So who watched the race "from" Texas, and what are your thoughts?  I missed the 1st one they has last week, but actually enjoyed the one yesterday.  I like that it wasn't as long as a real race, and also hearing some not as familiar names in the line up.   Good job to Timmy Hill!

Please see my ad in Classifieds.

Check your messages, Dave!

I'm not sure exactly who (Lancaster staff or ROC staff) to give credit to, but my wife and I had a GREAT experience last night at Lancaster. Let me give some specifics:

Weather was perfect, and maybe that's the one thing out of their control, BUT....I'm giving them credit for that too!

Admission price....$20 seemed just right. Fair price & a good value. Others must have thought the same, as the stands were really packed!

Facility improvements....What a change from the last time I was there!  All those new planks in the bleachers, the spiffed up bathrooms (even my wife mentioned how clean they were), major sections of the track re-paved. The only suggestion I could make, and I'm sure it's in the works, is to add a lap counter....NOT a complaint, but it would be a welcome addition.

The concessions.....LOTS of food choices, tasty, and at reasonable prices (are you listening Buffalo Bills Mgmt.?).  My wife's pulled pork sammy at $6 had a lot of meat and looked good. She confirmed that it was. And seriously....a double cheeseburger (with good sized burgers too) for $5.50 on a better than average bun??  How can you beat that? It was delicious too!  $4 for a 20 oz. draft beer was cool and the ladies pouring were cheerful and friendly. Add in the "beer guy" coming through the stands, when you didn't want to risk missing the action by leaving your seat, and they had all the bases covered.

The tempo of the show....The good weather and lack of major cautions helped, BUT....the folks running the show did a fantastic job. Started on time, kept things moving along nicely, had a relatively short intermission and had us on our way by @10:30. It was refreshing not to find anything to complain about, on this topic. Great job!

The racing.....Well, it's always been a pretty "racey" place, but even that seemed to have been upped a notch last night. All the classes put on good shows and were able to utilize 2 or more grooves, but the MOD race was fantastic!  110 laps was just right (well, Andy J. might have preferred 112). All kinds of pit strategies were used and really good hard, clean racing! So nice to be at a place where you don't have follow the leader racing. And even if you don't happen to be a fan (but I AM!) of Andy J., who WASN'T watching him make that bonzai charge through the pack after his late race pit stop??  My wife, who is casual fan, at BEST....could not stop jumping up and down, pounding on my back, and screaming in my ears for the last 10 laps! I've been practically begging her to come with me for years, and now I think the next time might not be as hard a sell. Emerling and Hossfeld both had alternative (pit earlier) strategies, and both drove great races, but man.....if the race had only been a lap or two longer, methinks the results just might have been different. What a race!

Overall.....I give the overall experience a 9.9 out of 10 (do everything the same next time AND add a lap counter and it'll be 10/10).  THANK YOU to all who contributed to our very positive day at the races!

Bill & Jill

Who else thinks he should have received multiple beat-downs after that race? I get that it's hard to pass at Martinsville and that the outside lane is virtually nonexistent, but I saw plenty of other people pass cleanly, whereas I don't think he passed anyone all day w/o hitting them! Not cool, Johnny!!

I'm looking for a little help from someone that has a trailer or rollback. Racing's done for me this year, but I'd like to spend a relaxing day at the Hilton Applefest on 10/5, enjoying the weather, an apple sausage & a beer, and some good racing discussion. Unfortunately, my "regular" truck/trailer combo is not available on that day. Anyone close enough to Spencerport, with something that can transport my Vintage Modified, likes free food, free beer/pop & lively racing discussion interested in going to the Applefest car show? Would gas money help? We can talk about that too. If interested, please email (wfitzsimmons@yahoo.com) or give me a call (585-349-8198).

Bill

PS: Remember, no good deed will go unpunished!

What tracks, dirt or asphalt, are running and what classes will they have?

