County Hill Racers Set Records at Pikes Peak

Swedish driver Per Eklund of Rancho Santa Margarita, the 1999 European Rally Cross champion, and Rhys Millen of Huntington Beach, son of unlimited record-holder Rod Millen, were among those who set 10 records during the 78th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Tuesday.

Eklund’s record came in the Open division, finishing in 11 minutes 21.58 seconds on the 156-turn, 12.42-mile uphill course. Second-place finisher Paul Choiniere briefly held the record at 11:26.05, but was bumped by Eklund’s run.

“This has been my dream,” said Eklund, who drove a Saab 9-3 Viggen. “I started rally racing 36 years ago, and this is my biggest [victory].”

Rhys Millen broke his own record set last year by almost nine seconds in High Performance Showroom Stock, clocking 12:04.61 in a 2000 Mitsubishi EVO.

Rick Johnson of Lake Forest finished in 13:42.40 in a 2000 Chevy Holden in the ASA division, but lost to Layne Schranz of Colorado Springs, also in a Holden, with a time of 12:49.03.

Newport Beach’s Rod Millen, who holds the Unlimited record of 10:04.06, had hoped to become the first man to break the 10-minute barrier. Race organizers even moved the race to midday, before afternoon rains typically arrive, to improve Millen’s chances in his carbon fiber 1999 Toyota Tacoma.

All appeared to be on schedule for Millen’s date with history.

Then, the turbocharger broke.

“The disappointing part is that we came here to capitalize on the race conditions, which were very good,” Millen said. “We had a record run going and, unfortunately, the turbocharger had problems.

“The Tacoma was running the best I’ve ever had up here. The setup and the handling could not have been better.”

The turbo malfunctioned at George’s Corner, about halfway up the course, which begins at 9,402 feet above sea level and ends at 14,110 feet.

Millen covered the first 5.5 miles, to Glen Cove, in 4:21, which put him on pace to break his record. He went through two of the three radar clocking stations, and registered speeds of 128.7 mph and 121.6.

Earlier in the week, Millen had set an unofficial practice record on the upper section of the course, clocking 2:50.06 over a 3.07-mile stretch running from the Devil’s Playground to the Summit.

CART

Cristiano da Matta’s third-place performance Sunday at the Grand Prix of Cleveland brought a symbolic end to PPI Motorsports’ position as a doormat in the CART FedEx Championship Series. Orange County owner Cal Wells III came into the season looking for his first podium finish, and now both his drivers, da Matta and rookie Oriol Servia, have finished third.

Da Matta, who qualified fifth, might have provided PPI with its first victory if he had not been bumped from behind by Bryan Herta in the first turn on Lap 1. Da Matta’s spin-out triggered an accident that took five cars out of the race and dropped da Matta to 17th. Among those taken out were Servia, who Wells thought also could have challenged for the podium.

“I honestly feel if not for the altercation, we could have won the race. . . . I know it appeared that Roberto Moreno ran off with it, but he really didn’t. He had a specific game plan on fuel, and it worked for him. If we had not had the problem, we had the fuel [efficiency] to race [Moreno] hard. We passed more than anyone else on the track. I think if the race was 25 laps longer, we could have beat him.”

Da Matta’s performance moved him to eighth in the standings, but he is only 10 points out of fifth with 11 races remaining.

At the open test Thursday on the one-mile oval in Chicago, da Matta was fourth-fastest among 20 drivers.

INDY RACING LEAGUE

Dick Simon recently filed for Chapter 11 reorganization to pay off the $878,842 judgment against him in favor of former driver Marco Greco and Phoenix Racing LLC. Simon said the reorganization does not affect his businesses, Dick Simon Racing LLC, Dick Simon Marine LLC, or Riviera West Realtors. He also said his overture to pay Greco in installments over three years was turned down by Greco, which necessitated Simon filing for Chapter 11.

“It’s an argument between one individual and another, and I had no alternative but to seek help of the courts to get him paid off in an appropriate fashion,” Simon said.

Simon is in negotiation for a three-year sponsorship extension with Santa Ana-based Mexmil, its primary sponsor the last two seasons.

Simon’s current driver, Stephan Gregoire, will next race on July 15 in Atlanta. Gregoire was assuming the lead in last year’s race when San Juan Capistrano’s Jeff Ward crashed, bringing out a caution flag on Lap 87 of 200. Gregoire slowed for the caution and was struck from behind by rookie Ronnie Johncox.

Gregoire is 15th in the series, and Ward is 11th.

NHRA

Funny Car driver Del Worsham of Laguna Hills has been writing an online diary at https://www.NHRA.com, and will continue through completion of this weekend’s Winston Showdown, pitting Top Fuel against Funny Cars.

