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Press Release

CASA Rookies Get Feet Wet in Orientation at Altamont
by Glenn Hopper

Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association

3-5-05 – Tracy, CA. Altamont Raceway and Arena, originally planning to have full pre-season open track practice had to modify its schedule due to wet conditions, however the track was made available for two of CASA’s declared rookie of the year candidates to make some laps and get familiar with their new high powered CASA sprint cars.

CASA Rookie Orientation began with CASA driver and board member Glenn Hopper’s individual reviews with both teenagers Nick Green and Jessica Helberg, discussing everything from pit and startup procedures to track and car performance expectations. While both rookies are quite young, they have a wealth of youth racing experience in various types of go-karts and the CASA rookie program is in place to ensure drivers become familiar and comfortable in their new cars and with the issues presented by the high speeds of sprint cars on a half-mile track. CASA’s concern for safety is paramount and while both of the rookies’ cars were purchased from a top-flight stable, an equipment safety review was conducted before they could take to the track.

As both youngsters fired off and began warm up procedures, it was not unlike other rites of passage into spring. The weather was bright, sunny and mild with nary a cloud in the sky. And reminiscent of the crack of the bat and the pop of ball against leather the first day of baseball spring training, both gleaming sprint cars shuddered under the load of the push truck, popped, sputtered and then rumbled to life. Both Helberg and Green took several laps under caution to gain correct operating temperatures and practiced tire scrubbing, mindful of a few wet spots still on the track from the recent rains. At opposite ends of the track, each took a few opportunities to squeeze the throttle and get a feel for the kind of power they now possessed. After a few more shakedown laps they were called to the pits.

After a short debriefing and some idle setting adjustments to Green’s car by his father, former NARC Driving Champion and World of Outlaw star Tim Green, Nick and Jessica, daughter of Joe Helberg, a former Late Model competitor in the North Bay region, took to the track again. This pattern was repeated twice more and with the damp spots on the track rapidly diminishing in the afternoon sun, each session allowed both rookies to throttle a little harder. Each was then afforded an individual session. Despite the extremely “green” racetrack conditions with all rubber washed out of the track by near biblical rains these last several weeks, first Green and then Helberg made some fairly aggressive runs. Stop watches clicked consistently during Green’s run and they recorded his fast lap at 18.88 and several laps under 19 seconds. Helberg ran consistently as well and she posted a 19.02 best lap.

Both drivers reported feeling more comfortable with each lap and pushed themselves a little closer to their limits. Enough so that each got their career first spinouts out of the way. Green with a three-quarter spin in turn one and later, Helberg mirrored a similar spin in turn three. “This was a great opportunity to feel what my car is like,” said Helberg “It was good to get the cars sideways a few times and feel what’s needed to recover.” Green noted how slick the surface was due to a combination of lack of rubber, used tires (both drivers opted to save their new American Racer tires for more competitive laps) and the significant upgrade in horsepower. “Man, when you buzz the tires down the straights it’s hard to get them back,” he said. “I can’t wait to get laps in when the track gets better.”

Considering the green track surface likely couldn’t hold an 18.50 lap, both drivers performed well. Phase one of Rookie Orientation went smoothly and both drivers were captured on camera for Comcast Sports Net’s new Altamont TV show. Comcast conducted some preliminary interviews and experimented with camera angles need to show the 2005 season racing from the best vantage points. Camera personnel were seen perched on the VIP roof and several tripod positions were used as well as some hand-held locations.

More of the “California Sprint Cars” of CASA are expected at Altamont’s next scheduled open practice, Saturday March 12th. The rookies will get a chance to run with other drivers under more race-like conditions, as CASA gets closer to opening day, April 2nd. Comcast Sports Net will be present during all practices to conduct more interviews and cover all Altamont events for their season-long show.

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