Victory Lane
This early win came in 1999. This car was fabricated from scratch. Bob Thoennes designed the car and much of the welding and frame work was done by Jerry Thoennes. |
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Background
Became interested in the hobby of racing in the mid 70's watching his dad at local dirt tracks. Paul's racing career started on the streets of his hometown Bloomington, Illinois. Being on a low budget, he started off on big wheels around age 5. During his teen years he and brother Tom dug out a dirt track in their back yard to race R/C cars. After a few years, an investment in 2 go carts was next.
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The jump to race cars
Breaking into racing isn't always easy. Much of the young talent has the luxury of parents with lots of cash. This generation did not have that advantage. The first car was intended to be a sportsman car to start off slowly and grow into the sport. However, the motor placement caused such a problem, that after a little coaxing, the car became a modified. The old chassis was stubbed and the rails were eliminated behind the cage so basically the the only part of the chassis used was the cage. the rest of the car was totally fabricated by family. This car was raced for 2 years, then "retired" after the purchase of a Harris modified.
2002 - jump to late models
This season will mark the first year in a late model. Tom has been in a late model for one year. In his 3rd night out he qualified for the Summernationals race at Fairbury, so the tension is getting high to see what will happen when they finally line up door to door and the talking ends !
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Harris Modified purchased winter 1999
This car was raced in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. It was a leafspring car, and was very tempermental. It was either real good or real bad. We think it may have been possesed!
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