GREETINGS FROM ALTA, IOWA

I WOKE UP IN HIBBING, MINNESOTA THIS MORNING. THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY.

 

AND THE READERS RESPOND

 

Rather than identifying my readers by name in the “And The Readers Respond” section, I will identify them by their geographical region.  This will allow some to offer more direct points of view.  By the way, I can neither endorse nor be responsible for any reader’s point of view.  It’s a free country and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

 

From a SoCal Trackchaser Report reader and one of the pre-eminent music aficionados of the entire group….

 

“Since you're so tuned into the many places you visit i was VERY SURPRISED that you did not mention that hibbing minnesota was the boyhood home all the way through high school of bob dylan. if for no other reason that fact should put hibbing minnesota on the map of well known places.”

 

 

Editor’s note:  I must also mention since we’re talking about music, that Gary Richrath, lead guitarist of REO Speedwagon, was from my hometown East Peoria, Illinois.  He and I went to school together from kindergarten through high school.  He lived just a block from me and stayed over night at our house frequently.  This is the extent of my knowledge of the rock star business.

 

 

 

WEBSITE UPDATE

 

You can click on www.ranlayracing.com to see photos from my trackchasing visit to Minnesota, Iowa and who knows where else (June 6 to??).  After you receive the Trackchaser Report for each track, I’ll have photos posted on the website for that track for you to see.  This will allow you to put pictures with the words.

 

 

 

PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS

 

The Strategy

 

Again, like yesterday, I was traveling without a safety net.  I had absolutely no backup if there was rain in Alta, Iowa.  Fortunately, the weather was picture perfect.  This was especially noteworthy because to hear the Weather Channel tell it, big portions of the country were being hit by rain.

 

The Buena Vista Raceway races every Wednesday night during the summer.  This track was the last Wednesday night only track remaining in my database of more than 1,250 tracks that I have yet to see.  I have 5-6 tracks that race on both Wednesday and Saturday, but nobody remaining that is a Wednesday only track.  Of course, I will be able to book Wednesday night specials as they come up on the schedule in the future.

 

In the Rental Car Update section, you will be able to see the large amount of miles I’m covering on each day of this trip.  This is required to get from point A to B to etc. and to avoid bad weather.  When a trackchaser is willing to drive 500-600 miles per day, if needed, it becomes “Very easy” to put together a summer trackchasing trip for as many days as preferred.

 

 

The trip

 

It was 498 miles to the track and I drove another 97 miles after the race before I reached my hotel in Shelby, Iowa.  I stayed at the Shelby Country Inn & RV Park.  Hey, it can’t always be the Bellagio!  I am a retired pensioner living on a small and fixed income.  O.K., I’m stretching the truth.  I don’t really receive a fixed income in retirement.  All right, you caught me again.  It’s not really a SMALL income.

 

Stops at a gas station, grocery store and a 12-minute power nap got me to the track on time.  I’ve got a few more remaining drives like this planned for the trip, so I’ll just sit back and relax as the miles fly by and the tracks add up.

 

It definitely seems like people are not driving as much, although the hotels have been fuller than I expected.  Because I was so far out in the boonies, my cell phone flashed “No Network.”  That prevented me from making a hotel reservation after the races by phone.  I resorted to the “Stop and ask” reservation policy from the day’s of old.  This is not my preferred method of travel.  I was turned down three times before I hit the jackpot by awaking the proprietor of an independent hotel at right around midnight.  All was good though as they had wireless internet, all the room I needed to roam on my 45-minute power walk and a comfortable space.

 

The People

 

There’s not much fun and interesting interaction with people when you’re in the car for 595 miles.  Maybe I’ll have something to tell you tomorrow.

 

 

RACE TRACK STATS:

BUENA VISTA RACEWAY, ALTA, IOWA - TRACK #1,051 – 6/7/06

 

This was my 57^th lifetime track to see in the Hawkeye state.  I’m in fourth place a long distance behind Max Allender’s 71 tracks. 

