Ah, Mother Nature. Day 1 of the tenth annual BTE World Footbrake Challenge presented by Yukon Gear & Axle began under questionable skies. The plan was for a Test ‘N’ Tune session to run from 2:00 to 6:00 followed by the first of two World Footbrake Gamblers races.
 
Mom Nature tried hard but lost out in the end with time trials beginning a little later than planned. With a hefty field of cars entered for the first day of the WFC, the ladder round began with five cars left in competition. Former WFC runner-up Nick Bowman was the recipient of the lucky bye run into the semifinals, while Taylor Bowling was set to face Bud McNasby and Brook Stevens would face last year’s Thursday WFC Gambler’s winner Matt Obertanec.
 
In the round of five, there were also five different makes of cars represented; Chevy, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Dodge and Rambler with ironically four of them dialing in the 6.90-second range. In the round, McNasby, Obertanec and Bowman advanced with McNasby receiving the lucky bye run in the semifinals as both Obertanec and Bowman had received previous bye runs.
 
At three cars, McNasby took the solo run and Bowman lit the red-light to move Obertanec one step closer to repeating. However, in the final, McNasby used his brake pedal to his advantage when he defeated and closed the Cinderella story on Obertanec.
 
“I have wanted to win one of these races for so long and I’m thrilled that I finally got one,” said McNasby.
 
Friday will dawn early with the forecast for hot, humid but dry weather. Time trials will begin at 8:30 with Plattinum Products, Mo-Par City and Environmental Oil Recovery teaming up to provide sponsorship support to bring all the action live over the Internet at www.MotorManiaTV.com beginning with Friday’s action. In addition to the $10,000 to win main event, there will be another WFC Gamblers race following the final round of the main event.