Dave Farren of Des Moines won the controversial IMCA Modified National
Series race at West Liberty Raceway. – Larry Bettis Photo
By Phil Roberts
West Liberty, Iowa (September 6, 1986) – Dave Farren of Des Moines drove to an impressive win in the IMCA Modified National Series race Saturday night at West Liberty Raceway but created controversy by his apparent actions as soon as the checkered flag fell.
When Farren took the checkered flag, a cloud of smoke billowed from the engine compartment, and it coasted to a stop on the backstretch. Many people had thought it had blown an engine on the final lap, but officials soon discovered an oil line going to the carburetor which, according to IMCA secretary Bill Haglund, was to “give the appearance that the engine had blown.”
Promoter Al Frieden had his technical inspector look at the car after it a push truck pushed it to the straightaway where Farren would collect his trophy. When the inspector discovered the device, the car’s engine builder denied its purpose at first but later verified it what it was, according to Frieden.
Top finishers in modified feature races are subject to a $300 engine claim by those who did not finish near the front.
Frieden, who later called use of such a device “poor sportsmanship”, favored disqualification of Farren but went along with Haglund’s decision to let the victory stand. Haglund cited rules, which he said have to provision for such devices.
“We have nothing in the rules to cover that,” Haglund stated later. He noted that provision regarding sabotage deal with an attempt to ruin an engine after its claimed and do not apply to the situation here.
Many drivers grumbled about the device and the ruling. Some of the drivers, along with Frieden, mentioned the hazard caused by the cloud of smoke needlessly put in front of a speeding pack of cars by such a device and that a few drivers were suspicious of the timing of the “blown engine” from the start.
The post-race controversy over-shadowed an otherwise classy race, begun by driver introductions and a parade lap of 29 starters in four abreast formations, waving to the crowd.
Mel Bates of Eldridge, who earned the pole position for the 30-lapper, led the first 12 laps. Farren passed Bruce Hanford of Davenport for second place on the ninth circuit and then passed Bates for the lead on lap 13.
Farren never relinquished the top spot after that, although he was chased by Gus Hughes of Monticello, who earned runner-up honors after getting around Bates on lap 19. Ken DeGood of Hills, Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids, and Bobby Layne of Kansas City rounded out the top-five finishers.
Farren’s victory was worth $1,000 plus IMCA points and a large trophy.
In street stock action, Rick Hurst of Dubuque started on the pole and led all 20 laps to score the victory. Bruce Current of Maquoketa finished second followed by Chopper Safley of Marion. Dave Johnson of West Liberty won the 15-lap bomber feature.
Editor’s Note – On Monday, September 8, International Motor Contest Association Executive Secretary Bill Haglund announced that Dave Farren had been fined $1,000 for use of a “oiling device” during an IMCA Modified National Series event at West Liberty.
Results –
1. Dave Farren, Des Moines
2. Gus Hughes, Monticello
3. Ken DeGood, Hills
4. Merv Chandler, Cedar Rapids
5. Bobby Layne, Kansas City
6. Brad Dubil, Davenport
7. Mike Gritton, Clarence
8. Mel Bates, Eldridge
9. Dave Hammond, Camanche
10.Kent Kaplan, West Liberty
11.Scott Smith, Davenport
12.Rich Smith, Davenport
13.Darrall Brick, West Branch
14.Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
15.Terry Ryan, Davenport
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