The weekend was bright and sunny as many race teams are putting the
finishing touches on their equipment before the opener coming next
week at Perris. Imagine what the race shops must look like
everywhere with some new cars, many old cars refreshed, and parts
and tires all poised for the new season.
Word from the USAC/CRA camp comes the name of the new Chief
Steward for the Southern California start-up club. This important
position has been filled by Russell Bliss. Russell is not a stranger
to race official work as he held similar positions with Perris,
Irwindale and Victorville the past few years. He will have some USAC
help as National Chief Steward, Bill Cary, will be out to help train
and get Russell settled in to the new position. Bob Pool, the local
Western Midget and Sprint car Steward, will be here to help as well.
Russell has been on the mechanic side of the fence working on many
different cars over the years and doing some other promo work, all
proving his desire to be involved in the local racing scene.
Russell’s wife Teri will be assisting in registration as the club
opens on Saturday at the PAS. Chris Morgan, newly appointed So Cal
coordinator for USAC/CRA will also assist the startup learning
curve. Most of the USAC staff will be out from Indiana to be heavily
involved in the opener and help make things get off to a good start.
There have been 34 cars registered with the new club already, but
there will be a registration table set up for those who haven’t
joined yet.
Nothing new from SCRA hit my ears this week, but their opener is
coming April 3rd at Tulare. Hopes for the new Antelope Valley track
progress to have it ready soon, but no date set for completion and
no schedule adds or changes yet.
A little trivia question for you this week since I missed the WOO
show at Perris. Where did Buster Venard win his first trophy dash
and first main event? Answer next week, but think hard, it is not
obvious.
I spent the day assisting Sharon Baker SR in taking off all the
old decals on my motorhome in preparation for some racing graphics
to be applied in the near future. My thanks to Sharon because his
knowledge on how to do this properly probably saved me weeks of the
heat gun pattern I already tried that was too work intensive and
took too long.
Next week’s opener might be a problem for me if Mission Viejo
wins again on Tuesday. That game is up near Valencia, so it will be
a road trip in the afternoon thru the freeway parking traffic at 5
pm. The finals are next Saturday and I want to be there to watch
them! Hopefully, they will win and then play real early in one of
the 8 division final games that will be played that day at the Pond.
Whatever, I be racing soon.
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