Season End at IMS October 3

The last night of the season at IMS was a Saturday night instead of the usual Friday.










Without the Friday night traffic mess I actually got there early and quicker driving my high speed express VW van. Since I was not pulling a trailer I could go over 55 mph and get in the fast lanes but going over 55 and getting in the fast lanes is more dangerous in the VeeDub that trying to get around Beach Ball.












Saturday is not my normal speedway day and I really should have been somewhere else as my riding just sucked and trying to get around everybody when I start from the twenty yard line was not working. In the first race I was trying to pass someone who could not make up his mind where he was going to fall or when. I screamed for him to "Get the F!!K Out of the Way" so loud he actually turned around. I didn't have to race against him again but if I had to do it again I would use the Buck Blair's Nudge with my boot on him. I didn't get another chance to boot him. But, well there is always next time.


Trick Video missed Joey Holt's Second Division Main but got Buck Blair's airborne adventure with the crash wall. Buck and I went surfing Thursday and I had him try two of my long boards out. Buck is from Colorado and surfing is new to him. He did really well the other day and probably will not be back in the water soon if his wrist is broken.







Saturday night had a Harvest Moon and the weekly fire in the local mountains. Southern California is home to forest fires, flooding and earthquakes. Someone at Cal Tech in Pasadena should look into the possibility that these seismic misadventures are actually caused by Rick and Beach Ball.













The aerial tankers kept flying over the track after taking off at the old airbase in town and heading towards the fire in the mountains nearby. Since I kept looking up I was able to spot three flying saucers hovering over our IMS SUPPORT TEAM pop up. That IMS makes desert gas tank for extended racing and other trick things. Maybe I have an alien sponsor but just don't know it.












There was a rider's parade as the track was dry enough that you could actually walk across it without getting stuck. Speedway has several National Events but IMS last race of the season was billed as the Western States Championship with a three ton (my estimate) cowboy boot as the trophy. Jason's hopes that he can turn the track into a hockey rink in the off season was clearly shown by the new decal in the window of the track prep truck.

Buck hit the wall following his bike leading the way. The bike went over the same fence that was replaced just last week. Buck's wheel will need to be replaced also.






Again there were riders that were new to me and I always enjoy it when someone comes up to me and after introducing themselves tells me they enjoy reading my blog.

Josh Larsen showed up ready to win again just like he did on opening night here but Gary Hicks also showed up a little late but ready to go fast.

The Golden Microphone of Bruce Flanders was missing tonight as he was off doing a gig at a car track. Luckily with the instructions of Steve the ref and others the rookie announcer was able to make it through the night without too many problems. If he does this more often and becomes familiar with speedway he may have a future in the sport but I would suggest he dress up a little and wear a tux.

With the AMA Nationals Friday night at Auburn and several riders off to England with the Dream Team several second division riders did double duty riding in both second and first.

Here is Joey Holt leading the charge from the back line in his handicap main.

The D1 main had only four riders at the final tape.

And everyone was within the camera frame for all four laps.

IMS September 11

Typical Friday night afternoon traffic special so I left a few minutes early and somehow missed most of the delays on the toll road.










There was no shortage of CHP on the side ticketing trucks and autos in the middle of rush hour. The temperature sign at the 10 in San Berdoo read 98 degrees but with the high cloud cover it didn't seem that warm.













There is lots of equipment that needs to keep running to put on a show. Putting on a race program is a lot of hard work that requires a lot of cooperation that may not be appreciated.


























Tonight was September 11Th and the Denny Pyeatt Memorial Race.

























The track surface tonight lacked the heavy outside dirt and was fast. Tyson Burmeister didn't ride as he was still recovering from Wednesday night get off. Buck Blair touched the tape in the semi and had to start from the ten and I think he came in third which put him in the Last Chance with Jason Ramirez. Jason won the Last Chance but if you look at slot four in the picture above Jason is missing as he touched the tape at the start of the main and was sent behind the fence.












Faria got the gate and Fishback was never able to get around him. I made the main and started outside against the fence (that is not an excuse) and was never able to catch Chris Jones.


























There isn't any racing next Wednesday night at Industry as they will be dark until November. Next week here at IMS I will be in Salt Lake City watching my son ride at the Gatorade Flow Contest. He won an entry from their video competition and we are flying up and staying at a hotel and Gatorade is picking up the tab not papa.

Industry Speedway Aug 5

A clear night, a bright full moon, no traffic on the freeway, grand stands packed, standing room only, too many riders for the program, playboy bunnies helping the riders in the pits, $500.00 show money and a hundred thousand dollar purse and great racing, (some of these statements are valid and some are false, you pick the ones you like) and of course I won the main again.







First I hurt my shoulder, then my foot and last Sunday far away from any dirt track I destroyed my arm while sailing my boat and now have a ripped mainsail for proof. The rider count gets smaller but the riding and action has not slowed any and there certainly no shortage of pee-wees ready to bang bars.













Hedden had a new pair of leathers and now there are three riders wearing the same team colors. If they need a fourth they should consider more senior riders, specially those that need a new kit. My jersey was new at the start of the season with only one recent tear in it from high siding but my pants are from the Korean War and have vintage Made in China labels. I might as well alter the truth here as Flanders our brave and knowledgeable announcer behind the microphone does. After a few beers as the track becomes dusty he starts to add so many years on to my real age I start to feel like I raced with Abe Lincoln (never did) and I am, no matter what he says, close to Jack Benny's age of 39.













While we are on the subject of eternal youth there is a Under 21 Championship coming up soon at Auburn and Russell Green needs a little help in the money department to get there in style. If you have any extra money before you pay your bills or gas up your transportation just send it (money not your dam bills) to me (not him as minors can't be trusted with money) and I will pass any left after deducting the handling expense on to his lovely mechanic.


The Grand has a roof on it, a big screen with reruns for those who had grown up on TV, a full service bar (which I have never used) and really great performers for our National Anthem.




















It would be really nice if the staff had a free parking valet service for the riders so after the races and the exhausting autographs signing is over they would go get my trusty Nissan and load my trailer.

If you compare the first picture of the track at the start of the blog with the wet surface with the above picture with end of the night blue groove in place you will see that the surface does change through out the night. This is one reason the fast riders are always changing their gearing, tire pressure and tire edge in hopes of going faster. I have been told that a new tire every week makes you go faster (and your wallet get thinner) and I am in dire need of something to make me go faster (like new body parts).