USPANCARCHAMPS SOUTHWEST REGIONAL RACE 1

October 28th - 30th, 2005

Friday, October 28th kicked off with the track opening at 4 PM for practice and last minute sign ups. Several drivers were out practicing, then checking their car set-ups and running some more laps. After they got there cars dialed in they would congregate here and there, swapping stories and catching up on the latest track and R/C world gossip.

On Saturday, the Track opened at 10 AM for more practice. Mike L and Mike B were busy Tech'ing the cars. To ensure that everyone got a good shot at the TQ spot, the M&M Boys set the races up with 5 cars in each heat. Some very good racing was seen.

Gary McAllister, was knocking on the door of the record in the NASCAR Mod races... just a nnnttttffff away, a slight bobble knocking valuable 10ths off of lap times was all that kept him from it for the night. With another day of racing he quickly became the one to watch. The big question was - he going to take the record away from Jim Silvay? Other notables was the BS Motors Team, Brian, Scott and Perry, Chard Motors Dale Bonnema and Rich Brauer, Ryan Greenwald, Mike Fleek and Raymond McCoy, Scott McCunn, Scott Betz, Dave Cochran, Jim Thomas showed us that the main events were not going to be a cake walk for anyone.

All cars were checked after every race. I thought there would be a few malcontents raising a fuss, but the Tech’ing was extremely well received by all. Craziest darned thing I witnessed was the cars loosing weight. Though initially checked during the early morning sign up everyone made minimum weight. During post race weigh in, it was discovered that some had lost a few 10th of ounces, some as much as a ½ ounce! The Tech Inspectors were just a confused as the drivers, but after some “wondering why” complete with a recheck of scale calibration. One of the reasons became obvious, some drivers had Tech’d in with 3700mah batteries and raced 3300’s. Others, never figured out why, but I later noticed the obvious need for drivers to change tires, controllers, receivers and other minor things that you would never give second thought to! But everyone was happy to cooperate and added weight to their cars using “Shoo Goo” and US 25 cent pieces. Pan Cars are finicky little things; small changes make a big difference on the track though!

Perry Hollard, I believe, had $2.50 worth of quarters glued in his car. Much to the disappointment of the Marshall’s there was no “Jack-Pot of Quarters” if the cars crashed, the worst thing that happened was a couple of loose wheels and broken T-bar and 2 lower control arms.

Sunday, the Finale, racing continued where we left off from the night before. Each and every driver appeared to be calm and laid back. Some had brought TV’s to watch the football games, bull riding championships and the Race. I could not believe what I saw! Six drivers huddled together, watching the NASCAR race on a black and white television with a 5-inch screen, while the seventh was putting his car together.

Sunday’s Racing the Fields were filled with 10 cars each in each class, Modified had 6. As I mention in the aforementioned paragraph, “calm and laid back”. That was the calm before the storm so to speak! From the starting tone to the end of each race each driver attacked the track, sure there was some bumping and banging, but that is expected. Each and every one of these drivers was after the win! Each driver was giving his best efforts, typical of the racing at RCSM. Drivers were so focussed there was not one peep out of any driver who got bumped. Come to think of it, not a word out of any of them, they were all focussed in getting around the track to the finish line.

Gary McAllister picked up where he left off, chasing the track record. Sorry to report that he didn’t make it. He was running laps on a record pace, but slower traffic held him up. In the last race, something mechanical went wrong with the car as race time was running out, making a hard right into the outside boards and T-boned by another car his race was over. A lot of folks were disappointed that he didn’t get the record, though none were as disappointed as Gary! But that disappointment was short lived and soon forgotten when he was declared the overall winner in 4 cell NasCar Mod Class.

In 4 cell stock class, Brian Liebig won each of today’s races (I think), but not easily, I might add, his competitors saw to that. With cars running high, low and in the middle. I bet Brian thought he was on a Slalom Course! Rusty Wallace would have been proud!

For the 19T class, I couldn’t figure who was where in relation to the other. Anyone could have won, swapping positions in the first minute or so, then settling out and racing. All hugging the inside line protecting their position, a slight slip of attention and the next guy was going to slip under him. It was close and a darned good race to watch. Congratulations to Ryan for setting a new track record!

SO, after all the racing was done, the top 5 cars were impounded, tech and taken in for a complete motor tear down inspection. After tech’ing was completed, thanks to Jerry Findley. In the 4 Cell Stock Class and 19T, 3rd place was a tied and had to go back to the fastest qualifying time to break the tie. Mike and Mike announced the winners and handed out the trophies

1/10 NasCar Stock 4-cell
1. Brian Liebig
2. Dave Cochran
3. Scott Betz

1/10 NasCar 19T 4-cell
1. Ryan Greenwald
2. Dale Bonnema
3. Mike Fleek

1/10 NasCar Mod 4-cell
1. Gary McAlister
2. Raymond McCoy
3. Mike Fleek

A special thanks goes to Gary and Cynda as always. Mike Lubanovich, Mike Bjordahl, and BJ Williams for the putting on the race. And to the Motor Tech Inspector Jerry Findley. To say thanks, mucho gracias or salamat po’ for your time you volunteered to the event is inadequate.

To the sponsors of the race: Tekin, BS Motors, Associated, Chard Motors, Hooters, RC Driver magazine, and McAllister Racing bodies, thank you.

To each and every driver, thank you for the show!

PS. Abraham Lincoln once said: “Never has a man stood so tall, as when he stoops to help a child”.

I was privileged and honored to be in the company of men the past few days. The patience, assistance and understanding given to our younger racers are beyond words. You have made a lifetime memory for these youngsters that will never be forgotten.