MVSCC @ Thunder
Mountain
"C'mon up and have some
fun." MVSCC secretary Ed
Rohr and I have been
talking for a few years now
about how we could get our
two groups together again,
Thunder Mountain seemed
like the logical place to put
aside differences between
our groups and give it a try.
"Allright, we'll be there",
and looking forward to it.
Maybe it'll be the ice
breaker we need to get
both groups a little more
healthy in car counts,
which we both need.
Load 'er up, check oil,
grease, tire pressure and
load the tools. It goes like
clockwork, honestly, I don't
know what else to do on a
Saturday anymore. It's
such a force of habit I don't
bother with a list anymore
and haven't for years. The
weather is perfect,
especially for flatheads,
nice and cool. I've heard
that promoter Dick Stark
has had the track in
excellent shape the last few
weeks so I leave in the
6:13's hoping for the top
groove. A quick call to Dick
and he's looking forward to
us joining the show. Dad
has 'Old Faithful' in with
some straight 50 weight
looking to tune it up for
Utica Rome, this is going to
be a fun night, time to start
the healing and see some
old friends. Off we go!
It's a gorgeous ride to
Thunder Mountain, picture
perfect day, crisp weather,
not a storm cloud in the
sky. Through the rolling
hills the colors are starting
to show, autumn isn't far
off - I've always loved racing
in September, cooler
weather certainly provides
for brighter outlooks at the
track. A thought enters my
mind as I'm choogling
along listening to CCR on
the radio, this is Labor Day
weekend. In the past we'd
be tuning up for the State
Fair, I miss that show and
the fast mile at Geddes.
But, I'm not missing
tonight, and a fast 3/8 in
Center Lisle awaits..
Pull into the pits and it's
all smiles and handshakes.
Many a friend is on hand
and we converse freely,
time does heal all wounds,
this is going to be a good
and fun evening. Gary
Wood and John Ross are
on hand to help me pit.
MVSCC President Brad
Litzenburger is pleased to
see members of our group
participating again. Mom
immediately teams up with
Carol Amell to catch up,
Rich Taggert stops by for a
chat. As does Larry Witter,
Jim Chase and Tedd Scott.
It's like all home week. Ed
Rohr introduces me to his
lovely wife Sandy. Don
Larmon and his son stop
over to talk about a
flathead project they're
undertaking, sounds like a
stout one. Smiles and
waves from all. Chuck
Brady also stops to talk for
a few minutes, interesting
guy and quite the
competitor in his day, looks
to me like he could still
turn a tiller and the
sparkle is in his eyes as he
reminisces about Midstate
Speedway..good stuff all
around. We finally beg off
to tinker on the 43A, 'Old
Faithful' has developed a
leak but nothing a little
block sealer doesn't fix,
good throttle response,
Dad finally has an engine
that can do the job. Red
Shredder is acting
cantankerous, needs a few
shots of primer to get going
then catches fire, before
you know it they're calling
us for warmups and we're
off.
Nothing like letting an
engine have it's lead on a
race track, crack the
throttle and turn up the
volume, adrenaline rushes
through your body and the
wheel is light as a feather
in your hands. It's a ballet
on dirt, throw the car into
the corner and slide, never
more alive. A few quick
adjustments and we're
back out for the heat.
Norm Richardson leads us
to green and is running
good. The track is smooth
as glass, top side is good
and I try it only to get
bonziaed by the slant 6 of
Rip Ripley, no room let off
and save it for the feature.
No lap sheets but I can say
the Norm won it, Rip was
second, B29 third, Howdy
Witter 4th and Dad 5th.
He's all smiles as old
faithful has plenty more
than he's had all year.
Change gears? Tires?
Phbbtt. The track will come
to us. Shirley and Ken
Morden have done a nice
job of keeping the event
organized, check my
starting position and add
fuel, that's it, a nice
relaxing night at the races.
Mom's brought some great
sandwiches and is clicking
photos, I don't know what
to do with myself - go
bullshit some more. Joe
Buchek gives a thumbs up
as we pass in the pits and
it's feature time. Somehow
I end up on the outside
pole for the feature, not
what I planned but OK,
that's the best spot on the
track right? Tedd Scott's
son Matt is on the pole,
third time on dirt, I'll give
him some room if he needs
it. The green waves, he's
got a goo d handle on it so I
let the shredder have it's
air, this engine hasn't even
had an oil change in 3
years (I highly recommend
Blendzoil Pure Racing
Castor - amazing stuff) and
all the damn thing wants to
do is spin off the tires, even
on the straights. Maybe I
need some new tires, those
10 I bought 5 years ago for
$40 are gettin thin? No
matter, I concentrate on
hitting marks and never
hear another engine, a
nice Saturday evening
drive leads the B29 to a
date with the attractive
young trophy girl. Matt
Scott takes top honors in
the 60's class and Ally
Amell cops another win in
the 70's class after a tussle
with Johnny Rockola's 111.
