Scarborough, Maine – 15-year old Reid Lanpher of Manchester, Maine competed in the PASS North Series SLM division, finishing 11th in the Southern Maine Motors 150 at Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough, Maine, on Saturday, May 3rd. Lanpher won the first heat race and started from the pole. Lanpher also won his heat race and led 30 laps at this same event last year to become the youngest racer ever to compete in a Super Late Model at Beech Ridge and in a Pass North Race. He also is the youngest ever to win a heat race or to lead a feature event. On Saturday, crew chief Jason Ricker instructed Lanpher to drop back at the start and just ride to gain experience. Lanpher fought a ill handling race car and was unable to make a late race charge as was planned.
WHO: Reid Lanpher. Manchester, Maine
TEAM: EZ Hauler Trailers, Eastern Townships Docks Chevy
CREW CHIEF: Jason Ricker, Poland, Maine
WHAT: PASS North Series Southern Maine Motors 150
WHERE: Beech Ridge Speedway, Scarborough, Maine
STARTED: 1st
FINISHED: 11th
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Reid- Tell us about your day.
I had a good car in practice but was not really sure how the heat would go when we saw that Austin Teriault, Cassius Clark and a bunch of other really good cars. I was able to get around the outside of the 78 car and just cruised from there to take the heat win.
What happened on the start (of the feature)?
I messed up. Jason told we to go real slow and wait for the green flag. I waited but was not going slow enough and Mr. Mulkern thought I was going so he went. He came over to my trailer after the race and apologized. I told him it was not his fault. I got stuck on the bottom and had no drive off (the turns). I got freight trained and fell back to around 20th before there was a hole to get up into the racing groove.
How did the rest of the race go for you?
Not as planned but it went ok. We lost a bunch of stagger during the race and I never was really able to make that charge that we were planning on. It was a great learning experience though. When I look at the guys that finished in front of me I am not at all disappointed. The Ridge is my favorite track and we showed some speed so we will take that and look forward to the Pro Series starting in a few weeks.
So you are not running for points on the PASS Tour?
Not this year. We bought a race shop and touring is just not in the budget this year. I felt it was important to be in the race shop after I get out of school every day and learn more about the race cars. Hiring Jason Ricker was part of the plan and investment as well. He has brought along a great crew with him and we are having fun! My family and I had to make a choice this year. Do I go back down South or do we take that money and invest it up here in a shop, equipment and team. We decided it was the best thing to do since I have two more years of high school. Family is first, then school and then racing. I had an offer to go back down south but my dream has always been to run in the Pro Series at the Ridge and that is what I am going to do this year. I think I am leading rookie of the year points in PASS North but like I said, touring is not in the budget this year. We will do some more PASS races but not all of them.