Great Results

This past weekend the Bancroft-Rosalie Power Drive Team raced at the Big Red Invitational. We placed third in the the Standard division and fourth in the Exhibition division. Drivers for the S-20 were Eric Browning and Morgan Smith, and Paige Tietz and Morgan Smith were the drivers for the E-21 car.
Browning started 15th of 22 cars in the S-20 car. He managed to maneuver his way into 2nd. Browning followed in the tracks of the S-55 car of Raymond Central, but he could not wrestle the lead from him. Lap traffic soon became an issue. With real estate being a commodity, Browning's right front wheel was hit by a lap car. This caused significant damage to the right front. Pit crew member, Easton Weborg stated, "Some cracker jack hit us in the right front wheel! The wheel is bent really bad! Do you think we need to pit?" Lucky for the S-20 car, the accident happened minutes before the scheduled pit stop. Browning wheeled the S-20 to the pits for a speedy pit stop. He switched drivers with Morgan Smith. Pit member, Carly Tietz gave the OK on the right front. The S-20 car went back on the track in fourth due to the speedy pit work of the B-R crew. A driver exchange is required in every race. The pit stop crew includes: Carly Tietz, Carsten Tietz, Taylor Tietz, Easton Weborg, and Derek Ahlers. Instructor Rob Smith commented, "The faster driver exchange and pit work was instrumental in holding onto the third position. Driver, Morgan Smith quickly ran down the S-13 car from Friend, Nebraska. The race got more eventful when the spokes of the wheel of the S-20 car continued to break. What seemed like incidental contact to the S-20 car could have led to catastrophic failure to the right front. Lap times continued to slow, as the leaders slipped away from the S-20. Driver Morgan Smith stated, "I had to be really careful, and I couldn't drive hard into the corners. I knew the wheel could break, and the race would be over." The S-20 running in the third spot didn't appear to be able hold off the S-13 car from Friend, who was closing fast. Lap traffic would be a deciding factor for third and fourth positions. Driver Smith stated, "I could see the S-13 car in my mirror. They were all over us. I planned on using the entire track. If they were gonna pass me, it was gonna happen on the outside." Smith navigated lap traffic to keep his position and hold on to third place.
The E-21 started last out of twelve cars on the field with driver Paige Tietz. Within ten laps, Tietz quickly made her way to the second position behind car E-118 from Raymond Central. Tietz was unable to hold on to the position for long. The E-75 car from Raymond Central and E-107 from Wayne High passed her. Tietz could not keep pace and stay with them. Twenty-five minutes into the race Tietz brought the E-21 car to the pits for the mandatory driver change. The B-R pit crew made a speedy stop and sent driver Smith back onto the track. After getting out of the car, Paige stated, "We are geared way too slow. I can't keep up with the leaders." The E-21 car gearing would be fatal. The E-21 car destiny was bad due to poor gearing. It continued to run in fourth position throughout the race. With twenty minutes to go, driver Smith drove a nail to the coffin when passing lap car under the caution, which cost the team another lap. The E-21 car continued to hang around in fourth position the rest of the day. The E-21 car finished in fourth behind the two cars from Raymond Central and Wayne High. The E-21 car's for the quest for the three-peat was shot down. Driver Smith stated, "I just could not keep up." The E-21 car had been perfect up to this race.

Our next race is the championship race on May 5th. This race is held at Werner Park in Omaha, NE. We hope to get another state championship. The following is a schedule:

7:00 a.m. check in
7:00 a.m. inspections
8:00 a.m. braking/maneuverability
10:00 a.m. first heat
11:15 a.m. second heat
12:30 p.m. third heat
2:00 p.m. awards

April Monthly Report

This month for the Power Drive team has been very busy, a lot to get done in a short amount of time. However, we were able to complete the S car before the Big Red Invitational.

     On Saturday, April 7, 2012, we hosted the Cuming County Open. We helped organize the parents asking them to contribute to the concession stand in preparations and working the stand.  Several days were spent contacting people to work the corners, count laps, throw bails, and inspect cars.  The day was a huge success including the win by our E class car.

     Saturday, April 14 we attended the Wayne Spring Rally at the First National Center in Wayne. One again, we were able to pull of a first place in the E Division. 

     Saturday, April 21 was out first meet to enter both the E and the S car. Our team attended the Big Red Invitational. The S car received 3^rd place and the E car received 4^th. Our team made a fatal mistake with choosing which gear to use on the E car. It made it difficult for the driver to keep up with the other participants. The S car also had its own problems. The cars front right wheel was struck by another driver causing the spindles to break, forcing us to drive with caution.

     Our next race is the champion ship race on May 5^th, held at Warner Park in Omaha, NE. We have done a lot to prepare for this big race and hope to come home with another state championship.

     The documentation team completed the book, “One Small Step for Bancroft-Rosalie, One Giant Leap for a Greener Planet.”  In addition to documentation, the team has been busy writing and sending thank you letters to all who have contributed their time to help make the Power Drive team more successful.