Saturday, September 10 marked the final race of the season in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series. The METABOLIQ #4 Late Model traveled to the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho for the final event. The #4 car came into this race in 4th position in season points, but with only 117 points separating 4th from 1st place.

The #4 practiced twice on Saturday afternoon and consistently ran times in the top 5, and turned in the 7th fastest time in the qualifying run,  putting it in a 6th row starting position for the 100-lap main event.

After running well in qualifying, the #4 was ready for the always unpredictable main event. On just the second lap, the #4 was contacted by a car near the front of the field, bowing the hood, partially blocking the driver’s visibility. Fortunately, spotters, who are in communication with the driver from the stands, were able to warn the driver as cars approached from his right side.

The #4 ran well in spite of the damage until lap 48, when another car spun out, making contact again. This time the left-front wheel, suspension, and steering were affected, resulting in poor handling for the remainder of the race. Additionally, the front right fender began to rub on the right-side tire. It was decided to keep the #4 out on the track as long as possible, in hopes that a caution flag would come out, allowing the car to get into the pit and correct the damage.

The caution finally did come, but unfortunately it was due to problems with the #4 car. The right-front tire finally gave out from continued contact with the fender. The drive quickly exited the track under the yellow flag, where the crew removed the hood, replaced the tire and did what it could to alleviate the steering problem on the left side. Unfortunately, the steering was bent, allowing for only minimal adjustment to the front end.

The #4 was forced to leave the track 4 times during the race, putting it 3 laps down to the leader. Each time though, the #4 kept coming back. It was a long night for both driver and crew, but the #4 ultimately finished a respectable 11th for the race. When the dust settled the #4 completed the 2011 season in 5th place out of 29 cars.

Meanwhile, 700 miles northwest of Twin Falls in Olympia, Washington, the #6 METABOLIQ Late Model was competing in two main events on the South Sound Raceway with Wes Rhodes at the wheel. Wes ran a strong race and finished 6th in the first main event and 4th in the second main (in spite of a spin as shown in the photo to the left).

On August 20, the METABOLIQ Late Model #4 driven by Lynn Hardy raced in the NAPA 125 at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City. The highly anticipated race, the next to last of the season in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, featured the top 5 racers—separated by only 100 points in the season standings.

Those that follow these reports know the METABOLIQ #4 had a spectacular showing in the last race at Post Falls, Idaho, finishing in 2nd place in the Idaho 200. Lynn got off to another quick start in Salt Lake City, setting fast times in all of the pre-race practice sessions, and then finishing with fastest time in official qualifying for the main event.

The inverse start meant the METABOLIQ #4 started at the back of the 16-car field in the main event. Lynn quickly moved up through the field though, and by lap 50 moved into 5th position. Unfortunately, bad luck can strike at any time, and on lap 60 the right front wheel hub collapsed, forcing the #4 out of the race, unable to finish.  You can see from the two photos on the left the  devastating damage. Four of the hub ears broke leaving just one to hold the wheel in place.

The METABOLIQ #4 did manage to score some good points for the day’s performance, but slipped from 3rd to 4th in the overall standings, with only one race to go. Amazingly, there is still just over 100 points that separates the leaders. It will all come down to the final race of the season at the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho on September 10. Lynn in the #4 METABOLIQ and Dan Rhodes in the METABOLIQ #9 will face off for the second time this year. Dan Rhodes won the least race in Twin Falls.

Two of the three METABOLIQ cars raced over the weekend.  The METABOLIQ #4, driven by Lynn “Hammer” Hardy, traveled 750 miles from Salt Lake City to Post Falls, ID to participate in the Idaho 200.  The METABOLIQ #9, driven by Dan Rhodes, competed in the Miller 200 in Tenino, Washington.

The METABOLIQ #4 practiced on Saturday, turning in consistently fast times and ended up qualifying with the 5th fastest time in the “A Heat” Race. But 5 laps into the heat race, during a caution, the car lost oil pressure and was forced to pull into the pits. High compression motors (14:1) like this, run a dry sump engine, meaning there is no oil pan. Instead, oil is pumped from a 12 quart reservoir through a series of hoses into the moving parts of the engine which creates a huge scavenging vacuum throughout the engine.

