Ronald Tenpecost

Ronald Tenpecost (born January 26, 1961 in Astoria, United States) is a former Life Grand Prix and CART racing driver.

Career

Early Career

Tenpecost raced in Formula Atlantic from 1977-1980, where he scored 4 wins and best 9th on standings. Tenpecost also attempted 1980 Indy 500, finished in 20th.

Life Grand Prix

Tenpecost found a deal with Racing in Circles who forming a team for a brand new series called "Life Grand Prix Series" consisted of Life L190 one-make chassis. He struck the deal and drive the no. 10 car. Things are not very easy for Tenpecost with a very unreliable car of Life. He did not finish at the first 4 races of the season but finished a good 5th place in Osterreichring, and would be his only finish of the year. Following 5 consecutive retirements, Tenpecost got injured when he hit the car of Bazza the Bogan who had crashed earlier. Tenpecost admits he saw the car as sky, only noticing moment before he hit the car. The injury took him out for 5 races. He then back in the cockpit for final 2 races, and failed to finish both of them. Tenpecost finished the 1991 season with 2 points and 30th on the standings.

For 1992, Racing in Circles decided to pull out from the series, leaving Tenpecost for no drive. Then with the help of old friend James Generic, he was signed as the reserve driver for Caraxl team. Tenpecost's first race in 1992 was Zolder round, the race ended badly as he stuck the car in gravel for more than half a race then managed to get the car going again. Another chance came in Castle Combe, where he finished a strong 4th place. Caraxl, Team of Workers Party and him signed the deal that Tenpecost would help drive the Workers Party team for Canadian and Japanese round of 1992. He taken out at start pile-up in Canada, then drive for Caraxl in US rounds since Generic having a personal issue. Tenpecost finished 6th in Phoenix, then finished 4th in Japanese, despite driving for Workers Party car. With that, Caraxl gave him the seat for final race, but he stalled the car on the start. Tenpecost finished the 1992 season with 7 points and 25th on the standings.

Tenpecost awarded the Caraxl Racing's second seat as the team expanded to two-cars for 1993 season. Tenpecost DNQ at Argentine, though stated the car was fine and great. Then he managed to score two 2nd place finishes in a row, much of delight. But at home race, Tenpecost suffered gearbox problem and retired. He also stalled at Canada. Tenpecost also didn't race at Ireland due to visa problems. He retired in Brands Hatch, another 2nd place in Zandvoort, driving without front wing for half-race in AVUS, then hit by van der Maeyede in Kielce, and 3rd place podium in Osterreichring. Another 5 consecutive retirements hampers until Sentul where he and team-mate Handoyo secured Caraxl Racing's only double finish in their competition history, respectively 4th and 5th. Sadly it will be his last finish of the year, makes a chance of title gone. Tenpecost finished the season a high 7th with 25 points