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2001
NEWS ARCHIVE
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| Thursday, December 19, 2002 | |
| Jim Rahman Captures CARS Championship | by Dave Westerman
Clermont's Jim Rahman was the man of the hour this past Saturday evening as the Classic Auto Racing Series recognized its champion and handed out awards during the 2002 CARS Banquet at the Adams Mark Hotel in Orlando.
Rahman, who has been with the Series since it began in 1996, was feted as champion for the second time, his first title coming in 1998. He won that championship without scoring a single win, but it was much different in 2002 as Rahman graced victory lane three times in the highly competitive series and scored a total of thirteen top five finishes.
Rahman, whose own business Westmont Homes is his primary sponsor, also had sponsorship help from Romac Lumber, Allen's Drywall, Hugh Cotton Insurance, West Orange Lumber, and several others. Rahman, who does most of the work on his own Chevy coupe, was also honored as "Crew Chief of the Year" for helping work on the car Patrick Sanders drove during the season.
Sanders, of Winter Garden, went on to win the 2002 Door Operating Systems "Rookie of the Year" Title in a close year-long battle with Brooksville's Harvey Ewing, and Groveland's Keith Roberts. Although Sanders didn't win a race in his rookie year, he did finish second twice and third three times for one of the best overall showings by a first-year drier in the Series. Sanders was also honored with the trophy for fourth place in overall points for 2002.
Incredibly, Orlando's Ed Yates took the runner-up spot in points for the fifth year in a row, having cut Rahman's big point advantage to just 50 by season's end. Yates had one victory but finished second on four occasions, third three times and fourth four times. Even more importantly, Yates was voted "Sportsman of the Year" for the third time as voted by his fellow competitors.
It was Merritt Island's Al Hagan who carted off the most hardware during the evening. The 2001 Rookie of the Year finished third in points this year and his two wins during the season helped him also get the "Most Improved Driver" trophy. Hagan wasn't done there though as he also earned the 2002 "Hard Charger Award" and scored the most points on dirt tracks to receive the "King of Dirt" trophy for 2002.
Palm Harbor's Bud Spencer claimed two victories during the year and despite some mid-season tough luck, climbed back to fifth place in the overall standings for the year. Daryl "E.T. McGhee" Grief was consistent all year long and ended up sixth in points in just his second year of racing, while Harvey Ewing still managed seventh in the standings despite some tough luck late in the year. The actual "Hard Luck Award" was given to Keith Roberts, who saw his chances at the rookie title go up in flames not once, but twice during late-season races. Still, Roberts held on for eighth in points. George Hall III again continued to amaze everyone by his consistency and love of the sport as he continues to recover from the effects of a stroke suffered a few years ago. Hall III finished ninth in the standings and was also voted as having the "Best Appearing Car" for the third time in his short racing career. Rounding out the top ten in points was 2001 champion Eddie Thornton, who placed in the top group despite only running half of the scheduled races. In the races he did run, he had two wins and placed in the top five on all but one occasion.
Along with the trophies and cash that was awarded, over $1500 in door prizes were given away. Driver Ed Yates and his business Lakeshore Tree Farm gave away several beautiful ornamental trees valued at $750.
Other prizes included $100 from Westmont Homes and floor seats to an upcoming Orlando Magic game courtesy of Allen's Drywall.
Other prizes included a cordless drill, a fuel jug, numerous gift cards and certificates, duffel bags, attraction tickets, jewelry, t-shirts, caps, a cooler and more donated by Holeshot Engineering, Dave Pletcher Racing, Duron Paints, Pools of Jade, West Orange Lumber, Circle "L" Roofing, Blackton, Inc., Romac Lumber, Trophies Unlimited, Traveler Information Networks and Prestige Redi-Mix.
Driver Harvey Ewing donated five chances at the 100 million dollar Florida Lotto jackpot, but apparently they didn't have the winning combo.
The Classic Auto Racing Series is currently working on the 2003 schedule which should be announced shortly.
And Door Operating Systems of Vero Beach has signed on to sponsor the Rookie of the Year challenge for a second year in a row.
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