Among the events Worsham describes is his 300-mph crash about 220 feet from the finish line in a match race at Norwalk Raceway in Ohio. He was bruised and stunned, but the most serious injury was from biting his tongue.

NASCAR

Sunday’s Jiffy Lube 300 in Loudon, N.H., marks the debut of Brad Parrott as Winston Cup crew chief for Scott Pruett, driver of Wells’ Winston Cup entry. Parrott was assistant crew chief for defending Cup champion Dale Jarrett at Robert Yates Racing.

“The family lineage is strong--he’s ready for this position,” Wells said.

Buddy Parrott, Brad’s father, manages the Roush Racing effort for driver Jeff Burton. Todd Parrott, Brad’s brother, is crew chief for Jarrett.

* Bill Sedgwick of Acton, driver for Orange County team owner Tim Buckley, took fourth place Tuesday at the Winston West NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Portland (Ore.) Speedway. Sedgwick is seventh in the series.

*

If you have an item or idea for the motor racing report, you can fax us at (714)966-5663 or e-mail us at martin.henderson@latimes.com

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

ON TRACK

Orange County Speedway

Through July 2

Speedway motorcycles

1. Charlie Venegas, San Bernardino: 340

2. Brad Oxley, San Juan Capistrano: 241

3. Dukie Ermolenko, Cypress: 205

4. Randy DiFrancesco, Bakersfield: 201

5. Shawn McConnell, Brea: 200

6. Bobby Schwartz, Costa Mesa: 190

7. Andy Northrup, Alta Loma: 176

8. Chris Manchester, Upland: 144

9. Eddie Castro, Ojai: 141

10. Jim Estes, Winnetka: 138

Schedule

Saturday--Fan Appreciation Night w/Razzo (speedway, sidecars, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway); 14--Friday sidecar, quad, midget championship; 15--Fair Derby (speedway); 16--Youth Motorized Olympics (Jr. speedway series), Vintage Dirt Track races.

Aug. 5--Demolition Derby (speedway, sidecars); 12--Kids Night (speedway, sidecars, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway); 19--Harley-Davidson Night (speedway, sidecars, Harley races and show); 26--Dan Nay Night (championship speedway, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway).

Sept. 9--Freestyle Motorcycle Jumping (speedway); 16--Skirt Night (speedway, sidecars, peewee 50s, Jr. speedway); 23--North vs. South (speedway, sidecars), 30--Sidecar State Championship (speedway, sidecars).

Oct. 7--Farewell (speedway, sidecars); 14--U.S. National Championship (speedway).

Irwindale Speedway

Through July 2

Super Late Model

1. Greg Voigt, Goleta: 428

2. Ben Walker, North Hills: 390

3. David Brandon, Palmdale: 344

4. Tim Woods, Chino: 324

5. A.J. DiMarzo, Saugus: 304

6. Tommy Fry, Simi Valley: 302

7. Dan Holtz, Bakersfield: 284

8. Shawn Brink, Lancaster: 270

9. Brian Kelley, Arleta: 258

10. James Bruncati, Glendora: 226

Super Stock

1. Jeff Green, Long Beach: 432

2. T.K. Karvasek, North Hills: 406

3. Mike Price, San Pedro: 334

4. Yagel Berkovitz, Burbank: 332

5. Tom Siebuhr, Canyon Country: 318

6. Kevin Wood, Saugus: 304

7. Greg Benner, Whittier: 294

8. Don Rogers, Simi Valley: 272

9. Dean Cato, Fullerton: 264

10. Steve Gilmore, Granada Hills: 238

Late Model

1. James Weston, Goleta: 480

2. Todd Burns, Riverside: 420

3. Tony Green, Oak Hills : 416

4. David Hessing, Canyon Country: 406

5. Deryk Ward, Palm Springs: 388

6. Steve Nickolai, Simi Valley: 386

7. Guy Goldstein, Cathedral City: 382

8. Richard Hooper, Palmdale: 362

9. Nick Conti, Palm Desert: 258

10. Dan DiGiammarino, Highland: 232

Grand American

1. Rip Michels, Mission Hills: 284

2. Dean Kuhn, Oceanside: 270

3. John Watkinson, Canyon Country: 240

4. David Andrews, Frazier Park: 218

5. Robert Rice, Hawthorne: 214

6. Henry Ford Jr., Alta Loma: 208

7. Tom Topping, Los Angeles: 191

8. Jimmy White, Covina: 186

9. Steve Luecht, Chula Vista: 172

10. Brian Tully, Redondo Beach: 160

Mini Stocks

1. Bob Reed, Riverside: 200

2. Terry Limberopoulos, Bellflower: 184

3. Lee Ladd, Thousand Oaks: 172

4. Rod Bornhop, Orange: 166

5. Gil Gillis, Simi Valley: 150

6. Randy Colling, Santa Ana: 140

7. Greg Tucker, Ojai: 104

8. Danny Rowe, Lake Elizabeth: 100

9. Pat Ackley, Huntington Beach: 94

10. Guy Tripp, Saugus: 92

Schedule

Saturday--NASCAR Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Spec Trucks, T.Q. Midgets, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds; 15--NASCAR Late Models Twin 40s, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Legends Cars, Mini Stock cars, Figure 8s; 22--NASCAR Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Speed Trucks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds; 29--NASCAR Home Depot Southwest Series, Late Models, Super Stocks.

