Here we go again, ready to put the problems of last season behind us. With the help of the Gods of Speed and MasterCard, we are looking forward to a new year. USAC did mandate a few changes, a HANS type helmet restraint ($1000) and Flowmaster mufflers for all Western States races (a relatively cheapie at $135 each + new headers for a total of $520). From the number of "concrete wall events" we have logged in the past, the head restraint will be worth the money, however, since we are fairly deaf from listening to Sprint engines, the mufflers seem like a waste of money. Besides, they are the ugliest mufflers I have ever seen. Hallelujah, no Meridan races this year.

The Aug. 12 race was not pretty. In lap 2, the 21 and 24 cars started banging on each other and 24 came down in front of Jimbo. With no place to go, he went over the right rear of 24 and ended up on his roof. Needless to say, the night was over. Damage was not as bad as it first appeared. Only 4 shocks (at $100 ea), a bent wheel and a broken shock hanger on the front axle.

We had only six days before the Aug. 18 race, the shortest interval during the race season. Jimbo and Scott stayed up til 5 AM Friday night and then back up at 8 AM to finish up. They got to the track in time for the second qualifying session and mounted a new right rear, but over inflated it, giving the effect of a basketball bouncing on the track during qualifying. However, the rest of the night went pretty good with a 3rd place finish. Only one more race to go ! ! !

It's all over but the woulda/coulda/shoulda arm-chair racing. We never quite got the car setup after the Aug. 12th wreck and as a result, Jimbo struggled all night, causing us to slip down another notch in the point standings. The good news: The car is in one piece and it rolled into the trailer at the end of the night. We'll get them next year ! !

* Western States Race