Jack Erdmann leads the state 76-72 over Ed Esser.

 

 

 

RACE TRACK NEWS:

 

BUENA VISTA RACEWAY

 

I love Iowa auto racing!  I think the best local dirt short track racing happens in the Hawkeye state.  I was not disappointed tonight.  As mentioned the BVR runs every Wednesday night.

 

They had a huge crowd tonight seated in the county’s covered grandstand.  There must have been 30 rows of bleacher seats with backs.  The crowd listened to an energetic announcer over a robust P.A. system.  There was no dust and the program was super efficient.

 

I was initially taken aback by the track’s re-entry policy.  A very few tracks (less than 1 %?) do not allow any re-entry at all.  BVR’s policy is to charge a $1.00 re-entry fee if you have to go to the car to get something or whatever.  I have never ever heard of this in my 1,051-track trackchasing history.

 

I had my heart set on enjoying a pork tenderloin.  Iowa is just about the only state that routinely has this sandwich on their menu.  Unfortunately, the Buena Vista Raceway didn’t have tenderloins.

 

I scanned the menu and went with the “Loose Meat” sandwich.  I’m not kidding!  You can see a photo of the menu at www.ranlayracing.com.  Rosanne Barr, star of Rosanne, made this sandwich offering well known on her TV show.  Rosanne was from Iowa, you know.  Tonight was not a normal Loose Meat sandwich but more of a ground beef BBQ sandwich, but it was good.

 

After filling my tummy and getting my mind straight that I would not be re-entering the track, I picked out a “Box seat” in the county fair grandstand.  My seat location was in the very first row.  Even though I was in the first row, I was far enough from the track to be comfortable and high enough to see the racing on the backstretch.

 

There were five classes of racing tonight with enough cars to have two or three heat races for each group but not enough to necessitate any “B” mains.  That’s perfect for my tastes.  Here’s the number of entrants and feature lap distances by class

 

IMCA Bombers (10/10)

IMCA Hobby Stocks (18/12)

B Modifieds (16/12)

IMCA Stock Car (13/16)

IMCA Modifieds (19/20)

 

They started exactly on time at 7:30 p.m.  Can you believe the last feature of the night checkered at 9:40 p.m. and that was after they spent nearly 30 minutes with a Pepsi promotion at intermission?  A two hour and 10 minute show with five classes of entertaining racing is EXACTLY how it should be done at every track in the country.  How often does it work out like this?  About as often as I see a $1.00 re-entry fee.

 

The track was very wide and the racing surface of the 3/8 mile slightly banked oval was good ole’ Iowa black dirt.  Racetrack dirt don’t get any blacker than what they come up with in Iowa.  There were only 4-5 yellow flags all night.  They have a one spin and you’re out rule in the heats and two spins and you’re out in the feature.  That’s great!

 

I listened to the track communication over my race scanner at 462.600.  I can usually tell after listening to the scanner for a minute or two whether the race organizers have their act together or not.  These guys did.

 

At intermission, they had a unique promotion.  They drove a Pepsi truck out onto the track.  This was of special interest to me because my brother drives a Pepsi truck for a living.  Once the truck was stationed directly in front of the grandstand, they selected 12 fans to come down and stand in front of a door of the Pepsi delivery truck.

 

Just as on TV, the contestant had to decide if they wanted “Their door” or cash that the track announcer would offer them.  Of course, this is rural Iowa, so we weren’t talking about a lot of money.  The announcer would ask the fan if they wanted $5, $10 or more for their door.  The crowd alternatively yelled “Keep the door” and “Take the money” depending upon their personal preference.

 

The most cash anyone was offered and accepted was $60.  Most probably should have taken the cash compared to the Pepsi and Lipton Iced Tea products that were behind the doors.  There were a few Jeff Gordon souvenirs thrown in.  I love Iowans but was disappointed in their less than approving attitude toward my favorite NASCAR driver.

