Circle Heart Racing

Racing to bring a better tomorrow for children in need of a smile today

“Miles of Smiles”

2011 SEASON KICKS OFF WITH A PAIR OF SECOND PLACE FINISHES

The Circle Heart Racing #28 Honda S2000 begins their season with 2 second place in class finishes at South Carolina’s Carolina Motorsports Park track. This a tough technical 2.3 mile Road Course with lots of twists and turns that will challenge the best of drivers. Rigdon’s practice time were a little higher than expected however he improved his time enough to qualify 4th overall and 2nd in class for Saturday’s race. Flickinger made adjustment throughout the day making the car faster and faster. Saturday was plagued with several full course cautions that bunched up the field of 46 cars making it extremely difficult to pass and establish a rhythm causing him to finish in the top 5.

Sunday was a gorgeous day with temperatures nearing 70 which was perfect for racing. The #28 Car picked up a tenth qualifying 3rd overall and again second in 2nd class. Rigdon was determined to get to the front only to be spoiled by a spin on the first green flag lap at 120 mph on the back stretch through the kink. “I thought I could flat foot through the kink only to spin out into the sand trap. This is the toughest corner to figure on the whole track and it got me this time”, said Rigdon. He is currently 2nd in points heading into the Road Atlanta race in March.

Local VFW Post Sponsors Team

The VFW Post 5255 in Lawrenceville backs Circle Heart Racing for 3 races this season. They will proudly display the National VFW and VFW National Children’s Home logos for several races. Rigdon is a Life Time Member with the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). He will be racing to bring attention and donations for the VFW’s National Children’s Home during their Awareness Week 2011.

“We need to do everything possible to support our service men and women’s children; they put their life on the line for our freedom and it’s the least we can do to give back”, says Rigdon. For a small$35 donation you can become a Life Member and know that you helped a child in need. He will be handing out information at NASA-SE’s Pot-O-Gold races at Road Atlanta March 11th - 13th.  Please visit http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/  to see how you can help.

HELP - HOPE - HONOR

AWARENESS WEEK 2011 - MARCH 20 - 26

 Road Atlanta Proves to be Challenging

The weekend began with a test and tune session on Friday. They were able to improve their lap times by more than 2 seconds with a time of 1:40.9 which was good enough to be on the pole. Saturday, Rigdon and Flickinger were plagued by mechanical issues and finished the race in the top 5. Sunday’s race did not go any better blowing the engine on the first lap of the race, not the result they were looking for.

Overall the weekend was a success for the VFW National Home For Children. Over 50 race teams supported their cause to raise attention and money for the National Home For Children Awareness Week 2011. “It was amazing the support that we received from all of the Race Teams competiting in the NASA-SE Pot-O-Gold races” said Rigdon. “It was unfortunate that we had so many mechanical issues but the support from fellow racers was outstanding raising thousands of dollars”.

The VFW National Home is an awesome non-profit organization that support our troop’s children and families in their time of need. “People need to understand the war extends beyond the battle field”, said Rigdon, “We need to help our soldiers and families”.

Look for us  at Carolina Motorsports Park in April.

Huge Comeback  Places Circle Heart Racing 1st in Honda Challenge Points

After destroying an engine at Road Atlanta, Circle Heart Racing’s Rigdon and Flickinger wins two straight races at the challenging Carolina Motorsports Park track in Kershaw, South Carolina. Flickinger worked day and night for weeks replacing the Honda S2000 engine after a catastrophic failure. “I’ve never seen an engine explode into pieces like this one did, so I took the extra time to make sure the new engine was right,” said Flickinger.  And right it was!

It began Saturday with Rigdon qualifying 2nd in a large 40+ car field with a 1:48 lap time. “It took a few laps but the car came to me after getting a little heat into the tires”, said Rigdon. He had a slow start as they took the green flag but within a few laps the #28 car was running up front after passing Kondor and Woods, two of Honda Challenge toughest competitors. “The S2000 ran like it was on a rail and the new engine was absolutely spectacular boosting me into the lead,” Rigdon boasted.

Sunday’s race was equally challenging, qualifying forth overall for the start. The track had lost some of it’s grip from the previous day’s races. However, the #28 was running up front after a few highly contested laps with the Thunder Cars driven by Darrell Hamilton and Brad Daugherty. Those guys were really up on the wheel trading positions almost every lap and kept fans on their feet the entire race.  “Special thanks needs to be given to our sponsors and especially Flickinger for providing us with a competitive car earning two consecutive wins and 1st in points for the Honda Challenge 1 series,” Rigdon said looking forward to Road Atlanta in June.

Rigdon Chosen as Director Of Honda Challenge Series

Ron Rigdon was selected by NASA-SE (National Auto Sports Association - South East) to be the new Director of the Honda Challenge Series. The Honda Challenge is very competitive series compiled of all types of Hondas; from Accords, Civics, S2000, Acura and more. “Rigdon has been a long time member and Instructor as well as a 3 time champion with NASA-SE,” said Jim Pantas, Regional Director. “He always brings a lot to NASA-SE, especially with all he does for the children’s charities, making him a good match for the position,” Pantas continued, “He will help the series grow with a high level of professionalism.”

Rigdon currently competes in the Honda Challenge series, racing a Honda S2000. With more than 4 wins this season he is leading in the points.  Rigdon will be racing at Road Atlanta August 6th & 7th, come watch as he defends his points lead.