GIBSON AND PARADIS TAKE SPEEDWORLD WINS AT CRASHARAMA
by Dave Westerman
Even an hour-and-a-half long rain storm couldn't dampen the spirits of competitors Friday night as Orlando Speedworld wrapped up the 2001 racing season with a night of craziness known as Crasharama.
Despite the rain, the track was dried out and the Florida Dwarf Car Federation took to the track first for a 20-Lap feature.
Alain Paradis took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back as he outran his son Brian Paradis to the checkered flag. Brothers Mark and George Landis followed with Tennesee invader Doug Carrigan coming from 21st in the starting field of 26 to finish fifth. Phil Krauthoff, Allen Davis, Stan Hope, Bob Quick and Daniel Rene rounded out the top ten.
Twenty-nine South 40 Motorsports Classic Auto Racing Series machines filled the track for the next event. The 30-lap race was a wild affair with numerous tangles and spins and six different leaders before Maryville TN driver Larry Gibson took over and sped to the win. Fellow TN driver Gary Kelley came home second followed by Clermont FL driver Jim Rahman. Tennessee drivers Fred MacArthur and Brett Baer were fourth and fifth. Al Hagan, Bud Spencer, Tom Rudder, Robbie Sands and E.T. McGhee rounded out the top ten.
The School Bus Figure Eight race featured 21 starters and a wild battle all the way to the finish. Rusty Crews actually crossed the line first but was penalized a lap for cutting the corners too short. Bryan Semone thus came home with the win followed by Matt "Concrete King" Griffin and Todd "Bodeen" Hutto.
The race for cars towing boats and pop-up campers was led all the way by Ray Hindman, his third win in this type of race. Ray's brother William Hindman was second ahead of Chester Sutorus.
The wild race for cars towing full-sized camper trailers went to Billy Cuddy as he masterfully weaved his way through mounds of debris to score a popular win. Big Wes Railing was second and Doug "Frammin' and Bammin'" Samion was third.
Jim Froman was the last car running in the four-cylinder demo derby while the V-8 demo went to "Last Minute" Moe over a 23 car field.
