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SOS Q&A: WARREN MAHONEY
'Wile E' Warren Mahoney put his name into the SOS record books in 2006 by winning the series title. In doing so he became just the second driver (Keith Dempster being the first) to have won two championships. He also became just the second driver to win the title without scoring a win during the season. SOS Online's Peter Turford sat down with Warren for an SOS Q&A. He talks about his plans for 2007, his supporting family and the components that make him successful on the track.
Did you appreciate this years title more than your previous one? Why or why not?
Any win is a good win. I would say I appreciate both about the same. I would have liked to run at Brighton one more time at the end of 06 instead of trying to dry out my clothes for days. Of course we still had fun there in the rain, that's what makes this club great. Both years the points were very close so that makes it exciting.
Your Ride - What make of chassis do you run?
All three chassis I have had have all started life as Maxims. The first one was a old Hampshire car that had just come back from Beaber's Chassis repair. Lefty was a 4 race old Craig Dolanski car that Beaber Chassis repair
clipped at the fire wall. It has been back there a time or two. (is there now) The car I run now has been to Beaber's so many times I'm not sure it can be called a Maxim anymore. I had a bad 2005!
Is your motor home built, or do you use an engine builder?
My home no. But in a sense it is home built. Matt at MP Engines works from home and does a great job. I have had the same engine for quite some time. Touch wood!
You obviously have found a home for yourself in sprint cars Is there any other types or racing you would like to try before you hang it up or would have liked to try when you were younger?
I wouldn't mind trying a full midget or 410 sprint before I hang up the helmet. I would have liked to have kept racing on a more regular basis before the sprints in 2000.
You have traveled on occasion (Knoxville, Ionia, MI), Do you plan to run any non SOS events in 2007?
I seem to have trouble getting to the races that I do run. But if time permits I might run the odd other "sanctioned" event.
Warren Mahoney joined Keith Dempster as the only drivers to have won two SOS championships. Warren also became just the second driver to win a title without scoring a victory during the season.
You are now one of the more senior SOS competitors (in terms of races run) and have seen the club experience tremendous growth what do you attribute the growth to?
I haven't missed a race since 2000. I have seen alot happen in the club. One thing for sure is its a great bunch of people who like racing. The hard right rear tire and the surfaces we generally end up running on keeps alot of guys competitive and keeps the cost down.
What is your favorite SOS track and why?
I don't really have a favorite track. The ones I don't care for as much I seem to do better at. Go figure!
Your home is rather Estrogen filled do you anticipate any of your daughters getting behind the wheel in the future?
Two out of three seem to be more interested then the other.Their mother raced on dirt before their father did (not as fast ). Might be a little to early to tell but its likely in their blood. Both my wife and I have been going to the race tracks since we were kids, so we are just carrying on the tradition.
What is your opinion of the top levels of the sport NASCAR, IRL etc.?
Well start the hate mail now. I would rather drive 7 hours with the kids to Eldora to watch a non wing sprint race than walk across the living room to turn on an IRL or NASCAR race.
What is your greatest frustration with the sport at our level?
I guess it doesn't matter what level you talk about its the same. Politics politics politics, try to keep racers, promoters and fans happy all at the same time . I don't think it can be done but we all have to try if we want to keep racing.
You are rather vocal about your fondness for wingless racing Do you have any future plans to go around topless?
I'm usually rather vocal on a lot of subjects. I'd love to but I don't think it would be very exciting just to watch father and son race each other.
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