Lotsa smiles and
handshakes in the pits,
'You @$$hole, thought you
were just going to ride
around' says Ed, "I was". A
great night, many thanks
to the MVSCC and Dick
Stark as well as all at
Thunder Mountain for
having us on this night, we
certainly enjoyed ourselves.
Recently passed doings: It
was my distinct honor and
pleasure to take part in the
New Berlin Youth Days
parade as chauffeur of the
"Teen of the Year" - Miss
Cady Beckwith. Cady is the
daughter of proud parents
(and friends), Bill and
Robin Beckwith of New
Berlin and a very
personable young lady. My
niece Jeanetta rode along
and we had a grand time at
Youth Days this year, took
in my bothers band
afterward for good measure
and caught up with a lot of
friends, and oh yeah,
brother Tom and my buddy
Mark still kick some
serious ass with their
band, cut the rug more
than once and worked up a
better sweat than racing..
Also, my good buddy
Belvedere just celebrated
his 7th birthday. Cake, ice
cream, new balls, pizza and
a good marrow bone put
permanent smiles on not
only his face but
Napolean's and Winston's
too. It was a good old
homedown Saint Bernardy
pardy and a hoot to watch,
don't think they hardly
tasted the ice cream
though. The recent change
of dog food to adult formula
with glucosamine and
chondroitin for healthy
joints has made a marked
difference in their attitude
and activity levels. I got my
puppy back and is he ever
a pain in the ass, wouldn't
have it any other way.
Thanks for the tip Dad,
more Saint Bernardy
pardy's in the future.
OK, upcoming doings: Next
week is the Central New
York Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony at the
Otsego County
Fairgrounds. Jim and Kay
Chase have been hard at
work organizing this event
for the past year and it's
assured to be special once
again. Mike Newell is
preparing the grounds this
week, there will be chicken
bar-b-que available, the
Morris HS Band, a cruise
in and of course, several
vintage race cars on
display. Over 30 at last
count, along with racing
memorabilia, displays and
of course, several former
drivers and our honored
inductees. Jim made the
mistake of showing me the
t-shirt he's had made up
for the event, he no longer
has it his possession..and
the only way you can get
one is to show up..so be
there. You'll be glad you
did.
See you next Saturday,
and be sure to say hello to
'Suicide' Al Sanders who's
on the mend from a serious
back surgery.. he's
promised to be there and is
worth the trip alone, also..
Cow Hampsire State
Champ Buddy Bardwell is
making the show, along
with the 'Catskill Comet' -
Jerry Townley. It'll be a
good time guaranteed, and
'dust free'....
Mountain
"C'mon up and have some
fun." MVSCC secretary Ed
Rohr and I have been
talking for a few years now
about how we could get our
two groups together again,
Thunder Mountain seemed
like the logical place to put
aside differences between
our groups and give it a try.
"Allright, we'll be there",
and looking forward to it.
Maybe it'll be the ice
breaker we need to get
both groups a little more
healthy in car counts,
which we both need.
Load 'er up, check oil,
grease, tire pressure and
load the tools. It goes like
clockwork, honestly, I don't
know what else to do on a
Saturday anymore. It's
such a force of habit I don't
bother with a list anymore
and haven't for years. The
weather is perfect,
especially for flatheads,
nice and cool. I've heard
that promoter Dick Stark
has had the track in
excellent shape the last few
weeks so I leave in the
6:13's hoping for the top
groove. A quick call to Dick
and he's looking forward to
us joining the show. Dad
has 'Old Faithful' in with
some straight 50 weight
looking to tune it up for
Utica Rome, this is going to
be a fun night, time to start
the healing and see some
old friends. Off we go!
It's a gorgeous ride to
Thunder Mountain, picture
perfect day, crisp weather,
not a storm cloud in the
sky. Through the rolling
hills the colors are starting
to show, autumn isn't far
off - I've always loved racing
in September, cooler
weather certainly provides
for brighter outlooks at the
track. A thought enters my
mind as I'm choogling
along listening to CCR on
the radio, this is Labor Day
weekend. In the past we'd
be tuning up for the State
Fair, I miss that show and
the fast mile at Geddes.
But, I'm not missing
tonight, and a fast 3/8 in
Center Lisle awaits..
Pull into the pits and it's
all smiles and handshakes.
Many a friend is on hand
and we converse freely,
time does heal all wounds,
this is going to be a good
and fun evening. Gary
Wood and John Ross are
on hand to help me pit.
MVSCC President Brad
Litzenburger is pleased to
see members of our group
participating again. Mom
immediately teams up with
Carol Amell to catch up,
Rich Taggert stops by for a
chat. As does Larry Witter,
Jim Chase and Tedd Scott.
