Terry Gibson Memorial Sim Race Pays Tribute to Fallen Racer

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SUPRS Remembers and Honors Terry Gibson with Two-Night Supermodified Sim Racing Event

January 5, 2017 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS),  is proud to present the 9th Annual Terry Gibson Memorial January 10-11, 2017, a two night extravaganza of supermodified sim racing meant to honor the late Terry Gibson.

SUPRS 2017 Terry Gibson Memorial poster by BreezeGraphics.com

BreezeGraphics.com helps SUPRS help others remember real supermodified racers.

Gibson lost his life during a heat race for the Midwest Supermodified Association at Toledo Speedway on July 18, 2008. Terry is survived by his wife Linda, son, Ryan W. Gibson; a daughter, Lindsay N. Kincaid; his mother and father Todd & Brenda Gibson, two brothers, Gene Lee (Lucinda) Gibson, Sandusky; Larry (Lisa) Gibson, Marysville; and a sister, Deb (Randy McElroy) Brady, Richwood.  His brother Jeff (Shannon) Gibson followed him in death in 2012.

Much Anticipation for Many Reasons

The race is one of the most anticipated events of the season and one of several memorial races that SUPRS runs throughout the year to help sim racers and fans remember those drivers killed while racing a real supermodified.

Everything kicks off at 8pm Tuesday, January 10 with practice for the Terry Gibson Fast 50 which many of the drivers use as a tune up for the next night. The winner of this race becomes a guaranteed starter for the Terry Gibson Memorial 100 which takes place on Wednesday, January 11.

Winning the Terry Gibson 100 automatically makes the driver that pulls it off a guaranteed starter for the SUPRS Summit 125 coming up at the end of the season.

The fact that Sandusky Speedway is known as the “North Coast Home of the Supermodifieds,” is where the Gibson family has experienced much of their racing success, hosts part of the real supermodified Triple Crown, (the prestigious International Supermodified Association Hy-Miler Supermodified Nationals), and is cl home track to many SUPRS members, adds even more excitement to this particular event.

One of the Hardest SUPRS Races to Win

Since beginning of the 100 lap event, there have been only four drivers to win it, and of those only two are multi-time winners.

Oswego, New York’s “Mighty” Myles Maxon brought home the inaugural race in 2009.  In 2010 Californian John Davidson won and then Maxon came back in 2011 to win amid a controversial finish that resulted in Dave Biro III being penalized for rough driving and disqualified.

Ray Sand, Jr. battled Fast 50 winner Joe Achzet and came out on top for the win in 2012. Then in 2013, he joined Myles Maxon as a two-time winner of this event and became the first racer to win it back to back. In 2014, the Rochester, NY native made a surprise pass on leader Steve Callahan to win his third straight Terry Gibson Memorial 100.

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The start of the 2015 Terry Gibson Memorial 100

2015 saw Sand, Jr. running part-time and with Myles Maxon on a hot streak, many believed Sand, Jr. would struggle to finish on the podium let alone win. Sand, Jr. surprised everyone and swept both nights and after leading every single feature lap in both races,  taking home an unprecedented fourth win in the 100.

Gangwer Puts Sandman Domination to Sleep

When 2016 rolled around, Sand, Jr. was in better shape than the year before and coming into the Terry Gibson Memorial had already won six features and was standing on top of the points.

When he dominated the Terry Gibson Fast 50 the night before, and set fast time for the 100, it seemed a foregone conclusion that he would secure his fifth win in a row.

It wasn’t to be though as Bob Gangwer surprised everyone when he passed leader Rob Warren with 30 laps to go and went on to win in emotional fashion.

Gangwer will look to become just the third driver with multiple Terry Gibson Memorial 100 wins this year.

CPR Hopeful for Hometown Win

There are several other drivers besides Gangwer that would cherish a Terry Gibson Memorial win. Of them all CPR Motorsports members “Steady” Steve Callahan of Cayuhoga Falls, OH, his son Joey, and his best friend and fellow May Motorsports crew member, Keith Powell rank the highest from a personal standpoint.