After a quick review it was determined the car had thrown an oil pump belt, caused by the oil pump freezing-up.  After about an hour, the source of the problem was identified and the effort to correct the problem was underway. Luckily the oil pump wasn’t badly damaged and after locating a replacement filter, the team finished up repairs on Saturday night, ready for an early start on Sunday morning.

The motor in the #4 was fired-up at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and had full oil pressure. The car ran 3-4 quick practice laps and set the 2nd fastest time for the session. Due to the car not finishing the heat race the previous night though, rules dictated the #4 would to start the main race in last place of the 26 car field.

Just 13 laps into the main event, the #4 moved its way from the  back of the pack up into 13th position…and after 100 laps, moved all the way up into 4th position, but things were just getting started. At lap 130, the pre-race favorite, car #93, checked-up in front of the #4 METABOLIQ car, ultimately making contact and spinning out. Race rules dictate that both cars involved must go to the back of the field. After the restart, Lynn quickly moved the #4 car back into 3rd position, but on lap 164 while chasing the lead, Lynn made contact with another car, causing him to spin and was once again was sent to the back.  Lynn again fought his way back through the field and on lap 198 moved into second place, where  he finished the race. Lynn was booed by the crowd in the post-race festivities for sending the hometown favorite to the back of the field, but was cheered by all the other race crews and drivers for a spectacular day of racing.

The METABOLIQ #4 car started the race in 4th place overall and moved up into 3rd place after the race. Only 100 points separate the top five drivers with just two races remaining on the season. The next race for METABOLIQ #4 is on August 20 at its home track at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile in Tenino, Washington, Dan Rhodes in the METABOLIQ #9 battled in the Miller 200.  After 140 laps and in 2nd place, Dan got bumped from behind, causing him to spin and was ultimately t-boned by a trailing car, causing serious damage to the #9, taking it out of the race.  The impact was severe enough to send the driver of the other car to the hospital.

All the action can be followed online at www.rmcsracing.com and southsoundspeedway.com.

Race number seven of the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series took place Saturday, July 9 at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City. Designated Qivana Night at the Races, over 60 employees and family members were in attendance. All were treated to a good meal and great races covering several classes—including the Late Model races, featuring the METABOLIQ Late Model #4 driven by Lynn Hardy.

After a solid practice session and some final adjustments to the chassis, the #4 car was ready for qualifying. In a small field of just 16 cars, the #4 qualified with the second fast time for the night—only .06 seconds behind the #03 car.  The #4 was placed in the first heat of 8 cars and started in the last row on the outside. The heat race was only 8 laps, providing a very small window of opportunity to move to the front. Lynn quickly moved through the pack though and ended up in 2nd position by the end of the race.

For the 125-lap main event, Lynn Hardy in the #4 car was placed in the outside position on the 5th row. By lap 60, Lynn moved to the outside, challenging for the lead, when his right front tire began to lose air. He had to back off the throttle and hope for a yellow caution (so that he could get into the pits for a tire change without losing a lap on the leader). By the time the yellow caution finally came out, Lynn was on lap 88, allowing him to get in under the yellow and get back out without losing a lap on the leader.

When the green flag was dropped, Lynn was at the back of the pack with only 37 laps remaining. He worked hard to make up time and the car ran superbly, moving all the way into a 4th place finish. It was a good night overall for Lynn Hardy in METABOLIQ #4, finishing 4th in the race, but 3rd in overall points for the night, moving the #4 car up to 4th position overall for the season with four races to go.

The Idaho 200 is  up next. This 2-day event is scheduled for August 6-7 in Post Falls, Idaho. For more information on this and the other races, visit www.rmcsracing.com.

The fifth stop in this season’s Rocky Mountain Challenge Series (RMCS)  was held Saturday, June 25 at the Meridian Speedway near Boise, Idaho. It was the NAPA Treasure Valley 100 with both the #4 and the #9 METABOLIQ Late Model cars entered.  The #4 car driven by Lynn Hardy traveled from Salt Lake City to Boise, while the #9 car driven by Dan Rhodes made the journey from Olympia, Washington.

