Ford Quality Checked-backed Chris Carr Could Wrap Up AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship This Weekend In Springfield But First… Charitable champ sets up auction on his weekly Ford QC/AOL web log http://html.blog.fordflattrack.vpi.net/blog/ to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina FLEETWOOD, Pa., (Sept. 1, 2005) Current AMA/Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned Flat Track Championship series points leader Chris Carr of the Ford Quality Checked Team, on the cusp of wrapping up his seventh AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship, came up with a unique idea to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. From Carr on his weekly Ford QC/AOL web log (aka “blog”) was this: http://html.blog.fordflattrack.vpi.net/blog/ Hurricane Katrina & Ford Quality Checked Certified September 1, 2005 at 09:53 am In an effort to lend a hand to the Americans left homeless by Hurricane Katrina, Ford Quality Checked Certified Pre-owned racer Chris Carr is auctioning off a set of his genuine championship race leathers. The Powertrip brand leathers, emblazoned with the Ford Quality Checked logo and colors, were worn by Chris in successful AMA/Ford QC Flat Track Championship title run last year. Bidding on the leathers begins at $1,500. All bids – in confidence – can be emailed to: [email protected] The entire amount of the winning bid will be donated to the American Red Cross and earmarked for “Hurricane Katrina relief.” “My heart truly goes out to the people affected by this recent natural disaster,” said Carr. “I’ve been in shock sitting her and reading the paper, watching the images on TV – feeling all along I had to do something. So I’ve decided to donate my ’04 championship Ford Quality Checked team race leathers – the same ones I wore when I clinched the title – to the American Red Cross relief efforts going on in the areas that were most affected by Hurricane Katrina. Again, from my heart, I have got to know a lot of motorcycle people that live in the south, many of whom are big fans of flat track, and this is a way that I can give back to them in a time of need.” Back to racing, Carr enters this weekend’s Springfield (Ill.) Short Track and Mile doubleheader with a 15-point lead (192-177) over rival Kenny Coolbeth, despite crashing this past race at Sedalia, Mo. Carr’s done the math and says that if he can come out of Springfield nine points ahead of Coolbeth, it’s all over. “If I gain nine points on Kenny this weekend, in any combination of finishes, I’ll have a 23-point lead going into Du Quoin (Ill.) and I would win the tie-breaker,” said Carr. But the AMA’s tightest premier division series points chase of the summer will be tricky for Carr this weekend as he has to jump from a short track to the mile this weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Nonplussed, Carr feels he’s at his best when the pressure’s on like it will certainly be this weekend. “Everybody wants to see a close points chase, and I feel dirt track has given that to its fans better than any other AMA property this summer,” said Carr. “I hope to break it open this weekend and clinch it.” Carr will have to open with, admittedly, his weakest flat track event short track. Though he says that his longtime mechanic, Kenny Tolbert, has a more difficult task ahead of him than Carr feels he does. “If anything, this weekend’s races are harder on the crews, the crew chiefs and mechanics,” said Carr. “We riders get to do the fun part.” The contrast of this weekend’s races is like no other in AMA racing. In a four wheel perspective it’s almost like going from a go-kart race to running a NASCAR Cup race the next evening. But for the veteran Carr it’s just a matter of, as he says, “Flipping the switch.” “When it’s time to go, it’s time to go,” said Carr. “It’s not difficult for me or the other riders in the series. Our systems are trained to race and that’s what we do.” Back to the Sedalia, Mo., flat track race, Carr found himself in a hot chase for the leaders, coming back from sixth place on lap two to second place after a red flag restart. But the champ would make a rare mistake, going down in his charge to the top and had to settle for an un-Carr like 13th overall. “I went to put the nail in the coffin and wound up putting it in my thumb instead,” said Carr of his charge. “I was simply going for the win and it didn’t work out. But it wound up being a fortunate night for us despite our misfortune.” The “fortune” Carr speaks of is Coolbeth’s inability to get his bike going for the restart. Coolbeth would finish in 16th place, losing three valuable points on Carr. The current AMA Flat Track champion, winningest active racer in the sport with 70 wins and six AMA Flat Track championship titles, the Chris Carr legend continues. The team returns to action this weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Ill.) for the Springfield Short Track (Saturday) and Mile (Sunday). For more information on Chris Carr, visit his website at www.chriscarr.com