2002 Parma Challenge Cup
Radisson Hotel Middleburg Heights, OH June 7-9, 2002
(Click the thumbnail to see the full image)
Here's Parma Operations Manager Steve Keopp, in his office busy with organizing final preperations for the Parma Challenge Cup. |
Back to the test track where Paul C. was testing out the Parma Turbo E.C. controllers to be used at the Challenge Cup. |
After adjusting all the PCC controllers, Paul "neutered" them by cutting off the adjustment knobs to assure consistancy at the PCC race. The new controllers were put to the test and used exclusively all weekend at the Challenge Cup. |
Among the collection of vintage slot car race posters on the wall was this one for a 1970 NCC National Championship at Parma Raceway. The perimeter was filled with photos of slot racing's top racers (including Alfred E. Neuman on the bottom right). |
Paul C. prepared 110 cars, taking over 120 hours, did close to 4,000 laps of testingh and broke in 200 pairs of tires for this year's Challenge Cup race! All cars were matched as close as possible for each lane by actual lap times. |
Since Paul C. and the Parma gang did all the hard work and thrashing for us - Thursday night there was time to get out and see Cleveland! I missed getting to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame before closing, but I had to stop at Cleveland's Hard Rock Cafe. |
I couldn't resist snapping a pic of our waitress at the Hard Rock Cafe, Leah. She was not only a good waitress, but gave some tips on where the hot night spots were downtown. |
Upstairs at the Hard Rock Cafe was a battle of the bands, featuring local talent. |
In my endless quest to promote the hobby of slot car racing, your dedicated OWH reporter ventured out to downtown Cleveland's Warehouse District on Thursday night prior to the racing to recruit potential candidates for the Powder Puff race. Although these young flight attendants were unable to make it to the race, they exhibited rather uninhibited excitement after I told them I was a slot car racer in town for the Parma Challenge Cup race. Since it was an IROC style race, Paul C., Tom N., Lou P., and others did the thrashing for us! At what other slot car race can you go out and party the night BEFORE the race? ;-) |
OK... back to the slot car races! By the time I got up on Friday morning, Steve Ogilvie and crew had unloaded and assembled the gorgeous 140' Hillclimb track. It was set up and ready to race in around 4 hours! |
The track to be used was kept as a much guarded secret until race day. It's actually a mirror image, shorter version of the Parma test track! |
I could hardly wait to race on this track - it very closely resembled the track I've raced on for many years at West Seattle Speedway - with an added "squiggle". |
The hardware and raffle prizes on display prior to the race. |
Steve Ogilvie at the race director station, busy running the practice sessions. |
Every participant was given a loot bag full of goodies upon registration - including a Challenge Cup T-Shirt. |
7:00 PM Friday was time for the driver's meeting. |
Paul Ciccarello went over the rules and procedures with all the drivers prior to the event. |
The cars were lined up for the first race of the 2002 Parma Challenge Cup - the Junior Group 10 race! |
The racing began for the youngsters in the Junior Group 10 race! It was a nine man round robin main event. |
Racing was extremely close, as the cars were evenly matched, and color coded for each lane. |
2002 Parma Challenge Cup Race Results
