Live from Maple Grove - 43rd P.C.Richard PA Dutch Classic

[Doug Blackley]

Yeah Jack, that'll never happen with those two lol

[Jack Matyas]

Good morning all - This morning there is in store for you good news and bad .Good news is although its very cold its sunny and yesterdays water will burn off in an hour or two and we'll finally get racing .As of last evening the Index cars will be out first followed by the Stockers in an all run format .

Bad news is last night I spoke with Mike Keener who along with Paul Mercure and the rest of the Checkmate team came here from Michigan but decided to leave yesterday morning and were traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when they had an engine fire with their RV - they tried to put it out themselves but to no avail and by the time firefighters arived it was fully engulfed .It ended up a total loss but the good news is no one was hurt - and the stacker was only blackened a bit - even better is the '14 Camaro - while no longer having a new car smell its OK and will race again soon .

Back in a bit ................

[Larry Hill]

We a glad Mike, Paul, and the COPO are ok!

[Mike Keener]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Good morning all - This morning there is in store for you good news and bad .Good news is although its very cold its sunny and yesterdays water will burn off in an hour or two and we'll finally get racing .As of last evening the Index cars will be out first followed by the Stockers in an all run format .

Bad news is last night I spoke with Mike Keener who along with Paul Mercure and the rest of the Checkmate team came here from Michigan but decided to leave yesterday morning and were traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when they had an engine fire with their RV - they tried to put it out themselves but to no avail and by the time firefighters arived it was fully engulfed .It ended up a total loss but the good news is no one was hurt - and the stacker was only blackened a bit - even better is the '14 Camaro - while no longer having a new car smell its OK and will race again soon .


Back in a bit ................

Jack,

Thanks so much for your phone call yesterday and offer of help. I love the way racers stick together in times like this-it really means a lot! Thanks also to Wes Leopold for stopping at the scene to offer his help as well.

We have all arrived safely back in MI and will return to pick up the trailer Tues. in our other tow vehicle. The trailer will need some repairs when we get it home so we will break out our spare trailer and on to Indy for another expensive grade point!

Here are a few photos of the blazing coach and I wish you all a safe trip home from the race!

[Jack Matyas]

Stock got round one in - I've never seen so many single and double breakouts in one round - geez , it was fast this morning as many teams had their best ever ET's - this is why we come here ! ! At one point around 8 AM my weather station showed -545 ' but by the time we ran it was several hundred feet above - still very fast .

They have been having some top end water issues and are way behind schedule - S/S has yet to make first round but hopefully soon ...........

[Winklovic]

Mike, those pictures are heartbreaking. I'm very happy everyone is save!

[rx dealer]

OMG...I'm glad merc & keen are ok. They can use my truck and trailer anytime. I also have another motorhome if they choose... Luke

[Rich Biebel]

Wow....I am sorry to see those pictures but glad those men are ok and their new car is too. I saw it make a run and it is impressive.

Looks like an engine fire in that coach and I have seen the exact same results once on a Prevost M-H about 22 years ago.

Makes a person feel fortunate all they did was lose early and get home safely.......Me!

[Jack Matyas]

The day is dragging on but they will try and finish - all sorts of problems - water / crash / oil - you name it .................

[jwsamuel]

Everything is done.

Congrats to Bob Hochrun for his Stock Eliminator win, David Chiles for his Super Stock win and Gary Wolkwitz for winning the Hemi Challenge.