Those that have followed this season’s results will recall that Dan Rhodes raced in Twin Falls two weeks ago (his first-ever race in this series) and took home a 1st  place finish. Lynn Hardy finished 7th in the race and sits in 4th place in the season standings with 6 races remaining.

The Meridian Raceway is a difficult track, both short and tight, giving drivers limited options. The METABOLIQ#4 found the grove early in practice though and set the fast qualifying time for the night, while the #9 car had some adjustments to make after qualifying 14th.

There were two heat races before the featured main event, with both METABOLIQ cars squaring off in the same heat. The #9 car finished in 3rd place and the #4 car finished in 5th place.

As usual, the RMCS uses a full inverted start,  so the fastest qualifiers start in the back. In the 100-lap feature event, the #4 car started on the outside of row 8 while the #9 car started on the outside of the first row.

With the main event underway, Dan Rhodes moved to the front of the pack, but on lap 71 made contact with another car. Consequently both cars  involved were sent to the back (per RMCS rules). Dan quickly move back through the field to finish in 4th place. Lynn Hardy didn’t fare as well, making contact with the wall on lap 28, taking out his steering and forcing him to watch the rest of the race from the pits. Overall, it was a bad night for the series points leaders, with three of the top four cars forced out of the race early. The #4 car slipped to 5th place in total season points and the #9 car moved up to 13th position—impressive after having  raced in only 2 of the first 5 races for the season.

The next race is scheduled for July 9 at the Rocky Mountain Speedway in Salt Lake City, Utah. This has been designated as “Qivana Night at the Races.” All Qivana employees and IBOs are invited to come and enjoy a great night of racing.

Check out all the results at http://www.rmcsracing.com/

For the first time this year, both METABOLIQ Late Model cars competed in the same event. The #4 car driven by Lynn Hardy and the #9 car driven by Dan Rhodes traveled to the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho for the fourth stop on the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series—a 100-lap feature event.

The cars were set-up very well for qualifying, and Lynn Hardy turned in the 6th fastest time and Dan Rhodes finished with a respectable 10th fastest time, allowing each car to qualify for the heat race and 100-lap main event. Both cars were placed in the same 12-lap, 6-car heat race side-by-side at the back of the field. Dan started in the inside of the back row with Lynn on his outside. They finished 5th and 2nd respectively.

The main event consisted of an 18-car field with Lynn Hardy starting in the inside of row 6 and Dan Rhodes right behind him on row 7. Both cars ran very fast and moved through the field quickly, accumulating passing points along the way. Unfortunately, Lynn was penalized for bumping and was sent to the back of the field—he was able to work his way back into the race though and finished in 7th place in the main event. Dan moved to the front of the pack around lap 60 and never relinquished the lead, giving the METABOLIQ team its first win of the season.

Lynn Hardy is projected to hold onto 3rd position in the season standings. This was the first race of the season for Dan Rhodes, but the win gives him valuable points heading to the next race at the Meridian Raceway.

The next race, scheduled for June 25 at the Meridian Raceway in Meridian, Idaho, again includes both Late Model cars. You can check out the action on the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series at www.rmcsracing.com.

Links to the race series and track websites:

www.rmcsracing.com
www.rmrracing.com
southsoundspeedway.com
www.asanorthwesttour.com

If you’ve been following the METABOLIQ Racing reports you know that the METABOLIQ #4 has been very competitive this season on the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series. The #4 led in both previous races (Twin Falls, ID and Salt Lake City, UT), only to be taken out late in the race.  After two races the #4 sat in 8th postion in season points and was poised for another strong showing.

The third Late Model race of the season, the annual Memorial Day 125, was held at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City on Monday, May 30. The weather leading up to the race was rainy and stormy, including most of the race day, but by practice time the weather was beginning to clear and by qualifying time the surface was ready for racing.

The METABOLIQ #4 ran well in practice, with times in the 15.1 to 15.3 seconds range—respectable lap times given the 50 degree air temperature and the cool track surface. The #4 drew 10^th position out of 18 cars to qualify for the main event.  It is advantageous to draw a position toward the end of qualifying, as it allows the driver and team to see  how the other cars perform on the track.  The #4 took the track and finished with the fastest qualifying time of the night, a 14.94 lap time, which was only 4/100ths off the track record.

