Black Rock Speedway 8/12/06
Our trips to Dundee over the years have
always been, if nothing else, memorable.
8 Am Saturday morning and the boys are
taking in some beautiful, crisp autumn like
air whilst the B29 is getting some last
minute prep work. There goes Belvedere,
time to get the shovel but I don’t mind the
break. One thing about the lawn around this
place, it’s well fertilized and all we buy is dog
food. 1 Pm and Dad has arrived with the
43A, soon after the Coles show up and we
shoot the bull over some recently forwarded
photo’s from John Grady. Tom Witter is next
in the drive and after some quick repairs to
secure his recently liberated spare tires,
we’re off. This trip could get interesting too.
Down 17 we head into the gorgeous day, no
need for the air conditioning today, Mother
Nature has it covered. A quick ring to Rip
Ripley and our convoy is complete in Elmira.
It’s a sight for sore eyes, five nicely restored
modifieds on open trailers and as we pass
through Watkins Glen the fingers are
pointing and necks are exercised. Nikki is
chatting away and clicking off pictures and I
blabber on about our past trips to the area.
As we traverse the rolling hills and grape
fields I am reminded of the club jumping in
Cal Lanes pool on a blistering Saturday,
meeting guys like Howard Light and Russ
‘The Reading Rocket’ Smith (and
subsequently getting’ spanked by both), the
night Dad and I both had to get towed into
the pits, past promoter Steve Wetmore
getting pinned up against the first turn
guardrail on a slippery track as we tried to
beat the rain.. Lot’s of memories at this track
and we’re looking forward to making new
ones tonight.
Into the gate, Richard and Sharon Parry
have the Johnson #37 coming off the trailer
behind the grandstand. They’re joined by
John and Barb Clark who have the
Stephens 3X shined up for the night as well.
Our show class members’ dedication to the
club this year has been unwavering and
we’re pleased they’ve made the long trip to
provide fans a look back at what a modified
looked like 30-40 years ago. Shooting the
breeze with Mike VanDusen as we wait to
sign in, nice guy, hasn’t changed a bit and
man could he wheel a sprinter around this
place. Looks like he still could but he’s
handing the baton over to his son Jeff for
the most part this year and relates, “We’re
not spring chickens anymore”, damn, and I’d
almost forgotten that. Into the pits and we
have some new as well as familiar faces.
Larry and Howdy Witter have beaten the
convoy and have their GMC powered coupe
back ready for action; Bob ‘Rip’ Ripley
introduces us to his Father Bob Sr. and
brother Scott, nice people. The Slant 6 looks
as good as it ever has. Bob Martell is making
his debut with the #11 sedan, he and crew
member Bill Ford are getting’ busy with
tires. Larry Doolittle and his son Brian are
non-stop under the Rockola 99 with gear
changes. Ray Cole is mentoring the new
members on the intricacies of dirt track set-
up, the mood is a bit more serious tonight.
This is a nice facility and it’s obvious that the
locals want to do well, especially in front the
knowledgeable Patriot Sprinters who have
shown up with a full compliment of really
fast machines. It doesn’t get much more
exciting than watching those guys buzz the
track.
Out for ‘warmups’, or more accurately,
packing. Oh well, needed some more left
side weight anyway and the track comes up
nice and smooth. Find out more in the heat
which is coming right up. Quick trip to the
head and run into long time buddy Mike
Emhoff who’s touring with the mini sprints,
quite a few follicles ago I recall Mike blasting
off 180 direction changes in that Mustang.
And he can still drive, like they say, you do
with your hormones what you want and we’ll
do what we want. Tonight the hormones are
being put to use on the track.
