Paul Pairo Takes First Career Win at Snydersville
Newton, New Jersey's Paul Pairo showed that his stranglehold on the WFMT points is no fluke, by taking his first career feature win in the Pocono Shootout this past Friday at Snydersville Raceway. Pairo jumped from the pole position at the start and led all 25 laps en route to the win. Snydersville stalwart, Ted Harris settled for second ahead of Don Boonstra and Roberto Gonzales. An unexpected short field gave positive reviews of the new Snydersville track surface, which as recently resurfaced with new clay and banking added to the turns. Snydersville regular Jim Ackerman was not in action due to a family illness and tour regular Kenny Lund missed the event due to work commitments. Some weather reports calling for as much as a 60% chance of rain also kept some of the usual competitors from making the trip to the Poconos. The tour is idle this weeknd before returning to action at Oakland Valley Speedway on Aug. 4th.
Congratulations to the Kosch Family
The participants of the World Formula Modified Tour and microstock racers around the region would like extend a heartfelt congratulations to Tommy Kosch and his wife Eileen on the birth of their daughter, Allison Marie, on July 21st.
Kosch Cleans Up at Oakland Valley
With most area tracks getting rained out from heavy storms in the tri-state area the World Formula Modified Tour and Oakland Valley Speedway beat the odds and got a full night of racing in the books with the make up feature from the June 5th Twin 20's and the regularly scheduled show that shook up the point standings. Tommy Kosch continued his dominance by taking both features and moving to second in the points, but it will be short lived, as the series' winningest driver will be taking a two month hiatus as he awaits the arrival of new addition to his family.
With several cars not making it back to OVS for the rained out feature from 6/5, Kenny Lund lead the field to the green, only to be passed by Kevin Pross on the outside with Kosch in tow. Pross was able to hold off Kosch for several laps until Kosch made his move going into turn three on lap six and began to put some distance between himself and the rookie of the year contender. Kenny Lund was able to run down Pross and make the move for second a couple of laps later, bringing Don Boonstra with him while Paul Pairo was monting a charge from the back of the pack. On the final lap, Pairo got under Lund going into three to steal second, followed by Lund, Boonstra and Arnold Riley at the stripe.
With Kosch on the pole for the nightcap, he wasted no time by taking off at the start and never looking back. The caution waved on lap four when Kevin Pross and Don Boonstra tangled and went around in turn three, but both were able to continue. Going back to green, it was still Kosch, followed by Pairo and Lund as Boonstra and Pross went on a tear moving up throught the field to reclaim third and fourth, respectively. Lund crossed the line in fifth followed by Jeff Miller in Mike Scott's 47 and Arnold Riley in Kenny Hammond's #9. With a fifth place finish, Lund dropped back to third in points. Don Boonstra made the biggest points gain of the night, moving from tenth to fifth, Pross gained two positions to move up to fourth. The drivers of the WFMT would like to extend a big "Thanks" to the staff at OVS for sticking it out and getting the show in. The series has the next weekend off before returning to action at the newly resurfaced Snydersville Raceway on July 23rd.
Double Features this weekend for WFMT
The World Formula Modified Tour will have a busy weekend after the July 4th break with two features on tap at the Oakland Valley Speedway. In addition to the regularly scheduled 20 lap event, the second feature of original Twin 20's from June 5th that was posponed, will be made up. The starting line up for the make-up feature, which was set from the first feature finish is as follows.
