Series: SRA-West Formula Sidecar Series
Course: Las Vegas Motor Speedway– Classic Course
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Somehow the 2014 sidecar season managed to end both predictably and dramatically at the same time this past weekend in Las Vegas, as a grid of eight SRA-West machines took part in a double-header battle to decide who took home all the marbles in the three-wheeled world.
Due to some repaving, the timing loop at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Classic Course was not functioning during qualifying, which meant teams were assigned grid position based on points. This also gave fans no good indicators to analyze who would be fastest in the greasy, windy conditions. One obvious change to the status quo was with defending champions Team Johnny Killmore (John Wood/Giorgina Gottlieb). Passenger Gottlieb was returning to action for the first time since April, when a 120mph get-off left devastating injuries to her fingers, hands, wrists, and knee. Despite driver points still allowing them a third place grid position, the pair elected to start on the back row and finished off the podium both days. Many people around the paddock still offered high praise, as in Gottlieb’s own words she was working with, “half the grip strength of an average adult and some range of motion problems still in the [right] wrist and [other joints].” Gottlieb was not expected back this year and some wondered if she would return at all.
Another development to the series came in the form of Kelly Bell, a fast racer who has been completely off the circuit for basically a decade. Returning with a modern RSR Formula 1 chassis and fresh-on-the-scene passenger Daniel Bergeron, they would be an unknown quantity until the green flag dropped.
SATURDAY
At the start of Saturday’s race it was all Team Big Dog Garage (Bernard Juchli/Kevin Kautsky). Leading into Turn 1 from the front row, they were under slight pressure at first but it was from a slew of machines who were all fighting for second through fourth. Team Nurburging (Steve Stull/Heidi Neidhoefer) benefited from the melee and were a big surprise at the front. Though well-known for excellent starts, the pair were able to sneak up into second and capitalize on an epic battle for third that developed between Kelly Bell/Daniel Bergeron and Wood Brothers 1. Driver Chris Wood was without regular swinger Aaron McEwen, but had help by way of stand-in John Maddox. Fortunately Maddox was not new to the scene, but it was interesting to watch two teams who were battling each other while the driver/passenger combinations were still trying to learn each other; in no other sport does such an interesting synergy exist. The see-saw battle was exactly what Big Dog and Nurburgring needed to get away while all eyes focused on third.
While the action was fever pitched, it was also short lived as the brake adjuster lock-nut backed off Kelly Bell’s machine, allowing the brake pedal to slowly work its way farther and farther back. Choosing safety over imaginary points and a wooden plaque, Bell wisely pulled into the pits to fight another day. This left Wood brothers with a hard charge to catch Team Nurburgring, which they actually were doing quite readily. Math is pretty hard to beat though and, when you need four laps to catch someone and you only have three left, there isn’t much you can do about it. That means it was Big Dog with the win followed by Team Nurburgring (their first podium together) and Wood Brothers 1.
SUNDAY
Sunday would play out much differently, with a huge fracas in Turn 1 as Fat Tat Racing (Scott Lane/Elizabeth Herlocker) found the back of second-in-points DJ’s Racing (Donn Sayre/John Heenan). The two machines became entangled, with Heenan’s right leg sucked impossibly far inside the mash up. Somehow the racers were able to free everything before crews could even respond and a red flag was avoided. Unofficial reports immediately after the race remain unconfirmed, but it appears Heenan suffered only bruising to his leg.
Up front he order had settled into Big Dog leading the field, somewhat literally. Although out of striking distance, the tight nature of the Classic Course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway kept many machines that do not normally battle with each other in close contact. The mob-scene of sidecars ran mainly single-file but it was unusual to see the majority of the field in lockstep. Picking their way through the pack was Kelly Bell/Daniel Bergeron, who moved to second on lap 3 at the end of the back stretch, then set their sights on the leaders. Taking a look on the inside of Turn 1 before even reaching the halfway point, it looked like a battle royale would ensue, but a series of either missed shifts or engine misfires seemed to plague Bell/Bergeron on the back half of the track. The gap grew then shrank, but eventually Big Dog pulled safely away and Bell/Bergeron came under fire again from Wood Brothers 1. Wood appeared to be stalking for several laps to make a calculated move but in short sprint racing this is often not the case. Then suddenly, an outside move in the second-to-final turn.