Some of you may have heard that I had an unfortunate meeting with the 1st turn wall at WCIS on Sunday.  I'm am OK, but do have some cracked ribs. My Joie of Seating seat did it's job though, keeping me in place, but when ribs meet reinforced aluminum at 65-75 mph, something has to give and it's not usually the seat. Anyway, although I'm sore and disappointed (NOT how I'd planned to end 2012 season), I will be able to race again in the future...if I choose to do so (still mulling that over at this time). Anyway, 9/2 was not my favorite day at a race track, but there were some bright spots, and some "Thank You's" are in order:

To Jim M. (WCIS) - Thank you for inviting me to participate with your Vintage Late Model guys. It's a great group of racers and I hope the class continues to grow in 2013. I'd like to come back and try for a better result. We had a couple we're friends with come down from Brockport to watch me race.  After my wreck they decided to leave, since they didn't know anything about any of the other divisions or drivers. They asked if they could get their money back, and your folks said YES, so thank you for that too!  I will encourage them to come back another day, as a result, to experience some of the great racing you offer at WCIS.

To WCIS officials, track volunteers, EMT lady & tow truck drivers - Thank you for your professional handling of the situation.  You responded quickly, helped me out of the car with patience and kindness, removed my car from the track with much care, and then the tow truck drivers returned after the races and did an awsome job helping get my car loaded on the trailer!  Thanks also to the folks at the pit shack, who let my wife, friends, and daughter-in-law come into the pits, at no charge - with their vehicle, when they arrived after my crash.  That was a wonderful gesture and was much appreciated! Thanks EMT lady for checking me out, encouraging me to get a 2nd opinion or two (I did), and for the laugh ('what are you doing in a race car at 60 yrs. old??).   

To Mark (didn't get your last name), the driver of the beautiful orange Ford Torino that we parked next to - Thank you for the loan of the lug wrench (I forgot mine), the offer to show me the correct line around the track (it was working for a little while!), and your help after with the car.  Please also tell your wife how much my wife appreciated the kind words and support she gave to her.

To Dick Barrett, my crewchief - Thanks for your help all year, from the use of your truck & trailer to the overall good company you provided. Particular thanks on 9/2 for staying with the car w/o me, supervising the loading process and bringing the car back. If things go well in the repair process, I'm leaning toward teaming up with you for a few races next year too. I certainly wouldn't have been able to do any of this w/o your help and friendship this year!

To Utica Mike - Thanks for loving my car and telling me so! But the real thanks is for all your help in our pit after the wreck. In spite of the fact that you were crewing for Sheri Hogan, you were right there for us, helping to get the car ready to load after the crash and helping (no, I think leading is more like it) after the races, making sure that it was loaded securely, w/o incurring any more damage. We REALLY appreciated all your help, so thank you again. Oh and BTW...you don't really look like John Wayne. That was just my wife's gratitude showing, when she told you that. GAWD....what was she smoking on the way to the track!?

Finally to my wife, Jill - Since you're not on RaceNY, you may not see this, but everyone else that is should know how lucky I am to have you as a partner. Your love, concern for my well being, and support of my crazy passion has been unwaivering from the time I decided to buy a helmet and go racing. This, in spite of the fact that you had only a passing interest in things automotive before you met me and had never even been to a race prior to your 36th birthday! Specifically, Sunday was one of the longest days (literally) of our lives, and you were by my side from start to finish, with support, encouragement and love. I am one lucky guy to have you by my side for now and the future. As you're fond of saying we ARE good for each other! I love you, honey!!

To anyone else that helped that either I've left out or didn't know about (I left @ 6 PM to go to Urgent Care) - My crewchief told me that when it came time to load the car, there were about 100 people (his estimation) helping. All he had to do was back the trailer under the the elevated car, wait for it to be lowered & secured, and then drive home. There were so many people offering help and support that it would be impossible to name them all individually.  But, you're all part of a racing community that takes care of it's own, and I'm proud (no, thrilled) to be a part of that community! Thank you all!

Help wanted / needed - If anyone in the Rochester area has some time (I'm guessing an hour should do it) about 9 AM on Saturday (9/8), we could sure use some help getting the car off the trailer / into my garage.  Those with bad backs should NOT volunteer, as some lifting will be required. Also, if anyone has a low profile, light weight jack, and can bring it, we could probably put it to use.  I'm hoping for 6-8 volunteers to make the work lighter, and have 2 signed on already.  So, if 4-6 more can contact me (585-624-6694 - days, 585-349-8198 - eves, or wfitzsimmons@yahoo.com), I'll give you directions to my house in Spencerport.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bill FitzSimmons / 3x Vintage Modified