9 replies to this topic

[Clyde Romero]

Well, you would not know it was fall up here in New Jersey. The temperatures weren’t that cold; in fact, it was downright nice.

 

The racing was once again in a class of its own the first day

 

Coupe on the Jersey Devil always takes it tolls on drivers and this year was no exception. The same goes for Can-Am and RetroPro where a couple of the front runners exited prior to the final heats.

 

Overall a great day of racing at New Jersey’s premier slot car track SpeedZone. Mike Iles and his crew put on an outstanding show and every year it seems to get better.

 

Today it’s Stock Car, GTC FK, and GTC Pro.

[Clyde Romero]

Friday the weather turned bad but not the racing at SpeedZone.
 
Stock car racing on the Engleman was extremely close. 35 plus entries that fought tooth and nail for laps. The cars were exceptional with their paint jobs and preparation .
 
GTC FK and  CTC Pro were hard fought classes as well. These races went well into the evening hours, racing on the Engleman.
 
Race director Brandon Millinghausen did an outstanding job on all three classes. A tough job but done with the greatest efficiency. None better.
 
Overall it was another great day of racing at the Fall Brawl.
 
Those of you who have never attended this slot car event, well... you need to.
 
From my point of view, you learn so much from at this race. Everyone here is helpful. The saying is a rising tide raises all boats is ever present here. Racers go out of their way to say, "Let me see that, give it to me and let me make it faster for you." 
 
The racers here are ever-competitive while on the track but off the track, they are willing to share their expertise so you will have a positive experience. 
 
That’s what makes it such a great event as far as I am concerned.

[Clyde Romero]

Well, they say if you get a car going supersonic things can happen. Some of the cars got close to breaking the Mach on the King on Saturday at the Fall Brawl. 

 

There were 40-plus entries and a lot of carnage. In the A, B, C and D Mains, several fast players dropped out due to mechanical issues. There were move-ups from the earlier mains as well.

 

Cars got faster, a lot faster!

 

Overall it was a long day of great racing. Mike Iles and his outstanding crew put on a great feast for the racers at the end of the day. Once again, hats off to Brandon Millinghausen who kept it all together for the racers.

 

Today is Can-Am on the Engleman, the final class of the event. As this year's Fall Brawl comes to a close, it was a pleasure rubbing shoulders with some of the best trigger-pullers in this hemisphere.

 

One more thought...

 

Today is Veterans Day.

 

As a Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom vet, I want to thank all you veterans of all branches of service and wish you a happy and safe Veterans Day

 

And let’s not forget those who are still serving this great count of ours today away from home, especially as the holidays fast approach us.

 

So if you happen to see a vet with a hat on or a piece of a uniform on, take time today to walk up to him or her to say thank you for your service!

 

It’s been said before: Freedom isn’t Free.

 

Clyde Romero

USAF

Vietnam '70-72

Desert Storm '90-91

Iraqi Freedom '05

[Greg VanPeenen]

Well said, sir, and thank you for your service.

 

Greg VanPeenen

US Army 

25th Infantry, Vietnam 

'69-70 

[Clyde Romero]

By now you have seen the results of the Fall Brawl Can-Am race.

 

Qualifying was in a class by itself. You had to be there. Trust me, it was a religious experience!

 

There was a distinct line drawn early on. Those who could break into five seconds and those who could not! Yes, boys and girls, it came down to that. The rest as far, as I was concerned, were outside looking in!

 

And what a show it was. Right out of chute Willy and Biscuit set the bar all were trying for. It was something to see, my friends. And as they say, the cream always rises to the top and sure enough, it did in the race. Hats off to Willy.

 

Well, that’s it for me at this Fall Brawl. A good time was had by all. The atmosphere was great, the racing outstanding. 

 

So see you next time at the Fall Brawl!

[Bill from NH]

Nice posts, Clyde!

 

Thanks for your insight.

[Half Fast]

It was so fast that a 4.99 lap put you in the C-Main!

 

Cheers,

[Clyde Romero]

Well, I have some asking about my service during Vietnam.

But before I send the link I want to thank all the racers at the Fall Brawl who were in fact veterans. I spoke to a racer who was a Korean War veteran at the race, what a story.

Bottom line, Veterans Day is special, so many from Vietnam did not come home. I have a lot of friends at Arlington Cemetery who gave all. There are days I have survivors guilt.

The link below is what I did.

In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close

See all of you next year!

[Bill from NH]

One of my best friends growing up, enlisted in the Marines and became an aerial photographer in the glass nose of a copter when deployed to Nam. I don't recall all the details.

[Clyde Romero]

Just a few final thoughts on the 2018 Fall Brawl... 

 

I have finally come full circle with regards to slot cars. Retro racing in particular. And I am glad I have. 

 

Having started racing back in the late '60s with Howie in New York I have seen nothing but warmth from my fellow racers across the board at every major event I have attended in the last two years.

 

When you are at a big event such as the Fall Brawl and competition is at its highest among all attending, you see fellow racers go out of there way to assist you in any way that they can, even knowing that you might end up beating them. They, your fellow racer are quick to lend a hand any way they can. They will often give you tips that took them many races to learn. They, your competition, truly believe a rising tide lifts all boats. I myself am grateful for this atmosphere since I have so much to re-learn. It’s rare that you see this type of assistance from your competition, as I know having raced motorcycles. 

 

I would have mentioned names, but if I know I would have left some out. But you know who you are.

 

I want to thank all of you for making this a great hobby.

 

All the best this holiday season gentlemen, and see you at the next race!