It's Wednesday of R4 week and the racers are filtering in.
Yesterday, as noted elsewhere, Jim Nolen was the first to arrive, but since he lives five minutes from the raceway, that's not too surprising.
John "J.C." Martin, from Smyna, TN, near Nashville, was next, hitting the door about noon.
Roger "Rowdy" Walling of Pueblo West, CO, arrived about 3 PM with a whole slew of cars.
Another part of the Southern contingent arrived right as the raceway closed, after battling consistent rain for a couple of states and having to endure a ten mile plus long back-up on I-71N due to a semi dumping a load of structural steel across all lane of the northbound side: Bobby Robinson of Glencoe, AL, Jay Guard of Anniston, AL, and yours truly of Norcross, GA.
Chris Radisch, Steve Koepp, and Greg Fox just showed up as well.
Many of the participants are arriving tomorrow. looks to be a well- attended event, as is usually the case.
Coverage of the R4/8 starts now...
#1
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 10:04 AM
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#2
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Troublesome De-slotter
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 11:40 AM
Will streaming be available?
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
#3
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 11:59 AM
YES! Streaming can be viewed HERE. It may be available Thursday time permitting but will be up all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Note that the stats are ALWAYS available even if video is not.
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Mike McMasters
Former home of the ORIGINAL American blue King
#4
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Troublesome De-slotter
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 12:17 PM
jb
South Carolina, USA
"Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles."
- Pat Paulsen, 1968
"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol."
- Steven Wright ca. 1983
#5
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 03:07 PM
More racers have shown up during the day... Earl Graybill and James Fetherolf (locals), Raisin Garrett (MI), and A. J. Hoyt (CO).
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Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#6
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 03:14 PM
Hell of an interesting and great guy.
He makes any event better.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#7
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 03:25 PM
Hell, I can make it better just by "not" showing up. 
Jim "Butch" Dunaway
I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I missed my exit.
All my life I've strived to keep from becoming a millionaire, so far I've succeeded.
There are three kinds of people in the world, those that are good at math and those that aren't.
No matter how big of a hammer you use, you can't pound common sense into stupid people, believe me, I've tried.
#8
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 03:41 PM
You already made R4 a better event when you made a point about the non-repentent racer who was monopolizing one of the middle lanes in practice.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#9
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 03:43 PM
Another local, Steve Davidson, just snuck in the door...
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#10
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 05:43 PM
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 07:31 PM
Eric Balicki
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Checkered Flag in Hand
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 08:01 PM
Did Matt's box of cars make it?
Greg VanPeenen
12/4/49-4/17/24
Requiescat in Pace
#13
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 08:05 PM
In have no knowledge but will get the info and reply tomorrow. TTH closed at 8 PM and we're back at the hotel now.
McMasters may see this and reply tonight or in the morning.
Which Matt, just to be certain?
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#14
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 09:32 PM
Mike McMasters
Former home of the ORIGINAL American blue King
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Posted 11 March 2015 - 09:57 PM
#16
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 08:10 AM
I haven't been able to "sneak" anywhere for the last 20 years - LOL.
Great to meet you yesterday and looking forward to my first R4 race.
Steve
#17
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Checkered Flag in Hand
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 02:30 PM
Mike, when is the raffle for the Matt/GVP cars? 
?/?/56-6/12/23
Requiescat in Pace
#18
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 02:40 PM
Mike McMasters says in the detailed R4 schedule:
"The drawing for the "Manta" Ray Price benefit raffle will be held just before the first Semi-Main"
Can-Am is the class being run on Saturday, so sometime late Saturday afternoon or early in the evening.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#19
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 04:38 PM
Been a little crazy today, as large number of racers have made their appearance. Pit space is virtually all spoken for and we expect several more racers to show up tomorrow.
Some of the notable racers who made an appearance today are the Noose the Tech Nazi, Eric Gehrken, Cap Henry, Bud Bartos, Willy Custer, Ross Sharfe, Howie Ursaner, Matt Sheldon, Rick and Ricky Bennardo, Greg Krumnow, and Steve Deiters, among many others. Apologies to anyone I didn't mention.