The call comes and we strap in for our heat,
pull up to the line and Mike Cole has
encountered a flat in the pits. Quick work by
Bill Ford, the Ripley’s and Witter crews has
him up to the line in time and he leads us to
green with Howdy Witter as wingman. The
track is a bit slick but smooth as glass, stuck
on the bottom the B29 isn’t getting much
bite and it’s a real dogfight as the guys are
jockeying for an advantage. Howdy takes the
lead but Mike fights back to retake the point
on lap two. The action is fast and furious,
there goes Ripley on the high side, he’s not
bashful. Nor is Larry Doolittle who is trying
it down low. Howdy wrestles the top spot
back on lap three. Daylight! Punch it and
finally get to second but Howdy has the high
groove and is making good use of it, Tom
Witter bonzai’s into three for second, there
isn’t a slouch out here and everybody is
gettin’ after it big time. We’re running so
close that a slip by anyone would be a
problem, first to last covers a corner and
isn’t everyone looking for that coveted spot of
pack leader. Now, when you’re in a pack like
this it’s a real catch 22, it’s all happening so
fast that it almost seems like slow motion, no
time to think, just react. Howdy isn’t giving
way, Tom and I dice for second and Mr.
Doolittle’s looking for real estate. It’s a blast
running with these guys with not so much
as a touch which is an accomplishment in
itself. Laps are clicking off quickly and
Howdy takes the checkers with his Uncle
Tom nailing down second, B29 third,
Doolittle 4th and headed for a gear change,
Ripley’s 5th with Cole, Martell and Dad
saving some for the feature. “Now that was a
show! That’s what this club is all about.”
proclaims Larry Witter in the pits, and it
was. I don’t know how the competition could
have been any closer.
The officials at Black Rock move our feature
up to buy some time for the Sprinters who
have had a jingle in heat 1. No Problem, fuel
it up and wipe the goggles. The Coles are
looking for some more stagger and the pits
are a bevy of hastened activity as the pace is
as quick as the heat was. Dad is plotting
“We’re startin’ quick tonight”, OK with me,
I’m ready. Back to the line and it’s fire up
time, here we go. Dad and Tom Witter lead
us to green and this is looking a lot like the
heat, I’m stuck on the bottom
and Dad’s 43A did start quick as he leads
lap one. Out of two on the second circuit and
I find some bite to hold off Tom for second,
I’m going to have to make this work.
Doolittle is making hay behind us as is
Howdy, they’re going to be coming fast. Dive
under the 43A out of four and the lead is
finally mine, let it drift to the top and give
Red Shredder it’s head, it likes it. Doolittle
makes the pass on Witter and we’re off, by
lap five Howdy has moved to third and I’m
expecting them to challenge while back in
the pack Martell, Ripley and Tom Witter are
dueling for position. Dad’s worn flattie is
fading, Tom has developed a push and
Mike’s stagger is off, no matter as they make
do with the cards dealt. Doolittle is reeling
in the B29 as the laps click off but I’m
honestly oblivious to it. The shredder is
singing its song and likes the cool crisp air.
The plugs are certainly clean by now and it’s
running strong, full tilt down the
backstretch, quick lift and a twitch of the
wheel to throw it into a slide, feather the
pedal through the corner and correct, turn
up the volume again and repeat. 15 laps are
over in a hurry as the checkers flash over
the B29 with Larry Doolittle claiming top
spot for the 60’s division. Howdy Witter has
worked his way to third, Ripley 4th, Martell
5th, Tom Witter 6th and Mike Cole nipped
Dad for 7th. A successful evening once again
with all cars on the trailer in one piece.
Afterward it’s handshakes and good natured
smiles in the pits. Mike Cole’s daughter Sara
has made the trip and is wide eyed and
chattering. Grandpa Ray asks Nikki if she’s
chattered all night? “Yes, but I don’t mind” is
the response, “Yeah, but you don’t have to
drive home with her.” I’m sure it was a lively
trip and I doubt if anyone would get sleepy,
nice to have her along and she promised to
make as many as she could. Larry Doolittle
is reflecting, “You know, these aren’t a whole
lot different than the modifieds on the track,
except you have to work harder. These put
the premium on the driver because they’re a
handful.” He’s right, the asphalt mod I drove
that one year was like a Cadillac in
comparison, the antique modified is a
handful which is what makes them so
challenging and fun to compete in.
