5 replies to this topic

[JimF]

NorCal Retro Race Report.

Motown Raceway, Modesto Ca. 4-28-19

 

Here we go, a couple days later than normal due to me wrapping up work for this season. As of today, I’m done for a few months but with at least one new location coming this summer, I’m not going to be quite as free as usual for the next few months. Our last few races have had large turnouts but this event was a little closer to our long term averages. One reason is that several of our racers had medical situations going on that precluded their attendance.

 

On that note, my own situation with the Vertigo is that it is ongoing. I was able to complete all three races today and that, in itself, is a plus. My balance and concentration are compromised. But still, I’d rather race at a diminished level that not run at all so…..I think I’m not likely to sit out any more races as I did last month.

 

Special shout outs:

I want to take special note of a few folks this month. Gene Braham, the owner of Motown helped out today with setting up the races and he also helped with turn marshal coverage in our two late races. Not all track owners would do this and it is greatly appreciated. Kathy Wilbur is a god send to the group with her race direction while hubby Big John Wilbur races.  Two of our newer racers, Mark Bauer and Mike Andrews have steadily improved their performances over the last few months and now both guys are competing near the front of the pack in certain races. Thanks go out from me personally to the group as a whole for your patience and helping me deal with this Vertigo situation which does not seem to going away completely.

 

Race #1, Can Am on the hillclimb:

With 11 racers, we ran center six with 3 min. heats. Herman opened his runs with a 36 lap heat followed by a 35. Rocky and Mark were going back and forth between 34 and 35 early on while I started with a 35 and followed with a 36. John Mohrle was running consistent 34s as was Jeffrey Cone. As the race went along, Herman continued with 36s and one excellent 37 while I alternated between good heats and really inconsistent ones.

 

Mark Bauer was showing good speed and race management while Rocky ran his usual consistent race. At the end, Herman cruised in without any serious threats while I managed to edge out Rocky for 2^nd. Mark, John, and Jeffrey were all very close.

 

Some fool managed to mess up the Can Am bottom views, so.....

 

 

 

Race #2, Stock Cars on the Hillclimb:

With the start of this race, it became clear that I couldn’t get through the main bank without a lift. Although my car was fast, I had to “drive” the bank and so was not really any factor at all. Herman, Mark, John and Randy all won heats as this race went along and all those guys were very close. Eventually the last heat came down with Mark the leader in the clubhouse with 235 laps. Herman came back in after sitouts with one heat to go. He needed a 38 lap heat and a lot of track distance to tie and he just got that by about 20’ over Mark. Clearly, Mark has arrived as a podium threat every time out. Big John wrapped up a great run with a solid podium finish and Randy was close behind.

 

 

Race #3, F-1 on the Korkscrew.

Our last race was for F-1 and we had a surprisingly light turnout for this one. We ran a center six with one dummy (no show Dave). Early on, Herman started with a strong 38 lap heat while I had a 36 with a lot of mistakes. Rocky started his runs with his usual consistency running mostly 37s. In my second heat I ran a good 37 vs. Herman’s 36 so I got some distance back. Mike Andrews was showing speed and consistency the whole race and was running 35-36 laps every run while Mark Bauer was also quick with a lot of 35s.

 

As we went along, Herman broke a guide post so he was out for a while. Randy and Big John diced the whole race with John running faster but Randy the more consistent. Rocky was fast and consistant and he pulled a gap on me toward the end. Mike, ripped off an excellent third and he was as fast as anyone near the end. Mark continued his good day with a well earned 4^th over Randy who held off Big John. At the very end, Herman came back in full punch mode with a race high 39 and fast lap too but he was way too far out to make any headway.

 

 

Our next race will be at FTH on the 19^th. At this point, the Purple Angel is still not operational so expect that we’ll run the Kingleman again as a substitute. More on that later but plan on the Kingleman.

[Eddie Fleming]

What body is the #67 third place stock car?

[Rotorranch]

Looks like a Dodge Coronet.

 

Rotor

[JimF]

It is a Lancer Road Runner. Not "technically" within the rules list but I'll sometimes allow somesuch as this given the dearth of readily available stuff. If a body does not offer an advantage, I'll often allow it.

[Tom Eatherly]

Glad you're getting better and racing Jim. Good sign. That #4 F-1 is a good looking paint scheme. Likin' that. Nicely done.

[JimF]

Thanks Tom: The getting better thing is relative. I'm better than I was at the worst but not clean by any means. Still.....if this is what I got, so be it. I'll do what I can and not worry about it. That #4 F-1 is Mike Andrews. He is in the hobby for all the right reasons. He maintains all his own stuff and seems to appreciate what we do up here. Sometimes he's not in the lead pack but sometimes he is. Lately, he's beginning to climb the ladder into the podium range in some cases. This is awesome to see. Mark Bauer is another case in point here. He is climbing into contention as well. He builds all his own and takes it seriously. It's great to see these guys start to pass up guys who have been just "going along".