 Mike Whitman/P Gibeault Sierra 1 55:18 3 Open
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 5 59:27 1 GT
11 Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Supra 1 59:54 1 Group 5
6 Steve Gingrass/E Carlson Talon 1 1:00:32 2 GT
119 Lon Peterson/Peter Workum Arrow 2 1:00:54 2 Group 5
22 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 1:03:31 1 Group 2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 3 1:04:52 4 Open
17 J Damitio/A Trowbridge Celica 2 1:06:37 5 Open
35 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 3 1:06:50 3 GT
1 Paul Choiniere/J Becker Tiburon 0 1:07:04 6 Open
55 Tony Takaori/Ken Cassidy Lancer 2 1:07:13 7 Open
82 Roland McIvor Sentra 5 1:07:45 1 Production
66 Doug Robinson/C Beavis RX-7 5 1:07:58 3 Group 5
7 Sergi Bellesov/C Roso Mazda 626 5 1:11:50 2 Group 2
21 Trevor Donison/John Allen Neon 5 1:13:16 2 Production
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #14 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 11:30 PM PDT
45. DIVISIONAL PROVISIONAL RESULTS
CAR CRS
CRS
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE CLASS CLASS
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 3 48:04 1 4WD 1 4WD
6 Steve Gingrass/E Carlson Talon 1 49:16 2 4WD 2 4WD
119 Lon Peterson/Peter Workum Arrow 1 49:16 1 Stock 1 O2
323 Paul Timmerman/S Martin Mazda 323 3 49:37 3 4WD 3 4WD
77 Harris Done/Ray Hocker Mazda RX-7 1 51:15 1 Two WD 2 O2
22 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 51:30 2 Two WD 1 U2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 1 51:44 4 4WD 4 4WD
17 J Damitio/A Trowbridge Celica 1 53:46 5 4WD 5 4WD
66 Doug Robinson/C Beavis RX-7 3 53:54 1 Perf Stk 3 O2
21 Trevor Donison/John Allen Neon 3 58:45 2 Perf Stk 2 U2
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 1 DNF
25 Fred Ronn/John Dillon Celica 3 DNF
26 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 3 DNF
4 Ron Wood/Kelly Walsh Quattro 1 DNF
601 R Holland/J Whittington Ford F150 4 DNF
5 Mark Brown/Shane Polhamus Corolla 3 DNF
28 Bobbie Whitman/D Mitchell Datsun 510 4 DNF
222 Cable Rhodes/Tyler Rhodes Mazda RX-7 3 DNF
24 M Kilpatrick/J Gillaspy Colt 3 DNF
50 Eric Oyague/A Oyague Corolla 3 DNF
52 Steve Bender/Craig McHugh Rabbit 3 DNF
93 Neal Gaborno/Claire Marie Mitsubushi 4 DNF
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #14 - Saturday, October 3, 1998 - 11:30 PM PDT
45. FINAL DIVISIONAL RESULTS
CAR CRS
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE CLASS CLASS
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 3 59:27 1 4WD 1 4WD
6 Steve Gingrass/E Carlson Talon 1 1:00:32 2 4WD 2 4WD
119 Lon Peterson/Peter Workum Arrow 1 1:00:54 1 Stock 1 O2
323 Paul Timmerman/S Martin Mazda 323 3 1:02:21 3 4WD 3 4WD
77 Harris Done/Ray Hocker Mazda RX-7 1 1:03:22 1 Two WD 2 O2
22 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 1:03:31 2 Two WD 1 U2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 1 1:04:52 4 4WD 4 4WD
