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| School Buses, Hangover Enduro Wow South Florida Holiday Crowd | By Claude Lewis
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (Jan. 1) Race fans couldnt have asked for a better way to ring in the new year sunny skies, balmy temperatures approaching 80 degrees and two intriguing special events.
Thursday belonged to the Hangover Enduro 250 and the first-ever School Bus Figure 8 race at Charlotte County Speedway.
A big crowd came out to greet the racers. They were not disappointed with what they saw.
First up was the Hangover Enduro 250, a marathon of a race featuring old bomber-type 8-cylinder machines. It took two hours to run the event, the final 50 laps in the opposite direction.
A total of 58 cars started the race. It took a few hours after the race for the scorers to determine the winner.
Long after the smoke had cleared, Terry Lansing, the driver of the No. 75 Buick Century, was celebrating with a Heinekin. First place made him $5,000 richer.
"I thought I was pretty well up there, but you never know in these races", said Lansing, a 52-year-old salvage yard technician from Tarpon Springs.
"I've been racing Enduros for six years now and this in the first one I've ever won. At first I was happy to survive 25 laps, then 50, then 100."
Lansing finished as high as 11th earlier this year. He thanked Mike Stickman Gamache for helping him through the years. Gamache is a driver from the Pinellas County area whop has won on numerous occasions around the state, including Punta Gorda.
It looked like Gamache might add another first-place trophy to his collection, but he broke an axle with 14 laps to go.
 Enduro Video Clip .
The School Bus Figure 8 race went 25 laps and was greeted with great anticipation by the crowd. Eleven buses started the race in chase of the $1,000 winner's share.
In the end, Pork Fat ruled, as Brian Hayn in the No. 00 bus stayed ahead of another Pinellas County driver, Frank Hill, and took the checkered.
The burly Hayn, who is a big fan of Emeril and had Pork Fat Rules and Allways Hungry written on the front of his bus, has been racing these type of races for nine years.
Thursdays marked his 12th career win.
"Its all luck", said Hayn, a 35-year-old maintenance mechanic from Safety Harbor. "You can get in trouble in a hurry."
Hayn races the bus circuit all over Sunshine, Auburndale, DeSoto and Bronson. Charlotte County Speedway is now on his list of stops.
"The next race they have here, there will be more buses and even more fans", he said. "I'll be here if it doesnt conflict. The tracks need to get together and schedule them so we can make all of them."
Second-place Hill is part owner of Sunshine Speedway in St. Petersburg. The third-place bus driven by Ray Holtorf is also from Pinellas.
Local guys like Al Fradette, Robert Hendry, Mark Ludvigsen and Chris Oncken tried their best, but experience can go a long way in bus racing.
Bus Figure 8 Video Clip .
PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE
Wednesday night at Charlotte County Speedway saw Eve of Destruction festivities take place.
Local drivers Craig Amboyan and Hope Summey each were in on two victories. They shared first in the Switch Off Enduro a race that had Summey run 25 laps and then Amboyan finish up with another 25. Amboyan also won Paul Reveres Midnight Ride. Summey captured the Womens One-Hour Enduro.
Gamache was also in on two victories. He won the Tug of War and teamed up with Mason Love and Gerome Watley to capture the Train Race.
Victor Leo won the Reverse Race and the 4-Car Elimination Drags.
The Smoky Burn Out competition saw Roger Bohannon emerge victorious.
Jeff Firestine of Venice won the Flag Pole Race.
Bobby Fischer took the checkered in the 4-Cylinder Enduro.
Rich McElroys Ford station wagon beat Frank Borellis Camaro in the Fan Participation Oval Drags.
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