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Post by greg99 on Jul 7, 2002 22:39:00 GMT -5
The first race of the new Shamu Karting Championship took place on Sunday July 7th, 2002 in Toronto, Canada. Drivers da silva and Henrik met in a fierce combat, after a wild card previously signed up chickened out at the sight of the competition.
We are waiting for the results of the anti-doping tests before the official results can be published. The press conference was held immediately after the race and the transcript will be available on this thread sometime on Monday July 8th.
Yours truly,
Consuelo del Rodrigo y Tortilla
(stand in for Wally Codsawallop – on another mission)
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Post by dani on Jul 8, 2002 17:18:47 GMT -5
mmmmmmm tortilla! ;D oh.... I mean, the suspense is killing me!  |
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Post by da_silva on Jul 8, 2002 20:18:56 GMT -5
The suspense is killing me as well Dani. ;D
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Post by dani on Jul 8, 2002 20:23:45 GMT -5
lol!oh dear, someone's worried about passing the drug test! Does anyone know, are outties illegal in the world of shamu racing?!  |
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Post by da_silva on Jul 8, 2002 20:42:23 GMT -5
What worries me is that I don't remember me or Henrik having to pee into a cup. LOL  |
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Post by greg99 on Jul 8, 2002 22:16:43 GMT -5
SHAMU TAKES ON TORONTO!
The Shamu Karting season has finally taken off! A long awaited event for race fans around the world. The venue of the inaugural event was at first assumed to be in the southern part of the Northern American continent but ended up, for logistical reasons (as stated in the official press release received from Texas) on Canadian soil.
With only a sort notice to organize an event of such magnitude and importance, greg99 was called in to the rescue to coordinate with officials, press, circuit owners, local authorities, sponsors, organize the hospitality, teams movements and accommodation and act as medical staff, security, master of ceremony, scrutineer, grid girl and (hot) pit babe. Needless to say, the job was delivered with the highest professional standards ;D Greg99 was unavailable for comments as she is now recovering at an undisclosed location.
Drivers da silva and Henrik mentally practiced all weekend, visiting some other lesser series taking place on the same dates. Although they tried to avoid each other to maintain their high level of concentration, when they did meet they remained civil to each other. The tension build up could be felt from miles away, as strategies and racing lines were discussed intensely in the privacy of the teams’ headquarters.
D-Day arrived and both drivers were chauffeured to the circuit. On the way, the 18-wheeler of the Master Himself, the Great Spinner of Spinners, our Spiritual Guide was spotted on the road. In spite of encouraging shouts and honks as the Shamu convoy overtook it, Tora was unable to perform and the truck remained “unspun”. This glorious sight however was considered a positive omen and boosted the spirits of both drivers.
Da silva was familiar with the in-door track lay out and difficulties but it was a new venue for Henrik, more comfortable on out-door European tracks. We have, at this point in time, to commend da silva for his demonstration of true sportsmanship - in line with the Shamu philosophy – as he showed Henrik the proper racing lines around the track.
In spite of a warm temperature, the weather was overcast and scattered showers were feared but did not happen. Track conditions were slippery and both drivers decided to use medium slicks. A no pit stop strategy was disclosed by both teams.
Finally, the green flag was waved and the first heat took a roaring start. Yours truly was the witness of unprecedented manoeuvres. Greg99 was gob smacked by such incisive and precise racing. Da silva, in blue kart #8, managed to maintain his machine on the track in spite of obvious over steer. Henrik, in red kart #10, was all over da silva and finally managed to get through at the hairpin following the long straight. Given the obvious speed advantage of kart #10, the race of heat 1 was settled at that point as long as Henrik didn’t make any mistake. And he didn’t.
There was a short break to permit the drivers to recuperate while the pit crews worked on the karts. A suspicion of tampering with both fuel tanks was reported to the Race Director, Mr. Charlie Lightning but no proof was presented. To avoid any further controversy, Mr. Lightning decided to switch karts for the next heat and no official protest was filed.
With the taste of the last heat still in their mouths, both drivers lined up and their engines were launched. Da silva now in red kart #10 literally devoured the first laps, reminding the baffled spectators of a certain Red Baron but with the unmistakable perfect style of the sorely missed Ayrton. Although Henrik tried his best to catch up with the leader, he was soon caught in traffic, as Miss Penelope Pitstop was elegantly making her way around the track. In spite of a pre-race agreement between the two drivers, Henrik was distinctively seen attempting a Jerez 97 move but suddenly came back to his senses and to a cleaner driving. As if in a trance, guided by higher spirits, da silva managed a perfect spin, assisted by back markers, which allowed Henrik to overtake him but was passed a few laps later by an extremely motivated da silva who went on to claim victory.
