Team Mistake Costs Papenhausen the Point's Lead

Richard Papenhausen would have come out of Chowchilla's
Western Modified race as the points leader by a slim two points,
instead he finds himself sitting in the sixth position in the ultra
competitive series.

Papenhausen was disqualified after the race competition committee
of five reviewed all aspects of the findings on Monday evening. They
reported that the car only had three operating brakes in post race
inspection, and the rules clearly state brakes must be operated on all
four wheels during inspection. No brake shut-off or pressure sensitive
devices allowed. Proportioning allowed, front to rear only.

I have covered many races over the years and in defense of the
Papenhausen team, that was not the race track a three wheel brake
set up was going to help. So that would lead me to the question, why
did this happen to such a great team and driver?

I was told that the owner of the Papenhausen car said he made a
mistake, they run tracks with three wheel brakes, and tracks with four
wheel brakes, and after suffering a broken leg, and the rush to get the
car prepared for this big event, they simply over looked the brakes.

"We are here to provide a balanced playing field for all of our
competitors, and it does not matter who you are, a big time driver or
a person just starting out, our job is to not see car numbers or names,
our job is to make sure everyone is on the same playing field. In this
case it does seam as though an honest mistake was made, as I have
won a lot of dry slick dirt races and this was not the night for three
wheel brakes, but the rules are clear on four working brakes. I feel
bad for them, but the rules are the same for everyone" adds chief
steward Mark Keys.

Papenhausen would have finished in the second position, now the
official results will show everyone from third place back moving up in
the finish order and in the money.

The Chowchilla Speedway will be back in action on May 2nd.

i like richard and the crew, good group of guys, a rule is a rule though... glad to see that it was inforced... btw 3 wheels brakes dont make you fast on dry slick lol so i am sure it was no help