The seventh annual Retro Reunion Revival Race at Tom Thumb Hobbies in Columbus, OH, which almost everyone in the Retro world calls "The R4" or "The R4/7", was referred to by a racer at the event as Retro's Daytona 500. And while the comparison might not be totally fair to The Sano in Chicago, which was in fact the first big race for what is now known as Retro racing, the sobriquet does pay homage to the R4's status as the first Premier IRRA™ Retro race each year as well as to the cachet of it being held on an original American Model Raceway King track still located in its original raceway.
However one wishes to label the R4, it is a big race. Regulars opined that the crowd on Wednesday was larger than had been the case on that day of the week for any previous R4 and by mid-afternoon today (Thursday), the comfortable pit spaces had largely evaporated and the shoehorning had begun.
Due to bandwidth constraints, I'll be posting to this thread sporadically, as I have to do it from the hotel as opposed to the raceway. Today I'll start with a number of candid shots taken yesterday and today, with captions as needed and/or remembered.
The race results will be posted in near real time at this LINK, although I plan to try to take snap shots of the lap counter to post here as well.
Here's the first batch of pics from the 2014 R4/7, showing people, pit spaces and boxes, and items of interest, in no particular order...
MI's Rich Attee's pit set-up isn't the largest at he R4, but it sure isn't the smallest either. The boxes' patina testifies to Rich being a very experienced racer, as did his quiet non-obscene curse when I saw him get ridered into the wall rather firmly during practice this afternoon!
R-Geo's Rick Bennardo "experienced" slot box liberally paneled with race plaques going back 25 years and more. Lots of podium cars have traveled back to PA in this box over the years...
The "Garage Mahal" pit of Boogie Speedway owner Jerry "The Boogie Man" Wyant from MI. These boxes are probably unique, as they are "sliced" in half at an angle, forming two side-by-side pyramids once opened for business.
This pit might not look like the home of one of Retro's winningest drivers, but that's indeed the case. Matt Bruce is also one of the nicest guys in our sport. Seemingly he doesn't want to worry about having enough gears on hand when he travels...
Not sure what PA's Dan Ebert is showing Rich Bennardo, but I think Rick came uncomfortably close to soldering his finger to the chassis, instead of the motor.
OH's Greg Fox's super-neat pit suggests he came ready to race, with no thrashing needed.
TeamCHR's Cap Henry's pit indicates he came to the R4 well-prepared as usual. Lots of cars and stuff packed very efficiently into his well-divided boxes.
TN's John "J.C." Martin is making his first visit to the R4 this year and as a multiple USRA National Champ, he's not likely to end up in the K Main. He might find Retro a bit more competitive than USRA 4-1/2 Stock Cars though... LOL!
Here's Parma's Steve Koepp's well-organized pit. Steve been racing slots so long that he's always a threat in Retro and just about anywhere else he chooses to race.
Thursday at 3 PM Steve gave another one of his terrific Lexan body painting seminars for the R4 attendees. Even painter extraordinaire Joe "Noose" Neumeister attends so he can pick up tips from Steve at these demos. Here's Steve setting up the seminar table with all of his painting equipment and supplies.
Some action at the drivers panel during open practice on Wednesday. L to R: Matt Bruce, J.C. Martin, Cap Henry, Chris Radisich, Dan Ebert, Rick Davis. Waling behind the drivers is Greg Krumnow.
Another panel shot. L to R, Rick Bennardo, Matt Bruce, Jay Guard, Cap Henry, Steve Koepp, Chris radisich, Ricky Bennardo, J.C. Martin, and Rick Davis, who doesn't look very pleased with how his sled is running...
The pile o' plaques to be awarded during the event, featuring a replica of the Mike Patterson-designed race poster affixed to marble-toned Corian, or something similar.
New Zealand's Chris Radisich (yeah, he talks a little funny... LOL!) thrashing away. Note the big jar of raspberry Twizzlers which always seems to be present in the R-Geo pit area. Could this be their speed secret?
Not sure whose tire warehouses this are, but he came well stocked. Each box is two-sided, i.e. they look just the same on the back side not seen!
OH's Vince Del Viscio's unique pit, featuring a cut-down shelving unit holding tools, lights etc. Vince came prepared to work on his stuff with everything needed readily at hand.
IN's quiet and focused Terry Watson had a small table to himself for his pit alongside the King track's bank. No worries abut getting elbowed by a thrashing neighbor with this scenario.
Bob Appelle's very creative self-made pit box. Removeable hinge clips allow the box's front "doors" to be removed and then they are attached open side out to the box's sides using Nylon thumb screws. Similar screws attached the 30 amp Bulldog power supply (normally used to power home race tracks) to the back of the box and the unit is used to power all of the needed truers, irons, etc. Note also the legs Bob screws into T-nuts inserted into the bottom panel of his box to elevate it and free up the space beneath the pit box for other uses. Lots of thought went into this arrangement.