28 Bobbie Whitman/D Mitchell Datsun 510 4 1:06:26 3 Two WD 2 U2
17 J Damitio/A Trowbridge Celica 1 1:06:37 5 4WD 5 4WD
66 Doug Robinson/C Beavis RX-7 3 1:07:58 1 Perf Stk 3 O2
52 Steve Bender/Craig McHugh Rabbit 3 1:08:13 2 Stock 3 U2
50 Eric Oyague/A Oyague Corolla 3 1:10:52 3 Stock 4 U2
24 M Kilpatrick/J Gillaspy Colt 3 1:11:34 4 Two WD 4 O2
5 Mark Brown/Shane Polhamus Corolla 3 1:12:38 2 Perf Stk 5 U2
21 Trevor Donison/John Allen Neon 3 1:13:16 3 Perf Stk 6 U2
93 Neal Gaborno/Claire Marie Mitsubushi 4 1:13:24 4 Stock 5 O2
26 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 3 1:27:29 5 Two WD 7 U2
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 1 DNF
25 Fred Ronn/John Dillon Celica 3 DNF
4 Ron Wood/Kelly Walsh Quattro 1 DNF
601 R Holland/J Whittington Ford F150 4 DNF
222 Cable Rhodes/Tyler Rhodes Mazda RX-7 3 DNF
# # #
National LEG SCORES
STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4
G.Shra 805 P.Choi 680 T.Taka 1075 D.Summ 1042
P.Choi 812 D.Summ 686 N.Lawl 1077 N.Lawl 1069
M.Whit 812 N.Lawl 696 D.Summ 1096 M.Whit 1100
T.Taka 828 G.Shra 713 M.Whit 1103 P.Choi 1146
D.Summ 833 M.Whit 718 D.Whit 1143 A.Oder 1174
N.Lawl 843 H.Gent 723 B.Mali 1163 C.Jard 1181
D.Whit 852 T.Taka 727 H.Gent 1164 L.Pete 1244
R.Kosm 856 B.Mali 749 R.Kosm 1169 P.Timm 1262
L.Pete 888 R.Kosm 751 S.Ging 1182 R.Kosm 1293
B.Mali 893 S.Ging 754 C.Jard 1182 H.Done 1294
P.Timm 894 D.Whit 761 L.Pete 1194 K.Stew 1335
J.Dami 903 A.Oder 762 A.Oder 1206 S.Ging 1337
R.Wood 910 J.Dami 770 P.Timm 1215 B.Whit 1349
S.Ging 913 P.Timm 770 J.Dami 1225 S.Bend 1380
C.Jard 914 R.Wood 788 K.Stew 1248 S.Bell 1389
A.Oder 916 L.Pete 793 R.Wood 1261 L.Shad 1407
B.Whit 920 R.McIv 798 D.Robi 1273 M.Brow 1437
H.Gent 929 H.Done 809 H.Done 1281 E.Oyag 1446
H.Done 930 K.Stew 811 S.Bend 1328 N.Gabo 1446
R.McIv 934 D.Robi 824 L.Shad 1342 M.Kilp 1467
D.Robi 940 L.Shad 832 T.Bier 1365 K.Russ 1477
K.Stew 949 C.Jard 838 B.Whit 1381 D.Robi 1497
S.Bend 959 S.Bend 839 R.McIv 1415 T.Doni 1508
C.Rhod 963 B.Whit 844 E.Oyag 1439 R.McIv 1559
T.Bier 971 C.Rhod 846 G.Shra 1442 D.Whit 1588
L.Shad 985 M.Kilp 871 M.Kilp 1477 J.Dami 1646
M.Kilp 991 E.Oyag 879 S.Bell 1488 C.Rhod 1673
E.Oyag 991 M.Brow 882 T.Doni 1503 T.Taka 1890
S.Bell 998 T.Doni 886 K.Russ 1510 T.Bier 3275
T.Doni 1035 T.Bier 893 N.Gabo 1517
N.Gabo 1080 K.Russ 909 M.Brow 1552
M.Brow 1086 S.Bell 922 C.Rhod 1815
K.Russ 1107 N.Gabo 947 P.Choi 2367
STAGE 5 STAGE 6
P.Choi 693 N.Lawl 1015
N.Lawl 709 P.Choi 1060
M.Whit 712 D.Summ 1074
D.Summ 716 M.Whit 1085
S.Ging 742 S.Ging 1126
A.Oder 750 A.Oder 1137
R.Kosm 753 L.Pete 1163
D.Whit 807 R.Kosm 1169
L.Pete 809 D.Whit 1202
H.Done 811 H.Done 1213
P.Timm 821 R.McIv 1224
K.Stew 831 L.Shad 1271
J.Dami 833 P.Timm 1273
R.McIv 845 J.Dami 1285
L.Shad 847 T.Taka 1287
D.Robi 857 B.Whit 1291
B.Whit 859 K.Stew 1314
S.Bend 905 T.Bier 1336
M.Brow 906 M.Brow 1401
T.Bier 909 D.Robi 1406