In heat races, the fastest cars during qualifying start in the back of the field, so the METABOLIQ #4 started on the outside of the last row. Heat races are quick, usually 12 laps, and the #4 started strong and moved through the field to claim a 2nd place finish.

For the main event, the #4 started on the outside of row six. By lap 40, the #4 was in 4th position, and by lap 80 was in 3rd position, holding off heavy pressure from car #12. Around lap 85, the #4 and #12 cars got too close, with both cars spinning out. Luckily there was no damage, but this brought out the caution flag and race rules dictate that both cars involved go to the back of the field for the restart.

After the restart, The METABOLIQ #4 fought through the field again and moved all the way back into 2nd position by lap 120, but couldn’t get past the leader.  The #4 finished in a very respectable 3rd place and a received a huge points boost, moving from 8th place in to 3rd place in the season standing and just 50 points behind the leader.

The next race for the #4 METABOLIQ Late Model will be at the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, ID on June 11. The #9 METABOLIQ Late Model from Olympia, WA will also enter the race.  The #9 car, driven by Dan Rhodes, races on the Northwest Tour, but will be in Twin Falls for this race.

Here is the upcoming race schedule:

June 4 – Wenatchee Valley Super Oval – ARCA West/Canadian Series – Wenatchee, Washington – METABOLIQ Late Model #9
June 4 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Modified #4
June 11 – Magic Valley Speedway – Twin Falls, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
June 25 – Meridian Speedway, Boise, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #9 & METABOLIQ Late Model #4
July 9 – Qivana Night at the Races – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Late Model #4

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Links to the race series and track websites:

www.rmcsracing.com/
www.rmrracing.com/
southsoundspeedway.com/
www.asanorthwesttour.com/

Lynn Hardy and the METABOLIQ #4 Modified Race Team, led by crew chief Gary Dastrup, headed to Las Vegas for the Lucas Oil Modified Series on May 14. It wasn’t a points race, but the field was large, and the invitation to compete was irresistible. The conditions were a bit windy, but the temperature was perfect for racing.

The #4 struggled a little during practice, but qualified 14th fastest, putting it right in the middle of the 26 car field and in good position to move up in the 75-lap feature event.

The race was closely contested and aggressive driving resulted in several cautions as cars behind and in front of the METABOLIQ #4 got tangled as they tried to occupy the same space. The #4 car stayed clean though and continued to move through the field, eventually working itself into 3rd place on lap 73 after an impressive maneuver by driver Lynn Hardy.

As a result of the multiple caution flags during the race, race officials began to red flag the field, bringing cars to a full stop to preserve fuel during cautions. Due to race rules, only the last few caution laps counted against the race’s 75-laps and many cars were dangerously low on fuel. On the final restart, the METABOLIQ #4 raced into 2nd place, but in the very next turn, began to sputter as the tank ran dry. For a ‘no points’ race it was an exciting evening for the #4 car and the team. They performed well and finished without a blemish on a wild night of racing.

Next up for the METABOLIQ Team is a May 30 race featuring the METABOLIQ #4 Late Model at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City, Utah. Be sure to follow us, this will be a great season for the METABOLIQ Team. For full details of the Las Vegas race, you can visit www.lvms.com.

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Links to the race series and track websites:

www.rmcsracing.com/
www.rmrracing.com/
southsoundspeedway.com/
www.asanorthwesttour.com/

Only one Qivana car raced over Mother’s Day weekend—the METABOLIQ Late Model #4 driven by Lynn Hardy at the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series (RCMS) held at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City.

During the last race held in Twin Falls, Idaho, the #4 car was forced out of the race (due to accident) while leading on lap 48 of 75. That mishap resulted in three of the fastest competitors (#4, #09 and #33) being unable to finish the race, but all three cars were back in action for the May 7 race.

Leading up to the May 7 race, the METABOLIQ #4 turned in some very fast times during practice runs, but the driver, Lynn Hardy, felt the car was tight in the turns. The crew worked on the car for three days following practice and discovered the right front shock was malfunctioning.

