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| Ventura
Raceway Awards Banquet by Norm Bogan |
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Ventura Raceway held their
annual awards banquet on February 16th.
This program was not one of those glitzy affairs at some fancy hotel, but
was done in a fitting manner for the Ventura Racing Association.
The event was held adjacent to the weekly battleground in the Agriculture
Building of the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Two tragic events had affected the track and preparations for the
banquet, with the loss of a long time loyal fan and friend to many of the
drivers, Russ House and then was followed up by the sudden passing of Maureen
Kauffman, who basically ran the office, kept the books, worked the pit gate and
was a friend to all. Maureen was
also the mover, who was planning and coordinating the banquet.
Receiving the tragic news on a Monday Morning, other members of the
Raceway staff and Association, along with some other volunteers, showed up on
Monday afternoon and took charge to complete Maureen’s task. For many of you that don’t
know, Ventura is located on the Pacific Ocean about seventy-five miles north of
downtown Los Angeles. While this overall area is a Megopolis, Ventura has
maintained its small town roots. Most
of the competitors live within the county and a large number of the fan-base is
locals. While Ventura has grown and
prospered, there are still large plots of farmland dedicated to growing
vegetables, citrus and strawberries. The
county fair is similar to those in the rural Midwest.
The Fair Board and Raceway have forged a longtime working relationship,
which has made it much easier to accomplish many of the activities during the
year. Members of the Fair staff
pitched in to do some of the decorations and help out with the logistics of
getting everything together for the banquet. Ventura Promoter Jim Naylor and
General Manager Cliff Morgan emceed the program as awards were given in six
different classes. Under VRA
sanction were the Pony Stocks, Street Stocks, I-4 Modifieds, 360 Sprints and
Senior 360 Sprints, plus the IMCA sanctioned Modifieds.
Trophies and money were awarded to the top five point getters in each
class, with a certificate and money to those finishing in positions six through
ten. There were also plaques to
recognize individual efforts in each class for “Most Improved Driver”,
“Hard Luck Driver” and an “Up and Down” award for a driver who had that
kind of season. The Champion in
each class also received an embroidered jacket noting them as the 2001 Ventura
Raceway Champion, along with a gift certificate for the Black Angus Restaurant
and a $100 bill to buy flowers for their wife or girlfriend.
Many of the drivers upon
receiving their awards, thanked their sponsors, crews and families.
A number also acknowledged the friendship of Russ House and noted how
much they would miss Maureen, who along with her husband, Greg had set up the
initial program for the Pony Stock class, including writing the rules and
specifications for the class. This banquet was more like a
family reunion as many of these competitors grew up together and have
contributed to some of the best racing in the country.
Several drivers said that the guys they race against each week are their
best friends. Kudos go to the Naylor and
Morgan along with the hardworking staff members and numerous fair workers, who
took up the task to complete planning and arrangements for the VRA Awards
Banquet. Ventura Raceway advertises that
it is the “Best little dirt track in America”.
If any of you race fans from Middle America or back East, ever get to
California during racing season, take time to visit this track and you will be
impressed with the facility, friendly folks and some great racing.
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