16 replies to this topic

[Preston M]

WOW. One word to describe three great days of slot racing. Every main was tough to move up in, as all of the drivers were on their game. Congrats to all of the main winners, and to Mike katz, Ed , Doug, and Matt for their A-main wins. The racing in Retro East is becoming super close. The Can Am B-main is the perfect example of this. The names in that main could have been the winner of any other A-main anywhere. I think the fact that 9 people broke the f-1 record, and 3 people broke the Can am record proves just how good Retro East guys are.

I'd like to thank First and foremost Doug. He mounted all of my bodies for me, including my Can Am body 10 minutes before Tech... He's the man. Also, Derek... He is the one who made my GTC-FK car good. He knows that hillclimb like the back of his hand, and knew exactly what to do to make me a contender. Ed, your amazing. I gave Ed a chassis that i built, and he noticed a few flaws. So, being the super nice guy, and great builder that he is.. he rebuilt the car for me out of the kindness of his heart. Noose, thanks for putting this weekend together and giving us the opportunity to race.

Haruki... it was an absolute pleasure pitting next to you. You are one of the nicest guys I have met, and again, thank you so much for the can am ride.

And thanks to everyone else who made this weekend so great. It was great to see all of you again, and i had a pleasure meeting all the new faces.

[Duffy]

Developing on a promotional quip for RetroPalooza, this weekend was "The Gathering of The FAMILY." A great time with a great bunch. Thank you all.

Duffy

[The Number of]

Thanks go out to the whole Port Jeff crew for making it a fun and enjoyable weekend,everything ran smooth and easy.

Thanks to Roger for lunch on Saturday and all the event sponsors.

It was good to finally meet John Gorski. For years we have been missing events for one reason or another. You are nothing like Howie describes you though.

It was nice to meet Haruki (even though he beat me for the furthest traveled award), a true gentleman who brought a lot of class to the event, and a lot more class when he had his cheering section show up on Sunday.

Congrats to all the winners and all the participants; everyone was a winner for being there.

Special thanks to Noose for doing the most thankless job, and maintaining a sense of humor.

Pics are: HERE.

Noose will take the pics and make a full report and fill in all the blanks in a day or two. Be patient good things come to those who wait, unless you are driving in NYC.

Bill

[Noose]

Well, it's in the books. The "families" met and a new "Don" was made. The Port Jeff crew did a fabulous job and a special thanks to Derek for all his work leading up to the event. Thanks to the sponsors and as noted, Roger "Saucy" Ruggieri for buying lunch.

Having five different winners, records broken, super, super close racing, and lots of laughter is what makes it all worth it. Yeah, I threw out a few "No tech for you" statements but most of it was minor stuff. Thanks to my sidekick Bill Fulmer for all his help and for always being the official photo guru at the big races.

I enjoyed meeting and talking to Haruki-san and sharing with him my past experiences of living in Japan and slot racing as a kid and now.

But most of all I want to thank the racers for coming and supporting the event. We had some new faces and I was happy to hear how much they liked the event, this type of racing, and the fun that everyone has at a Retro East race.

[Dominator]

I had an absolute blast meeting new some of the best racers on the east coast. It was great talking to everyone and learning a few things along the way.

Can't wait for next year and the Fall Brawl!

[MSwiss]

Pics are: HERE.

Bill,

I wasn't there, but super-thanks for the pics.

You're the best.

Of course, a lot of cool stuff.

The GTC-PD podium cars are especially interesting.

That Ed Sohl cat came up with something with a slightly new wrinkle. He must really be hooked on Retro to try something with that subtle of a difference.

[penske]

RetroPalooza 3 is as they say " in the books " but one that will not be forgotten any time soon.
It produced three days of outstanding racing. Everyday got better than the last.

I don't think that I ever laughed as hard as I did during one of the F1 mains. Really I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath.
All I know is that the words "BLIP THE BANK" are now forever part of Retro East history, and I am sure we will here it for years to come.

I feel extremely honored and proud that I was able to make it into the Can-Am A Main. But there is a part of me that wishes I didn't.
That was a race that when you're at a track and you sit back and watch this sport performed at its highest level. Priceless.

Congrats to Matt Bruce on his outstanding performance. There can only be one "Don" and this year it's Matt.

Hope to see everybody soon...

Roger Ruggieri

[usadar]

Hi, Retro East racers,
I am back home in Tokyo now.
The traffic to JFK was not so bad as I had expected, arriving at the Japan Air Line counter too early.
The flight to Tokyo/Narita arrived 30 minutes earlier than its schedule, still it's a twelve hour flight!!