 

I see Jeff Gordon as a well-groomed person, who worked his way up from the bottom, who treats people fairly and is very well spoken.  I suspect the redneck elite are so envious of his position and accomplishments they can hardly stand it.  By the way, my definition of “Redneck” includes those folks who don’t appreciate the attributes someone like Mr. Gordon exhibits as noted above.  Mr. Gordon is living the live they wish they had.

 

Following the Pepsi promotion, the announcer told the crowd we had a celebrity at the fairgrounds tonight.  I craned my neck to see who he might be referring too.  He went on to extol the accomplishments of a lad from California who had seen 1,051 different racetracks.  His final comment was, “Wow!  That’s something” and the crowd applauded in agreement.

 

The Iowa fans are loyal.  On the parade lap of every feature event, the announcer asks them to stand and salute their driver.  Nearly 90% of the crowd does.  Seeing some very good local racing and getting out of the track at a reasonable hour is the way it should be done. 

 

 

 

WEATHER CONDITIONS

 

The weather was perfecto.  The temperature was about 75 degrees.  That’s perfect because there was not one minute where I felt I was too hot or too cold.  The weather forecast for rain was 0%.  This was especially noteworthy because it was raining all over the country.

 

RENTAL CAR UPDATE:

 

I hope they changed the oil in the National Rental Car Racing Pontiac Grand Prix before I picked it up.  If not, they’re going to have too when I return it.  Nothing wrong with this car.  It has a good-sized trunk and is a comfortable place to take my 12-minute power nap, which is essential for trackchasing success.

 

 

Tuesday total driving miles – 273 miles

Wednesday total driving miles – 595 miles

 

 

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 100 tracks (plus or minus) of my current trackchaser total.

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,051

2.  Rick Schneider – Bay Shore, New York - 1,039 (-12)

3.  Allan Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 1,021 (-30)

4.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 1,019 (-32)

5.  Andy Sivi, Clairton, Pennsylvania – 1,007 (-44)

6.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania – 1,001 (-50)*

 

* First warning, you are within 50 tracks of being removed from this list.

 

 

 

Other notables

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 10 tracks (plus or minus) of Carol’s current trackchaser total.

 

38.  Spike Rixon, Watford, England - 252 (+2)

39.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California - 250

40.  Virginia Schuler, Allentown, Pennsylvania - 248 (-2)

41.  Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Indiana – 246 (-4)

 

 

 

 

2006 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California - 60

2.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 34

3.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium – 33

4.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania - 30

5.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 20

6.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 19

6.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 19

8.  Linda Thomas, Watford, England - 15

8.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 15

10.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 14

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

Randy Lewis

The World’s #1 Ranked Trackchaser

 

Eat all your sandwiches (Even if they’re Loose Meat).  You’ll need them for the pursuit.

 

 

 

 

 

CUMULATIVE TRAVEL DISTANCES:

 

AIRPLANE

 

San Diego, CA – Minneapolis, MN – 1,530 miles

RENTAL CAR

 

Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport – trip begins

Hibbing, Minnesota – 213 miles

Alta, Iowa – 611 miles

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

Hibbing Raceway – $15

Buena Vista Raceway - $10

 

 

 

Past trackchasing stories are available at:

www.ranlayracing.com

 

Official trackchaser standings can be viewed at:

www.trackchaser.com  

 

Some of my standings data comes from trackchaser.com

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING TRACKCHASING PLANS

 

Tomorrow it’s a six-hour drive down to Lebanon, Missouri.  This will be my first visit to Missouri in a long time.

