THE BIG SHOOT OUT AT OLD BRIDGE TOWN
WRITTEN BY:  Lloyd Moore

There are two classes in which our YOTAS don't have a strong showing and the PRO FWD class is one of them. The other class is the all motor category which is dominated by them Honda boys.  I reckon us YOTA boys can't be bothered if it ain't rear wheel driven, none the less Christ Rado and I think differently that's why he and his 00 pro FWD Toyota Celica is competing in this class. He is not only there to pose a challenge, but to take it all as well.  The field wasn't as packed as it usually is for reasons we don't know, but there were only four to five cars competing where there is usually about a good fifteen + cars. In round one of qualification Nelson Hoyos and his Bothwell motor sport Cavalier grabbed the #1 spot with a 8.632 @ 173.78 mph.

In the #2 spot was John Brown and his Civic with a 8.836 @ 166.11 mph. Christ rado and his Celica started off with problems from the start straight to the end of this event. It was evident from the dismal 17.836 @ 38 mph to hold down the 3rd spot which left Jarrod Silvers at the 4th spot with a much worst ET of 22.046 @34 mph.

In the second round the line up pretty much stayed the same except for better posted ET. Nelson's second round pass gave him an even stronger grip on the #1 position as he blasted his way to a stunning 8.485 @ 178.47 mph. John brown stood his ground and decided that the 8.836 Et was good enough to get him in the show on sunday. Christ Rado However took the opportunity to better his ET as he did by posting a 9.443 @ 144.69 mph, putting some distance between himself and jarrod Silvers 14.174 @ 83.69 mph.  The drivers decided that they would all forego round three of qualification except for Jerold Rhodes who ran a 16.992 @ 83.37 mph.

In the first round of elimination's the #3 qualifier Christ Rado and his Celica lined up with the #4 man Jarrod Silvers Civic. Both cars struggled in the qualifying round, but that wasn't going to stop Rado from trying to eat this Civic for lunch. Although Jarrod and his civic better his time by running a 12.106 @117.45 mph a good two second faster than his qualifying time, it still wasn't enough to keep Rado from taking the easy win with a 9.758 ET @ 152.16 mph even though the car was still giving problems.

John Brown got a solo run when Jerold Rhodes CRX sprang a leak right before staging and had to be pushed off. John Brown decided to take it easy and wave to his fans as he mossy on down the track to stop the clock at 11.853@ 96.68 mph. Nelson was allowed a bye run due to the odd field of five cars, but almost didn't get to. After a huge burn out the car stopped and couldn't find reverse so the crew was forced to push the car back to the staging lane after they got the ok from the starter. Nelson and his Bothwell Motor Sport Cavalier wasn't about to take a stroll down the lane as farmer Brown did, Instead he thrilled the fans with a 8.681 blast @ 177.84 mph.

In round two of elimination's as the new kid on the block  John Brown seemed to be getting all the lucky breaks or runs as he cruise to a time of 11.818 @ 95.01 mph as he got another bye run advancing him straight to the final round. The number one qualifier Nelson Hoyos got a bye run himself as he wowed the crowd once again with a 8.610 @ 178.52 mph blast when Christ Rado's car failed to start and the officials refused to grant a push start,  thus setting up a final showdown with John Brown.  This is now the money round and no more free ticket passes. It's time to put up or shut up, win or go home, and at this point I think both teams and their prospective drivers know this. As they both came to the staging  lights I'm certain that they took a peek at one of their prizes which were lined out on the divider wall between each racers. The second the light dropped both car jumped out of the box like two charging bulls. John brown had a reaction time of 0.534 but Nelson was right there with a 0.540 time of his own. neck to neck as they charged down the track, but mid way through the Civic started slowing as the Cavalier started pulling away for the  win with a 8.684@ 169.51 to John and his Civic's 9.088@ 164.35.


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