Blarney island Boat Races week 12

"Thunder on the Chain"

WEEK 12- August 18, 2005

Week 12 of Blarney Island's "Thunder on the Chain" drag boat races brought some added excitement as we close on the end of the year with only 4 more weeks of competition to go. The drivers are giving it all they have to move up in the point standings and clench the end of season High Points Championship titles in their respective classes. The competition will be as exciting as it gets in the final four weeks of racing due to the close points race in several of the classes. If you have ever pondered the thought of going to Blarney Island for the races now is time. I guarantee you will see some of the Midwest's fastest people on water.

Week 12 started with the threat of rain once again but with a little help from Mother Nature the skies cleared and the races where a go. With the sun starting to set earlier and the days getting shorter the races need to start on time to finish before the sun sets and the party starts.

Lake Racer Outboard

Week 12 brought a full field of racers to the course to include a Blarney Island virgin Tom Heitger all the way from Massillon, Ohio. The races started with the Blarney Island newcomer Tom Heitger pairing up with Brett Vanderwall. Heitger squeaks by Vanderwall to advance to round 2. Race 2 of round 1 brought out Nick Winiski and Kris Werth with Werth taking the win. Jon Mumford and Bob Albee both Blarney veterans run Race 3 of Round 1 with Albee taking the checkers and advancing to round 2. First race of round 2 paired up Blarney Rookie Heitger with Kris Werth a Blarney Island veteran. Werth showing no sympathy for the rookie sends Heitger back to the dock and advances to the final. Race 2 of round 2 brought Jeff Houghtaling to the starting line after having the by in round 1 to race Bob Albee. Albee taking the win advancing to the final. The final race of the day brings us to a familiar site, the first place battle between Albee and Werth. Werth being the first one to the checkered flag this week clenches the bragging rights for week 12.


Mumford & Albee	Werth & Heitger	Houghtaling & Albee	Albee & Werth

Lake Racer Inboard

Joel Silverstein & John Groth pair up for the race of the day for Lake Racer Inboard. Silverstein showing his veteran race skills at the island takes the win for week 12.

Groth & Silverstein

Pro Gas

First race in Pro Gas paired up Nick Winski and Tim McCollough. McCollough taking the win against Winski advances him to the final. Race 2 Brought out Tom Klement and Nick Kaye, Kaye having mechanical problems at the start gives Klement the easy win. The final round in Pro Gas paired up Klement and McCollough with McCollough clenching the win and the points for week 12.


Winski & McCollough	Nick Kaye	Klement & McCollough

Single Carb

John Groth and Joel Silverstein came to the line to start out the racing in Single Carb. Silverstein took the win to pair him up with Gary Frankowski our points leader in round 2. Frankowski showing no mercy takes the win and keeps his first place bragging rights for week 12.


Groth & Silverstein	Frankowski & Silverstein

Multi Carb

Multi Carb for week 12 started with Gary Frankowski and George Pataki. Frankowski took the win and headed to the final. Peter Selvey came out to challenge Frankowski in the final round. Frankowski once again showing no mercy takes the win and the points for week 12.


Pataki & Frankowski	Selvey & Frankowski

Open Class

Open Class always bringing some of the fastest men on the Chain of Lakes to the race course started the evening with Dave Saldecki and Peter Selvey. Selvey edged out the win advancing him to the final against Donny Little. Donny Little showing his veteran skills and consistency takes the win in the final securing him the points for week 12.