August 10, 2024
Mission, British Columbia
West Coast International Sprite-Midget Challenge Race 2
*for immediate release*
The West Coast Sprite-Midget Challenge series is officially an INTERNATIONAL event after a fun, safe, successful…and extra long race in Mission, British Columbia on August 10.
Run in conjunction with BCHMR, SOVREN, and VRCBC, the race featured twelve cars, including five from Canada, and drivers from three U.S. States.
A last-minute procedural snag derailed the Le Mans start, but that did little to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the drivers and spectators.
As usual, the starting order was determined by drawing numbers from a hat, but it soon became clear that five cars, driven by O’Kell, Newby, Quackenbush, Shinn, and Tupholme were headed for the front. Quackenbush got out to the early lead, with the other four slowly reeling him in.
Shinn embarked on an exploration of an unpaved area on the inside of turn 8 and was passed by Campbell, who’d been running alone for several laps. Indefatigable, Shinn found his way back onto the paved surface and closed to within three seconds of Campbell by the end.
Further up, Newby finished 18 seconds out and Quackenbush 10. After dropping back, Geoff Tupholme made a fast and furious charge through the field to regain nine positions and record the fastest overall lap at 1:21 flat, but couldn’t quite catch Bill O’Kell, who took the checkered flag in his low-slung red Huffaker Midget by 0.98 seconds.
Behind Shinn were Volkert, Newman, and Duncan. Robins (lap 4) and Greenman (lap 1) went out with mechanical issues and Ruppel went out on the pace lap with a low battery.
The Sprite-Midget Challenge congratulates Aaron Robins on his first (albeit too short) race with us! We hope to see you again soon, Aaron!
The SMC family offers its warm and heart-felt thanks to SOVREN, HMRBC, VRCBC, and Mission Raceway Park for supporting this special event, and Stephen and Lori Newby and Newby Racing for facilitating it.
The third and final race of the 2024 season will be at Portland International Raceway on Saturday, August 31, with live-streaming and a Le Mans-style start!