T.Taka 913 M.Kilp 1409
S.Bell 914 S.Bend 1411
E.Oyag 918 N.Gabo 1412
N.Gabo 938 E.Oyag 1414
K.Russ 943 T.Doni 1452
T.Doni 943 S.Bell 1458
M.Kilp 943 K.Russ 1650
Divisional Stage Times
CAR DRIVER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL
45 A Odero- 916 762 1206 1174 750 1137 0 59.45
6 S Gingra 913 754 1182 1337 742 1126 0 60.54
119 L Peters 888 793 1194 1244 809 1163 0 60.91
323 P Timmer 894 770 1215 1262 821 1273 0 62.35
77 H Done 930 809 1281 1294 811 1213 0 63.38
22 D White 852 761 1143 1588 807 1202 0 63.53
117 K Stewar 949 811 1248 1335 831 1314 0 64.88
28 B Whitma 920 844 1381 1349 859 1291 0 66.44
17 J Damiti 903 770 1225 1646 833 1285 0 66.62
66 D Robins 940 824 1273 1497 857 1406 0 67.97
52 S Bender 959 839 1328 1380 905 1411 0 68.22
50 E Oyague 991 879 1439 1446 918 1414 0 70.87
24 M Kilpat 991 871 1477 1467 943 1409 0 71.58
5 M Brown 1086 882 1552 1437 906 1401 0 72.64
21 T Doniso 1035 886 1503 1508 943 1452 0 73.27
93 N Gaborn 1080 947 1517 1446 938 1412 0 73.40
26 T Bier 971 893 1365 3275 909 1336 0 87.49
8 B Malik 893 749 1163 DNF
25 F Ronn DNF
4 R Wood 910 788 1261 DNF
601 R Hollan DNF
222 C Rhodes 963 846 1815 1673 DNF
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #15 - Sunday, October 4, 1998 - 12:30 AM PDT
FINAL NATIONAL RESULTS
CAR
# (DRIVER/CO-DRIVER) CAR SEED SCORE PLACE CLASS
18 Noel Lawler/C Bradley Elantra 1 54:05 1 Open
16 D Summerbell/M Fennell Lancer 1 54:28 2 Open
43 Mike Whitman/P Gibeault Sierra 1 55:18 3 Open
45 A Odero-Jowi/F O'Sullivan Eclipse 5 59:27 1 GT
11 Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Supra 1 59:54 1 Group 5
6 Steve Gingrass/E Carlson Talon 1 1:00:32 2 GT
119 Lon Peterson/Peter Workum Arrow 2 1:00:54 2 Group 5
22 David White/David Watts VW GTI 1 1:03:31 1 Group 2
117 Ken Stewart/Jim Dale Chevy S-10 3 1:04:52 4 Open
17 J Damitio/A Trowbridge Celica 2 1:06:37 5 Open
35 Lee Shadbolt/Paul Eklund Impreza 3 1:06:50 3 GT
55 Tony Takaori/Ken Cassidy Lancer 2 1:07:12 6 Open
1 Paul Choiniere/J Becker Tiburon 0 1:07:34 7 Open
82 Roland McIvor/J. Sentra 5 1:07:45 1 Production
66 Doug Robinson/C Beavis RX-7 5 1:07:58 3 Group 5
7 Sergi Bellesov/C Roso Mazda 626 5 1:11:41 2 Group 2
21 Trevor Donison/John Allen Neon 5 1:13:16 2 Production
88 Kendall Russell/L Dillon Shadow 5 1:15:57 4 GT
26 Tom Bier/Ole Holter Saab 99 4 1:27:29 3 Group 2
3 Carl Merrill/Lance Smith Escort 0 DNF
30 Hiroyuki Genta/K Takata Impreza 1 DNF
8 Bill Malik/C Edstrom Volvo 240 1 DNF
27 Roger Hull/Sean Gallagher Talon 2 DNF
14 Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Sierra 3 DNF
15 Carl Jardevall/John Elkin Volvo 740 3 DNF
25 Fred Ronn/John Dillon Celica 4 DNF
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #16 - Sunday, October 4, 1998 - 8:30 AM
46. With all the activity yesterday, we had neglected to mention that the
results of Lance Smith's chest x-ray was negative, and that he was
otherwise unhurt.
