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LAPS WITH NORM BOGAN #22 (9/14/03) by Norm Bogan |
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Session #1: SCRA
allowed their teams a respite after returning from the NWWC tour and then
running a two-day Holiday show, followed by a single show.
For the travelers, it was a chance to regroup, while several teams are
preparing to hit the road again to the Mopar Million at Eldora next week.
It appears that only four SCRA regulars are going to Eldora, so the
balance of the racers will run a regularly scheduled show at Perris next week.
As of now, the top three in points, Richard Griffin, Troy Rutherford and
Damion Gardner are all going to Eldora. Scheduled
to join them is Rickie Gaunt and possibly Tony Jones.
All other SCRA teams have decided to pass on another cross-country trip
for this one show. Session #2: The alternative most often chosen for SCRA dark nights is the VRA program at Ventura Raceway. On Saturday, both the VRA Pro Sprints were on tap with 32 cars and joined by the VRA Senior Sprints with 22 entries. That’s fifty-four sprinters in the pits for this tight little quarter mile. Ventura sprints have been a well-kept secret from other than the most rabid fans. Most of the racers are local residents of Ventura County or the neighboring San Fernando Valley. The racers like the fact that it is just a short drive from home to the track, allowing them time on Saturday for family activities, such as Little League baseball and soccer games, while still having time to get to the track for that evening’s race. Young Blake Miller claimed the first Pro heat. As a rookie this year, he has shown much improvement and promise during the season. Current point leader, Chris Wakim edged out Tony Dighera for the second heat win. Runner-up in points, Tom Stansberry lost by a slide job to Steve Conrad in the third heat and Luis Espinoza diced with Rob Kershaw to claim the final heat. Rick Gifford prevailed over Oren Prosser Jr. for the Semi victory. The feature found that first heat winner Blake Miller didn’t have a ride, since his car is shared with his Dad, who had been involved in a crash. Senior points leader, Ron Bach offered his car to Blake for the feature. Blake had to start in 20th position and finished sixth, showing a lot patience as he worked his way forward in the field. Bach has done this favor several times during the year with different drivers that have suffered maladies with their own cars. It just shows the class of the guy on top of the Senior points. The feature was very competitive with racers like Luis Espinoza jumping into the lead and later Steve Conrad taking the point. Stansberry gained the lead and looked as if he would get away from the pack, but Wakim was coming strong, running down against the infield berm and closely pursued by Kevin Kierce and Tony Dighera. After numerous charges at Stansberry, while trying to hold off the other two front-runners, Wakim executed a perfect slide job coming off turn four for the checkers. At the line, you could have thrown a blanket over the top four. Scoring gave the finish as Wakim, Stansberry, Kierce and Dighera, with Steve Conrad closing fast at fifth. It was a very exciting race for the fans and the racers knew they had been part of something special as they all stopped at the podium, giving each other high fives and hugs, jubilant over this outstanding display of sprint car racing. Session 3: The elder statesmen had some pretty good dicing themselves. Defending champion, Wiley Miller prevailed over strong running Richard Terry in the first heat. Jim Porter held off Danny Miller in the second heat and Bruce Douglas edged Mike Cook in the third heat. Richard Terry garnered his first feature win, besting Bruce Douglas and Wiley Miller. Session 4: The Legends of Ascot event is coming October 4th at Perris Auto Speedway. A number of the veterans who competed there during its thirty-three year run will be on hand to add to the celebration and honoring the first five inductees to a Hall of Fame. Honored with be promoters J.C. Agajanian and Harry Schooler, drivers Allen Heath and Parnelli Jones and mechanic Ray Scheetz. With old timers coming in from around the country, plan for an outstanding bench racing session during the day and a full night of sprint car racing. Participants will receive a gift bag with items from various sponsors, an event lapel pin, a souvenir inaugural program and a meal and grandstand admission to the night’s racing. Session 5: At the SCRA general meeting last week, President Ron Shuman emphasized the increased regulation of noise at the state fairgrounds arenas. Ventura was one of the first to come under scrutiny and noise was the rallying point for the forces wanting to shut down Ventura Raceway. Raceway management went to great lengths to work with the dissident groups by legislating more stringent levels than the state imposed 95 d.b.@100 feet. In addition to requiring only approved mufflers, which were subjected to extensive testing prior to this year’s racing season. With urban sprawl encroaching on many fairgrounds, this problem is spreading throughout the state. SCRA is now working with tracks to use mufflers, which meet the Ventura standards in an effort to head off further challenges for auto racing in California. Noise levels will be monitored during qualifying runs and if a racecar is too loud they will have one opportunity to correct the defect. If they test loud a second time, they will be asked to load up for the night. This is a case where the racers, promoters and sanctioning bodies must work with the public to establish a level that will allow coexistence. See you all “Along the Way” |
