Season Opener Plagued by Rain

by Carrie Benson

The first night of racing in 2005 for Big Sky Pro-Racing Association (BSPRA) was cut short due to persistent rain at Ephrata Raceway Park. A total of 10 Rocky Mountain Pro-Stocks and almost 50 fans made the journey to Ephrata, WA on May 21^st for their second race there; Ephrata hosted the inaugural race of BSPRA in 2004.

The Pro-Stocks got time trials and 2 trophy dashes completed before the rain really began to fall. Tracy Burland ran a 16.24 to take fast time for the night; 0.05 seconds faster than Jarred Burland’s 2004 fast time. Trophy dashes are set from the time-ins with odd number places in one dash and even numbered in the other. After starting in the second position for the A dash, Brad Lee took the lead on the first lap and didn’t look back, taking the checkered flag followed by Tracy Burland, Danny Krahn, and Chuck Reese. The B dash started the same way as Wade Shepard, also starting in the second position, led all the laps to take the win. In second was Jarred Burland, followed by Duane Olsen, and Lynn Olsen. The only problem of the race night was when Lynn Olsen lost his steering coming into turn 3 on the white flag lap. He was able to keep his car under control but ended up getting lapped by Shepard and Burland.

RJ Olsen and Josh Burland also made the trek to Ephrata but weren’t able to race due to car troubles. After hot lapping, RJ was having problems but thought that he could get it fixed in order to race. After working on the car, he was still having trouble and it ended up being an internal engine problem. Josh came out to time-in, but was unable to complete a lap before pulling back into the pits. This time it was minor and he would have been able to get his car running for the heat and main if the weather would have cooperated.

BSPRA is looking forward to the next race which will be held in Pinticton, BC on June 18^th. This will be the first time to Pinticton Speedway for the Rocky Mountain Pro-Stocks and an expected 11 cars from the Mission Valley will make the trip. If you would like more information check out the web site: www.bigskyracing.net.

RESULTS:
Fast time:          Tracy Burland   16.24
                        Jarred Burland  16.41
                        Danny Krahn    16.53
                        Duane Olsen     16.68
                        Brad Lee          16.85
                        Wade Shepard 16.86
                        Chuck Reese    16.91
                        Lynn Olsen       17.14

Dash A: Brad Lee, Tracy Burland, Danny Krahn, Chuck Reese
Dash B: Wade Shepard, Jarred Burland, Duane Olsen, Lynn Olsen