Preparation Finally Meets Luck at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon for Sarah Cornett-Ching

Impressive 2nd Place Feature Finish and Heat Race Win  For the Snap-On Tools Cadillac

The August 25 Hot August Nights race was a testament to how hard the team works, there had been  considerable damage done to the car in a pileup accident two weeks prior, where the back half of the car had been destroyed. The two weeks leading up to the race saw the team in the shop every night getting the car back into winning shape. Upon arriving at the track the team continued to chase issues and work out the kinks on the newly repaired car.

After not competing in the first practice session due to an unstable car, the team worked feverishly to get it to a more drivable state. In second and third practice despite the car still being a handful the #99 Snap-On Tools car was second on the speed charts.

"I think everyone was fighting the track in practice it was really green and the setups that were working here at the start of the year werent translating well here today." Said the determined youngster.

When qualifying time rolled around, the team made a big swing at the car with adjustments in the back end. Ending up third in qualifying of 10 cars, the car had gone from loose all day in practice to tight in qualifying which hurt the speeds a little but it was a good sign that they were closing in on the setup.

The first heat race was a dominating win, starting from 6th spot Sarah drove the 99 car straight to the front and took the lead with an outside pass on lap 5. After the ten lap heat race Cornett-Ching crossed the start finish line with a full second lead.

Starting the main event from mid pack, getting out front as soon as possible would be key.  The top three cars broke away in a pack and it was a three way battle until pit stops began around lap 20. The 99 team had a strategy to stay out as long as possible before pitting which ended up being around lap 45.

The pitstop was a huge success and on the stopwatch the fastest of the night, after a caution when the field lined back up for green the Snap-On Tools car was sitting in second place. After a hard fought battle on the outside Sarah fell back into line in 3rd place. The top two cars were battling for position keeping the 99 bottled up in 3rd.

When the front cars fell back into single file Sarah began working on moving to the front. When she made it around the 2nd place car taking the spot there were only 7 laps left in the 100 lap feature and not enough time to chase down the leader.

The team couldn't have been more happy with the finish considering how badly the car had been wrecked two weeks prior.

"It really says alot about the determination and heart of my team, especially my dad who really is the driving force behind this team. With more time between now and the next Arca race I wouldn't count us out, we have what it takes to win here."

A Special Thanks to: Snap-On Tools; Bill Smythe, Mike Ernst, Paul Wedlake, Jason Anderson, Melissa Hunt, Holly Parker, everyone else who has helped us out along the way, and most of all my dad Joe Cornett-Ching.

Gordie Mannes Weekend 2012

Penticton Speedway

The #99 team decided to race in their hometown event with the other late model touring series in the province; the ASA Advanced Testing Series. It was a good change of pace for the team not having to worry about points racing, although with a points race the following weekend it was going to be important to keep the car clean throughout the two 100 lap events.

On Saturday the team qualified 10th out of 15 cars and was 3rd in the B heat race, heading into the main event the car wasn't working the way the team had hoped it was loose and a difficult car to race. Despite that Sarah battled back to finish 7th and the car was damage free.

Sunday night came quickly after a long day at the race shop changing setups on the car in hopes to increase the speed of the car. Sarah hoped for the best with one 7 minute practice session, the car would have to be good enough.

A 9th place qualifying run of 16 cars was a good start for the team, but they were still trying to improve the handling through the center of the corner before the feature. 2nd place in the B heat showed even more signs of improvement, and the car wasn't too far off.

The main event was a great learning experience for the Midtown RV sponsored team, they came out of the race 7th and rounded out the weekend in 6th place overall. With no damage to the car everyone on the team is looking ahead to next weekends Arca Series points race in Agassiz, BC.

" We can take many positives away from this weekend, it was only my second time in a late model at this track and I was able to make some strong outside groove passes. The car is relatively unmarked and we have a great starting point for setup to head to Agassiz with."

Saturday August 11 the Arca Ok Tire Series will roll into Agassiz to compete in the second last race of the tour in 2012.

