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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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ONCE MORE FOR OLD TIME’S SAKE by Norm Bogan |
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Racing has made numerous technological advances
and also come under the scrutiny of regulatory agencies, especially
in California. Often
racers and fans cry, “lets go back to the good old days”.
Remember in the late sixties and early seventies when there
were outlaw races at many venues, where racers showed up with a car
to run for elevated purses. Competitors
were able to keep their equipment on the road and support families
with this vagabond lifestyle. With fewer sanctioning bodies, the rules were
less restrictive. Spec
tires were unheard of and engines were okay if they fit between the
frame rails. Mufflers
were something that your Grandpa had on his Buick and fuel
enhancement was not closely monitored. Periodically, a twinge of nostalgia will have
racers wanting to do it like we used to.
Catering to those pipe dreams, Cary Faas and Jack Gardner Jr.
joined with Victorville Auto Raceway Promoter, Mike Gibson.
In a period of just a few weeks, this plan took root. Missionary work collected converts to support this effort
with donations to the growing purse and contingency items, while the
initial announcement of a “Run Whatcha Brung” event traveled
through the California racing community. Initially, mufflers were to be banned in an
effort to create familiar sound from thirty to forty years ago.
However, a number of racers were allowed to race with muffled
cars as a show of good will toward the neighbors, who may not be as
inspired as many fans. Engine
sizes of both 410 cubic inch aluminum block power plants and the
very popular 360 cubic inch steel bullets were allowed with some
compensation given to the lesser engines, such as a 5% Nitro load.
Tire compounds were optional, but you must start the feature
on the right rear tire that you used to qualify.
Most of the rules were common-sense safety items that
competitors run at their normal weekly programs. A real coup scored longtime Buckeye racer and current race commentator, Brad Doty to partner up with West Coast PR Maven, Robert Mayson as the announcing “tag-team”. These two veterans brought much insight from their decades of racing and were very informative throughout the evening, answering a number of questions before they were asked. Kudos to the promoters for providing the fans with valid background information, instead of a couple of D.J.s with Britney Spears sightings. While the normal Saturday night event requires
the racers to pop about $40 for each pit pass and adult fans lay out
about $15-20 for admission to the grandstands.
With the promoter’s efforts to line up sponsor
contributions, they were able to sell pit passes for $25 and front
gate admission was $12 for adults and $7 for juniors.
Food prices were also quite reasonable in comparison to other
venues in the area. Fans gathered early to await the opening of the
turnstiles, but they were allowed to participate in the longtime
blanket bingo ritual to select the perfect viewing position for the
evening’s action. As the racecars begin arriving, it was noted
that a number of pretty impressive racing teams were on hand, but so
were lesser known and funded competitors.
All were made to feel welcome, greeted by Faas, Gardner or
Gibson. At the pit meeting it was stressed that this was planned to
be a fun event, but that they could reap financial rewards too.
Rules were explained and with a little banter between racers
and officials, compromises were accomplished.
One of the class acts of the pit meeting was Tony Jones
saying how much the racers appreciated the good turn out of push
trucks and asked those present to donate money into a pool to be
split among the push trucks group.
I don’t know how much was raised, but a salute to all those
that took a few bucks from their pockets and passed it on to the
unsung heroes, if for nothing else, gas to get home after the show. Track preparation was interesting as the guy
running the grader was wearing a driving suit.
That was John Aden, the 2007 Sprint Car track champion. John, a former motorcycle racer, operates a small track
adjacent to the Victorville venue, featuring motorcycles and a form
of Go-Karts that appear to be offspring of the fire-breathing beasts
we viewed this night. Thirty-one cars signed into the pits and
twenty-eight were able to qualify with Mike Spencer setting a new
track record of 13.379 seconds aboard the Chaffin/Bromme famed
“little red sucker”. The four heat races were each run off efficiently within about a thirty-minute period. Arizonan, Shon Deskins in a 360 captured Heat #1, Josh Williams collected the spoils for Heat #2, while Seth Wilson led the pack in Heat #3 and Don Gansen was victorious in Heat #4. John Aden with the benefit of extra laps atop the grader showed the way for the six transfers from the Semi-Main. The top eight qualifiers drew from a deck of
cards, with highest card grabbing the pole for the feature and the
others starting by luck of their draw.
Eric Severson drew an Ace to start at the point with Seth
Wilson alongside. Blake Miller and Davey Pombo followed with Alan Ballard and
Tyler Brown in the third row and Mike Spencer and Tony Jones
completing the first four rows. Wilson got the jump at the green flag and
looked strong for the first 22 laps before Miller gained the lead
for next two laps, then was overtaken by Spencer, who was on a tear.
A yellow for an altercation bunched up the front-runners and
a suspicious sound emanated from Spencer’s mount. As the green unfurled, Spencer could not get up to speed and
soon pulled to the infield. It
was later reported that he broke a camshaft.
After that, Blake Miller sailed on to a $5000 paycheck.
Tony Jones closed to second, but didn’t appear to be able
to get by Miller for a victory. Davey Pombo ran a steady race and came home third.
He stated that he really liked the track as he has struggled
this year. Josh Ford
had an early stop that put him to the back, but battled back to
fourth. Robert Ellis
made the transfer for 4th in the Semi to finish fifth in
the feature. Cody
Williams ran a smooth race and scored a sixth.
For a youngster just embarking on sprint car racing this
season, as a fill in for his Dad, Rip, who is on the disabled list,
Cody exhibited the patience and savvy of a seasoned racer.
Shon Deskins picked up a $500 bonus for being the top
finishing 360-powered car in seventh. The races progressed well throughout the evening and the track was kept in good shape for the entire night. The groove appeared to be about the middle of the track, but often two grooves are available at this venue. The program was completed and fans were on their way home by 10 PM. Nearly everyone was pleased with the program. There were a lot of good dices between the racers in most of tonight’s events. Nearly all of the competitors spoke praises of the track and the format after the show. Faas, Gardner and Gibson accomplished their purpose to have a fun experience and make a little money. Most called for more of this relaxed racing without all the politics. Can you say success? |
