Paul Wiechmann defeats Rich Okerman for Perma-Coil/Team Smooth Pro Gas Title

By Bob Johnson
California Dragway Fontana, Calif. May 28, 2005

The Memorial Day weekend Southern California Pro Gas Assoc., race at California Dragway featured a classic drag race as two of the association's most popular racers—and best of friends—met in the final round. Paul Wiechmann—a fixture in SoCal drag racing since the days of Lions, Irwindale, and OCIR—raced against his racing partner Rich Okerman for the Perma-Coil/Team Smooth sponsored event, with the veteran racer Wiechmann getting a starting line advantage and winning his first Pro Gas race of the year.

Wiechmann's day started off by qualifying number one with a 9.903 with his '85 Olds, followed by Randy Kersey with a 9.903, Randy Balough, Phil Miller, and Jim Israel logged 9.904s, and Shawn Langdon, Ray Cordeiro, and Bob Duncan all qualified with 9.905s. In all, 13 of the 66 entries qualified on the 9.90 index.

Dave Fargo opened the fourth round with a win over 02 series champion Greg Ventura, Paul Wiechmann ran a perfect 9.900 to beat 01 Pro Gas Champion Dave Coapstick, Rich Okerman beat Pete Kinney, Alan Hoefer had a perfect light and 9.91 to beat red-lighting Brian Mendenhall, and rookie Ryan Herem got a bye into the final with is 69 Camaro.

In the quarterfinals, Dave Fargo red-lighted by .002, handing the win to Okerman, Wiechmann ran a second-straight 9.900 (.019 r.t.) to put away Herem, and Hoeffer got a bye into the semi. Okerman's Hot Rod Performance-sponsored Beretta won the match against Alan Hoefer in the semifinal 9.908 (.015 r.t.) to a losing 9.933 (.023 r.t.). Paul Wiechmann took an easy bye into the final.

The Wiechmann-Okerman final was pretty much decided at the starting line, with Wiechmann taking a .015 to .049 reaction time advantage over Okerman, and getting the win with a 9.921, 131.39 to a losing 9.906, 152.24. Hot Rod Performance, Meziere Enterprises, Shaver Specialties and Taylor Motorsports sponsor Wiechmann. Mike & Robin Boner sponsored the winner's trophies, while RVPO furnished the number one qualifier plaque.

Ray's Notes