As the 2012 Rocky Mountain NASA season draws to a close, I write this report with bittersweet memories of the final event at Pueblo Motorsports Park, where GTS participants brought their A-games. Bitter, in that it all has come to a brief end as we pause for winter weather. Sweet, in that it has been an amazing season, and I am proud to have been part of it.
We had two days of great GTS racing action punctuated by three new track records. In GTS2, Doug Young upped the ante with his quick time of 1:43.552. In GTS3, Dan Goodman tripped the clock with a 1:39.329, and Robert Prilika scampered around Pueblo in 1:34:390 in GTS5.
In addition to new track records, we saw the return of GTS3 racer Mac Miller, who took a hiatus while he started a new business. He returned bearing gifts, when he sponsored a prize bottle of his ManMarg ultra premium premixed margaritas to each GTS-class winner on Saturday. It was a crowd favorite.
Dan Goodman, who made a showing in the region after his battle at the NASA Championships at Mid-Ohio, put down a staggering three-for-three win in GTS3, with Mac Miller and Cody Overcash hot on his heels. Doug Young pulled off a similar trifecta in GTS2, holding back Lee Bohning and Gene Dackonish for the win.
In addition to our normal race weekend, there was a competition licensing school, and I am excited to say that a few of the graduates came and joined the GTS ranks. We welcomed Christina Werley to GTS3, Lisa Bryan and Judson Williams to GTS2.
Because this was our season finale, we also were able to crown some regional champions. Congratulations to Robert Prilika in GTS5, Drew Regitz in GTS4, Garrett Walz in GTS3 and Lee Bohning in GTS2 as our 2012 Rocky Mountain GTS class champions!
If this event was a harbinger for next season, I foresee some great battles and full classes. We want to see GTS grow as a series locally, but also to get our drivers the contingencies that are out there. We have some extra-bonus prizes in store for next season as well, but we can’t release details yet. Once they are finalized, we’ll make the announcement, but I hope it will make each event that much more exciting in 2013.
