Soenen Motorsports Detroit race report

June 16, 2001-Race day action began today at 4 pm from the Motor City, Detroit.  The Motor City 100 Presented by Johnson Controls was the first of three BF Goodrich Tires Trans Am events that will be broadcast on CBS.

Stu Hayner (Yorba Linda, CA) started the race from the 17th position, after incurring an electrical problem during qualifying.  Behind the wheel of the #58 Trenton Forging/Soenen Motorsports entry, Hayner moved up quickly through the pack.  By lap 12, Stu already had the car in the 11th position.  On lap 17, Hayner reported the car was loosing power and made a visit to pit lane.  The alternator belt had shredded.  After a 2 lap pit stop, the crew replaced the belt and the #58 Cobra and Hayner was, once again, underway.

Due to the belt breaking, Stu went down 2 laps.  He would return to the race in 23rd place, rapidly regaining several positions, taking the checkered flag from the 18th spot.  "The car was handling remarkably well, I was coming off of the corners very clean and smooth.  The belt breaking was just one of those unfortunate things," stated Stu.  "Luckily, the car is in one piece and everything is in tact.  There were a few pretty scary moments out there, where someone would spin and come close to taking a few other cars, right in front of me!  We will regroup and get prepared for Cleveland on June 28."

Round 5 of the BF Goodrich Tires Trans Am Series will come to you from Cleveland, OH, June 30, 2001. sm -