390 replies to this topic

[Clyde Romero]

I asked Greg if I could start a forum on my experiences slot car racing and he said yes so here it goes!

 

My name is Clyde Romero I am 71 years old and I own a slot car track in the Atlanta area with 2 other fine gentlemen, Atlanta Slot Car Raceway. 

 

I am a retired airline Captain and retired military as well, Vietnam Veteran, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. ( when you start young you get a lot in !) Flew Fighters and Helicopters in the military, 

 

I am originally from New York City and raced in that area in the 60's with Howie and all the greats of that era.

Raced at Cobra Raceways ( in the Bronx where I am from ) , Roosevelt Raceway ( Queens went to Aviation HS which was just down the street), Buzzy's, Polk Hobbies, and other tracks in the New York City area. That was an era that in my humble opinion will never be replicated with regards to slot car racing. 

 

I wanted to start this forum on my experiences because I know there are others out there that would love to go to other tracks outside of their home track but feel that its overwhelming.( its not) 

Having traveled the world and landed in countries where I didn't speak the language I can assure you that  going to a track to race at a big race is much easier than that! Keep this in mind they speak your language, SLOT CARS !

 

In  a couple of weeks I  will be jumping in my car ( yes Howie I will be driving my Ferrari !)  and making the 2 day trip to southern  New Jersey to race in the big retro race called the Fall Brawl. This event is spectacular in every sense of the word if you race Retro, which is what I love to race. This is the Super Bowl of retro racing guys. I've been going now for 3 years missed last year due to Covid. I highly recommend that you attend this race, you will  meet many others from all over the world that have the same passion as you do about this hobby we call slot car racing. This even is dominated by the Retro East Group who puts this great race on.

These individuals that are part of Retro East are the Top Guns of retro racing in my opinion.  I am going to leave some last names out because I  don't have them readily available Matt Bruce, Keith Libby, Dale, Dominic, Noose, Jersey, Doc  etc... are all fantastic racers and fierce competitors at this race. My apologies for not mentioning all of you who have race at this event. 

 

For those of you who feel you aren't good enough to race at this event, come, you can pit by me because I felt the same way when I went my first time in 2017.The big race for me is the handout motor race since your trying to break out and end up on the PRO list! Ugh this is like trying out for astronaut selection!  

 

This years handout race in my opinion will be something else. The new motors are all consistent and it will come down to set up and driving and a luck! I will be their with Jersey and others laughing with my controller in my hand because Jersey makes it fun with us old guys in the Z main! 

 

Concourse at this event is something to see, the Picasso's of Retro Racing come out to show their stuff. Coming in the top 3 in any of the 4 classes is equivalent to getting and appointment at one of the service academies, its tough!

 

Well that's it for now, guys. See you in south Jersey soon, stay safe.

 

Clyde 

  

 

[JerseyJohn]

Clyde well said. Thank you tons for your service to us and our country. I look forward to seeing to see you. I might even let you beat me in the Z main..LOL

[Clyde Romero]

Thanks guys for all the positive response that you have sent my way about this sub forum, called Clyde's Corner.

This sub forum is all about getting others racers to travel to race and meet other racers.

 

For the record I have been to the R-4 3 times and just once at the SANOS and Retropalloza twice. 

The environment was pretty much the same, you were surrounded by racers who had the same passion.

 

Cap Henry had a big race 2 years back which was great, I called it the Ice Station Zebra Race, it was like zero degrees and blowing snow all the time we were there.   A lot of the R-4 racers attended this race for the Columbus and Dayton area, Bobby Robinson and myself drove up to this race. We really wanted to see if antifreeze would freeze!

Everyone in this picture really wanted to be there trust me when I say that, the last time I was that cold I was at cold weather training in Yellow Knife Northwest Territories  Canada  in January! ( look it up on Google Maps)  And the threat wasn't the cold, it was the Polar Bears! A fellow Vietnam Veteran and Track owner Lester from Eri Pa. is in this picture among others that I know. 

 

For the individual racer thinking of going to the Fall Brawl for me preparation is everything, knowing that the Retro East racers are well prepared since you will be playing on there home ground.

Its much like when I was flying in Vietnam, the gunners knew you were coming, and they also knew  when you were going to get there ! 

I know that sounds a little harsh but it reality at this race. Its a competitive environment but friendly.

Dominic Luongo is a racer who reached out to me at my virgin run at the Fall Brawl in 2017. He was instrumental on me coming back year after year, at let me tell you you have to want to be there in south Jersey in November because its cold ! Anyway racers such as Don warm the place up with there knowledge of what going on because its a fast pace environment. 

There is a racer coming up from south Georgia this year for the Brawl, he races at the Viper Pit,  I told him to bring warm clothes if nothing else! This racer races with us down here in our SERRA series and he is looking forward to this event. I hope he does attend. 

