Moultonboro, NH – German Motorsports of Gilford and the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club teamed up to present the first automobile ice racing event of the 2012 season last Sunday. With 13 inches of ice, Lee Pond in Moultonboro came alive in late morning with plow trucks preparing the track and parking areas, club volunteers setting up registration and race control, and race fans taking their favorite vantage points around the track. The pit meeting was held at noon, followed by hot laps that gave the drivers their first chance on the ice at speed. The Club brings 5 classes of cars to either Berry or Lee pond each week: Juniors (13-15), 4 cylinder rear-wheel drive, 4 cylinder front-wheel drive, V8 stock, and modified. From the fearless juniors to the wicked fast modifieds, there is lots of close competition and action on the slick 1/4 mile oval tracks.

The V8 Stocks where the first cars to test the ice. Mike Frank of Moultonboro in his Monte Carlo won the qualifier and went on, after a spin, to win the feature event for the class.

The Juniors went out next. 14-year old Jackie Martel of Moultonboro in her newly painted VW Rabbit out-dueled the other juniors to take the win.

The 2011 Rear Wheel Drive Champion, Tim Chase of Northfield, brought a new MR2 ice racer to the track this year sporting bright yellow paint and a Batman theme. The new car proved as dominate as last year’s as Tim battled rival Matt Morrill of Ctr Harbor for the win. Tim’s old MR2 from last year won the qualifier with John Chase at the wheel.

The front wheel drive class was won by the smooth driving Devin Boisvert of Rochester followed by Alicia Taylor of Moultonboro.

And then came the modifieds and a battle of attrition. Norm Books was missing from the field after getting his winged sprinter upside down in the qualifier. Jake Williams’ sprinter died shortly after the start and Mike Horsch’s car sputtered and he eventually dropped out. Rick Martel broke a spindle and was towed to the pits. This left 2011 Modified Champion Jack Cook and Matt Taylor to determine the winner. Jack won the race driving fellow competitor Ray Johnson’s car. Jack’s usual car was without a motor this week.

With week 1 of the 2012 season in the books, the Lakes Region Ice Racing Club turns its attention to next weekend’s scheduled double-header: the 28th annual Latchkey Cup on Saturday the 28th followed by a regular race on Sunday. The Latchkey Cup is a benefit race for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center and raises several thousand dollars each year. The Latchkey race draws cars from around New England and always enjoys great fan support. Come join us for some great racing on either or both days.

Next Saturday the racing starts at 10:00am and on Sunday its 12:30pm. For the Latchkey the entry fee is $20 a carload with a largest percentage being donated to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center; Sunday’s fee is $10 a car load. Check the Club website at www.LakesRegionIceRacingClub.com for the latest information about the racing schedule, the race location, tons of photos and video links, and club information.