47. Barbara (wife) and Scott (son) Merrill are flying from Phoenix to
Boston today (Sunday), and will probably not decide on any
arrangements until Monday. We will post the arrangement here on
Monday, or you can call Andy Schupack (401) 739-5677.
48. Hiroyuki Genta/Kazmasa Takata Subaru Impreza took a bad spill on stage
#8, going off the road and up onto a banking, and then flying off the
banking and dropping back down onto the stage, blocking traffic.
Genta said he was in 4th gear at 80 mph when he went over a crest and
found no road on the other side. Competitors Tony Takaori and Dave
White were first on the scene, and needed to get our of their cars to
move fallen trees and rocks to clear the road as Genta could not move
his car. Both Takaori and White lost significant time to the field.
49. The Ralph Kosmides/Joe Noyes Toyota Supra twin turbo not only clinched
the Group 5 national championship - their first - but have clinched
the Manufacturers Championship for Toyota, its second in Group 5.
50. Although the Garen Shrader/Doc Shrader Ford Sierra Cosworth was able
to start the event, they again had half-shaft problems which forced
them to retire from the event. There was some Joy in Mudville,
however, as Garen turned the fastest time on stage #5, beating Paul
Choiniere by 4 seconds, and running third behind Choiniere and
Summerbell after two stages.
51. We were very pleased to have Jerry Bernardo from "Motoworld 2 - Rev it
Up", a racing show on ESPN2, here this weekend to do a story on PRO
Rally. The segment will air on Friday, October 16, at 6:30 PM Pacific
time (9:30 PM Eastern) on ESPN2. It should be a good piece.
52. Bill Malik's chances for a Group 2 championship went down the tubes as
his Volvo 240 suffered electrical failure after stage #7 and could not
continue. Despite his hold-up with the Genta accident, Dave White
still won Group 2 and clinched the class national title. Christian
Edstrom, Malik's co-driver, will win the co-driving championship
unless White and co-driver David Watts go the last event in Michigan.
Currently, Edstrom leads Watts by four points.
53. The Carl Jardevall/John Elkin Volvo 740 suffered a multitude of
problems which prevented them from running at full speed right from
the transit to stage #5, but it was a faulty fuel pump - one that had
just been installed new this week - that put them out.
# # #
Prescott Forest PRO Rally
Round #8 - 1998 Michelin PRO Rally Championship
Prescott, Arizona
Press Notes #17 - Sunday, October 4, 1998 - 1:00 PM
54. The overall points battle will go down to the last event, but Paul
Choiniere/Jeff Becker will have an uphill battle to capture their
seventh straight national title. After their rear suspension
problems, they managed to scratch their way back to 13th overall in
their Hyundai Tiburon, winning stage #9, but the David
Summerbell/Michael Fennell Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV scored 17 big
points to take a 15-point lead going into the last event. With
neither driver having to drop points, Summerbell can clinch the
championship by finishing 6th or higher, no matter where Choiniere
finishes. Obviously, if Choiniere doesn't win, then Summerbell can
finish even lower and still win the title. The overall co-driver
points are much closer, with Becker leading Fennell by only five
points.
55. With the Noel Lawler Hyundai Elantra victory, Hyundai clinches the
overall manufacturers championship - the Korean marques third
straight win. With Lawler's third place finish at STPR and his win
here this weekend, Noel made a significant contribution to the
championship -along with John Buffum's victory at Minnesota - picked
up the slack when Choiniere had some of his bad luck this season.
56. In Production GT, it will go right down to the wire between Lee
Shadbolt (81 points) and Steve Gringras (80 points). Part of the
reason for that was the outstanding performance of Arthur Odero-
Jowi/Farina O'Sullivan Mitsubishi Eclipse. Odero-Jowi, originally
from Kenya and now living in the Dallas area, had some frustrating
DNFs early in the season, but finished a fine fourth overall and
first in PGT at this event. Gingras/Carlson were second, more than a
minute back after electrical problems left them with just headlights
for night vision. Shadbolt/Eklund were third in their Subaru
Impreza.
57. In Production, Trevor Donison/John Allen in the Plymouth Neon
finished second in class to take an 83 - 66 points lead over the
Honda Civic of Jay Kowalik/Scott Embree. Embree has already clinched
the co-drivers national title, but Kowalik will have to win the Lake
Superior PRO Rally if Donison shows up to protect his lead, if Jay
wants to win the national title.