Parma's Steve Koepp began his painting seminar at 3 PM and it is still going on. I'll post some pics of the seminar and some of the bodies in a bit.
I can't recall whether this is my fifth or sixth R4, but I am certain this is the most talented and accomplished group of racers that have attended the event. The racing, which starts tomorrow with the two GTC classes (GTC-FK and GTC-Pro), promises to be exceptionally close.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#20
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 05:02 PM
One row of the pits. Front to back: Bobby Robinson, John Martin, and Steve Koepp, with Chris Radisich looking on.
Steve Koepp works on preparing his fleet.
L to R: Cap Henry, Ricky Bennardo, Rick Bennardo, Eric Gehrken, Willy Custer, Ross Sharfe.
Earl Graybill got his favorited pit space, in the corner behind the bank. I accused him of being anti-social... LOL.
Rick Starkey and Jim Nolen with Greg Krumnow (standing).
Jerry "Boogieman" Wyant trims on an F1 body while Joe Neumeister (standing) and Dave Simerka look on.
Bob Appelle's unique "skybox" style pit box frees up some useful pit space square footage.
Bill Fulmer's pit looks way too neat to be a place where useful work is performed.
Noose's pit with the typical "Blue Moon" bribe he cheerfully accepts.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#21
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Posted 12 March 2015 - 05:12 PM
#22
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Posted 13 March 2015 - 07:43 AM
The parking lot at Tom Thumb was virtually full when Jay and I arrived a couple of minutes before 8 AM and inside, the line for the FK hand-out motors stretched to the opposite side of the store. Lots of trashing happening now as guys are installing the motors in their GTC cars.
It seems to me than the depth of top-quality Retro racers attending this event exceeds any of the previous R4s and perhaps just about every other major Retro race I've seen.
Qualifying for GTC-Pro starts at 10:30, with GTC-FK qualifying after Pro qual ends. Then the GTC-FK Mains will begin.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#23
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Posted 13 March 2015 - 08:51 AM
Some more miscellaneous pics from yesterday...
Not yet four month old, and Jessica is already introducing baby Avery to slot racing! I've seen pregnant women at the drivers panel, but never before have a seem a mom racing with her papoose in the forward position. Mike McMasters, Jessica McMasters Snyder, and Avery Snyder represent three generations.
L to R: Will Brinkley, David Clarkin, Russ Upton, Matt Sheldon, Ross Sharfe, Eric Gehrken, with Cap Henry hooking up.
Left, Howie Ursaner, one of the famous "Gold Dust Twins" racers from the '60s and Bud Bartos, who designed and patented the Parma Flexi-Kar chassis that kick-started the stamped steel chassis revolution in 1/24 slot racing.
L to R: Bob Appelle, Matt Sheldon, Roger "Rowdy" Walling, and Mike "Raisin" Garrett.
L to R: Marc Picione, Joe "Joe Dirt" Liguori, and Ken Green.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#24
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Posted 13 March 2015 - 09:50 AM
The tech line for GTC-Pro. Gil Gundersen on the left, Cap Henry on the right, Dave "Shadow" Simerka behind. The man with the calibrated eyes, Joe "Noose" Neumeister, provides the "glare" on more than one level.
GTC practice. L to R: Will Brinkley, Steve Davidson, John Austin (with his special slot racing pants), Steve Koepp, Bud Bartos, Jerry "Boogieman" Wyant, John "JC" Martin, and Casey Dill. Gary Eichelbarger (I think) marshaling the hole.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#25
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Posted 13 March 2015 - 10:09 AM
Jay Guard makes his qualifying run for GTC-Pro. Total is 57 entires combined for GTC-Pro and GTC-FK.
Qualifying results for GTC-Pro. Greg Fox's TQ is a new track record for this class at Tom Thumb.
GTC-FK qualifying is next.
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Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
