ERNIE CAROSELLA TAKES SPORTSMAN

JUNE 22, 2003 – EAST HAMPTON, CT– Seven New England Formula GX combat flyers assembled in East Hampton, Connecticut, at the Salmon River State Forest, for the annual running of “The Salmon River Clash”. Weather conditions were wet with temperatures in the sixties and a moderate breeze. We had heavy rains in the morning, which slowed and then stopped for the 10:00 am contest start time. It wasn’t long before it began to drizzle, light but steady. Things were still tolerable until right at the end of the third round when the skies opened up, forcing the contest to be called at the end of three rounds.

Round one saw Len Minick grab the early contest lead posting a 620 point win. Brian Stas, Matt Stas and Neil Simpson all posted 520 point wins in round one to stay within range of Len. In the first round two match Len and Brian faced off in a match that, after some good action early, ended in a mid-air. In the next match Neil Simpson just got past Matt Stas with a one cut win. Going into round three Neil had the lead with 1140 points while Brian, Matt and Len were all in close pursuit with identical 820 point cumulative scores. In the first match of round three Brian Stas and Neil Simpson flew to a one cut apiece draw in a match that had buzzer to buzzer action. Next, Matt Stas and Len Minick faced off in a match that ended, early, with an explosive mid air collision that hurt both pilots chances. Later in round three, in what eventually proved to the final match of the day, Dana Lord and Glenn Simpson flew to a 410 point draw. When the score sheets were dried off and tabulated the final order of finish was Neil Simpson, Brian Stas, Dana Lord with Len Minick and Matt Stas tied for fourth. They settled the tie via a coin flip, which Len won. Ernie Carosella got the sportsman win. Except for the soaking rain, at the end, this was a very enjoyable contest.

Thank You to Dana Lord, from all of us, for securing permission to use the Salmon River facility.

Salmon River Clash - Formula GX Combat

7 Contestants (4 from MA) (3 from CT)

10 Matches – 3 mid-airs

(E) Neil Simpson - E. Brookfield,MA 1650pts

(A) Brian Stas - Kingston, MA 1330pts

(A) Dana Lord - Colchester, CT 1010pts

(A) Len Minick - Clinton, CT 920pts

(A) Matthew Stas - Kingston, MA 920pts

(E) Glenn Simpson - Worcester, MA 910pts

(S) Ernie Carosella - Clinton, CT 100pts