Aug. 5--NASCAR Super Late Models Twin 50s, Grand American Modifieds, American Race Trucks, Mini Stocks; 12--NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Spec Trucks, Legends Cars, Figure 8s; 19--NASCAR Home Depot Winston West 250, Late Models; 26--NASCAR Super Late Models, Super Stocks, Grand American Modifieds, T.Q. Midgets, American Race Trucks.

Sept. 2--NASCAR Super Late Models Twin 50s, Super Stocks, Speed Trucks, Mini Stocks; 9--NASCAR Super Late Models, Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Legends Cars; 16--NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, Mini Stock cars, Figure 8s, American Race Trucks; 23--USAC Midgets, Sprint Cars, CAM 360, T.Q. Midgets; 30--NASCAR Super Late Models 100, Grand American Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Legends Cars.

Oct. 7--NASCAR Food4Less Southwest Series, Super Stocks, Legends Cars; 14--USAC SILVER CROWN CARS, Sprint Cars, Grand American Modifieds; 21--NASCAR Late Models 75, ARCA Trucks, Super Stocks 50, T.Q. Midgets, Mini Stocks 25, Supermodified; 28--NASCAR Super Late Models 100, USF3 VW FORMULA 3, Speed Trucks, Legends Cars.

Nov. 3--American Race Truck practice, qualifying; 4--American Race Trucks National Finals, Speed Trucks, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, Mini Stock cars, Legends Cars; 11--NASCAR Home Depot Winston West 300 season finale, Spec Trucks 100; 18--Speed Trucks 100, MSRA Pro 4 Modifieds, T.Q. Midgets, Legends Cars; 23--60th Annual Home Depot Turkey Night Grand Prix for USAC Midgets, and T.Q. Midgets.

Perris Auto Speedway

Through July 2

SCRA Sprint Cars

1. Richard Griffin, Silver City, N.M.: 1162

2. Rip Williams, Yorba Linda: 986

3. Ricky Gaunt, Torrance: 881

4. Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix: 872

5. Tony Jones, Corona: 868

6. Cory Kruseman, Ventura: 822

7. Steve Ostling, Corona: 795

8. Mike English, Norwalk: 780

9. Troy Rutherford, Ojai: 716

10. Mike Kirby, Lomita: 700

PASSCAR Street Stocks

1. Luke Dodd, Riverside: 219

2. Ron Warkington, Riverside: 176

3. Henry Wesolowski Sr., Temecula: 174

4. Tim Shadduck, Hemet: 172

5. Rusty Stewart, Lakewood: 156

6. Ron Sanders, Wildomar: 145

7. Rick Arringdale, Victorville: 128

8. Art Hovind, Corona: 126

9. Ken Searcy, Nuevo: 123

10. Eddie Lagor, Nuevo: 121

Champ Trucks

1. Todd Cunningham, Corona: 284

2. Dino Napier, Corona: 281

2. David Schuyler, Lompoc: 281

4. Jack Dodd, Riverside: 261

5. James Gonzalez, Canyon Lake: 241

6. Cap Pidgeon, Signal Hill: 233

6. Gary Cecil, Corona: 233

8. Art Peterson, Cathedral City: 213

9. David Jackson, Victorville: 202

10. Mark Anderson, Sky Valley: 200

Schedule

Saturday--Stocks, Bandit Sprints; 15--SCRA Sprints, Trucks; 22--USAC Midgets, TQ Sprints; 29--Stocks, Late Models, Cruisers.

Aug. 5--SCRA Sprints; 12--Stocks, Bandit Sprints; 19--SCRA Sprints; 26--Trains, TBA.

Sept. 2--Stocks, Trucks, Cruisers; 9--SCRA Sprints; 16--Stocks, Trucks, Dwarfs; 23--SCRA Sprints; 30--SCRA Sprints, Lightning Sprints.

Oct. 7--Stocks, Lightning Sprints; 14--Stocks (Fair); 27--SCRA Sprints, USAC Midgets; 28--SCRA Sprints, USAC Midgets.

Nov. 4--Triple Crown Championship, Stocks, Trucks, Lightning Sprints; 10--Oval Nationals, SCRA Sprints; 11--Oval Nationals, SCRA Sprints; 18--SCRA Kindoll Classic, Sprints, 50 laps.