It's like all home week. Ed
Rohr introduces me to his
lovely wife Sandy. Don
Larmon and his son stop
over to talk about a
flathead project they're
undertaking, sounds like a
stout one. Smiles and
waves from all. Chuck
Brady also stops to talk for
a few minutes, interesting
guy and quite the
competitor in his day, looks
to me like he could still
turn a tiller and the
sparkle is in his eyes as he
reminisces about Midstate
Speedway..good stuff all
around. We finally beg off
to tinker on the 43A, 'Old
Faithful' has developed a
leak but nothing a little
block sealer doesn't fix,
good throttle response,
Dad finally has an engine
that can do the job. Red
Shredder is acting
cantankerous, needs a few
shots of primer to get going
then catches fire, before
you know it they're calling
us for warmups and we're
off.
Nothing like letting an
engine have it's lead on a
race track, crack the
throttle and turn up the
volume, adrenaline rushes
through your body and the
wheel is light as a feather
in your hands. It's a ballet
on dirt, throw the car into
the corner and slide, never
more alive. A few quick
adjustments and we're
back out for the heat.
Norm Richardson leads us
to green and is running
good. The track is smooth
as glass, top side is good
and I try it only to get
bonziaed by the slant 6 of
Rip Ripley, no room let off
and save it for the feature.
No lap sheets but I can say
the Norm won it, Rip was
second, B29 third, Howdy
Witter 4th and Dad 5th.
He's all smiles as old
faithful has plenty more
than he's had all year.
Change gears? Tires?
Phbbtt. The track will come
to us. Shirley and Ken
Morden have done a nice
job of keeping the event
organized, check my
starting position and add
fuel, that's it, a nice
relaxing night at the races.
Mom's brought some great
sandwiches and is clicking
photos, I don't know what
to do with myself - go
bullshit some more. Joe
Buchek gives a thumbs up
as we pass in the pits and
it's feature time. Somehow
I end up on the outside
pole for the feature, not
what I planned but OK,
that's the best spot on the
track right? Tedd Scott's
son Matt is on the pole,
third time on dirt, I'll give
him some room if he needs
it. The green waves, he's
got a goo d handle on it so I
let the shredder have it's
air, this engine hasn't even
had an oil change in 3
years (I highly recommend
Blendzoil Pure Racing
Castor - amazing stuff) and
all the damn thing wants to
do is spin off the tires, even
on the straights. Maybe I
need some new tires, those
10 I bought 5 years ago for
$40 are gettin thin? No
matter, I concentrate on
hitting marks and never
hear another engine, a
nice Saturday evening
drive leads the B29 to a
date with the attractive
young trophy girl. Matt
Scott takes top honors in
the 60's class and Ally
Amell cops another win in
the 70's class after a tussle
with Johnny Rockola's 111.
Lotsa smiles and
handshakes in the pits,
'You @$$hole, thought you
were just going to ride
around' says Ed, "I was". A
great night, many thanks
to the MVSCC and Dick
Stark as well as all at
Thunder Mountain for
having us on this night, we
certainly enjoyed ourselves.
Recently passed doings: It
was my distinct honor and
pleasure to take part in the
New Berlin Youth Days
parade as chauffeur of the
"Teen of the Year" - Miss
Cady Beckwith. Cady is the
daughter of proud parents
(and friends), Bill and
Robin Beckwith of New
Berlin and a very
personable young lady. My
niece Jeanetta rode along
and we had a grand time at
Youth Days this year, took
in my bothers band
afterward for good measure
and caught up with a lot of
friends, and oh yeah,
brother Tom and my buddy
Mark still kick some
serious ass with their
band, cut the rug more
than once and worked up a
better sweat than racing..
Also, my good buddy
Belvedere just celebrated
his 7th birthday. Cake, ice
cream, new balls, pizza and
a good marrow bone put
permanent smiles on not
only his face but
Napolean's and Winston's
too. It was a good old
homedown Saint Bernardy
pardy and a hoot to watch,
don't think they hardly
tasted the ice cream
though. The recent change
of dog food to adult formula
with glucosamine and
chondroitin for healthy
joints has made a marked
difference in their attitude
and activity levels. I got my
puppy back and is he ever
a pain in the ass, wouldn't
have it any other way.
Thanks for the tip Dad,
more Saint Bernardy
pardy's in the future.
OK, upcoming doings: Next
week is the Central New
York Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony at the
Otsego County
Fairgrounds. Jim and Kay
Chase have been hard at
work organizing this event
for the past year and it's
assured to be special once
again. Mike Newell is
preparing the grounds this
week, there will be chicken
bar-b-que available, the
Morris HS Band, a cruise
in and of course, several
vintage race cars on
display. Over 30 at last
count, along with racing
memorabilia, displays and
of course, several former
drivers and our honored
inductees. Jim made the
mistake of showing me the
t-shirt he's had made up
for the event, he no longer
has it his possession..and
the only way you can get
one is to show up..so be
there. You'll be glad you
did.
See you next Saturday,
and be sure to say hello to
'Suicide' Al Sanders who's
on the mend from a serious
back surgery.. he's
promised to be there and is
worth the trip alone, also..
Cow Hampsire State
Champ Buddy Bardwell is
making the show, along
with the 'Catskill Comet' -
Jerry Townley. It'll be a
good time guaranteed, and
'dust free'....