Once you used to traveling to races it becomes second nature, for me as an airline pilot I lived on the road, I moved around like an Al-Qaeda operative doing my normal job! 

For me a checklist is mandatory so that you show up with what you need.

Oh and while I am at it, support the tracks, buy your tires braid and all the consumables from the tracks racers.

 

Another great Retro race is the Retropalloza which is held in June out on Long Island, it is a long haul for me but I have been twice and plan on going next year if the dates don't conflict with the Canadian GP held in Montreal. Doug and Chubby have a great facility and its a great facility.

 

Well that is it for now guys see some of you soon at Speedzone!

 

 

 

[JerseyJohn]

Clyde, the current weather forecast for Brawl is mid-50s

[Pablo]

Do helicopters have autopilots? I honestly don't know

[Alchemist]

Greetings Clyde!

 

I am so thrilled and pleased with your new  forum!

 

As for your being a retired airline Captain - I want to "thank you" for your service!

 

About your Ferrari - may I inquire as to what model and year it is please?

 

I'm retired from restoring vintage race cars and high dollar collectable cars, so I'm always interested in all types of vehicles!

 

Thank you.

 

Ernie

[Clyde Romero]

Do helicopters have autopilots? I honestly don't know

Yes the modern day ones have autopilots 

[Clyde Romero]

Greetings Clyde!

 

I am so thrilled and pleased with your new  forum!

 

As for your being a retired airline Captain - I want to "thank you" for your service!

 

About your Ferrari - may I inquire as to what model and year it is please?

 

I'm retired from restoring vintage race cars and high dollar collectable cars, so I'm always interested in all types of vehicles!

 

Thank you.

 

Ernie

My current Ferrari is a 2003 575 M I bought it used in 2019 

i just sold my 512 TR to a good friend in Sweden, I owned that particular car for over 24 years!

they are very reliable automobiles if driven 

I have owned these cars since the 80’s 

[Clyde Romero]

So you have decided to go to a big retro race, good for you.

One big thing, make sure you're car is legally able to run, in other words make sure you have read the IRRA rule set and have followed them to the T. 

If you have done this it will make you first race at this new track a little bit easier to digest. 

There will be a lot going on and having a correct car that is within the rule set makes it easy going.

There is no sense of you testing a car that is not going to get pass the tech guys.

And they are strict for a reason, it levels the playing field and  that's what everyone wants in a race.

And while I am at it a big thanks to the Tech guys, Noose who you will meet if you attend a Retro East event is the Tech guy.

Noose has the unenviable task of this duty at these events. Fair but strict. Noose is a very busy guy and does an excellent job of this difficult task, hats off to you Noose!

The same goes for the Tech guy at the R-4, I cant remember his name right now but he does and excellent job as well.

You will encounter a Tech sheet at every race which lays out what the car should spec out at, no if's ands or but's!

 

 

Next up will be the Concourse judging which will be done by all whom have entered that class of  race.

You're given a chance to vote on the nicest looking car in that field of racing, tough competition  to say the least.

                                                                                             I have a saying if you cant be fast LOOK GOOD!

 

Your car will be impounded after Tech and the next time you will see it will be when you qualify for that race.

For me I would rather fly over Hanoi in a Cessna 172 than Qual, but its a necessary thing in a big race.

Once you've quailed you will get you race order in the form of a main heat.

 

Races  can go two ways, one and done, which means what ever laps you have in that heat is what you end up with as a total.

Or the the move up, which means what its says, you move up to the next heat based on where you finish in the one you just raced.

 

The PRO LIST in IRRA is based on you breaking out in the Novice Coupe race as the winner, or from what I have experienced if you win a main event heat  in one class, which is very very hard to do but it has happened.

 

Thats it for now, get your hotel room and come to the Fall Brawl trigger pullers, its worth the trip!

[Howie Ursaner]

See You in Jersey Clyde ! Have a good drive up.!  I like your forum .

[Clyde Romero]

See You in Jersey Clyde ! Have a good drive up.!  I like your forum .

Howie! boss good to hear from you. Hope all is well. As you in a couple of weeks.

[Clyde Romero]

Ok live and learn, I got a PM letting me know how you get on the PRO LIST.

i was just informed you get into the PRO CLASS by winning the Novice Coupe Class or podium in any of the others classes at a race that is considered a Premium event. 

Thank you for that information.
 

Oh yea while I am at it, the lap system which is the platinum standard as far as I am concerned is

Lap Master, when you go to one of these races you will experience this system.

If the current track you are racing at doesn’t have this system you will be amazed at its capabilities.

I am not trying to take away from any of the other systems that are out there but Lap Master is the one

You will experience it during your practice sessions and while racing at these tracks that hold the major events.

 

Please keep in mind these are just my observations when it comes to what I have experienced over the many years of slot car racing. 

