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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| A REGULAR SATURDAY AT
SEASIDE PARK by Norm Bogan |
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Ventura Raceway gathers in their local racers nearly every weekend
during the summer months. The
headliners are the VRA Pro Sprints and their elder statesmen, the
VRA Senior Sprints. The
racecars are identical in rules and specifications with the only
variance being, you must be at least forty-five years old to qualify
as a Senior. We are
aware of senior discounts offered at many businesses and the Ventura
Racing Association also has a discount program. The younger and more
virile Pros are able to complete thirty laps on this racy little
bullring but, seniors are allowed to take a one-third discount on
feature laps, otherwise pit stops would be required for Geritol
injections. The cars are eligible to run with both classes and a number
serve double duty.
The first weekend in June found near perfect weather conditions.
During the early afternoon the thermometer tickled the
eighties, with a cool ocean breeze coming off the adjacent Pacific
Ocean. After sundown,
temps dropped into the low sixties with fans donning warmer
clothing. Due to an earlier curfew agreement, the shows here at Ventura
begin earlier to accommodate the 10 PM cutoff.
Starting the program before sunset tends to dry out the
track, but the preparation crew works to keep the track in shape and
the features are usually contested on a near perfect surface. With the USAC/CRA and SCRA series both off this weekend a few of
their regulars were on hand for the evening’s action.
Mike Kirby arrived with the Crossno #38, fitted with a 360
for the night and Mike English was the designated driver of Buzz
Shoemaker’s #0. Ronnie
Case brought out his VRA #8 car, while Greg Taylor was not scheduled
with the USAC Western States Pavement Sprints and returned to his
home track in the family #7 car. Rob Kershaw, Ron Wade, Steve Conrad and Mike Kirby, who powered
around the top from his sixth starting position, won the Pro class
heat races. Senior heat
winners were Rick Lewis, Bob Alderman and point leader, Bruce
Douglass. The Pro Semi
found Mike Broome coming home in front of Ronnie Case, Blake Miller,
John Nock, and Tony Gamey with Kim Lewis in the alternate spot. 2002 Senior Champ, Wiley Miller started on the pole and held off
challenges from Bruce Douglass, R. Dayle Henry and brother Danny
Miller to capture the Senior “A” Main. Trailing
at the checkers was point leader, Douglass, Henry, Danny Miller and
Bob Alderman. To cap off the evening, the thirty-lap Pro Main found 2003 champ,
Tom Stansberry and runner up, Chris Wakim on the front row.
Wakim led the field to the green and jumped ahead, but a
tangle back in the pack caused Bill Welch to suffer his first DNF of
the year with the front end knocked out.
On the restart, Wakim’s car failed to come up to speed and
Stansberry moved out front with the next five from the starting grid
dicing for position. Soon
Kirby moved to the top and began to challenge for the lead with
English running huggypole and Conrad hanging right in there with
them. Kirby overcame
Stansberry and English dropped back a little as it appeared the top
came in for those running high.
Conrad slipped by Stansberry and continued to dog Kirby.
At the checkered, it was Kirby, Conrad, Stansberry, English
and Kershaw. So, as another Saturday at “The Best Little Dirt Track in
America” came to a close, the fans had seen some great racing in
two classes of Sprint Cars. A
visitor stopped by tonight to test the locals and left maintaining
his title as the winningest sprint car driver at Ventura. Mike
Kirby exhibited talent and expertise to claim a victory.
Another wily veteran, Wiley Miller showed traits similar to
Kirby as he claimed yet another Senior feature.
What more could you ask for?
Great weather, great location and outstanding racing are what
this sport is all about! |
