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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| 2004 BEGINS WITH DOUBTS,
FEARS, AND STILL STRONG HOPES FOR THE WINGLESS FUTURE OF NOW by Ken Wagner |
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YOU SHOULD SEE MY NEW VETTE!! |
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While I wait like all interested parties for the other shoe to drop
for the 2004 racing season here on the best coast, I am not a happy
camper!!!! It seems like racers keep repeating themselves and it
looks like we are where we were 10 years ago, but for different
reasons, or is it? I got into all kinds of trouble back then as I
didn’t align myself properly, so I wonder if I can stay out of
trouble now, while my favorite racing in the world sorts itself out.
With Ron Shuman’s damage control statement and subsequent
interview on RSBN.net recently, things don’t look good for the
fans if the expected battle happens.
At least my basketball adventures are keeping me away from the continuing saga of “as the stomach turns” in the west coast sprint car racing news, but it is hard to keep my hands off the keyboard keys! I know nothing, because I am obviously no different than any other fan as far as SCRA is concerned. So, I must wait like everybody else for news. Surely it is coming soon! Since I am not privy to my club’s official activity plans, lets just suppose I might have been interviewed recently by a noted track announcer, Bigmouth Johnson, at some other racing function and see where it goes……. Bigmouth: “Hey Wags what’s up?” Wags: “Not much BM, just doin’ some B-Ball, how about you?” BM: “Things are fine here, but what is happening in SCRA?” Wags: “It appears a decision made by SCRA, (aka Ron $human Productions) because they lost Perris and Ventura due to money issues that were coming on for some time, has shaken up the troops.” BM: “What is the real issue then?” Wags: “My guess is control of the club, with the net result, getting more money for the racers, is the real issue that SCRA has taken this stand over.” BM: “What do you really know about the money issue?” Wags: “ No more than I read on the message board, and I don’t trust any of it. What I hear thru the grapevine is also useless. I do know that Perris had a tough spectator year and wanted to step back a little in costs and asked Ron to take less money and he apparently said no.” BM: “Was that a smart move for the SCRA to find other tracks to run on and pass on the “home track” offer?” Wags: “ It doesn’t appear to be because it will cause a split of cars, and the fans will be the big losers first, then the racers later as things change.” BM: “Can the SCRA survive without Perris and Ventura?” Wags: “No, not in my opinion, but it depends on how the weekend racers take to the road.” BM: “Will you take to the road?” Wags: “I don’t have a clue because until the racers unite under one leader, I can’t split myself in half.” BM: “Can Perris make it without SCRA? Wags: “Yes and I will remind everyone that Baylands Raceway existed just fine with NARC drivers in the 80’s before two untimely deaths at the facility closed the doors from fear of lawsuits, thus saving NARC or it would have been gone years ago. History always teaches us lessons, but we rarely listen.” BM: “ What can be done to end the problem?” Wags: “If you are not a car owner or principle in this deal, as I am not, we’ll all just have to wait and see. Remember though, so far Ron says all is well with SCRA and places like Barona and Victorville are the new home tracks for the club, so if that happens and all the racers buy into it, there is no problem. Maybe running 15 to 20 races is enough in the Southland for some.” BM: “Where does that leave you Wags?” Wags: “Practically the same place I was 10 years ago when the SCRA was born at the expense of the CRA, in trouble regardless of the direction I take.” BM: “Did you have any input in the SCRA direction or were you contacted”?” Wags: No one contacted me from SCRA.” BM: “But, aren’t you part of SCRA?” Wags: “I am a card carrying member of SCRA, but that’s as far as it goes.” BM: How many years have you been a member of SCRA?” Wags: From the beginning, 10 years and in that time we have put over $300,000 in the hands of SCRA racers.” BM: “Interesting, will the Wagtimes continue?” Wags: “I guess that’s up to me and the people who support me and depending on where our racing happens. I know they won’t be following me to split shows.” BM: “How does all this make you feel?” Wags: “Sick to my stomach as the thing I love to see most is changing, just like NARC did up north, and I am powerless to stop it.” BM: “Isn’t the Wagsdash an SCRA race?” Wags: “No, it’s only allowed to be added to an SCRA race night.” BM: “What does the Wagsdash add to SCRA?” Wags: “It is a day of fun for fans and racers alike.” BM: “Is the Wagsdash on SCRA’s schedule for 2004?” Wags: “I guess we will see when the schedule comes out.” BM: “Is this thing going to be settled and who will win?” Wags: “Sure, it will be settled, but the last time this happened, one side just quit, and my crystal ball is broke, so I can’t see what will happen. BM: “So, if USAC comes to town, what do you think of them?” Wags: ”Up until now, USAC was the “other” wingless club that I enjoyed watching race against my boys. The club itself has always seemed to be unconcerned about the SCRA, or anybody else in racing for that matter, but is a strong national organization that even the SCRA drivers want to go there to run and get an opportunity to move up. They have TV power and back east they run more often than our club. The schedule conflicts have irked me more than anything, but I guess they have more potential for racers and a future for those who want to get to NASCAR or INDY. I know the midget deal out here is gearing up for a lot of USAC events, so the rules must have relaxed. As for them bringing a new 410 division here, I can only guess about that. Since most of our racers are not intending to go back East to further their careers, that might not be an issue.” BM: “What do you want to happen?” Wags: “I want the car owners happy, the promoters happy and the fans happy.” BM: “Is that attainable?” Wags: “I certainly hope so, but it won’t much matter if there are split groups running anywhere.” BM: “Have you ever wanted to take over the club as some have thought?” Wags: “No.” BM: “Are you wanting to get more involved with SCRA?” Wags: “I did run for an office a few years ago, and I know I still have a lot to offer the club, but I have been perfectly happy to collect money and run the Wagsdash once a year to help the little guys out some. In the future I will only be happy if I can go to one track to see all my favorites, not zig-zag across the state to see half here and half there.” BM: “What do expect to happen next? Wags: “I am sure we will hear from the “other” side soon and then let the games begin. “ BM: “Thanks Wags, good luck!” Wags: I know we will all need it!” Can you feel my pain? So, I know nuthin’, but here’s my plan. I will postpone the Wagsbash until it’s all settled. I will continue to see my basketball games in droves. I will keep my eyes and ears open until we have good news. I will quit reading the message board, it’s too depressing!!! Until then, I’ll look at getting some important things done. I have good news though? I just got cheaper car insurance…… No, I got my Corvette for Xmas after all. The dash lights work, the horn sounds off, the rear wheels really do turn the drive shaft fast and the motor sounds mean. Unfortunately, it is only about 12 inches long and is a mere die cast model! Too bad, but now maybe I can look around to see something I want. I hope I don’t fall in love with the G 35 two door coupe, it is awesome in red! And the new vette has teeth in the grill and reworked headlights! Is $50 K too much? Now that the holidays are over, and my B Ball game count is 72, I better get back to work! Lets all think positive that the parties to be can work out what’s best for all! Ta Ta! |
