Death Chair: 2008

RESULTS: Death Jam V 1.01

In a stunning turn of events, the lone man who simply cannot balance on two wheels like the rest of the competition put forth a decisive set of victories to claim the title of Death Chair Champion of the World from the first bi-weekly Death Jam, sponsored by The Sentinel.

Eli Francovich, who spent a week in a wheelchair before penning his short memoir for The Sentinel, eclipsed the coveted 40-second barrier in his third and final time trial for the Death Chair circuit. Essentially a competition with just himself, where the only true victory was in beating his own record set from the previous lap, Francovich easily ran away with the title.

Scores, as follows, from the rest of competition.

First Place

ELI FRANCOVICH

Lap 1: 41.64

Lap 2: 40.68

Lap 3: 38.62

Average Lap: 40.31

Total Time: 120.94

Second Place

DAVID HUMPHREYS

Lap 1: 51.67

Lap 2: 42.41

Lap 3: 40.20

Average Lap: 44.76

Total Time: 134.28

Third Place

NIK BJURSTROM

Lap 1: 49.64

Lap 2: 50.36

Lap 3: 41.26

Average Lap: 47.09

Total Time: 141.26

Fourth Place

JAKE DONAHUE

Lap 1: 46.78

Lap 2: 45.56

Lap 3: 49.63

Average Lap: 47.32

Total Time: 141.97

Fifth Place

JOHN MONNIER

Lap 1: 47.66

Lap 2: 47.85

Lap 3: 47.85 (DNP)

Average Lap: 47.79

Total Time: 143.36

Eli: Personal Reflection

The concept of Death Chair isn't hard to grasp. At least in theory. But once you have tasted the sweetness of a Death Chair victory there is no turning back. It rivals all other sports both in terms of athleticism, concentration and ballsyness. Anyone who has seriously competed knows that it may seem simple but is far from it. Like chess Death Chair requires that you are always thinking five moves ahead. Like football it requires team unity and and constant training. And finally, like partner ice-skating it requires a finesse and gracefullness that only a true athlete can understand.

At first I was nervous. Wheel chair racing is similar to chariot racing in terms of physical danger and stamina, however, after my first race, which I won, I was hooked.

To the average person it looks crazy, lame or perhaps even stupid. Yet, I know, as does anyone who has ever competed in a Death Chair race, that it is the single most exhilarating thing a human can do. It is funner than alcohol, drugs and sex... combined. Simply put it is
DEATH CHAIR

Nik: Personal Reflection

From the first moment my bottom graced the seat of that wheelchair i knew what i was born to do; Death Chair racing. I have always had a need for speed and the chair is my gateway to show the world what i can do. These first racing moments are ones that will never be forgotten by those of us who were bold enough to take on the challenge placed before us.

The memories of drifting corners, burning rubber and close calls are forever echoing down the halls of a track comparable with places like Taledega and Indianapolis.

These are the times never to be forgotten by me and my fellow warriors who created a new epidemic in which we call DEATH CHAIR.

Jake: Personal Reflection

In an age of steroid-induced drama among the professional athletes we hold so close to our throbbing hearts, it is quite refreshing to be apart of the new beginning - in essence, the dawn of a sport boasting the integrity of yesteryear. Where children once idolized the likes of Mickey Mantle and Johnny Unitas, we now beckon for the stardom that was suddenly bequeathed upon me one Saturday evening in the drawls of a newspaper powerhouse.

Death Chair champion of the world. (Only until Eli beat me...).

The success of Eil Francovich on the Death Chair championship circuit is rivaled only by that of Tiger Woods.

Indeed, I have made the game-winning diving catch in Little League and even thrown a game-deciding touchdown in flag football. But to win a single Death Jam time trial - a seemingly trivial endeavor to laymen watching from the sidelines - is the type of victory that tears are created from.

The world is my wheelchair.