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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| HOT LAPS WITH NORM BOGAN
#04E by Norm Bogan |
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This year my quest is to go back to the grass roots racing, the
level where most of the competitors just want to race and while they
all want to win, that is not their primary motivation. These racers with limited budgets have found a niche in which
they can compete, without embarrassment, using affordable equipment.
Comparing the investment here to say a major 410 racing class, you
will find that the “little guys” complete racing operation may
equal the amount to stock just the spare rear ends in one of the
“big team” haulers. While the grass roots racers survive on low budget equipment
and limited racing purses, the competitive desire is just a strong
as any hero with the World of Outlaws.
I find this level of racing attractive, often becoming a family
outing of sorts. While the men get the cars ready for racing, the ladies are
preparing a favorite or specialty dish for the after race pot luck.
This is not only the racing series, but also the social
circle for these gypsies, who travel to the different tracks on
their limited circuit. Just
as families jump into help a member of the clan in times of need,
these racers work together, often with several different teams
coming to help a fellow racer, who has encountered problems.
It may just be additional labor to complete a task or the
loan of necessary repair parts and occasionally money to help
replenish needed materials. Saturday night, the venue of choice was Bakersfield Speedway for
the opening show of the 2004 season.
On tap were the California Clash Late Models, the local
American stocks and the NCMA Wingless-Spec. Sprints.
The Late Models are probably the top class of stock car to
race on the dirt tracks. Tonight’s
field was comprised of thirty-one cars, with the entrants traveling
from around the state, plus several journeying down from Oregon and
one from Grand Junction, Colorado.
It was an impressive group of cars, very professional, with
good clean competition and not the retaliatory conduct noted over
the years in short track racing.
The American Stocks are the local racers, who maybe started
running in Demo Derbies or Enduro races and found they enjoyed the
side-by-side competition. Quite often these drivers are youngsters, who are making
their first foray into racing at a level they can afford. Nearly every big time race driver started in a class similar
to this. Of course, a
number of the fans are family, friends and coworkers, who come each
week to root their chosen hero on to victory.
Tonight’s field was sixteen cars. The Wingless-Spec. Sprints are a phenomenon that is growing in
central and northern California.
Running a maximum 360 cubic inch, steel block and steel
heads, with a 500 cfm two-barrel carburetor and weighing 1700
pounds, they require a self-starter and clutch, which aids in
keeping the show moving, without having to dispatch a push truck. My focus was on the open wheel portion of the show and so I will
try to give a more in depth look than the final race results.
Only ten cars signed in as many competitors were not ready
for the season start. David
Goodwill arrived with a newly built car and early on it was evident
that some misalignment was causing the driveline to hit the bottom
of the frame. Rather
than try to make band-aid repairs at the track, Goodwill felt it
would be better to load up, take the car home and recheck all
clearances before next week’s race at Altamont.
Russ Wullenwaber arrived late after parts for his new car
didn’t get delivered and he thrashed to assemble last year’s car
as a substitute. When
Russ pulled into the pits, several other drivers and crewmen came to
help, installing shocks, fitting new seat belts and making sure all
the bolts had been tightened. During the feature, George Terry got up against the back stretch
wall and proceeded into a series of flips.
While George was unhurt, the car suffered severe front-end
damage. Again, the
other teams joined to help clear the broken parts from the racecar
and assist in getting it loaded for the journey home.
After the payoff, most of the other teams threw in some of
their winnings to help George rebuild the car.
It wasn’t much, probably enough to buy a tire, but the long
ride home had to have a warm glow, knowing that those who you had
just raced against, thought enough to help you get back to action
quicker. With short fields at times and limited payoffs, the club has
opted at times to just throw the purse in a pot and split it evenly
among the racers after the show.
The championship points still add up for that night’s
finish, but the racers all collect a small stipend to offset some of
their costs. Tonight’s victor was Tim Sherman of Citrus Heights, who was the
Champion with CSRA last year and will be running both winged and
non-winged racecars this year at Marysville.
Tim has been racing for twenty-six years, beginning at the
old West Capital Speedway in Sacramento.
He was as enthusiastic about tonight’s win as if it was his
first. Bobby Hogge IV is quickly assuming the position at the top of the
heap in California Dirt Late Model racing.
Coming from a strong racing family, Bobby moved up from IMCA
Modifieds late last year and has been victorious in three of his
four outings. The American Stock race was an interesting show and while I
don’t have the winner’s name, his car #37 started about mid pack
and worked his way to the front through skill and attrition.
Once in first, he defended his position until the checkers.
Credit should be given to the teams that brought out freshly
painted cars and put forth a good effort for the fan’s enjoyment. Bakersfield has come under the new management of the Schweitzer
Family. The
Schweitzer’s operate a large construction company in Kern County,
making available some updated equipment to use in track preparation.
The stands and concession area have been given a facelift and
an effort is being made to keep admissions low enough to maintain
the family atmosphere that has been the norm at this speedway for
years. They hope to
reinvigorate the open wheel racing, which over the years has been a
staple at this venue. Later
in the year, the USAC/CRA 410 sprint car series will visit
Bakersfield for the first time in a number of years.
This track was the home of CRA after the closing of Ascot in
1990. For last
night’s program, the promoter was rewarded with a nearly full
grandstand and long lines at the concessions.
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