It was a great experience to race RetroPalooza 3 at Port Jefferson Raceway.
The raceway was so well managed, the event was so well organized, and above all I really liked the atmosphere of sportsmanship, friendship, and comradeship.

Keep racing,

Haruki

[Matt Bruce]

I wanna thank Doug, Derek, Poppy, and of course Edsel for hosting Retropalooza 3. You have no idea how much winning a big race at Port Jefferson means to me. With all its history, all the World Championships, National Championship races, and of course its world class racers, to win on such a famous track is humbling. Adding my name to the wall with the likes of Beuf, Horky, Erkle, Chicky, and Chubby is a big one off the bucket list. Thanks to Noose for his committment to retro, and Bill Fulmer for being the official historian since the IRRA started with all his amazing photos. Thanks to Mike Isles, Jay, Wes, and Speedzone for all their support. It was great to meet everyone and spend some time talking. I was worried that my good luck charm ( wife Sharon) wasn't with me this time. Everyone was so fast and have really upped their game. Thanks to Greg VanPeenan and Rick Davis for some great cars and everyone for pushing the envelope this weekend. The CanAm A main lineup was awesome. With all the Nats and World titles owned by those drivers, it was a unforgettable and intense race. Everyone was pushing. Ed, you are the man. Thanks for pushing me and all of us out here. Its a pleasure to race with you. Congrats to you, Preston, Mike, and Doug on your wins and to all the podium winners. Thanks to all the sponsors, and to Outisight for the great bodies. Haruki, glad to hear you made it back to Tokyo and we will see you @ The Brawl. Thanks everyone for attending RP3 and supporting Port Jeff.

[JerseyJohn]

Once again, another intense race series. Matt watching you race is a study in concentration, drive and dedication to the sport. Congrats for a historic win.
Its always great to see Mike Katz win, hes a really super guy, sort of the elder statesmen of the group. Doug great racing as always and thank you for hosting such an awesome event. Great tracks, great friends.
Noose its all been said, another great event planned by the real deal Don of Retro. Bruce my partner, that full moon Saturday night made me nuts. While I was pitting for him,not only did I put him in the wrong lane during the race, i walking away after the 7 heat thinking it was the 8. All I heard was Bruce screaming for me to get his car...Sorry buddy LMAO
Welcome to Haruki from Tokyo and Christopher from Montreal. We truly are an International group.
If the future of Retro racing is in the hands of young men such as Jimmy Williams Jr we will be in great hands.

Now on to the SpeedZone on Fathers day for the inaugural Can Am race on the Gerding King....Stay thirsty my friends......

[Edsel]

What a great Retropalooza weekend
I want to thank Doug and Poppy for hosting this great event. Thanks to Derek, Preston, Roger, Matt Bruce and everyone else who helped wash the track Friday and Saterday night. Thanks to all the sponsors who helped to make this happen. Thanks to all of the racers who were able to make the trip. Thank you Noose for painting the bodies and making me look pretty. Thank you Roger for lunch and keeping me pumped up throughout the weekend. Thanks George Blaha for feeding me melon and bananas which kept me going (no cramps all weekend). Most of all, congratulations again to Matt for winning CanAm and the overall title. You earned it baby. I love racing Retro. I enjoy the building and preparation just as much as the competitive racing. Looking forward to the 2012/2013 season and the Fall Brawl. I am also looking forward to going to the R4 next year. Congratulations to HVR who will host Retropalooza 4.

Edsel

[Uncle Fred]

Wow the my Port Jeff buddies and my Retro East friends all in the same place having a blast racing. Roger, Ed, George, Mike who I raced with a long time ago ............I have to make a trip back east.

[Edsel]

Hey Uncle Fred,
You come back East for a race and I will loan you a car.
Edsel

[Preston M]

Fred, i would take that offer up. LOL Ed's cars are incredible... ask Doug why he won the F-1 race. He will tell ya that his car Ed gave him was so good that an old lady off the street could have won with it.

[JerseyJohn]

Fred, i would take that offer up. LOL Ed's cars are incredible... ask Doug why he won the F-1 race. He will tell ya that his car Ed gave him was so good that an old lady off the street could have won with it.

OUCH not saying much for Doug LMAO

[Preston M]

That was almost a direct quote Doug knows i love him.

[JerseyJohn]

That was almost a direct quote Doug knows i love him.

LOL