Quesnel 2012

The fourth stop on the Arca Ok Tire Series Tour was at Gold Pan Speedway in Quesnel, BC, and the 99 team was hoping to continue their momentum from the previous weeks top five finish. It was a hot day at the track and the mornings practice was spent unfortunately chasing a shock that was binding, with the handling of the car an unknown going into qualifying the team had to hope for the best.

A somewhat disappointing qualifying effort landed her 8th of 13 cars, and would have her starting in the slow heat race. Working her way from the back to the front in the heat she finished 3rd. After a few more adjustments on the car the team hoped the car would be what they wanted in the 100 lap main event.

A great start to the feature running up in the second position and staying top 5 for the first half of the race, a few consecutive restarts would prove to be the downfall and some contact causing bent suspension and a rough last half of the race for the 99 Snap-On Tools Cadillac. 

"It's disappointing to continue to have these small issues plague us throughout these races, all we can do now is look ahead to Agassiz where we had a great run last year and work to build on that." Said the exasperated young driver.

Watch for the Arca Ok Tire Series as it makes one of the last stops on the tour to Agassiz Speedway.  

Prince George June 16 2012

With Prince George Motors Ford on the car the #99 Snap-On Tools team headed to Prince George the Thursday night before the race. Even with the forecast threatening rain for Saturday and Sunday all the racers  still traveled near and far to be there.

The first stop for the Beat by a Girl racing team Friday morning was at PGARA Speedway for an interview with local television station CKPG news, then straight to Prince George Motors with their Ford race car to display for the rest of the day.

Saturday morning the weather was looking great for the Arca Ok Tire Series race and the first three practice sessions went off without a hitch Sarah was able to get back into a rhythm at this new track and put down some competitive lap times.

Unfortunately shortly after the rain began and didn't stop until close to 6:00pm this made for a long night as the other classes of cars had to run around and do all their races to try to dry the track before more rain would plague the night.

While waiting for the track to dry Sarah had an interview with the Prince George Citizen, to talk about her racing history and future plans, which was published here,  http://m.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20120622/PRINCEGEORGE0201/306229965/0/princegeorge0201/no-stopping-cornett-ching-on-oval&template=JQMArticle

With no qualifying spots the field was started in order of points, this would put Sarah and the team out front on a wet track. The green flag flew in a single file restart due to the outside groove being wet and the second place car bumped Sarah going into the first turn. Sarah slid high into the wet high groove and got passed by nearly every car on the track. Getting back into line 10th made for a daunting task to get back to the front before the rain fell.

Sarah quickly settled in and began passing cars, there were a few wrecks that she narrowly avoided and before long Sarah was up to 5th.

"The skies were threatening rain and I knew I had to make some moves to get to the front" Said the seasoned youngster.

She got under the 4th place car and then set her sights on 3rd.

"I got under the third place car in the 1/2 corner and we drag raced down to the 3/4, I made a rookie mistake and let my line get pinched which hurt my exit. It had started to rain but I couldn't hold onto the 3rd place spot."

Shortly after, the caution flag flew and the race was called for rain, Sarah ended up 4th place which was a respectable finish for her second time at the race track.

"I couldn't be happier with our run in Prince George, we came home with no marks on the car and had a great top five finish as well, I can't wait for Quesnel on July 21 I think we've got a car that can go to the front!"

 

Cornett-Ching is one to Watch in 2012

Arca Season Opener May 12, Motoplex Speedway, Vernon, BC

The first race on the Arca Ok Tire Series schedule had the teams travel to Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, BC. With countless laps and experience in Vernon Sarah and the #99 team always look forward to the events there. The team had been testing out a new setup which at the last practice session had been working extremely well and had everyone looking forward to competing with.

"I can't wait to try our  new setup against all the best talent in the province" said Cornett-Ching in the days leading up to the event. " We have been researching what we want and last practice gave me a lot of confidence in what we've been working on. Not only are we one of the only competitive teams who setup our own cars, but being able to compete for a win on any given night is a great feeling."

The first practice was a sign of good things to come as Sarah posted the third fastest speed of 21 cars. "The car was turning well but we needed more bite off the corner" said the talented young racer. The team didn't find the rear grip they were looking for in time ins which put them in p10.