Growing up as supermodified fans at Sandusky Speedway and being a part of a real supermodified racing team, the CPR Motorsports guys all understand the relevance of the Gibson name to the track and supermodified racing in general.

Of the three, Steve has had the most success and the biggest heartbreak in this race.

He has been off of the podium just once, (4th last year), in the last four events finishes means that Callahan knows how to get around the semi-banked Sandusky paperclip.

For three years in a row, (2013-2015), it looked like Callahan had a lock on the top step of the podium only to have his hopes dashed in the closing stages of each race to come home in second place.

Callahan has rarely been out of the top 10 finishing positions of this race, so this could be the year he turns his heartbreak into happiness at the end of 100 laps.

Powell has not run as well as his friend in this race, but has a good season going, only recently been knocked off the top of the championship point standings, while the youngest of the CPR bunch, Joey Callahan, could be the sleeper of all the contenders and if he can keep his resolve, may surprise everyone.

Warren Looks to Avenge 2016 Loss

Rob Warren of Pulaski, NY full well knows the frustration of being close to the win at the Terry Gibson Memorial 100, only to come up just shy of victory.

Last year in particular, “Rocket” Rob, looked to be assured of his first win in this race only to lose the lead after a scuffle with eventual winner Bob Gangwer 30 laps before the checkers. Warren lost the Fast 50 the night before in similar fashion when Ray Sand, Jr. made a power move low in turn two to take the win.

Warren is the current SUPRS Gold Crest Wing Championship XIII point leader and is will be looking for his third win in a row and sixth on the season overall.

Three times since 2012 the driver of the 1st to Finish Race Servers machine has crossed the line in third place and finished the aforementioned 2016 race in second. His worst finish is thirteenth in 2011 and he’ll be looking to avenge his loss last year.

So Many Contenders

While the previous drivers have all either had success in the race already or could be considered favorites to win, there is a whole bunch of other SUPRS racers that should not be counted out.

Kevin Timmins, Dave Brigandi, and Joe Achzet will be joined by fellow New Yorker’s Chad Phelps, Derrick Backus and Kyle Clark, while Michigander Carl Becker looks to be the only other Midwesterner hoping for a good run.

SUPRS Icings on Top Rookie of the Year contender Nelson Rodrigues of Stoneham, MA will make his first NASCAR Heat start and has shown steady progress since his first SUPRS start in November including winning the Canadian Pursuit last week at Mosport.

Terry Gibson Memorial Race Night Times and Schedule of Events:

Tuesday, January 10: Practice: 8:00pm Drivers Meeting: 8:30pm Racing: 9:0pm  NO TIME TRIALS

Wednesday, January 111: Practice: 8:00pm Drivers Meeting: 8:15pm Time Trials: 8:30pm Heats: 8:40pm B-Main-8:50pm Consi-9:00pm Driver Introductions:9:10pm Green Flag 9th Annual Terry Gibson Memorial 100-9:15pm.

See SCHEDULE for Format and Details

More Fun for Fans

Fans can learn more about the original and oldest online supermodified sim sanction, the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, when they visit www.SUPRS.net. Join SUPRS active and vibrant Social Media channels by  “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.


Terry Gibson Memorial 100-Wing-Sandusky Speedway

  • 2009 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2010 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: John Davidson
  • 2011 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Myles Maxon
  • 2012 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2013 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2014 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2015 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2016 Terry Gibson Memorial 100 Champion: Bobby Gangwer

Terry Gibson Fast 50-Wing-Sandusky Speedway

  • 2009 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Dave Biro III
  • 2010 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Jamie Hartley
  • 2011 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2012 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Joe Achzet
  • 2013 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2014 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Canceled
  • 2015 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.
  • 2016 Terry Gibson Fast 50 Winner: Ray Sand, Jr.