# # #
Re: Memorial Service for Carl Merrill
I spoke with Carl Merrill's wife Barbara this morning, and
the Merrill family is meeting today to determine how to
handle the requests for a memorial service.
Carl did not believe in funerals, rarely attended other
funerals, and asked that there not be one for him. He also
requested no memorial service.
But Barbara sees the need for closure among their 500
employees, who loved Carl like a brother, and the rally
community. The family will decide whether to have a sunrise
gathering on the beach in Ogunquit later this week (Thursday
morning is the best guess right now).
Barbara said the family will make a decision by the end of
the day, and I will notify people at that time. Meanwhile,
please let me know if you have any questions.
--Andy Schupack
(401) 739-5677
Official family obituary:
Carl Everett Merrill, 62, of Ogunquit, Maine, died Saturday,
October 3, in Prescott, Arizona from cardiac arrest while
racing his race car in the Prescott Forest PRO Rally.
He was born in Bethel, Maine, and was a graduate of Gould
Academy. Mr. Merrill received his undergraduate degree from
Gorham State Teachers College and masters degree from the
University of New Hampshire.
Carl moved to Ogunquit in 1960 to teach at Well High School,
where he taught industrial arts and coached two state
championship track teams. He also acted as athletic director
and assistant football and basketball coach at Wells High.
In 1968, he continued his teaching career at Masconomet High
School in Boxford, Mass.
In 1963, after the urging of his college buddy "Mac"
McDougal, Carl took over a sundries store at Ogunquit Beach
which eventually lead to his ownership of Norseman Resorts.
Norseman Resorts currently owns and operates three resorts in
Ogunquit, Maine. Among the many business ventures Carl
established were The Molly Trolley Corporate which owned,
operated and manufactured motorized trolleys in over 40
cities around the country and Puerto Rico. Many Southern
Maine coastal communities now use trolleys. Carl was also
the owner of River Fishing, Inc., a commercial fishing
operation; Sea Tern Timeshare condominiums at Moody Beach;
The Ogunquit Washbasket; and, his latest success, the Worster
parking lot which provided much needed additional parking for
the community.
Mr. Merrill was very active in the community. His
contributions included Past President of the Ogunquit Chamber
of commerce, current President of the Oqunquit Library,
former Ogunquit Town Selectman, and member of the Ogunquit
Lions Club. He was a member of the Maine and Massachusetts
State Teachers Association, National Teachers Association,
Maine Fish and Game, Maine Innkeepers Association, and the
Ogunquit, Wells and York Chambers of Commerce.
Carl's greatest passion was going as fast as possible,
whether it was in an airplane, skiing, of driving his PRO
Rally race car. He was a two-time North American Rally
Champion, 1993 and 1996, and a Canadian Rally Series
champion. His driving career started in 1989 at the Voyager
Rally in Canada. Mr. Merrill was responsible for bringing
PRO Rally to the State of Maine by establishing the Maine
Forest Rally in Rumford, an event he won in 1995. Prior to
his days as a driver, Carl owned closed-track race cars that
competed all over the Northeast, and helped launch the
careers of many drivers including Ricky Cravens and Kevin
LePage.
Many would argue that Carl's real passion was not racing, but
children or anything dealing with kids. Around Ogunquit
Beach, he was known as "the candy man" to those not big
enough to look over the candy store counter. Kid from all
over would not have their trip to Ogunquit Beach complete
unless they ran into "the candy man," who was known for free
handouts of all kinds of sugar treats.
Recently, Mr. Merrill was instrumental in the restoration of
School House #4 in Moody. The facility is now being used by
local Boy Scout Troup C.
Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Barbara J. Merrill of
Ogunquit; two daughters, Lorna M. Wentzell of Ogunquit and
Martha M. Sheckells of Stuart, Florida; one son, Scott Carl
Merrill of Scottsdale, Arizona; three grandchilden, Mollie,
Hunter and Abilgail; one great-grandchild, MacKenzie; and two
sons-in-law, Mark Wentzell and Mark Sheckells.
A sunrise service will be held Thursday, October 8, at
6:15 AM on Ogunquit Beach.
Because of his great love for kids, The Carl Merrill
Children's Foundation has been established to benefit
children's causes in Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be sent to The Carl Merrill Children's Foundation, c/o
Smith Barney, 2398 Camelback Road #800, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
# # #