With the invert in the field the #99 Snap-On Tools car would start on the pole of the fast 10 heat, with a great start and the rear grip the were looking for now in the car Sarah drove away with the race winning the 10 lapper by 4 car lengths. " It is a great feeling to put our car in victory lane to show our sponsors, crew and everyone who supports us we have what it takes, it also doesn't hurt to put a little fear in the competitors minds either!" said Sarah.

The Lordco 100 started off cleanly and Sarah got out to 2nd place right away. The field stretched out and she held the 2nd position for the first 60 laps. Sarah got a great start on the first restart of the day and held her spot but the second restart on the outside saw Sarah fall back in the outside lane.

Holding her line on the outside waiting for a spot to sneak back to the bottom would be where the trouble started for Cornett-Ching. A competitor a few car lengths back over drove into the 3/4 corner and slide up in the the side of the #99 car and that started a chain of events which ended with Sarah hitting the inside wall on the front straight away.

The car re-fired and Sarah was able to re join the field, unfortunately after the incident the car was no where near as quick as it had been in the beginning, finishing on the lead lap, keeping the car clean and passing a few cars in the closing laps would be the dashing end to a promising night for Cornett-Ching and her crew.

" Im disappointed with the finish but I can honestly say I can't wait for the next race May 26 in Williams Lake, BC we have a race car that's faster than a jet fighter and it will be in Victory Lane yet this year"

Sarah Cornett-Ching Racing Moving towards the 2012 Season

After an entire year of learning at Race 101 in North Carolina, Sarah walked away from the program's Awards Ceremony not only with the Marketing Excellence award, but also valuable contacts in the industry, and endless knowledge.

"I am proud to win this award because I am being recognized for all the media efforts and publicity we received this year. Racing isn't possible without the marketing side and some people can forget that."

Taking everything learned at Race 101 and applying it to her 2012 season Sarah will certainly have an edge over the other competitors in her series. She is planning to race in the Arca Ok Tire Series and putting in a championship contending run.

" We feel like with our equipment and all we've learned over the past year we have a great shot at the Arca championship this year, with Snap-On Tools coming back on board again in 2012 we are confident about our chances next season."

Sarah hopes to compete in the Nascar Canadian Tire Series again in 2012 at her home track in Vernon and if that race goes well to make her first appearance at Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon.

" We are also proud to welcome Underwriters Insurance onto our team this year, they were involved in our Nascar appearance last year and have now signed to be apart of our Arca season too."


" Over the off season I was able to do a few good deeds to help my community too, I cut my hair and donated it and got to donate blood for the first time. I was already informed the blood I donated saved a life!"

2012 is shaping up to be a great year for this young team and with the power of marketing behind them it might just be the perfect fit for advertising your company.

End of Race 101 / Start of 2012 and Opinions

The Race 101 year wrapped up at the Graduation Ceremony in Conover, NC on February 11th. I was awarded the Marketing Excellence Award along with my Certificate for Graduation. I had the opportunity to meet the 2012 class and I am looking forward to mentoring the four girls that will be taking part next year.

It is time to start preparing our late model for our 2012 Arca season and making plans to assure two starts in the Nascar Canadian Tire Series on the Western swing. I am working on a new initiative to help bring awareness to women in all sports, and I will be participating in a Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser as well.

Read more: http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/7555295/mccall-zerboni-bayer-family-raise-money-breast-cancer-research

As I try to make my way in the racing world, I can't help but notice the other women in the sport. The sexuality is definitely a part of being a woman in a mans world, but as far as some of the Go Daddy commercials go it seems a bit extreme to me. Then on Facebook the other day  I notice the Maxim video of the Cope twins, that video is basically porn in my opinion. How these girls think that is going to help them get into the seat of a race car is absurd to me. They have driven in races I've watched before, specifically at Martinsville when they made Nascar History by being the first set of twins to start a Nascar Camping World Truck race, I was unimpressed. Neither cracked the top 20 and both were laps down.

I don't know what the magic formula is to make it in Nascar these days but I do know with the right drive and determination it will happen.