-SUPRS-

“Supermodified Sim Racing for the Right Reasons”

since 2004

SUPRS Christmas Special, New Track, New Qualifying Format

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December 13, 2016 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), will finish off 2016 with the 13th Annual Christmas Special 25 and for the first time since 2005, Bracket Hill Raceway in New Hampshire won’t be the track it’s contested on.

2016 SUPRS Christmas Special promotional poster by BreezeGraphics.com

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, BreezeGraphics.com can give you the present of great looking promotional posters like this!

With a continued shift towards more rFactor supermodified sim racing events, Mopar Speedway in Michigan will play host to the race, and while most of the format will stay the same as it’s been in the previous 12 editions of this fun race, there will be one small twist to the qualifying format.

The sanction has decided to use a ‘group qualifying’ format. Each group will consist of several cars at a time and will get six laps to try to make it into the Elite 8 fastest qualifiers.

The six lap Reindeer Dash sets the starting positions for the Elite 8 qualifiers based on their finish.

Everyone else will go to heat races to be lined up based on their season won points handicaps. The way they finish the heat race is the way they will start the 25 lap feature behind the Reindeer Dash drivers.

Rob Warren Breaks a Christmas Special Record

From the year the race began in 2004, up until last year, there had never been a repeat winner of the Christmas Special. Rob Warren of Pulaski, NY broke that record he held off 2008 winner Ray Sand, Jr. for the second year in a row.

Rob Warren in Christmas Special victory laneThen, in the true spirit of the Christmas season, after accepting the accolades and awards for his win, including a Burgers’ Smokehouse Christmas Ham, he promptly asked that the ham be sent to Jeff Russell, a supermodified racer that continues to recover from Traumatic Brain Injury suffered at Las Vegas Bullring in 2010.

Possible 2-Time Winners, Host of Potential New Winners

Former winners Steve Callahan and Bob Gangwer will challenge Warren for the win and hope to add their names to the multi-time winner list, but Domenic Gioia is coming off perhaps his biggest win ever, the Dion Parish Memorial last week, and will be riding an avalanche of confidence that could produce his first Christmas Special win even though he has only run three Christmas Specials to date.

Similarly, Joe Achzet and Keith Powell have never won the Christmas Special but are having a spectacular season so far as they battle Warren for the top spot in the SUPRS Gold Crest Wing Championship.

Achzet has three wins so far and three track records, while Powell has two and has only been out of the top five finishers just once since the season started in October so both  are strong threats to pick up their very first Christmas Special win.

Christmas Gift Awaits

Whomever takes the checkered flag first on Tuesday, he’ll take home a Burgers’ Smokehouse Christmas Ham for his accomplishment.

Burgers' Smokehouse hamThe fine folks at Burgers’ Ozark Country Hams have been providing simple traditions since 1952 when they built their first “ham house” on their farm in Missouri.

With complete attention to quality and customer service, this family owned company continues to do things the old-fashioned way taking great care in the time-honored traditions of curing, aging, and smoking superior quality products.

Unwrap the Action

The SUPRS Christmas Special takes place December 13, 2016 beginning with practice which starts at 8:00pm. Group Qualifying will follow at 8:30pm and Racing gets underway at 9:00pm with the Reindeer Dash.

Just like kids and adults can track Santa on Christmas Eve, you can ‘track’ your favorite SUPRS race with timing, scoring and instant track telemetry via the SUPRS LIVE! page.

Learn more about this race on the SUPRS schedule page.  Regular season updates as well as real supermodified and sim racing news are popular features on the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Facebook page and @SUPRSOnline.


