2007 Team News:
11/20/2007: Here's an early look at our 2008 plans (not finalized): Craig "Hollywood" Mitchell will return in the #33 358 modified. A new 2008 PMC is being built for an all out assault at OCFS, with power still provided by RGP Performance. A second 358 car will be available as a backup and will be raced occasionally by team owner Ken Hermance. This car is the 2006 Bicknell last raced at ESW, and will also be powered by a RGP Performance motor. Depending on how the season goes, the backup car may be turned into a Syracuse car for Hollywood for the October 358 race. Stayed tuned for news regarding big block driver Steve Birchwale.
11/1/2007: The 2007 season is officially over for us, and we have already started to plan and prepare for 2008. Expect a few more changes for next year, which we'll announce as soon as everything has been worked out. Thanks to all who helped us out this year, and we'll see you again at the races in 2008.
10/20/2007: ESW Update: An error by a track flagger cost Hollywood a better time trail result - 24th (out of 70). He started the 358 100 lapper in 24th and worked his way up to a 12th place finish.
10/19/2007: ESW Update: Rain, rain, and more rain. Time trials and heats postponed until tomorrow morning.
10/18/2007: We're all set for Eastern States Weekend. The '06 Bicknell has been fitted with the 358 motor. Time trials and heats are scheduled for Friday, with the 358 main event on Saturday. There is a chance of rain tomorrow afternoon and night. Updates to follow. Also; "Topless" night photos now posted.
10/7/2007: Syracuse Update: Congratulations to Hollywood and the entire 93X team for a successful week at Syracuse. Results: 1st in Big Block Futures race, 2nd in 358 Futures race, 7th in 358 main event, Rookie of the Race in 358 race. DNQ for the Big Block main event.
10/7/2007: Syracuse Update: More damage was found on Hollywood's big block from the driveshaft failure on Thursday. The team doesn't expect to compete in today's last chance race.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: It's over, Brett Hearn wins the fuel mileage 150. Hollywood comes in 7th and gets Rookie of the Race honors.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: 36 laps to go, the weather looks good to the end. 25 to go, Part Ward now leads over Bicknell and Hearn. 15 to go, yellow out for a flat tire. 9 to go, Bicknell leads. Bicknell & Bachetti run out of gas!
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: Word from the track: Hollywood is now in 7th, they're running around under yellow with drizzle still falling on the track. Several of the top teams, including Hollywood, are gambling they can make it to the end on gas and tires. It's now lap 101, and they are going back to green.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: The green is back out! 56 laps in the books, and rain 15 minutes away. It's starting to rain again, 7 laps short of the half-way mark. Lap 72, the rain stopped and the green is back out (probably not for long). Bicknell leads, followed by Hearn, Ward, and Bachetti. Starting to rain again on lap 81.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: The sun is out and the track is drying. The cars are back out on the track, it shouldn't be much longer. But more rain is coming.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: While they're in a rain delay, here's some pictures: Syracuse pictures
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: The 150 358 race is underway, 3 cautions already with 0 laps scored. The race has now been red flagged on lap 15 for heavy rain. A storm is moving through. Once it passes the track will need to be dried, so it may be awhile before the green comes back out.
10/6/2007: Syracuse Update: Hollywood is slated to go off starting 19th in today's 150 lap 358 race. The race is scheduled to start at 2pm. He'll have to make Sunday's 200 big block race the hard way, he'll be starting 6th in tomorrow morning's last chance race, only 2 will qualify.
10/5/2007: Syracuse Update: Hollywood finished 13th in the 3rd big block qualifying race, missing the 200 by 1 spot. He'll have to run the last chance race on Sunday morning. The OCFS motor has been fitted into the Syracuse big block car.
10/5/2007: Syracuse Update: Hollywood's big block car lost it's motor in morning practice due to a driveshaft failure, the team does have their OCFS car available. He went on to finish 9th in the 2nd 358 qualifying race, so he's all set for Saturday's 150.
10/4/2007: Syracuse Update: Hollywood Wins the big block "Futures" race! Plus finishes 2nd in the 358 version!
10/4/2007: Syracuse Update: Hollywood timed 15th out of 42 cars in the small block and 25th out of 70 in the big block. Next up he's on the pole for both "Futures" features.
9/21/2007: Good luck to Hollywood at Syracuse. He'll be headed there in a couple of weeks with both a Modified & 358 Modified. The 358 motor is being assembled by RGP Performance and provided by Hermance Motorsports. On a sad note; we have put the 2003 Bicknell chassis out to pasture. It received rear frame damage last week; more than what's worth repairing. Next up; Eastern States with the 2006 car for Hollywood in the 358 race.
9/15/2007: Ken was able to qualify for his first big block feature. But he ended up hitting the wall while avoiding a spinning car. End result a DNF and 21st place finish (out of 28 starters). Pictures coming soon ...
9/3/2007: Next up; 9/15 modified no roof night, where Ken will be taking out the small block car. no roof preview
9/1/2007: Contact in the feature sent Hollywood to the back, where he managed a 15th place finish which secured 4th place in the 358 point standings.
8/18/2007: Another good run by Hollywood, he got his second 2nd place finish in his last 3 outings.
8/8/2007: We're off again until 8/18, but follow the progress of repairing the car in the photos section.
8/4/2007: A tough night for Hollywood and the #33 358 modified, a first lap accident damaged the back of the car and forced the first DNF of the season.
7/21/2007: The upgrades helped, the car was faster and Hollywood did a very good job of racing the car to a second place finish.
7/5/2007: The 358's are off until July 21st. We're using the time to upgrade some components on the car.
6/30/2007: With some early heat damage and a flat tire in the feature, Hollywood could only manage a 14th place finish.
6/23/2007: Hollywood ended up with a 8th place finish, he currently sits 3rd in points.
6/9/2007: Another 5th place finish for Hollywood in the #33 358-modified.
6/2/2007: Hollywood started 20th and fought his way up to an 8th place finish.
5/31/2007: Early contact in the heat gave Hollywood a deep starting spot for the feature. The car was working pretty good, and he was able to bring it up to a 12th place finish. We'll be back in 2 days for the regular Saturday show.
5/19/2007: Tonight's racing has been cancelled. Our next show will be on Thursday May 31.
5/4/2007: The 358-Modifieds are off for the next 2 weeks, so we'll be taking a break. Next up; May 19th with the World of Outlaws sprint cars.
4/28/2007: Craig finished 9th with the 358-Modified, he's now sitting 4th in points.
4/21/2007: Opening night: A decent start to the season; Hollywood brought the 358-Modified home in 5th place. The car went well, but there's more speed waiting to be unlocked.
4/14/2007: The practice night went well, Hollywood brought the #33 358-modified up to speed very quickly. The new motor ran very strong, and we're all looking forward to opening night. New pictures posted.
4/10/2007: A new RGP Performance small block engine is currently being fitting into the 358-Modifed car, and should be ready for this weekend's practice.
3/30/2007: Shadow Racing Products have come aboard to provide their Black Magic Shocks for Craig Mitchell in the #33 358 Modified.
1/30/2007: 2007 OCFS Schedule now posted.
1/1/2007: Craig "Hollywood" Mitchell will be driving the Hermance Motorsports #33 small block car in 2007 at OCFS in the 358 Modified division. He will be using the same car that Alan Sturhann drove to a feature win and the 2005 OCFS 358 Modified Rookie of the Year. A fresh RGP Performance engine will be under the hood. Craig is a multiple feature winner and brings with him 5+ years of big block & small block experience.