Kudos and Thanks Dept.: To the officials of
Black Rock for having us to their nice facility
and giving us a chance to make the trip
home early, we appreciate it. Sue Lowe and
Nikki for keeping us so well organized in the
pits, a lot goes on behind the scenes and
these two make us look good weekly. To all
of our competitors and show car members
who made the trip to put on a nice show, it
was a fun night that will not be forgotten,
nor will it make my top ten ‘infamous’ trips
list as everything went smooth as silk. To
Rockola Enterprises for the tow bucks which
we handed out to the teams ‘accountants’.
“I’m the boss’ related Thelma Cole as Nikki
handed over her share. I’m smart enough
(now) not to argue that point. Also must
thank track photographer Craig Nelson for
providing us with such wonderful pictures of
our event, they’re perfect and really capture
what words can’t. On the road and Nikki’s
keeping me awake with her perspective of
the evening, I learn a lot on the way home.
Into the driveway and here comes Belvedere,
Winston and Napoleon to greet Dad and I,
it’s like a bowlful of jelly heading our way as
400 lbs of Saint Bernard’s’ and Sharpei’s are
bellying up for some attention. OK, where’s
the shovel? A perfect way to end the evening
eh?
The club is off next week and then we visit
Thunder Mountain on the 26th. Also
upcoming is the CNY Old Time HOF
Induction ceremony at Midstate Speedway
on Sept 9th, I’ll have more details in the
coming weeks on this event but mark your
calendars now as I can assure it will be a day
to remember. OK, I got some clay to knock
off this beast and some other beasts that
wanna play so until next time may the wind
be at your back, especially around my boys.
Jeff Ackerman, 6256 State Route 17C,
Endicott, NY 13760.
always been, if nothing else, memorable.
8 Am Saturday morning and the boys are
taking in some beautiful, crisp autumn like
air whilst the B29 is getting some last
minute prep work. There goes Belvedere,
time to get the shovel but I don’t mind the
break. One thing about the lawn around this
place, it’s well fertilized and all we buy is dog
food. 1 Pm and Dad has arrived with the
43A, soon after the Coles show up and we
shoot the bull over some recently forwarded
photo’s from John Grady. Tom Witter is next
in the drive and after some quick repairs to
secure his recently liberated spare tires,
we’re off. This trip could get interesting too.
Down 17 we head into the gorgeous day, no
need for the air conditioning today, Mother
Nature has it covered. A quick ring to Rip
Ripley and our convoy is complete in Elmira.
It’s a sight for sore eyes, five nicely restored
modifieds on open trailers and as we pass
through Watkins Glen the fingers are
pointing and necks are exercised. Nikki is
chatting away and clicking off pictures and I
blabber on about our past trips to the area.
As we traverse the rolling hills and grape
fields I am reminded of the club jumping in
Cal Lanes pool on a blistering Saturday,
meeting guys like Howard Light and Russ
‘The Reading Rocket’ Smith (and
subsequently getting’ spanked by both), the
night Dad and I both had to get towed into
the pits, past promoter Steve Wetmore
getting pinned up against the first turn
guardrail on a slippery track as we tried to
beat the rain.. Lot’s of memories at this track
and we’re looking forward to making new
ones tonight.
Into the gate, Richard and Sharon Parry
have the Johnson #37 coming off the trailer
behind the grandstand. They’re joined by
John and Barb Clark who have the
Stephens 3X shined up for the night as well.
Our show class members’ dedication to the
club this year has been unwavering and
we’re pleased they’ve made the long trip to
provide fans a look back at what a modified
looked like 30-40 years ago. Shooting the
breeze with Mike VanDusen as we wait to
sign in, nice guy, hasn’t changed a bit and
man could he wheel a sprinter around this
place. Looks like he still could but he’s
handing the baton over to his son Jeff for
the most part this year and relates, “We’re
not spring chickens anymore”, damn, and I’d
almost forgotten that. Into the pits and we
have some new as well as familiar faces.