 

And I just remembered the Tech guy for the R-4 his name is Eric a great guy and a wonderful race director.

 

Oh yea while I am at it, racing at one of these events is totally different, THE POWER STAYS ON ! 
There are very few if any TRACK CALLS during a heat, and the race director is GOD!

 

If you have the miss fortune to break during green flag racing, in theory you day is done, you will have to repair 

your car/controller under green flag conditions. 
 

I Know it’s a lot to digest but this is what you can expect.

 

For me I go to these events to meet like minded individuals who have the passion I have for a hobby that isn’t that big among the population at large. Pretty much like my old occupation flying planes for a living!

 

My one goal is to have fun and secondary not come in last in any class I race.

I try to place at where I qualify at in that class.

And that’s it, I am realistic, I am 71 and don’t have the cat reflexes of days of old.

Wish there was a AAARP class for us guys but it doesn’t exist, at least not yet!

We can only hope, right guys, any you know whom I am talking too!

 

Me myself I race clean, I give way if I know I don’t have a competitive car.

At the SANOS in Can Am I inadvertently took out a car in the bank and I was sorry it happened 

The driver was way less experienced than myself and it was something I never want to repeat.

Dennis from Canada and Don from ERI were there when it happened, everyone said it wasn’t my fault, I realize these are racing incidents.

One last thing, if you haven’t experienced watching the A main in any class I highly recommend you do so.

I recommend you marshal the race, because they don’t come off!

And if a hit occurs, it’s usually going to be bad, like I say in combat,That’s going to leave a Mark!

Tempers will be high and the tension will be like watching the Masters!

Me personally I hope to never make the A main, I have had enough tension in my normal life, it was called Vietnam.

 

Well that’s it for now guys, thanks for liking the sub forum.
I have to recharge my EZ-Pass for the tolls in New Jersey.

Until then My fellow racers.

Stay safe there aren’t many of us out there!

 

 

 

 

[Pablo]

"So you have decided to go to a big retro race, good for you. One big thing, make sure you're car is legally able to run, in other words make sure you have read the IRRA rule set and have followed them to the T. "

 

Well said, Sir.

 

May I add, I've found it useful to kindly ask the tech inspector to do a pre-check well before the event starts getting busy. That way you have time to correct any problems. I've never had one say "No" to that request.

[Noose]

[Kim Lander]

Clyde...good reading...You take point and I will take slack....that ought to work.....LOL

[Pappy]

Clyde,

 

I have a question that's been bothering me for about 40 years that you might be able to answer since you flew for the airlines and flew fighter jets. 

 

If you fly an ILS front course inverted do you fly it like a front course or a back course? In other words, do you chase the needle in the direction it's going or do you turn away from the needle? And if the glide slope needle on your artificial horizon shows you are below the glide path do you push out or pull back?  I've never had an aerobatic airplane that was IFR equipped to find out but your fighter jets were. I hope this question doesn't keep you up at night for the next 40 years. 

 

Thanks for your service, fighter jet pilots are the best.

[Clyde Romero]

Clyde,

 

I have a question that's been bothering me for about 40 years that you might be able to answer since you flew for the airlines and flew fighter jets. 

 

If you fly an ILS front course inverted do you fly it like a front course or a back course? In other words, do you chase the needle in the direction it's going or do you turn away from the needle? And if the glide slope needle on your artificial horizon shows you are below the glide path do you push out or pull back?  I've never had an aerobatic airplane that was IFR equipped to find out but your fighter jets were. I hope this question doesn't keep you up at night for the next 40 years. 

 

Thanks for your service, fighter jet pilots are the best.

The ILS system is nothing more than a directional transmitter on a UHF frequency both azimuth and vertical ( glide slope)

the antenna on the airplane could care less if you are inverted 

you would just fly it normally following the cues

when you fly a back course you have to do the opposite since the transmitter is directional in one direction 

when we had to fly a back course we hit a button on the HSI ( horizontal situation indicator) which made the needle directional 

no one flys back course at the airlines 

every major airport has an ILS both ends

and they are going away

GPS RNAV approaches are safer and better 

my last couple of years that’s all I flew

the same goes for VOR and ADF approaches 

Non precision approaches are dangerous and are never flow by any airlines in the US 

[Clyde Romero]

"So you have decided to go to a big retro race, good for you. One big thing, make sure you're car is legally able to run, in other words make sure you have read the IRRA rule set and have followed them to the T. "

 

Well said, Sir.

 

May I add, I've found it useful to kindly ask the tech inspector to do a pre-check well before the event starts getting busy. That way you have time to correct any problems. I've never had one say "No" to that request.

