Leeuqkuil, Vereeniging, South Africa (Monday, March 6, 2023) - The first weekend of racing is complete for Team USA competing in South Africa. The team of Brian Tyler, Brian Paulus, Jason Blonde, and Keith Sheffer, Jr competed Saturday night at Ultimate Outlaws-Raceway. The event was the first of two scheduled weekends of racing for the USA VS SA trip that concludes this weekend at The Rock Raceway.
The evening's format featured two 25-lap Heat Races around the 1/4-mile oval. Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, Brian Tyler picked up heat race win number one. His heat race also included Blonde and Sheffer who finished near the top five unofficially. Official results for the race have not been documented; Paulus and Robert Tyler's results are unknown.
In Heat Race number two Paulus showed the way for a number of laps before sliding back at the end. Early in the race, problems struck between Robert and Brian Tyler. The pair got together resulting in both cars making contact with the outside wall. The crash brought Robert's night to an end, while Brian Tyler was able to continue.
In the main event, Blonde rolled off in the third spot ahead of Paulus who started fifth, Sheffer, Jr in 6th, and Brian Tyler in 10th. Robert Tyler was unable to make the main event. When the checkered flag waved at the end of the night, Sheffer, Jr had wheeled his Jimmy McCune look-alike car up to third. Brian Tyler carved his way through the field to finish 4th, two spots better than Brian Paulus. Trouble found Jason Blonde who was got tangled up with a lapped car while running third and did not finish.
The second and final race of the USA vs SA series is this weekend at The Rock Raceway in Brakpan, South Africa. Streaming of the event is available at motorsportza.tv.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - For the Love of Motorsport Facebook
Comments