Mackvader™ of Powershift Performance
Bristol Motor Speedway 2018
Mackvader Makes an Impression at Bristol
On Saturday, October 27th, the Bandits showed their racing skills on the steep banks (36 degrees) of Bristol in two exhibition races as part of the Halloween Monster Truck Mash. There were also eight monster trucks competing in two events and some high jumping motorcyclists. The gates opened at 1 p.m. for the Monster Truck Trunk or Treat Party for the kids in the infield and the kids costume contest.
The activities started with the threat of rain that never really materialized; just cloudy gray skys. The kids (young and old, many in costurm) quickly formed lines for candy and autographs by the Bandit drivers. Morgan's lines always seemed to be the longest, but then he was voted Fan Favorite!
The first 25-lap Bandit race ran smoothly and without incident. Mackvader started in 8th position and steadily moved up to 3rd for the finish behind #55 and #3.
The trucks pitted to change tires. The big question for some time had been: will the truck tires (especially the right front tire) hold up for a full race with the steep banks of Bristol? After the first race the answer was a "maybe".
The steep angle of the track caused Mackvader's hood/fender to cut a deep groove into the right front tire during the first race. To resolve that issue the fender was cut higher and the damaged tire replaced with a brand new one.
Again, Mackvader started in 8th place and began working up through the pack. The #88 was in 2nd and closing the gap on 1st (#63) when without any warning the right front tire blew sending Mackvader into the wall of Turn 2 for a double bam-bam! The race had been shortened to 15 laps (due to weather concerns) and Mackvader was on the final lap. So, with good oil pressure the #88 continued around the track under caution to finish the race in 3rd.
As it turns out, the #55 had been running on the metal cords of his right front tire for some distance, sending out sparks as he went. Had the race continued this tire would also have blown. So, the answer to the tire question is a very firm NO. The Bandits cannot race the steep banks of Bristol with their current tires.
Among the damages: Mackvader sliced open the wall of Turn 2 leaving a long gash. The hood was blown so hard that both hood latches broke and the hood lifted up and fell forward. The gold bulldog on the hood lost much of it's face and tail. Mackvader took a beating, but that heart of gold kept going forward to finish the race in 3rd place, but under caution! [Official scoring moved #88 to last place because #88 caused the caution.]
START/FINISH ORDER OF RACES
First Race Start: 74 - 63 - 4 - 3 - 7 - 55 - 14 - 88 - 13 - 27
First Race Finish: 55 - 3 - 88 - 14 - 74 - 4 - 13 - 27 - 7 - 63
Second Race Start: 63 - 7 - 27 - 13 - 4 - 74 - 14 - 88 - 3 - 55
Second Race Finish: 63 - 55 - 88 - 74 - 27 - 3 - 14 - 7 - 13 - 4
Videos & Photos
Highlights - Wendy Morgan, 10/27/18
Bristol Big Rig Races - David Rowe, 10/28/18
Second Race - Bailey Mitchell, 10/27/18
Mackvader at Bristol, From 7th to 2nd (onboard camera) - Powershift, 10/27/18
In traffic (onboard camera) - Powershift, 10/27/18
Chasing Cody (onboard camera) - Powershift, 10/27/18
First race, clip - Bandits, 10/27/18
Big Rigs, Monster Trucks ready for BMS - Johnson City Press, 10/16/18
Photos, First Race
Photos, Second Race
