Sacramento N.O. ??

[GrapeApe7575]

There were indeed a couple things to chuckle about at this event making a tough day seem just a shade more interesting:

1. A racer forgot to turn off his BBQ grill and it caught on fire in the middle of the night. I had never actually seen a propane can burst into flames until this fiasco started. The flames were causing melting droplets of plastic to ignite both the dry grass and the fake astroturf he had under the grill. The real scary part was that my truck was parked near them and I had about 8 cans of VP C11 in the back seat. What a rocket ship that would have created!!

2. There were very few reports of qualifying or eliminations including the finals. We learned of the results on Facebook from Jared Jordan and Pete Lanciers who were not at the race....but sitting on a beach in Maui. Some part of me just thought that was hilarious!

3. My final thought is....regardless of the conditions at the facility the racers still performed as racers do. The good ones were still very good....the rest of us who contributed to the kitty.....well, you're welcome!

[JohnRoderick]

After a year and a half away from racing due to a new baby and job, it was nice to be at the track racing again and I had fun. Was it hot, yes. Was it challenging, yes. However, what do you expect from the Central Valley this time of the year? Great job by the winner of both races, they earned it!

While others want to bash the track and conditions. I will focus on the positive.

1. I was paid on the spot. I was handed a check right before I left the track. I once waited 3 years to get paid by Fontana, so IMO this is the right way to run a race.
2. They handled a double well. I liked the pro laddering on the second day to mix up the first round match ups. There was a decent car count and I have seen double races turn into a disaster with racing after midnight.


Yes, there were a ton of jr. drasters (basically probably as many as all the other class combined), but I find it comical that people complain that drag racing is slowly dying, yet want to bash the jrs for their participation numbers. With what seemed liked as many participants as all the other classes combined, maybe they aren’t the problem…?

As for the pit conditions, if a little dirt and heat can get you all worked up, then maybe a nail salon and spa are more your cup of tea. Let’s race!

[GrapeApe7575]

Originally Posted by JohnRoderick

After a year and a half away from racing due to a new baby and job, it was nice to be at the track racing again and I had fun. Was it hot, yes. Was it challenging, yes. However, what do you expect from the Central Valley this time of the year? Great job by the winner of both races, they earned it!

While others want to bash the track and conditions. I will focus on the positive.

1. I was paid on the spot. I was handed a check right before I left the track. I once waited 3 years to get paid by Fontana, so IMO this is the right way to run a race.
2. They handled a double well. I liked the pro laddering on the second day to mix up the first round match ups. There was a decent car count and I have seen double races turn into a disaster with racing after midnight.


Yes, there were a ton of jr. drasters (basically probably as many as all the other class combined), but I find it comical that people complain that drag racing is slowly dying, yet want to bash the jrs for their participation numbers. With what seemed liked as many participants as all the other classes combined, maybe they aren’t the problem…?

As for the pit conditions, if a little dirt and heat can get you all worked up, then maybe a nail salon and spa are more your cup of tea. Let’s race!

Good for you John....focusing on the positive. But I don't think anybody was bashing the track or conditions....just reporting what we saw. Yes, the conditions were tough as evidenced by the number of cars that spun. The DA was great and a lot of folks were making good power. That combined with the lack of track prep made it a challenge for some to get hold of the surface.

While 38 cars was not horrible it was evident that a number of the cars(even some NorCal guys) within close proximity to the track chose to skip the race. Perhaps they already knew what conditions would be like and chose to avoid it.

I never really noticed how a little dirt and heat could get me worked up until you mentioned it. Now I'm all flustered, hot, and bothered and looking for a day spa where I can chill out and maybe get my nails done at the same time. Any recommendations?

Thanks for the reminder......but y'all have heard enough from me for now....it's time for another spot of tea from my favorite cup!

Give a big hug from me to your giant puppies!!!!!!

[65signet]

My slow car did spin once, but that was my problem as thought about it more, i did make a couple of adjustments and it never did it again, it does get hot in June. It use to be always the first weekend in May, but it has been 95 at time of the year also. We just lost another track in Northern Calif so i am grateful for what we have, I just want to race.

[GrapeApe7575]

What your car lacks in raw horsepower it totally makes it up in Cool Factor!!!

[partsbob67]

Originally Posted by GrapeApe7575

What your car lacks in raw horsepower it totally makes it up in Cool Factor!!!

X2!!!!!

[GTX JOHN]

Originally Posted by 65siagnet

My slow car did spin once, but that was my problem as thought about it more, i did make a couple of adjustments and it never did it again, it does get hot in June. It use to be always the first weekend in May, but it has been 95 at time of the year also. We just lost another track in Northern Calif so i am grateful for what we have, I just want to race.

Steven: You run a cool Cuda M/SA 273/206 as I recall = MId to High 12's as I recall

We: Run D/SA Demons 340/320 10.70s / 120+ out there with 250 Lbs Bars/Box crammed in the trunk
and timing way retarded slipping all over the place. I have run this car nearly 30 years/2500 passes down the Track
AND it is well sorted!

You are my buddy = BUT an a absolutely Apples to Grapes comparison!!!!

I am grateful to the Good Lord that I got out of there with my car and myself intact!!!ll

We drove about 600 Miles one way and took most of a week with our family business
closed and spent $1,360.00 just to enter our stock and superstock cars plus everything
else it cost in dollars to go to a race in a big four car rig!!

We then had to dial our cars stupid super soft for the wheel spin. I lost with a .000 reaction (Out by .01 on Brakes)
and Jon lost with a .003 reaction on another break out pass (taking .01stripe). After nearly exploding the
darn tires 2nd round in the first of the double headers and end up several tenths over my
dial = We needed to dial then stupid slow the 2nd race. We had some of our friends spin consistently on
their WIDE Superstock tires - Let alone 9 inchers that are on our cars

[GTS340]

pictures from Sac at Bob Johnson's

https://bobjohnson.zenfolio.com/p471032144