As lap times confirmed and anti-doping tests checked out, da silva was declared overall winner of the first ever Shamu Karting Championship Race. Our hearty congratulations to a well deserving champion.
However, da silva’s request to bring his points into the FPOTM championship was denied, as the two series were declared independent from one another.
Driver interviews will follow. Photos of the event will be found shortly in the photo album.
Next race and venue still to be confirmed and will be announced on this thread.
Yours truly,
Consuelo del Rodrigo y Tortilla
The Shamu Splasher
“More than news – a way of life”
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Post by OT on Jul 8, 2002 23:26:22 GMT -5
Well done greg... errr sorry.... Consuelo del Rodrigo y Tortilla – great report – almost as good as being there!!!
Congrats to both drivers – I wish I HAD been there.
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Post by Cine_Man on Jul 8, 2002 23:36:39 GMT -5
Well obviously we have to start organizing for IndyGP September boys.
I'll be arriving on the Thursday night and shipping out Monday morning early.
Staying in the NE part of town. I think there is a bi-level gokart venue out that way... of course it would be great to race on as many circuits as possible.
Especially the one run by Stefan Johansen.
TC? is this a "going" thing?
Cine_...
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Post by Henrik on Jul 9, 2002 10:09:10 GMT -5
Here is a first driver interview after the race:
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Post by da_silva on Jul 9, 2002 10:30:28 GMT -5
I would quickly like to thank Greg for all of her wonderful efforts in organising such a gargantuan event, her proffesionalism was beyond reproach. Moreover, I would like to thank Consuelo for providing journalistic integrity and lets say I was more than a little enchanted with her "talents". I would like to thank Henrik, my combatant during the race, for racing fairly but it appears that a number of excuses are being bandied about for his lack of pace, I think with some practice and experience he could blossom into a future champion, once I retire. Hehe. Furthermore, I would like to thank my team and sponsors for without their hardwork this historic win could not have been achieved. I will savour my win with each sip of glory our team has earned and I look forward to my next event. Thankyou, Da Silva   |
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Post by Wycco on Jul 9, 2002 11:40:42 GMT -5
Yikes- how did I miss this thread! Great job guys- especially my team mate Da_Silva! Can't wait to see the photos of this event... Indy500- Monaco GP and Le Mans be damned- THIS IS THE TRUE King of races... Wish I were there- to see Takagi's truck AND I'm sure the race was OK too! LOL- better learn to drive a go-kart incase you make it to Dixie!  |
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Post by RacerX on Jul 9, 2002 13:15:46 GMT -5
Congrat da silva, first victory of the Shamu Karting League!!! Sounds like it was nicely put on, by non other than our very own greg99...LOL, and what a reporter! We're still trying to organize round 2, here in Texas...but at the moment all tracks seem to be better suited for speed boat racing...LOL. I'm sure they'll dry up soon enough!!! Pabs, are you reading this: you're going down!!! ;-) Wuff, I'm jealous, you all witnessed the Masters transport truck. WUFF! Great story all (greg99, Henrik, da silva), RacerX Thanks!!!!! Beers to the victor, da silva! |
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Post by Topcontender on Jul 9, 2002 16:38:30 GMT -5
I think Stephan Johansen's has new ownership. Last time i went by it was called something else. As for the 2 level track, It is located just up the street from where you will be staying. It sould be good to race there.
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Post by da_silva on Jul 9, 2002 21:55:36 GMT -5
Henrik & Greg, I'm really looking forward to seeing those pictures. I really had a great time Karting with you guys. Rx and Pabs get your asses in gear and get out there and start racing. |
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Post by Henrik on Jul 11, 2002 14:19:13 GMT -5
Okay, got the first pics up on the photo album. There will be more coming as I get my regular film developed, so please excuse the grainy quality of these digital shots.
Look under album "Henrik" for general shots with NorthCoast and da silva, and the "Shamu Karting" for some race action.
Enjoy!
:Bounce:
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I wish I could fly
Marlboro orange is just a passing trend, Italian racing red will never go out of style!
Don't Die Before You Live...
