American Open Road Championships

2003 Championship Series

Super Sport Division
Charlie Friend
1965 Corvair

Perennial winner Charlie Friend and his classic “CINO” (Corvair in Name Only!) took down the top honors in Super Sport this year. This little Chevy-powered beast is not one to be trifled with, as Charlie averaged 160 mph in every event! His total “miss” time of 0.233 mph is an amazing result for this very fast Division, and Charlie, like Lisa, won while driving SOLO!  Those of you moving up to Super Sport this year had better be good, because Charlie and the CINO are TOUGH! 

Grand Sport Division
Steve Ruggles and Larry Ruggles
98 Corvette

Our Grand Sport Champions, Steve and Larry Ruggles, are the perfect example of the spirit of Open Road Racing. Like Lisa, whose father, mother, and brother compete every year, Steve & Larry are a father-son team of great experience, and it was that experience that carried them to the top this year. Scoring 0.004 mph, 0.025mph, and 0.013 mph at the Bonneville 100, Gambler’s Run Twin 50, and the High Roller 100, their total “miss” for the three events was an amazing 0.042 mph, the best score of any team all season! They also got a great write-up in Hot Rod magazine while participating in the High Roller 100 track event in Las Vegas. They have set a mark that will be hard to beat!

Grand Touring Division
Rodney Nadeau/Vernon Coleman
91 Corvette

Long-time buddies Rodney and Vernon got off to a great start this season, with a near-perfect 0.001 mph score at the Bonneville 100, then held off all comers, including the experienced team of Jerry and Robi White, to capture the top trophy.  No doubt it was the great support of their “better halves,” Lisa Nadeau, and Laurie Coleman, that carried them to the top. Great job, guys!

Touring Division
Lisa Spendlove
86 Mustang 5.0

Lisa, who has been Open Road Racing since the mid-90s, is this year’s winner of the Bob Waterman Memorial Trophy for the Touring Division.  Missing the perfect time by an amazing 0.007 mph at the Bonneville 100, 0.002 mph at the Pony Express 100, and 0.052 mph at the Gambler’s Run Twin 50, she beat the second place finisher by only .003 mph!  The amazing thing is she did it while driving SOLO!  You go, girl!

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