Pappel Racing's Father and Daughter team Win Oregon State Championships Together
- 24 Aug 2010
"It was a very special and memorable occasion to have father and daughter win in the same day," said Rochelle. "It's such a great feeling to be in the winner's circle with my dad." Rochelle raced her half-scale dragster in the Junior Lightning Class. In the time trials she ran an 8.062, 8.012 and 7.997. The first round the win light came on in a hole shot, as she ran a smooth 8.122 on her 7.99 dial. In the final round her dragster ran an 8.051 on the 8.03 dial, at 81.96 miles per hour - making Rochelle the 2010 Oregon State Champion. "This is only the second time that Rochelle and I have ever won on the same day," commented Ron. "For her and I to win the Oregon State 2010 Championship race in the same day, bringing home the prestigious Wally plaques, is amazing and will be a memory that will last forever for the both of us." Ron ran his 1927 Model-T Roadster in the Super Pro Class. Ron qualified number fifth with a .005 reaction time. In round one the roadster took the win light in a hole shot, running a 9.043 on a 9.00 dial. In round two he won in a double break out, running a 9.018 on the 9.02 dial, as his opponent went 10.425 on a 10.50 dial. Then in the semi-finals and in another double break out, Ron wins running 9.006 on his 9.02 dial, as his opponent runs 10.98 on an 11.05 dial. And in the final round the automatic win light comes on when the other car cannot make the run due to mechanical problems. Ron is also crowned the 2010 Oregon State Champion. Was it simply a case of thorough preparation and luck coming together at the same point in time, or Ron's inspirational pre-race pep talk that produced the magic? "Rochelle and I always discuss the races one round of competition at a time," explained Ron. "The final words usually go like this, 'it's just another practice round until the finish line, and you know what to do.' Then there's a smile and a fist-to-fist confidence bump and Rochelle is in her zone, a stealth competitor that cannot be rattled." There's no arguing with the results in that simple, yet heartfelt scenario. Rochelle has qualified for her seventh trip to the NHRA Division Six Finals in her Jr. Dragster. It's a return trip to Mission, British Columbia where she won the championship back in 2004. And Ron won the Super Pro Division Six Championship in 2005 at Pacific Raceway in Seattle, Washington. The K&N sponsored family team is preparing to compete in this year's race which is scheduled for September 3-6. This time around Rochelle will be racing in the Jr. Lightning division, as well as driving a full-size car in the High School Class. Ron has qualified to race in both the Super Pro and in the Race of Champions. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to compete at this level again for 2010," adds Ron. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
