With the start of the 2001 Whiplash Desert Tour just a week away, Ric Sanders the illustrious owner and main sponsor of a 5/1600 and soon to be completed 1/2 1600, looks forward to an exciting year of racing. Ric, at 50, is a veteran in the 5/1600 ranks, will hand the steering wheel of the 5 car, to his daughter Samantha and his son Paul. Ric continues working on the 1/2 1600 which will be completed (hopefully) sometime in March. " I've been looking forward to have my children racing with me" states Ric, "Family participation is what it's all about."

Samantha and Paul may be rookies behind the wheel, but don't let that fool you. They have both been co-riders with dad for many years now. Basically growing up in the sport. With Ric living in north Tucson, they have had plenty of places to practice. Samantha (Sam) is 21 yr. young and is an EMT. She will be the Driver of Record for the 5/1600. Paul is 30 and a superintendent for a plumbing co. in Mesa. They are Planning on attending all Whiplash Desert events this year to contend for the 5/1600 Championship.

With help from our sponsors; Sanders Plumbing, Signs And Such, J.R. Tuttle, and all the love and support from our family and friends, We look forward to the challenges that the 2001 Whiplash racing season may bring upon us.

Chapter 1: Parker 400

I've heard nothing but good things about Whiplash's Parker 400. This will be another testimony of an event that is regaining the popularity it once had. Sanders Racing had come to Parker with one thing in mind, Finish. A goal hoped for by all contestants. With two new drivers behind the wheel and a championship race ahead of us, it seems like a simple plan. But as most of us know, things don't always go as planned. Friday, Paul went to go test the car on the gauntlet, getting less than a half a lap, the left rear C.V. decided it wasn't going to be a part of this event. With back-up parts in the race trailer, and plenty of time to make repairs, this setback was only a minor inconvenience. After a couple of hours of wrenching the car was repaired and once again run through the gauntlet, brought back to the pit and deemed ready to race. I had arrived late Friday evening, was informed of the days events. I couldn't help but be concerned about the other C.V.. It seems once something goes wrong with one part, you seem to question the stability of the other. I was quickly reassured by Ric, that everything was OK.

Saturday morning had finally arrived, before you new it we had, staged, started, and were on our way. Before we got out of the gauntlet we had managed to get the car on two wheels, loose the radio, and loose two positions. Sam didn't seem shaken by any of that, steady at the wheel she slowly increased her pace as she got settled into the rhythm of the car. It had seemed the car was geared to high, we would loose ground on the fast stuff, but in the rough we would catch and pass others in the class. Only to loose them once we got on the fast graded roads. We didn't pay to much attention on the other cars in our class, we did what we had to do to get the car to Paul, at midway. Sam ran her own race. I must admit now, that women's got some tenacity..

Reaching midway, I don't think Sam was ready to get out of the car. Her hands were telling her another story. She had done an exceptional job and now it was Paul's turn. With that, Paul climbed in, buckled up and we took on fuel. Before we could get going again, Sam, looking over the car, spotted that some bolts on the right rear spring plate had come loose. Our crew jumped in to action and had them tightened up quickly. We were on our way.

It didn't take long for me to notice the different driving styles, Paul with greater arm strength seemed to muscle the car around alot more. The pace Slightly faster. We worked our way down the powerline road, across the CAP, down into Osborne wash in good time. The car working extremely well under Paul's added pressure. We got to within sight of the pits, in the whoops, when the car slowed to a stop. the car was still running, so I looked to him as if to say "what's up" ? He just shook his head side to side, as if to say he didn't know.( We had no intercom in the car). I leaned over to him , he told me that he had no throttle... We got out, found the spare cable,and proceeded to replace it. After we got done , we gave the car another once over before continuing. Being aware of the bolts one the spring plate previously backing out, Paul wanted a quick look again. This time he thought he noticed something more terminal. He thought the spring plate housing had broken ( this is what took us out at the Snowflake race). We climbed back in, buckled back up, and slowly make our way back to the pits. Once back at the main pits, Ric examined the plate and told us everything was as it should be. I felt bad for the delay, but better safe than sorry. Ric looked at his watch,and told us we still had time to finish the race. Off we went for lap 3.

Lap 3 was a breeze having probably turned our best lap of the day, although the car seemed to be bogging a bit at the end , we made it to the finish line in a total time of 7:35.59. for third place in class. Mission accomplished...

In summery; With some minor problems, no flats, the race for us was a success. Sam and Paul both performed perfectly under pressure.

I want to thank; Sanders Plumbing, J.R. Tuttle and Signs and Such for giving us the means to participate in this event; Our crew for outstanding pit work; our families for all of their love and support, last but not least, Whiplash Motorsports , for providing Quality and Affordable Racing Events..