1. 60-Dave Parker
2. 17-Kenny Lund
3. 22-Jim Ackerman
4. 5-Nick Cottone
5. L-Roberto Gonzales
6. 3-Kevin Pross
7. 46-Arnold Riley
8. 2-Ted Harris
9. 55-Don Boonstra
10. R7-Paul Pairo
11. 42-Jeff Weinacker
12. 1K-Tommy Kosch
13. 47-Mike Scott
Greenwood Valley Western Swing to Kosch
Tommy Kosch extended his unprecidented win record to twenty two, by winning the World Formula Modified Tour feature on June 19th at the Greenwood Valley Action Track in Millville, Pa. Kosch and seven other drivers made the tow west and an uncommonly rough track had everyone scrambling in the scorching 90 degree heat to find the right setup. Taking to a freshly watered track for the heat, Kosch used the "low & slow" line around the bottom to drive past the leader Ted Harris and the rest of the field that were running the drier, middle groove. With no invert being drawn, Kosch used the pole position to his advantage and jumped to the lead and drove off as Arnold Riley came from mid-pack to battle with Ted Harris for the second spot. After several laps of side by side racing, Riley was able to get by and bring Adam Kievit's 46 home in second. Following Riley at the checkers were Harris and Paul Pairo to round out the top five.The Hard Luck Award of the day went to rookie Kevin Pross, who suffered persistant chain problems in the warm-ups, heat and feature that kept him from turning any laps at speed.
The WFMT would like to thank JC Specialty for donating products to the drivers making the tow west. After taking the holiday weekend off, the WFMT heads back to Oakland Valley Speedway on July 10th for a regular show, plus the make-up of the rained out 2nd Twin 20 from June 5th. Have a happy and safe holiday and see you all at the races!
Hotel Info for Greenwood Valley
The host hotel for the Greenwood Valley weekend is the Econo Lodge in Bloomsburg (right off of the Exit from Route 80 to the track) Mention that you are racing at the Greenwood Valley Action Track when you make your reservation and you will get a reduced rate of $80.00 for the night. The number for the hotel is 570-387-0490-make your reservations soon so you can make sure you get a room!
Kosch & Mother Nature Dominate Twin 20's at Oakland Valley
Tommy Tommy Kosch extended his streak of feature wins yet again this past weekend at Oakland Valley Speedway by Taking the first half of the "Twin 20's" this past weekend. A drizzle that began just after the first feature was in the books became a torential downpour that led to a postponement of the rest of the nights racing. The second feature will be made up when the tour returns ot Oakland Valley on July 10th.
With the tempature's in the 90's it was a day of firsts as thirteen cars signed into the pit with the tour regulars being joined by OVS first timers Jeff Weinacker and Dave Parker and rookie Mike Scott. Also new to the fast oval were former Snydersville dominators and now tour regulars Ted Harris and Jim Ackerman. Arnold Riley was making his first WFMT start in two years behind the wheel of Adam Kievit's 46 and ageless veteran and 2009 MOM champion, "Uncle" Nick Cottone was also making his first OVS start since Novemberfest of 2008.
Heat race winners, Kosch and Don Boonstra led the largest field of cars in over two years to the green as Kosch got the jump and never looked back. Behind him however, a battle of epic proportion was taking place as Wall winner, Jeff Weinacker and new tour regular, Ted Harris used the low line to jump up to second and third on the start while Boonstra settled into fourth. Jim Ackerman and points leader, Paul Pairo gave chase and began to run down the top four with Pairo taking the fith spot on lap five. Boonstra got by Harris for third on the seventh circut and Pairo was on his bumper two laps later. The duo ran down Weinacker just past the halfway point and Pairo was able to get the upper hand on Boonstra by lap seventeen and set his sights on second place in the final laps but it would be to no avail as Weinacker held the runner up spot at the checker with Pairo, Harris and Boonstra completing the top five.The full results are posted on the results page.
The checkers couldn't have waved soon enough for Kosch, who began to have mechanical issues with the usually flawless 1K as a header cracked in the late stages. With a full field inversion for the second feature, things were looking to get interesting with Kosch facing coming from the back of the pack with an ill performing car and Paul Pairo and rookie Kevin Pross both posting faster identical lap times in the first feature. The individual best lap times in the 20 lap flag to flag feature were a scant .333 second separating the top 10 for one of the most competitive field in WFMT history.