The crew went to work immediately and rebuilt the suspension set-up in time to qualify for the race (each track has its own suspension set-up, requiring a new set-up to be configured for this race). Unfortunately, with all available practice time expended, there was no further opportunity to practice with the new set-up, so the race was entered not knowing how the car would handle. In the end, the car qualified in the middle of the field. Several final suspension adjustments were made though just prior to the start of the heat race, and the #4 car came out fast and ended up winning the heat going away.

The METABOLIQ #4 started the main event on the outside of the second row and quickly moved to the front during lap 3 (of 75). The #4 continued to lead, but began to get pressure from #03 (last year’s champion) and #84 (last race’s winner) at lap 50. The pressure was heavy until lap 64 when the #84 car got too aggressive and hit the METABOLIQ #4 from the rear, resulting in both cars to spin. RMCS Series rules state that all cars involved in collisions go to the back and a restart is required. The race restarted at lap 64 with the METABOLIQ #4 moving back through the field to claim a 5^th place finish.

The METABOLIQ #4 ran another great race, but racing is 50% skill and 50% luck.  It’s clear though, this car coupled with a veteran driver, Lynn Hardy, the #4 will certainly win its share of races this season. The next race is scheduled for Memorial Day on May 30 in Salt Lake City and we will be ready!

Congratulations to driver Lynn Hardy, and the outstanding pit crew managed by Gary Dastrup.

Upcoming Races:

May 14 - Las Vegas Raceway – Las Vegas, Nevada – METABOLIQ Modified #4
May 21 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Modified #4
May 28 – South Sound Speedway – Olympia, Washington – METABOLIQ Late Model #9
May 30 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
June 4 – Wenatchee Valley Super Oval – ARCA West/Canadian Series – Wenatchee, Washington – METABOLIQ Late Model #9
June 4 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Modified #4
June 11 – Magic Valley Speedway – Twin Falls, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
June 25 – Meridian Speedway, Boise, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #9 & METABOLIQ Late Model #4

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Links to the race series and track websites:

www.rmcsracing.com/
www.rmrracing.com/
southsoundspeedway.com/
www.asanorthwesttour.com/

The season is underway for the 2011 version of the METABOLIQ Late Model #4 and METABOLIQ Modified #4—both racing out of Salt Lake City, Utah. As you can tell from the photo of the late model below (taken prior to final completion), the design has slightly changed to allow the METABOLIQ name to show more prominently. The car has the same basic chassis and Chevy Impala body design, but has undergone considerable work to the suspension and engine. The pre-season practice sessions have been very encouraging, making for another very competitive season in the Rocky Mountain Challenge Series (RMCS).

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The METABOLIQ Modified #4 is the same car as last year, save a few minor changes. Lynn Hardy will once again be at the wheel of both #4 cars in 2011.

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The third car is the METABOLIQ Late Model #9 racing out of Olympia, Washington and driven again in 2011 by Dan Rhodes.

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The METABOLIQ Late Model #4 raced for the first time Saturday, April 23 at the Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. The good news: the car and driver ran well and are poised to do very well in this year’s RMCS race schedule. The not so good news: the Late Model #4 was leading in lap 48 (of the 75 lap main event) when it was hit from the rear, causing it to spin, and was hit again by a trailing car. In the end, all three cars were unable to continue. Not a great start to the 2011 season (finishing 10^th place for the race), but the Late Model #4 was able to accumulate123 points for the race. The next race is at the Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City on May 7.

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Here is the schedule of events for the next two months:

May 7 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
May 14 - Las Vegas Raceway – Las Vegas, Nevada – METABOLIQ Modified #4
May 21 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Modified #4
May 28 – South Sound Speedway – Olympia, Washington – METABOLIQ Late Model #9
May 30 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
June 4 – Wenatchee Valley Super Oval – ARCA West/Canadian Series – Wenatchee, Washington – METABOLIQ Late Model #9
June 4 – Rocky Mountain Raceway – Salt Lake City, Utah – METABOLIQ Modified #4
June 11 – Magic Valley Speedway – Twin Falls, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #4
June 25 – Meridian Speedway, Boise, Idaho – METABOLIQ Late Model #9 & METABOLIQ Late Model #4

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Here are links to the race series and track websites:

http://www.rmcsracing.com/
http://www.rmrracing.com/?page_id=6
http://southsoundspeedway.com/
http://www.asanorthwesttour.com/