SCRAFAN.COM - Deb's WSS Report

(October 06, 2002) Friday, October 4th began the 1st day of the open wheel round up, with 22 wingless sprints and 12 of the SORA sprint 100's. We all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon getting cars ready and meeting new people. We chatted with #67 Rick Eversult from Rio Linda who raced at Marysville with a wing, and had his first experience driving wingless at an NCMA race in Fernley, Nevada, new rookie driver #66 Nick Mc Michaels, and several of the sprint 100 drivers we met last week at Orland. It was great to see people from all over coming together to race, especially on a Friday afternoon and evening.

At the drivers meeting the format and rules were explained, a prayer was said, then we had hot laps. The track was getting prepped when we arrived, and by the time the heats started, it had a very tacky surface. Three heat races began for the wingless sprints with 1st heat win going to #41 Scott Holloway, followed by #40 Hanestad, #29L Sam Fries, #16 John Hendrickson, #6 Jim Janssen, #7 Brian Gray,#40x Leon Holloway, #66 Nick McMichaels. David Goodwill #3g won the 2nd heat, #2 George Terry took 2nd, #20 Keith Shipherd was 3rd, #29 Billy Fraser 4th, #67 Rick Eversult 5th, #28 Brian Lokmor was 6th, #11 Russ Wallenwaber 7th. The third heat was won by #76x Mark Amador, followed by #22 Roy Fisher, #24 Ford, XX Pat Ariaz, #76 Ed Amador, #14 Darren Thomas, and #17 Doug Gandy. The top 5 heat finishers would make up the preliminary A main to be run on Friday night, remaining cars would be in the B main on Saturday, w/ top5 finishers going to the A main. I watched a sprint 100 heat race, and the two heat wins went to #22 Tom Goepner and #41 Kerry McColloch. Then the dashes ran, with #65 Tony Gaoiran taking the trophy in the sprint 100's, and #40 Hanestad in the wingless sprints. The outlaw karts also ran a few laps in between dashes and gave us a great show.

While the track was being worked again, crews were busy setting up their cars for the main, and some were relaxing and visiting. I talked to Sam Fries, running the #29L for this race as it was his dad's last car number, and his crew member Joe Dizon, who works at a Sacramento track. Both expressed the hope that the wingless sprints would be racing there next season. Friday's preliminary main began with #76 Ed Amador and #67 Rick Eversult on the front row, our #20 started in 8th. At the green, Amador took the lead, and after one lap a yellow flew for #41 Scott Holloway with unfortunate motor problems. After the restart, the pace picked up and I focused on the progress our #20 was making. The #67 car got sideways in turn 3 and collected #76x and #20 who both spun to avoid contact with him. Fortunately no contact was made, but the cars went to the back. Our #20 quickly advanced, by lap 15 was in 8th. The lead car #40 and #29 Billy Fraser running a close 2nd, were beginning to lap traffic in the back. Attempting to pass two cars going into the back straight, the leader made hard contact with the #20 while trying to get under him, putting our #20 into the wall. Thankfully our driver was OK, but the car suffered extensive damage. I later learned that several others did not finish the race, including #3g David Goodwill who was unable to return to race on Saturday and #29L Sam Fries who unfortunately ran over our torque tube and had a flat. #40 finished 1st,#29 Billy Fraser was 2nd, followed by #24 Ford, #16 John Hendrickson, #76 Ed Amador, #22 Fisher, #29L Sam Fries, XX Ariaz, #20, #76x Mark Amador, #6 Janssen, #67 Eversult.

Many crews and drivers left for motels for the night, several stayed to camp at the fairgrounds and in the pits. Our #20 crew had planned to camp in the pits, and got busy assessing the damage and started making repairs. We thrashed all night, with the help of many friends who offered spare parts and labor. Special thanks to the Lokmors, Frasers, Hendricksons, Amadors, Sam Fries, Ardie and George Terry, Scott Holloway, and the Wallenwabers, who all showed us again what true good sportsmanship is all about. With tough determination our crew chief Charlie Kight and hard working crew completed most of the major repairs by 4 am and finally got some rest.

Saturday began with the sounds of the track getting prepped again at 8:30 am and some fun. After a few beers on Friday night, Sam Fries woke up Saturday morning in his truck in the pits and couldn't find his race car, quickly discovering the Bandits had moved it. Breakfast in the pits was a new experience, and we were treated to barbequed bacon and eggs, lots of strong coffee, good company, and went back to work on the car.Later that day we were happy to see #99 Dale Mehales arrive after he spent a late night after work replacing the transmission in his truck. The Holloway team also had a long night, and the #40x car of Leon Holloway became the #41 car with Scott driving.

In the late afternoon, 17 dwarf cars rolled in and the pits started coming back to life, with a positive sense of adventure in the air for most of us. Photographers Lynn and Joe made the rounds, with great photos developed from Friday's races. At the drivers meeting we learned that all wingless sprints would line up for the A main. The heat races ran for the dwarf cars, and then the sprint 100's main. That was a fast, smooth race, going flag to flag for the entire 25 laps, and was won by #65 Tony Gaoiran.

The 30 lap A main for wingless sprints began with #29 Billy Fraser and #24 Ford on the front row, #16 Hendrickson and #76 Amador in row 2, #22 Fisher and #29L Fries in row 3, XX Ariaz and #20 Shipherd in 4th row. At the green, Billy Fraser charged into the lead. #16 John Hendrickson came to an unfortunate stop in turn 2 after one lap with a rear axle that was shattered possibly from fatigue. Racing resumed, #29 Fraser again took the lead with #76 Ed Amador close behind him, and everyone running clean and fast. Our #20 was running 6th by lap 14, and I noticed that #99 Dale Mehales had pulled out with some carburetor problems. Fraser was flawless, with #29L Fries right on his tail, followed by #40, #24, and our #20 patiently worked up to 5th. What a thrill it was to watch #29 Billy Fraser leading the entire race, and to see the look on his father Willy's face when the checkered flag flew. A few cars did not finish due to mechanical problems, but this was one of the best races in the wingless sprints I have seen, with no contact and great passing action. Congratulations to all of the drivers who displayed positive racing attitudes and ran a classy race. Top 10 finishes were: #29 Billy Fraser, #29L Sam Fries, #40 Hanestad, #24 Ford, #20 Keith Shipherd, #22 Roy Fisher, #7 Gray, XX Ariaz, #2 George Terry, #6 Janssen. Running on 7 cylinders, and showing great perseverance, Brian Lokmor raced hard to an 11th finish. Kudos to the Chowchilla track prep team for their hard work and for a great track to race on, especially tough for a 2 day show.

Most of us spent time visiting while we waited to get paid and celebrated Billy's victory. Crew member Mike Hardy took off to ride in Sunday's motorcycle Ride for Kids to help fundraise for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Thanks to all who made donations for their cause. Meanwhile #20 crew members Pete Ogden and Phlash were celebrating in Bakersfield at the Kacklefest in a special presentation where Pete was recognized for his work in vintage dragsters. He was privileged to drive the oldest K-88 vintage dragster in existence owned by Don and Clare Westhaver, which Pete restored. In a moving display he was given a standing ovation as the car fired up down the track.

After celebrating a strong recovery, our tired #20 team decided to camp out another night instead of a late tow home. At 8:30 am on Sunday we again awoke to the sounds of the track getting prepped once more, and the kart racers started unloading for their races. We enjoyed watching young kart drivers sitting in the sprint car and dreaming big.

We had a full, fun, weekend.

Take care,

Deb