SUPRS Christmas Special History:

Year Winner Track Laps
2004 Chris Nicastro Derry Raceway Park 25
2005 Sean O’Kane Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2006 Kris Heveron Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2007 Tom Heveron Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2008 Ray Sand, Jr. Bracket Hill Raceway 50
2009 Dave Biro III Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2010 Steve Callahan Bracket Hill Raceway 50
2011 John Davidson Bracket Hill Raceway 50
2012 Bobby Gangwer Bracket Hill Raceway 50
2013 Gary Waldron Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2014 Rob Warren Bracket Hill Raceway 25
2015 Rob Warren Bracket Hill Raceway 25

Prestige of Winning Dion Parish Memorial on the Line at Kalamazoo

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Former winners Becker, Callahan, Gangwer, Powell, Warren Expected to Compete December 2, 2016 – Goshen, IN…The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), Dion Parish Memorial 62 honors the memory of supermodified racer Dion Parish and will take place this year on December 6, 2016 for the first time at Kalamazoo Speedway. Dion was a supermodified racer that lost his life in a testing accident at Kalamazoo Speedway in 2002 while preparing for a late season… Keep Reading

Wing Side Up Twins at Bristol are Twice as Nice

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Goshen, IN – November 28, 2016…The Wing Side Up Twin 25s for the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), is a double dip of daring challenges and thrills for supermodified sim racers willing to brave the big banks of Bristol Motor Speedway.

SUPRS Wing Side Up Twin 25s poster by BreezeGraphics.com

Big, Bold, Bodacious Promotional Poster by BreezeGraphics.com

For the 13th year Bob Gangwer’s Wing Side Up on the World Wide Web will sponsor the night of supermodified sim racing action. This year marks the second season that the drivers will use their rFactor supermodifieds.

The event, which has heat race and two 25 lap features has become a favorite of SUPRS racers as they test their nerves and skill while turning sub-11 second laps on a track that leaves little margin for error.

With multiple bonuses like the  SUPRS Double Down, SUPRSChallenge, and SUPRSCharger, the Wing Side Up Twin 25s provide plenty of unpredictability and tension as drivers vie for valuable Gold Crest Wing Championship points. For the Double Down, a driver can double his feature finish points if he can win both features.

With the SUPRSChallenge, the driver that starts last in each feature can claim 20 bonus points if he can make it to the front to win. The SUPRSCharger award is good for 10 bonus points to the driver that advances the most places from his feature starting spot.

While all of those may seem somewhat easy, the Double Down has only been claimed twice and the SUPRSChallenge has never been claimed at this event. Doug Heveron and John Davidson are the only drivers to have won both features on the same night. Heveron doing it in 2007 and Davidson in 2012.

Adding to the challenge of racing at Bristol, the first race includes time trials and heat to set the feature starting field while the second feature is a complete inversion of the first feature’s finish.

The SUPRS racers are ready to double the action and double the fun on the big banks of Bristol Motor Speedway Tuesday November 29, 2016. Official practice starts at 8pm with the Driver’s Meeting at 8:30pm. The drivers will take to the track for Time Trials at 8:45 and the racing is set to go begin at 9pm.

Supermodified and online sim racing fans and friends can savor the action and view timing and scoring of every SUPRS rFactor race in an instant, including the 13th Annual Wing Side Up Twin 25s via the SUPRS LIVE! page.

You can learn more about this race on the SUPRS schedule page.  Regular season updates as well as real supermodified and sim racing news are popular features on the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series Facebook page and @SUPRSOnline.


Wing Side Up Twin 25s History

(W=wing supermodified, NW=non-wing supermodified)

  • 2015-Rob Warren(NW)/Ray Sand, Jr.(NW)
  • 2014-Steve Callahan(W)/Myles Maxon(W)
  • 2013-Rob Warren(W)/Bob Gangwer(W)
  • 2012-John Davidson(W)/John Davidson(W)
  • 2011-Chris Meyers(W)/Domenic Gioia(NW)
  • 2010-John Davidson/Rob Warren
  • 2009-Keith Powell(W)/John Davidson(NW)
  • 2008-Jamie Hartley/Myles Maxon
  • 2007-Doug Heveron/Doug Heveron
  • 2006-Kris Heveron/Myles Maxon
  • 2005-John Davidson/Bob Gangwer
  • 2004-Gary Waldron
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