Larry and Howdy Witter have beaten the
convoy and have their GMC powered coupe
back ready for action; Bob ‘Rip’ Ripley
introduces us to his Father Bob Sr. and
brother Scott, nice people. The Slant 6 looks
as good as it ever has. Bob Martell is making
his debut with the #11 sedan, he and crew
member Bill Ford are getting’ busy with
tires. Larry Doolittle and his son Brian are
non-stop under the Rockola 99 with gear
changes. Ray Cole is mentoring the new
members on the intricacies of dirt track set-
up, the mood is a bit more serious tonight.
This is a nice facility and it’s obvious that the
locals want to do well, especially in front the
knowledgeable Patriot Sprinters who have
shown up with a full compliment of really
fast machines. It doesn’t get much more
exciting than watching those guys buzz the
track.
Out for ‘warmups’, or more accurately,
packing. Oh well, needed some more left
side weight anyway and the track comes up
nice and smooth. Find out more in the heat
which is coming right up. Quick trip to the
head and run into long time buddy Mike
Emhoff who’s touring with the mini sprints,
quite a few follicles ago I recall Mike blasting
off 180 direction changes in that Mustang.
And he can still drive, like they say, you do
with your hormones what you want and we’ll
do what we want. Tonight the hormones are
being put to use on the track.
The call comes and we strap in for our heat,
pull up to the line and Mike Cole has
encountered a flat in the pits. Quick work by
Bill Ford, the Ripley’s and Witter crews has
him up to the line in time and he leads us to
green with Howdy Witter as wingman. The
track is a bit slick but smooth as glass, stuck
on the bottom the B29 isn’t getting much
bite and it’s a real dogfight as the guys are
jockeying for an advantage. Howdy takes the
lead but Mike fights back to retake the point
on lap two. The action is fast and furious,
there goes Ripley on the high side, he’s not
bashful. Nor is Larry Doolittle who is trying
it down low. Howdy wrestles the top spot
back on lap three. Daylight! Punch it and
finally get to second but Howdy has the high
groove and is making good use of it, Tom
Witter bonzai’s into three for second, there
isn’t a slouch out here and everybody is
gettin’ after it big time. We’re running so
close that a slip by anyone would be a
problem, first to last covers a corner and
isn’t everyone looking for that coveted spot of
pack leader. Now, when you’re in a pack like
this it’s a real catch 22, it’s all happening so
fast that it almost seems like slow motion, no
time to think, just react. Howdy isn’t giving
way, Tom and I dice for second and Mr.
Doolittle’s looking for real estate. It’s a blast
running with these guys with not so much
as a touch which is an accomplishment in
itself. Laps are clicking off quickly and
Howdy takes the checkers with his Uncle
Tom nailing down second, B29 third,
Doolittle 4th and headed for a gear change,
Ripley’s 5th with Cole, Martell and Dad
saving some for the feature. “Now that was a
show! That’s what this club is all about.”
proclaims Larry Witter in the pits, and it
was. I don’t know how the competition could
have been any closer.
The officials at Black Rock move our feature
up to buy some time for the Sprinters who
have had a jingle in heat 1. No Problem, fuel
it up and wipe the goggles. The Coles are
looking for some more stagger and the pits
are a bevy of hastened activity as the pace is
as quick as the heat was. Dad is plotting
“We’re startin’ quick tonight”, OK with me,
I’m ready. Back to the line and it’s fire up
time, here we go. Dad and Tom Witter lead
us to green and this is looking a lot like the
heat, I’m stuck on the bottom
and Dad’s 43A did start quick as he leads
lap one. Out of two on the second circuit and
I find some bite to hold off Tom for second,
I’m going to have to make this work.
