2nd Annual Anthony Simone Classic

Keller Speedway, also known for many years as Kings Speedway, in California's Central Valley will have the show dedicated to the late Simone, who could be described as having a colorful life. Long time racer of 410s, high speed boats and about anything that was fast and dangerous, he would have enjoyed this Saturday's event.

Peter Murphy, the well liked promoter and New Zealand native who came to central CA many years ago to race Sprints and did quite well until a bad accident ended the driving phase of his life, has a rather unique format planned. The winged 410s will run and after a break to change their cars will run minus the wings. It sounds simple enough but isn't. There's a lot of different nuances to both and should be interesting with a very nice $10,000 to the winged winner. Probably a great car count with California's embrace of anything remotely in the Sprint Car fields. Western Racesaver 305 Sprints are also scheduled.

Our TriState Pro Stock Challenge group is also returning to the track after last year's debut there was quite a success and we were happy to be invited back. The 1/3 mile clay is almost always very well prepped and bone slick. Although most of the teams from further north, such as us, are more used to heavier tracks the central valley guys really shine on the slick and competition should be fierce. We struggled some finding out what worked there last year and ran mid-pack much to our distaste and plan (hope?) to improve on it this year.

Staying with a group of racers at a nearby Indian (okay, Native American) resort/casino where pump gas regular is $4.65 per gallon. That's a choker to most of the other states in the country but CA is hovering near $6. The pumps also have 110 race fuel about a buck+ a gallon cheaper than our normal dealer. Plus there's the chance to make a buck at the tables.

It's on Flo tomorrow should you care to join us for a fun evening.

Last night's show was called late yesterday morning due to 45-50 mile winds in the area. Most everyone was on the road there from as far as 5 or 600 miles away. We were 80 miles down the highway, not quite a third of the way, when the cell phones started burning up with the announcement.

Someone checked and said Antioch Speedway, roughly 100 miles in the other direction, had the Pro Stocks on their schedule and everyone wanted to race so several of us decided to head there. The kicker with us was we needed a different gear that wasn't in the trailer but home in the shop so turned around and headed for the ranch. Got a call from friends from the Reno, NV area that were halfway down the mountain that also needed to make some changes so told them to go to our place and get started and we'd see them in an hour.

Got home, they were done, we unloaded, got the rear end changed and in about 20 minutes we all hit the road again. Had a setup for Hanford on the new car, thought it would be close enough for Antioch and ended up the fastest car there. Looked forward to a good night, ran well in our heat then while putting around in the main during a yellow the pin that locates the composite leaf spring sheared off letting the rear end slide back about a foot being held in by only a brake line stretched tight as a banjo string and a shock. Disappointing end to a very long day but optimism for our next TriState show in two weeks at Placerville Speedway, also on Flo.

Racers have to masochists.

Last night's show was called late yesterday morning due to 45-50 mile winds in the area. Most everyone was on the road there from as far as 5 or 600 miles away. We were 80 miles down the highway, not quite a third of the way, when the cell phones started burning up with the announcement.

Someone checked and said Antioch Speedway, roughly 100 miles in the other direction, had the Pro Stocks on their schedule and everyone wanted to race so several of us decided to head there. The kicker with us was we needed a different gear that wasn't in the trailer but home in the shop so turned around and headed for the ranch. Got a call from friends from the Reno, NV area that were halfway down the mountain that also needed to make some changes so told them to go to our place and get started and we'd see them in an hour.

Got home, they were done, we unloaded, got the rear end changed and in about 20 minutes we all hit the road again. Had a setup for Hanford on the new car, thought it would be close enough for Antioch and ended up the fastest car there. Looked forward to a good night, ran well in our heat then while putting around in the main during a yellow the pin that locates the composite leaf spring sheared off letting the rear end slide back about a foot being held in by only a brake line stretched tight as a banjo string and a shock. Disappointing end to a very long day but optimism for our next TriState show in two weeks at Placerville Speedway, also on Flo.

Racers have to be masochists.

Sorry about the double posting. Can't seem to delete one of them.