NHRA Wrap Up: Mechanical bugs bite Angelle in Brainerd
Mechanical bugs bite Angelle in Brainerd
Event: 21st Annual Rugged Liner Nationals
Location: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota
Date: August 18, 2002
In the first two rounds of Sunday's final eliminations at the Rugged Liner
NHRA Nationals, it appeared Angelle Savoie and the Star Racing team would
finally claim their first win at Brainerd International Raceway. Coming into
the day as the No. 1 qualifier, the Retail Fixture Suzuki was the class of
the Pro Stock Motorcycle field, recording the quickest elapsed time in
defeating Sam Hurwitz and Reggie Showers.
The semi-finals found Angelle facing No. 4 qualifier Geno Scali. Running in
the left lane, the early performance numbers pointed towards the Star Racing
entry reaching its sixth final round of the year. However, the bike suddenly
slowed, the result of a major mechanical failure, abruptly putting an end to
a very promising weekend.
"We had an extremely rare engine failure," detailed team owner George Bryce,
"where the wrist pin exploded in the No. 1 hole. That is the first time I
can ever remember having a problem with that particular cylinder. Normally,
you would associate that with the crankshaft coming apart, but it's still
perfect with the big end of the rod still attached.
"Unfortunately, it will be very expensive to fix, because when it came apart,
it blew a hole in the side of the engine and took the frame out in front of
the engine, so we have some extensive repairs ahead of us. The good news is
the oil we use doesn't burn, and Angelle was unhurt, which really is the most
important part.
"We've been very reliable, with no component or engine failures. However, it
is a prime example of why you need a marketing partner, to allow you to buy
the racing parts which help you win rounds on Sunday. We really didn't need
this to happen right now, but we'll go home and fix everything and be ready
for Indy."
Despite the disappointment, Angelle was still able to find a positive aspect
to the day's events.
"This weekend changed a lot of my perceptions about Brainerd International
Raceway. I came in thinking it was a one-lane racetrack, but we were able to
run well on both sides. The right lane was good, but we found the left to be
more to our liking.
"As far as being jinxed here, I really don't believe that any more. Yes, our
engine blew up, and we didn't win, but we had a lot of good things happen to
us. For example, I wasn't hurt when the bike broke.
"We were also fortunate to have the support of Curt Woodward and Retail
Fixture, which allowed us to come here. We had an awesome qualifying
performance, resetting the track record and being the No. 1 qualifier here
for the first time ever.
"The Star Racing team gave me another great motorcycle to ride today, and we
made it to another semi-final. Any time you can do that, it's a good
weekend. If we keep performing at that level, in the end things will work out
in our favor."
Fast Facts:
- Angelle's 7.172-second elapsed time in qualifying was the quickest in Pro
Stock Motorcycle for the weekend, marking the 26th time she has set the low
elapsed time of the event. It also set the Brainerd International Raceway
track record.
- Angelle has led the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle standings following 41 of
the last 52 national events, dating back to the beginning of the 1999 season.
She has been ranked first or second an amazing 58 of the last 62 events,
dating back to the fourth event of 1998.
- By defeating Sam Hurwitz in the first round, Angelle extended her NHRA
record for consecutive first round wins to 43. Angelle has not lost in the
first round since falling to C.J. Smith in Brainerd, Minn. in August of 1999.
- Angelle's .774 (207-61) elimination round win percentage ranks second
among all active drivers, trailing only Matt Hines' .786.
2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle
Points Standings (after 10 of 14 events):
1. Angelle Savoie - 956
2. Craig Treble - 889 (-67)
3. Antron Brown - 750 (-206)
4. Matt Hines - 728 (-228)
5. Shawn Gann - 675 (-281)
6. Geno Scali - 526 (-430)
7. Reggie Showers - 465 (-491)
8. Mike Berry - 447 (-509)
9. John Smith - 408 (-548)
10. Steve Johnson - 378 (-578)
2002 K&N Filters Pro Bike Klash Points Standings
1. Angelle Savoie - 2360
2. Matt Hines - 2250 (-110)
3. Shawn Gann - 2105 (-255)
4. Antron Brown - 2055 (-305)
5. Craig Treble - 2000 (-360)
6. Reggie Showers- 1745 (-615)
7. Mike Berry - 1720 (-640)
8. Geno Scali - 1615 (-745)
9. Steve Johnson - 1420 (-940)
10. John Smith - 1130 (-1230)