Doolittle is making hay behind us as is
Howdy, they’re going to be coming fast. Dive
under the 43A out of four and the lead is
finally mine, let it drift to the top and give
Red Shredder it’s head, it likes it. Doolittle
makes the pass on Witter and we’re off, by
lap five Howdy has moved to third and I’m
expecting them to challenge while back in
the pack Martell, Ripley and Tom Witter are
dueling for position. Dad’s worn flattie is
fading, Tom has developed a push and
Mike’s stagger is off, no matter as they make
do with the cards dealt. Doolittle is reeling
in the B29 as the laps click off but I’m
honestly oblivious to it. The shredder is
singing its song and likes the cool crisp air.
The plugs are certainly clean by now and it’s
running strong, full tilt down the
backstretch, quick lift and a twitch of the
wheel to throw it into a slide, feather the
pedal through the corner and correct, turn
up the volume again and repeat. 15 laps are
over in a hurry as the checkers flash over
the B29 with Larry Doolittle claiming top
spot for the 60’s division. Howdy Witter has
worked his way to third, Ripley 4th, Martell
5th, Tom Witter 6th and Mike Cole nipped
Dad for 7th. A successful evening once again
with all cars on the trailer in one piece.
Afterward it’s handshakes and good natured
smiles in the pits. Mike Cole’s daughter Sara
has made the trip and is wide eyed and
chattering. Grandpa Ray asks Nikki if she’s
chattered all night? “Yes, but I don’t mind” is
the response, “Yeah, but you don’t have to
drive home with her.” I’m sure it was a lively
trip and I doubt if anyone would get sleepy,
nice to have her along and she promised to
make as many as she could. Larry Doolittle
is reflecting, “You know, these aren’t a whole
lot different than the modifieds on the track,
except you have to work harder. These put
the premium on the driver because they’re a
handful.” He’s right, the asphalt mod I drove
that one year was like a Cadillac in
comparison, the antique modified is a
handful which is what makes them so
challenging and fun to compete in.
Kudos and Thanks Dept.: To the officials of
Black Rock for having us to their nice facility
and giving us a chance to make the trip
home early, we appreciate it. Sue Lowe and
Nikki for keeping us so well organized in the
pits, a lot goes on behind the scenes and
these two make us look good weekly. To all
of our competitors and show car members
who made the trip to put on a nice show, it
was a fun night that will not be forgotten,
nor will it make my top ten ‘infamous’ trips
list as everything went smooth as silk. To
Rockola Enterprises for the tow bucks which
we handed out to the teams ‘accountants’.
“I’m the boss’ related Thelma Cole as Nikki
handed over her share. I’m smart enough
(now) not to argue that point. Also must
thank track photographer Craig Nelson for
providing us with such wonderful pictures of
our event, they’re perfect and really capture
what words can’t. On the road and Nikki’s
keeping me awake with her perspective of
the evening, I learn a lot on the way home.
Into the driveway and here comes Belvedere,
Winston and Napoleon to greet Dad and I,
it’s like a bowlful of jelly heading our way as
400 lbs of Saint Bernard’s’ and Sharpei’s are
bellying up for some attention. OK, where’s
the shovel? A perfect way to end the evening
eh?
The club is off next week and then we visit
Thunder Mountain on the 26th. Also
upcoming is the CNY Old Time HOF
Induction ceremony at Midstate Speedway
on Sept 9th, I’ll have more details in the
coming weeks on this event but mark your
calendars now as I can assure it will be a day
to remember. OK, I got some clay to knock
off this beast and some other beasts that
wanna play so until next time may the wind
be at your back, especially around my boys.
Jeff Ackerman, 6256 State Route 17C,
Endicott, NY 13760.
~Photo's forwarded by Black Rock Track Photographer
Craig S. Nelson - Thanks Craig ~
Craig S. Nelson - Thanks Craig ~
For more of Craigs great pics, check out his site @ csnphotographics.photoreflect.com
~Here's a few more forwarded by club
member Richard Parry - thanks Rick!~
member Richard Parry - thanks Rick!~