The World Formula Modified Tour heads west to the Greenwood Valley Action Track for the next stop on the tour on June 19th.
Big Car Counts Expected for Twin 20's at Oakland Valley
With the microstock racing season in full swing and new cars showing up at area tracks every week, the annual late spring Twin 20's at Oakland Valley Speedway could be on track to have a record setting car count on June 5th. As Wall Stadium takes a two week break, it will open the door for the tour regulars to be joined by several new faces as well as some returning alumni. 2008 points runner up, Don Boonstra, original series driver and 4 time winner, Arnold Riley and Jamesburg's Roberto Sanchez are all planning on returning to WFMT competition on the fast 1/5 mile and Wall Stadium standout Dave Parker may also be making his first career start on dirt after a strong second place WFMT debut at the Bellinato Memorial on April 24th. Jim Ackerman and Ted Harris have made the jump to being regulars on the tour and the Snydersville regulars are sure to be stiff competition for all. Several new faces looking to make their first WFMT start are Krystle Riley, and Jamesburg Gang members Mike Scott and Kenny Hammond. As more drivers finalize their plans, the car count could very easily grow into the 20's making for one of the most exciting nights of microstock racing in recent memory.
Kosch Wins in Return to Snydesville
Little Falls NJ's Tommy Kosch drove to another World Formula Modified Tour feature win this past weekend at Snydersville Raceway in the series' return to the tight Pocono bullring. Snydersville regular Jim Ackerman was to lead the eight car field to the green, but contact from outside pole sitter, Adam Kievit before the flag waved resulted in a dragging nerf bar that put the potent 22 in the infield. Ted Harris brought the field to the green but the caution waved before a lap was in the books for a spin by Roberto Gonzales in turn 3. With the green back out, Harris jumped to the top spot as Kosch moved under Kievit bringing Kenny Lund and Paul Pairo with him. Harris and Kosch battled for the top spot for several laps while Lund nursed a car damaged from a heat race incident along in third with heavy pressure from Paul Pairo. The current points leader got by the ailing Lund in turn one, while Kosch got the upper hand on Harris for the lead. As the laps ticked off, Pairo ran down Harris and made a last lap bid for the runner up spot but Harris prevailed at the line by a bumper. Pairo, Lund and Keivit rounded out the top five. Jim Ackerman won the regular Snydersville class over Billy LaRue, Ted Harris & Walter Morrison.
The tour takes the next two weekends off and returns to action on June 5th for Twin 20's at Oakland Valley Speedway.
Bellinato Memorial Win for Wienacker
Jeff Weinacker of Mount Arlington, NJ drove to a convincing victory in the Jack Bellinato Memorial in the World Formula Modified Tour's first ever visit to the fast oval at Wall Stadium on April 24th. Carl Weinacker led the eleven car field to the green but Kenny Lund got the jump from outside of the front row to take the lead by time they reached the backstraight, but the caution flew as Don Boonstra spun coming out of turn two calling for a complete restart. Lund again got the jump on the start, but New Brunswick's Mike Mee dove low into turn one to take the lead asthe field came off of turn two. Jeff Weinacker got by Lund for second going into three and set his sights on Mee. Lund slid high off of the tricky turn two the following lap, opening the door for asphalt first timer, Paul Pairo. Up front, Weinacker drove to the inside of Mee to take the lead and wasn't challenged for the rest of the 15 lap distance, while Dave Parker and Kevin Pross battled Mee for the runner up spot, with the pair getting by in the closing laps. Mike Mee and Paul Pairo rounded out the top five. By virtue of his fith place finish, Pairo jumped to the top of the WFMT points for the first time in his career.
After a two week break, the tour heads north to Snydersville Raceway in Stroudsburg, Pa. for their first visit in three years, where the regulars will face the always tough Snydersville regulars on their home turf.
