9/4/2010
Eric Schulz
Mighty Axe Nationals
Sioux Falls SD based racing team of Eric Schulz traveled north for the Labor Day weekend to Brainerd MN to compete in the Might Axe Nationals. Things started off to a quickened pace as the team pulled in to the sound of the 360 winged sprints already in their hot lap sessions. The team briskly unloaded the Papik Motors Sprint car and attached the newly purchased used wings provided by Jack Egge’s Automatic Transmission Service also based in Sioux Falls SD. “The wings were a used set and already had numbers on them. Being that we were unable to get the new number 4’s put on in time, I just decided to go with what was on the car. This weekend I would race under the number “10R”. It was difficult to find where I was to line up for each race, switching numbers and all!” exclaimed Eric.
The now 10R machine was slated to start the heat race in the 6th spot. With the track receiving heavy rains earlier that week, it was already starting to form deep ruts and high ridges. The track crew put in a valiant effort all night to tame the track, however the ruts kept forming. Eric moved up to third but caught one of these ruts at a bad angle and sent the car spinning in to the air. Restarting in the back of the field, Schulz was able to move up to forth before the checkers fell.
Next up was the challenge race where drivers had the chance to improve their starting spot for the feature. Eric started on the inside 2nd row and was able to maintain the third spot by the end of the race, still getting thrown around in the rough corners.
As the feature drew near, the crew prepped the car for its 9th place starting spot on the grid, and pushed the Hair Graphix 10R to the track where Eric was pushed off and under way. Schulz was steady through the worsening corners and was able to pick up two spots. As the race wore on Eric found the holes becoming too much for his set up and had to settle for 9th at the end of the race. “I was pleased with the run,” stated Eric, “the track was difficult but fast with the ruts, you had to hit them just so to get maximum bite off of them. Also with 18 cars here tonight, 9th isn’t too bad!”
The next day the team showed early and was ready for hot laps in time. As they checked the line up for the heats, it was much of the same story, Eric had to start in the back again. On the track the story did not change much. Eric maneuvered his car up to forth again, this time without the spin.
As for the challenge race, Eric would be starting on the outside of the second row. With the track much improved from the night before, Eric set out and was able to get one spot in the ten lap race finishing third. “I had learned a lot during that run,” Eric stated to his crew chief Dick Schulz, “the car just didn’t want to go forward very well.” They put their heads together and used a life line to a friend and came up with a plan for the feature.
Because of the redraw for the invert, Eric would start his 10R in the pole position! “I was very nervous, I knew that my motor was under powered compared to the other teams’ plants, and I was up against some of the upper mid-west’ top talents.” The opening laps of the 20 lap feature proved to be exciting as Eric and the outside pole sitter swapped the lead back and forth running side by side. Finally the 20G car of Chris Graf was able to edge Eric and started to pull away just a little. As the leader approached lapped traffic, Eric was able to re-gain the lost ground and again found himself hot on the leader’s heels. All the while pulling out to a strait-a-ways advantage on third of Jerry Richert Jr. The leaders battled through lapped traffic and the race was slowed do to a car spinning in front of the race leader and Eric. This set up a green white checkered race to the finish. Eric stuck close to the leader waiting for a mistake. Non was made and Eric bested all but one car of the 21 car field!
The team left for home right away that night pushing through the night. “It was a long drive, but good practice, as we are hoping to go down near Kansas City on the 17th and 18th for a non-wing show.” Stated Eric. Stay tuned to www.ericschulzracing .com for more info and a end of the season recap!
