The event was typical of RC Sports Mania Staff and Regular Racers, with a couple of racers coming in from out of town and a bunch driving across town to attend. Combined this group of guys was the epitome of what this hobby is all about. Fun...

Danny “Boone” Wilson came up with the concept last year and he, with DRM Trophies sponsored the race. Acting on inquiries this year about the event, he decided he was going to do it again! One of the first changes was to get a consensus from our racers, from both at the track through Mike Lubanovich and online in the community forum to see who would be interested. Originally planning for the 4th weekend, he recieved inquiries for another weekend, for with the promise of a long weekend and fireworks it was decided to delay the 4th of July event. Leaving it up to the contestants in order for more people to attend. So the 9th was settled on. Thus he was able to get some sponsors and generate more interest. His initial plans were to run the 6 cell stocks, but with inquiries there were some fellows who expressed the desire to run 19T/4 cell classes as well.

Raymond McCoy and the Track Staff stepped in and did some poking around to test the waters so to speak. They did some experimenting and accommodated everyone who was interested. The track staff had planned to run both classes of cars together in one big shootout. But, a few folks had different ideas and wanted the classes separated. So, as always in typical RC Sports Mania tradition, the Track Staff gladly complied. I swear by all that’s holy that if there were enough people interested we would be racing Pinewood Derby cars too!

To be honest, plans weren’t firm until the first Green Flag Dropped. It’s a wonderment how Mike Lubanovich and Mike Bjordahl can overcome these last minute crisis’s to make these events work. Wow!

I have got to stop before I go much further and thank Cinda of RC Sports Mania. As Gary’s better half, she holds the fort down while he is away and has always been right there working the Concessions and the Parts Counter. If it weren’t for her efforts, these events would not be half the fun or even possible. She doesn’t get to see many of the races, but she always knows what’s going on. She’s the best thing going, always willing to help find parts, and makes sure the larder is full. She is second to none.

A party-like atmosphere prevailed throughout the evening. I met a lot of new folks, some old friends, but no strangers. There was good-hearted bantering going on as always. The inside pits at the track were full to capacity and then some, with people doubling up on tables. Of course you know of the borrowing of tools, running for parts, sharing of knowledge and equipment. And the last minute dashes to the "can" only to find a line! Lastly, we were able to laugh at ourselves on our good luck, bad luck or no luck at all!

The products donated by our sponsors MaxAmps.com, TMR Chassis, McAllister Racing bodies, and Team Birdman Motors allowed every heat winner for the championship trophy an award, and an award for all Main event winners for both 4 cell-only and the combined class championship trophy. They were well received by those that were fortunate enough to get them.

I don't have an actual count of racers but I think there were just a few over thirty pan cars and some unexpected Mini-T's. Man, that little wedge car was fast….Hmmm!

Well, getting down to it, the racing. The 30 some odd racers were divided to around 7 cars per 4 minute heat race. You know to give us all some room to … got fast… The 4 cells racers were about 6 car per heat, followed by the Mini-T’s and the regular Saturday Night Race Crowd. I, myself started in the first heat in the pole position.

Your right, a bad omen to be sure! I managed to lead the first lap (was I surprised) and was over taken in turns 3 and 4 on the second lap where I started backing up as the rest of the field started spreading out and finding their rhythm. The popping of lexan began to fill the air, I managed to dodge the wrecks for few laps, and a couple of cars fell out. I was doing pretty good, holding my own, and then here they came. The cars that I had previously dodged were hard at it. While offering 4 more wheels of support to help one of the go-fasters make it through turns 3 and 4, I brushed the wall spun and getting T-boned, I spent the rest of the race as a spectator. Only 2 minutes had passed.

Was this is what it was going to be like for rest of the evening? Yes and No… its called racing.

I didn’t get to see much of the next few heats, as I was busy taking pictures. But what I saw and heard, it was just as intense. Whatever the motivation, bragging rights, trying to make the “A”, or the prizes and trophy. No “quarter” was give and none was asked.

In the 4 cell 19T, Travis Gratham stunk up the whole race. That guy took off and led every lap, won every heat, and the main. Very impressive car and driving. This is where the “big one was”, you know, what the cup drivers worry about at Talledega and Daytona.

Between the heats, there was the flurry tweaking and tuning then running for parts, someone cussing at that “hot” soldering iron, general rehashing of who did what to whom.

Before the Mains, Danny had everyone set up for a group picture. So everyone hauled their cars out and put them on the track in the typical 2x2 Nascar lineup. It has been my experience that when this happens conversations vary from family, cars, work and the kids. This time, as Boone and I took pictures, I could overhear the conversations. These guys were trying to figure out, the cost of track equipment, radio’s and other items needed to run all of these cars on the track at the same time! They were serious too! None of this “what would happen”, but how it could be done!

With both an “A” and “B” Mains firmed for the 6 cell Nascar Stock, being run with the maximum of 10 cars there was no bump up. It was off too the races again; the B Main only had two cars that did not finish the complete 5-minute run. It was door to door; fender rubbin’, wall scraping and bump drafting race. The “A” main was of the same, character and sounds, just with a tenth or two faster lap times. Raymond McCoy took the Shootout Trophy, relinquishing it from last year's champion Wes Fukushima in the Main event race.

The A Main, for the 4 cell 19T was quite surprising. After a couple of laps, it seemed to settle out to nose to tail racing. But, the big one happened, don’t know how, I was busy running my mouth and didn’t get to see the start of it. But, in its aftermath, there were cars all over the front straight and going in every direction except the right way. Marshall’s were running to assist, drivers were stretching down under the rails of the Drivers Stand to Marshall their own cars. It seemed to be in slow motion, with all of this mess going on, and then like it was choreographed; everyone was pointed in the right direction and running nose to tail.

A lasting note from Boone... We recieved confirmation that we have broken a new record for pan car entries at the track with this event, and we look forward to breaking it again this time next year. In light of this year's participants, next year there will be a trophy for a 4 cell class. Both Mike Lubanovich and myself request as much input from you, the racers, to make it an even better event with how we can make it grow. Contact either one of us in person, telephone, email, or in our Community Forum.

So that’s how I saw it. Sorry I could be more specific and add much detail on my part… but a lot of “rainy day bench racing stories were born in the RC Sports Mania 4th of July 2005 Pan Car Shoot Out”