So here we are starting off a New Year of Racing! M&M had started off the Year with a New Year's Day Race. That should be something, in regards to last year for those of us that could make it! I know those little two-strokes create quite a racket between the eardrums, especially if some had celebrated too hard the night before!

So where is this year going to take us? Not sure, but RCSM has another Winter Nationals to host. Dennis and Carol Klein are the sponsors. I am sure that it will be as good as last year’s event, and at least as much fun. Looking forward to seeing some of the out of towners come in again (oops, now that’s me!) If I recall correctly, we regulars at RCSM are going to have to change our attitude and behavior to become more politically correct this year. We cannot continue winning all the races or we risk running all of our guest racers off, if we don’t let them win, they might not comeback next year. So, maybe we should let them win this year.

FAT CHANCE of that ever happening! Ha ….

As if any of the RCSM Regulars will back off for any reason. But the guys coming in from across town, out of town aren’t coming here to be given a win. They are coming here to have fun and enjoy a good race. I know that they will be given one! Mike, Joe D, Racer X, Mikey B, Raymond McCoy, Jim Hock, Larryn, Jerry Findley, James Rodriguez, Rick Curtis will see to that! Then we have some guys that are not consistent top runners like yours truly, but all will have a welcoming hand out and will gladly help our guest and noobies too! So I know everyone will have a good time.

I read a reply on the forum from AZ AL stating “Nice piece of work there Rick. I didn’t realize how much good racing there was in 2005.” Yes we really did have a lot of good racing in 2005, not only the National/Regional Level races, but on a weekly basis in our Wednesday/Saturday Night Point Series and the races for bragging rights.

As I reflect on this last year, I wonder, could it have been better! I guess I wouldn’t be a racer if I said no. Heck, I could have turned more and faster laps, could have been more consistent with my driving.

There is always something that could have been done to have more fun… Honestly, I don’t think that Gary, Mike L., Cinda, Mikey B., Boone and Mac could top their hospitality of last year. So they were and are going to continue to be my Number 1’s. So to have more fun, the rest of it will be up to me!

So my New Year’s resolutions will be:

• Always ensure that my fuel tank is full and my batteries are charged (radio too).
• I have the right frequency chip in my radio and receiver.
• That when I practice, I will have the corresponding frequency clip in my possession and return it to the board when I am done.
• That I have a transponder in my car; the right color and right number (even though I am legally colorblind).
• I will return the transponder to the board when my race is over, put my car in impound and immediately go to my marshaling corner.
• I will not take excessive hot laps and pass the leader when the field is forming up for the start.
• I will get Port and Starboard out of my head and now refer to them as Left and Right. And North is not off the end of my nose.
• I will be ready to race when the Track Announcer calls my race away, and I will know what race I am in!
• I will not holler at the Track Announcer when he makes a bad call or tells me to get to my Marshaling Corner.
• When Marshalling I will pay attention to my corner and not engage in conversation with the Hooters Babe.
• I will not take the time sheets away from the track.
• I will not tweak someone else’s radio when they are not looking.
• I will keep my radio off in the pits.
• I will not throw my car or radio in the canal, across the track or at the Track Announcer.
• I will not argue with the palm tree in Turn 3 or competitors.
• I will not lean over the Driver’s Stand Railing as to block someone else’s view, nor will I whip my radio antenna around like it was a fishing pole.
• I will listen to the good advice given to me by the “go-fasters”.
• I will not blame others for my poor running motors, lack of handling, poor driving and car durability!
• I will remember that Mike Lubanovich and Mike Borjdahl make all the rules and their decisions are final.

So as I see it, if I keep all my resolutions, I will have done my part to make racing better at RCSM than it was last year! Your Turn!