"Live" from Atco,NJ-PC Richard National Open

Well writen and well said Ken. Even with some of the bad things that are going on in the country and the world. We are still lucky enough to get to meet up race together at these events. People should try to look for the bright side of things and not dwell on the not so bright side. ( I'm guilty of this quite a bit.) Makes live a little more bearable. Off my soap box now.

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Not much happening today, Jack has pretty much covered it all. I would like to give everyone some food for thought about how lucky we are in this sport of drag racing.

Everyone knows the problems I had at this race. I would like to share what happened to me on Thursday. I hope it may help some of us realize, that although NHRA is not perfect we have a pretty good racing deal.

I met a stock eliminator racer named Thomas Sundstrom, he is from Sweden and we met through Class Racer. He started emailing me about how good my stocker ran and he told me about his. We became friends through email, its very interesting how they race stock over in Sweden. They only have about 40 to 50 stock super stock cars. They police themselves, they don't have an NHRA tech, but they follow our rules right down to the horsepower ratings. They only race 6 times a year. They do not have a track they can go to every weekend to even test. The events are setup at airfields and they must get permission to race. They setup all the equipment and when there done its all packed up and taken to the next race. These guys love the sport and are grateful they have a place to race.

Thomas emailed me a few months ago and said him and a two of his friends that also race were coming to the USA to watch drag racing, stock and super stock racing to be exact. He ask what was a good race to go to in the beginning of April, I told him that the Atco Open would be a great race to see fast s/ss cars. He said that's great I will be there. I was not sure he was serious, but he was. He also asked if there was a speed shop near by to get some autolite racing plugs, they hard to find and expensive in Sweden, I told him I would get them for him. Well he showed up on Thursday night right form the airport. Him and his friends had not slept for 30 hours. I was trying to find a ride back home to get my spare rear. I was trying not to have to unhook the motorhome, it would be so much easier just to get a car and shoot home, about 35 miles. It was late and most racers were gone. Thomas said I will take you home and bring you back, no problem. I could not believe it, up 30 hours and I guy I never met gets me out of a jam with no thought about finding a hotel and getting some sleep, just thinking about helping a fellow racer.

What I'm am trying to say is we have it pretty good even when we think its not. These guys would love to have as many races as we have and a place to test basically anytime we want. So they next time you think NHRA is the worst place to race, think of these three guys who would loved to have the opportunities that we take for granted.

Thanks so much Thomas and friends for the help, it made my night so much easier and gave me a greater appreciation for what I have.

I apologies for not giving the names of Thomas's friends, but I did not have a clue on the spelling, maybe tomorrow I can get the correct spelling.

[Jack Matyas]

Good morning -- Here's the good news -- the Sun is out and the temps are in the 50's ...........and now the bad -- last night I felt like a took a cruise -- the coach rocked from side to side all night because of the wind and still is gaining speed as I type .Higher winds are expected later today -- not sure how that will affect todays racing ........its off to teardown for me ........


PS-- Kenny - great story and I'm glad you made some new friends and penpals -- send them over to me -- I'd love to meet them .