 

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2006 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

992.  Watermelon Capital Speedway, Cordele, Georgia - January 14

 

993.  Cross Roads Motorplex (asphalt oval), Jasper, Florida - January 15

 

994.  Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia - January 20

 

995.  Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California - January 21

 

996.  Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, Forster Livestock Arena, Salem, Oregon - January 28

 

997.  Morosso Motorsports Park, Jupiter, Florida – February 4

 

998.  Thunderbowl Speedway of Ocala, Ocala, Florida - February 4

 

999.  Cross Roads Motorplex (dirt oval), Jasper, Florida - February 5

 

1,000.  Auburndale Kartway, Auburndale, Florida - February 10

 

1,001.  Ocala Speedway (asphalt oval), Ocala, Florida - February 12

 

1,002. Speedworld Speedway, Surprise, Arizona - February 19

 

1,003. Lowe’s Motor Speedway (1/5 mile asphalt oval), Concord, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,004. Concord Raceway, Concord, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,005. Antioch Speedway, Antioch, North Carolina - February 25

 

1,006. Green Valley Speedway, Gadsden, Alabama - February 26

 

1,007. East Bay Raceway (inner oval), Gibsonton, Florida – March 17

 

1,008. Volusia Speedway Park West (1/6M oval), Barberville, Florida – March 18

 

1,009. Speedway Park, Fruitland Park, Florida – March 18

 

1,010. Sand Mountain Speedway (road course), Fort Meade, Florida – March 19

 

1,011. Anderson Motor Speedway, Anderson, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,012. Westminster Speedway, Westminster, South Carolina – March 31

 

1,013. East Lincoln Motor Speedway, Stanley, North Carolina – April 1

 

1,014. Margarettsville Speedway, Margarettsville, North Carolina – April 2

 

1,015. Sunny South Raceway, Grand Bay, Alabama – April 7

 

1,016. Barber Motorsports Park, Leeds, Alabama – April 8

 

1,017. Coldwater Raceway, Coldwater, Alabama – April 8

 

1,018. Talladega Short Track, Talladega, Alabama – April 8

 

1,019. Ballymena Raceway, Ballymena, Northern Ireland - April 14

 

1,020. Oulton Park, Little Budworth, England - April 15

 

1,021. Somerset Rebels Banger Raceway, Rooks Bridge, England - April 16

 

1,022. Mendips Raceway, Shipham, England - April 16

 

1,023. Oval Raceway, Angmering, England - April 17

 

1,024. Arlington Stadium, Eastbourne, England - April 17

 

1,025. Southside Speedway, Midlothian, Virginia - April 28

 

1,026. Motor Mile Speedway, Radford, Virginia - April 29

 

1,027. Wythe Speedway, Wytheville, Virginia - April 29

 

1,028. Summit Point Raceway, Summit Point Circuit, Summit Point, West Virginia - April 30

 

1,029. Old Dominion Speedway – inner inner oval, Manassas, Virginia - April 30

 

1,030. Shenandoah Speedway, Shenandoah, Virginia – May 4

 

1,031. Bridgeport Speedway (inner oval – front), Bridgeport, New Jersey - May 5

 

1,032. Empty Jug, Hawley, Pennsylvania - May 6

 

1,033. Oakland Valley Race Park, Cuddebackville, New York - May 6

 

1,034. Thunder Mountain Speedway, Center Isle, New York - May 6

 

1,035. Motocross 338, Southwick, Massachusetts - May 7

 

1,036. Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Fultonville, New York - May 7

 

1,037. Calumet County Speedway, Chilton, Wisconsin - May 19

 

1,038. Grant County Speedway, Lancaster, Wisconsin - May 20

 

1,039. Blackhawk Farms Raceway, Rockton, Illinois - May 21

 

1,040. The Milwaukee Mile (Road course), West Allis, Wisconsin - May 21

 

** Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – May 21 (new track Carol only)

 

1,041. Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, South Dakota - May 25

 

1,042. Superior Speedway, Superior, Wisconsin - May 26

 

1,043. Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota - May 27

 

1,044. Canby Speedway, Canby, Minnesota - May 27

1,045. Crawford County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Denison, Iowa - May 28

1,046. Tri-State Speedway, Sisseton, South Dakota - May 29

1,047. Sheyenne River Speedway, Lisbon, North Dakota - May 29

1,048. Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, Nevada – June 3

1,049. The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada – June 3

 

1,050. Hibbing Raceway, Hibbing, Minnesota – June 6

 

1,051. Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa – June 7