Agreed 

[Pappy]

GPS RNAV approaches are safer and better 

my last couple of years that’s all I flew

the same goes for VOR and ADF approaches 

Non precision approaches are dangerous and are never flow by any airlines in the US 

The last time I flew instruments (back in about 1979) we had RNAV but I don't remember an RNAV approach. We didn't have GPS back then that I know of. My local airport had an ADF approach, it got you down to 600 feet above the ground and you just hoped you spotted the runway.

 

Back then if a controller made me mad I would take my RNAV and move their VOR station and not tell them where I put it.    That's a joke only a pilot would understand. 

[Clyde Romero]

Well its 8 days out from me driving up to New Jersey for the Fall Brawl and meeting with some of the best Retro racers this nation has to offer.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate for my drive.

I convinced Dan and Dennis to come from the frozen north, they will be there.

As I suspected the one racer from down my way will not be coming for whatever reason.

Our SERRA race will be this upcoming Saturday 6 November and they have an Englemen so I should have an idea how will perform at SpeedZone, but in actuality there is no telling because no two tracks are the same.

The competition is always fierce at this event, and I expect it too be so this year.

My good friend Jay Guard from Florida is expected to race at our SERRA race and then drive up for the Brawl as well.

If anything the Fall Brawl will be a great get together for racers to end out the year.

We SERRA held a race at a track in Cleveland Tenn. and several racers up at that track got the Retro fever and are buying Retro chassis and cars. ( Jersey John sold some chassis to these guys!) 

I always knew if racers were exposed to this exciting class of slot car racing it would expand our base and I was correct.

We race at this track in December in our SERRA series so it should be a big one for us.

Down here we don't have the population density that the Northeast has so if we have a race with 15-20 racers that is a big race.

There are more people within a 100 mile radius of Mount Holly NJ than all of the surrounding states of Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina combined! 

 

I am going to give a radio interview on Veterans day while I am up in Jersey on veterans day November 11th.

And I leave for Dallas on Tuesday for an in person interview on my tour in Vietnam for a British magazine.

can't believe it has  been 50 years since the Vietnam War! (1970)   30 plus years for Desert Storm ! ( 1990) 

Its going to be a busy week for me leading into the Fall Brawl.

 Anyway that's it for now from me.

Take care gentlemen and be safe.

Until then.

 

 

Clyde 

 

  

 

[Clyde Romero]

Well I wanted you all to know about this book, I know I know some of you already have it but I feel since I've been getting a fair amount coverage on my forum I would mention it.

To be honest I haven't even had a chance to read it but I know from hearing about others whom have read it this book is comprehensive in every sense of the word about or hobby called slot cars.

Just thumbing through it brings back memories of an era long gone. 

I would high recommend this outstanding piece of slot car history in written form. 

So when your significant other asks you what you want for Christmas, father day, you get the idea, get this book before it goes out of print.

If you ever held a Cox Controller in your hand or know what MRC stands for, or know what a Pittman Can is, you need this book!

 

 

See you on the 10th at SpeedZone Mount Holly New Jersey  

 

 

[9lives]

Dear Mr. Romero. Thank you for your post. The first time I ever went to a slot car track was in 1970. I was 9 years old. The slotcar track was name was "Checkpoint Raceway" located on Lakewood Boulevard, Bellflower, California. That facility was owned by a man named Bill Steube, Sr. It was operated by his wife, "Bunny". My first slotcar was a Pittman (sp). I had a Cox plunger controller. My Pittman car launched out of the bank and landed in Bill Sr.s office. Right in front of his desk. He retrieve d my slotcar, in hand, and said to me, "your abusing this car", and maintained possession emphasizing that I will regain possession of my Pittman slocar after I demonstrated some respect for the slotcar and the facility. My father and Bill Sr. were weekend British sports car racers. They raced Triumph MGs at Willow Springs and Riverside Raceways. In 1974, age 13, I won the USRA Amateur Championship racing a "Steube Can" Groupe 20
In 1975, I won the coveted Western States at Crash and Burn in Conoga Park as a member of Team Checkpoint. My Team Checkpoint mentors included Billy Steube, Jr., Stork, Big Jim, Herb Wade, Gil Gunderson, Don Aspenson. These men, along with my father, John Hegedus Sr., shaped my value system as a man. It all started with some sort of a Pittman slotcar. Thank you for your post.

[Bill from NH]

John, you had some very good mentors, & quite a group of them too. Was Mike Steube still racing at that time or was he busy surfing? 

[9lives]

He was not racing 73 to 76. He did race with us at a track in Sacramento. He and Billy got into it over a car Billy built him. Mike called it " a hunk". Bad idea Mike. Billy told him, "go build your own MFing car". I dominated the Sactown amateur racers, TQd and won the race by 15 laps!!!! Stork and Billy 12 in Pro Main.

[Bill from NH]

Thanks  John! I have a new Billy Steube chassis I got from Ron Granlee at Speed & Sport.