12/01/2003
PAUCH READY FOR ATLANTIC CITY INDOOR RACE
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Short-track superstar Billy Pauch is ready
to take
another shot at glory in the Atlantic City Indoor Race at
Boardwalk Hall.
The 46-year-old from Frenchtown, N.J., recently announced
plans to compete
in the huge TQ Midget event, scheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2004.
"We had some bad luck back in January," Pauch said
of his disappointing
outing in the first TQ Midget race run at Boardwalk Hall since
1981.
"Hopefully we can turn things around."
Driving a brand-new TQ Midget owned by division standout Don
Adams of
Robbinsville, N.J., Pauch just missed locking into the heat
races for
January's Indoor Race. He was doomed by being the first driver
out on the
track for time trials, which saw lap times become increasingly
quicker as
the session wore on.
Pauch's hopes of qualifying for the feature evaporated when he
was involved
in a C-Main tangle with asphalt Modified star Ted Christopher
of Plainville,
Conn.
The versatile Pauch feels he can turn things around when he
returns to the
seaside resort this winter. Once again he'll steer a quality
TQ fielded by
Adams, the 2003 TQ Midget champion at Wall Township (N.J.)
Speedway.
Pauch also might be a bit more comfortable in Adamsıs mount
come Jan. 9-10.
Partnering for the Indoor Race with Adams gives Pauch plenty
of confidence
that he can make a serious run at his first-ever TQ Midget
victory.
"Donnieıs a great guy to be hooked up with," Pauch
said of Adams, who will
also be in the Atlantic City field. "He knows these cars
inside and out."
The 2004 installment of the Atlantic City Indoor Race will
feature two full
nights of racing competition.
The Fri., Jan. 9, program will see the top-40 drivers from
time trials
compete in four heats, two consolations and a 30-lap feature.
Time trials
are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and the first green flag
will fly at 8
p.m.
Another round of time trials will be contested on Saturday
afternoon, with
all drivers getting a chance to race on Boardwalk Hall's
concrete oval. A
format of A-B-C-D-E mains will be utilized, with the 50-lap
A-Main topping
the card. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
Entry forms for the event are currently pouring into the
office of Len
Sammons Productions. A field in the neighborhood of last
Januaryıs 90-plus
cars is expected.
Reserved-seat tickets are on sale through all Ticketmaster
outlets.
For more information call 609-888-3618.
*****
The Indoor Race face-off between the TQ Midgets and 600cc
Micro-Sprints will
be highlighted by a pair of special bonus awards.
Dr. William Lowe's Comprehensive Obstetrics and Gynecology has
posted bonus
cash for the first TQ Midget across the finish line in both
Fridayıs and
Saturday's A-Mains, while Dan McMahon's Alternative
Exterminating has put up
identical bonus dollars for the highest-placing 600cc
Micro-Sprint in both
features.
The top TQ and Micro finishers in Friday's 30-lap A-Main will
pocket $100
apiece. The bonus swells to $200 for the best TQ and Micro
racers in
Saturdayıs 50-lap finale.
Dr. Lowe's business will provide several additional special
awards,
including $250 to the fast-timers on both Friday and Saturday
and a $50
bonus to the slowest time-trialers each day.
Sources: AARN/LongIslandJam.com
Posted: January 6, 2004