A drag race ensued down the front straight but Wood Brothers 1 would end up about a length short leaving Bell/Bergeron in second– still excellent for their maiden outing together– and Big Dog with the double win, and the championship.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
As the championship goes, the top spots for drivers were essentially locked up coming into the final round, so long as no major incidents occurred. As mentioned, Bernard Juchli of Big Dog Garage took his Lucas Oils sponsored F1 machine to top honors, followed by Donn Sayre of DJ’s Racing with his Redline Vinyl Graphics sponsored F1 chassis. Third place went to John Wood of Team Johnny Killmore, who played roulette with no less thanseven different passengers while piloting the MyLifeAtSpeed.com F2 sidehack.
Co-pilots had a much tighter race due to injury and schedule conflicts and it was anyone’s guess until the last lap as to how the order would end. Top honors were sure to go to Big Dog’s Kevin Kautsky, a second generation sidecarist using his late father’s trademark #21. Despite the DNF in Sunday’s race, John Heenan of DJ’s Racing survived with a 21 point cushion to retain second, while third place went to Fat Tat Racing’s Elizabeth “Steady Betty” Herlocker.
And with that the SRA-West closes it’s 2014 Formula Sidecar Racing Series. 2015 looks extremely promising with the launch of an all-new website with a more intuitive layout and more robust media, along with the introduction of the #srawest hashtag to help keep track of developments on-the-fly. New teams are joining the ranks and hopes are high that some big names to the sport may reappear sooner than later. As always tune in towww.sra-west.us for more information or find the Sidecar Racers Association West, Inc. on Facebook to stay in the action.
The SRA-West wishes to thank Lucas Oils, Avon Tire, Larry Coleman, Joe Salas, Alix Barker, and Jean Canestrini. The organization is nothing without its members of course, so we thank not only the teams but the loved ones who went without their company the many weekends they were on the road or in the garage preparing for an event. And as events go, the SRA-West must acknowledge host clubs AHRMA, WERA, WMRRA, and CVMA for their continued support of Formula Sidecar racing and the people who choose to compete. With a support network this strong there is no limit to future possibilities.
RESULTS:
Driver/Passenger, Chassis/Engine
SATURDAY:
1.Bernard Juchli/Kevin Kautzky, CSR/Honda
2.Steve Stull/Heidi Neidhoefer, Becker/Suzuki
3.Chris Wood/John Maddox, ART/Suzuki
4.Donn Sayre/John Heenan, Becker/Suzuki
5.John Wood/Giorgina Gottlieb, Windle/Suzuki
6.Phil Wood/Johnny Glover, Becker/Suzuki
7.Scott Lane/Elizabeth Herlocker Fetterman/Suzuki
8.Kelly Bell/Daniel Bergeron, RSR/Suzuki DNF
SUNDAY:
1.Bernard Juchli/Kevin Kautzky, CSR/Honda
2.Kelly Bell/ Daniel Bergeron, RSR/Suzuki
3.Chris Wood/John Maddox, ART/Suzuki
4.Phil Wood/Johnny Glover, Becker/Suzuki
5.Steve Stull/ Heidi Neidhoefer, Becker/Suzuki
6.John Wood/Giorgina Gottlieb, Windle/Suzuki
7.Scott Lane/Elizabeth Herlocker, Fetterman/Suzuki
8.Donn Sayre/John Heenan, Becker/Suzuki DNF
FINAL POINTS: DRIVER
1.Bernard Juchli– 416
2.Donn Sayre– 357
3.John Wood– 323
4.Chris Wood– 297
5.Steve Stull– 271
6.Phil Wood– 241
7.Scott Lane– 228
8.Rick Murray– 82
FINAL POINTS: PASSENGER
1.Kevin Kautzky– 416
2.John Heenan– 299
3.Elizabeth Herlocker– 278
4.Heidi Neidhoefer– 271
5.Aaron McEwen– 239
6.Gary McEwen– 111
7.Giorgina Gottlieb– 80
8.Bernie Thomas– 74
9.Roger Preston– 45
10.Kinsy Daughhetee– 29