Kosch Takes Season Opener at OVS
Tommy Kosch of Little Falls NJ picked up where he left off in 2009 by winning the season opener for the World Formula Modified Tour at Oakland Valley Speedway on April 17th. Paul Pairo & Kenny Lund led the field to the green with Pairo getting the lead and Roberto Gonzales moving up to secound by lap 2. Kosch was on the move, however, following Gonzales to the lead and then driving by a lap later. Adam Kievit passed Lund for fourth on lap 8 only to get loose with 5 to go, handing the position back to Lund. Meanwhile, Pairo was all over Gonzales as the two battled for the runner up spot, with Gonzales holding off the 2009 Rookie of the year at the finish. Pairo was followed across the line by Lund, Keivit and Kevin Pross, making his first start in his own #3. Jeff Miller did not start the feature.
The World Formula Modified Tour is back in action this weekend at Wall Stadium for the Jack Bellinato Memorial as part of Family Fun Night at the Jersey Shore oval. Adult admission is only $8.00 and children 11 and under are free. For more info, go to the Wall Stadium website.
Sponsorship Added to Bellinato Memorial
We are proud to announce that RKE Athletic of Wall, NJ has agreed to sponsor the Jack Bellinato Memorial race at Wall Stadium. RKE Athletic is a screen printing and embroidery company that supplies sports uniforms to many scholastic, Pop Warner and youth league sports in the central Jersey region. Find out more about RKE Athletic at their website, www.rkeathletic.com
Season Opener & Bellinato Memorial Flyers online
Just finished up a couple of flyers for the first two events of the year. Click either image to download a bigger version
Pre-Season Inspection & Fee Reduction
To avoid the usual rush on opening day, please make an effort to have your car inspected before opening day. Contact Tommy Kosch to arange a time at 201-303-3857 or e-mail at tommy@wfmodtour.com.
After some discussion, it was decided to lower the car inspection and driver registration fees this season from $25 to $20 each. The temporary license fee of $10 remains the same.
Early Season Date Changes & Site Updates
There has been a change to the schedule concerning Wall Stadium. The planned May 1st event has been moved up one week to April 24th. The scheduled rain date for the Season Opener at Oakland Valley will be moved from April 24th to May 1st. I've been trying to keep the website updates happening somewhat regularly-if you have updated car photos, sponsor info, need to update or create your driver profile, please e-mail the info to: kenny@wfmodtour.com
The tracks section has been updated with all the participating tracks information and I'll be working on updating the stats shortly.
WFMT Gears Up for 2010 Season
After a snowy winter, the 2010 racing season is just around the corner. The fifth season of racing action for the World Formula Modified Tour will find the series returning to the tour type format, with twelve events taking place at four tracks across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New this year is the addition of raindates for almost all races to help allieviate the weather issues that shortened the 2009 season, return trips to Greenwood Valley Action Track and Snydersville Speedway and the first visits by the tour to Wall Stadium.
The season kicks off at the newly renamed Oakland Valley Speedway on April 17th, the first of six events at the Cuddeback, NY oval. The tour will then head to the Jersey Shore on May 1st for the first of three Saturday night races on the fast 1/5 mile paved oval for the resurection of the Jack Bellinato Memorial, a regular staple of the former AMSRA schedule paying homage to the late Pine Brook Speedway promoter, After the first of two visits to the bullring at Snydersville on May 14, the tour will head back to Oakland Valley for Twin 20's on June 5th before heading west to Greenwood Valley on June 19th. Other special events will include the Empire 50 at Oakland Valley Sept. 11 and the Novemberfest Twin 20's to close out the season on November 6th. The full schedule with all rain date information can be found on the schedule page. The WFMT is currently seeking event, point fund and product sponsors for the racing season. If you know of anyone who would like to get involved, please get in touch with someone from the club for details.
Volunteers Needed!
The World Formula Modified Tour is looking for some help with videotaping and photographing the races this season. If you know of anyone that would be interested, please get in touch with a WFMT representative.
