DAY 2 – WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER TRACKCHASING TOUR

TODAY’S HEADLINES

I am constantly attempting to try new travel opportunities that provide efficiency and cost-saving...................more in “Rental Car Update”.

 

What three things happened that pushed me into the Worldwide Trackchasing forefront? …………..details in “The Objective”.

 

Click on this link or paste it in your browser to take you to today’s Trackchaser Report via my website at www.ranlayracing.com

 

http://www.ranlayracing.com/august3142007.htm

 

GREETINGS FROM MAXVILLE, IOWA AND THEN COON RAPIDS, IOWA.

 

 

 

 

I WOKE UP IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA AND WENT TO BED IN WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA.  THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY.

 

The Objective 

 

One of my trackchasing objectives is to attain as high an individual ranking in as many trackchaser categories as I can.  You probably know by now that in the world of trackchasing we count racing on three types of tracks.  These would be ovals, road courses and figure 8 tracks.

 

What you might not now is that figure 8 tracks were added to the eligibility list AFTER the original rules were established in 1999.  It was not until 2001 that figure 8 tracks were allowed as countable tracks.  Prior to that time, I had never been to a figure 8 track unless it was part of an oval track racing program.

 

The rules change proposal to count figure 8 tracks was proposed by Allan Brown who currently holds down a tie for the second place position in the worldwide trackchaser rankings.  Allan’s proposal was voted on and accepted.  That proposal, back in 2001, was probably the last major item the group has voted on. 

 

It was also at about this time that figure 8 racing began popping up in the Northeast and to a lesser degree the Midwest at county fairs.  County fairs had historically used demolition derbies as a draw for their county fair grandstands.

 

After the figure 8 rule was voted on, a decision was made to make the addition of figure 8 tracks be retroactive.  This meant that you could count figure 8 tracks you had seen BEFORE the rule was added that figure 8 tracks counted.  I was strongly against this idea.  It didn’t seem to me that a trackchaser should get credit for seeing a track that wasn’t legal at the time it was seen.

 

During the 2001 trackchasing season, ten figure 8 tracks were added to my lifetime trackchasing list retroactively.  These were the ten figure 8 tracks I had seen while watching racing on oval tracks.  I really didn’t want those ten tracks added to my list, but it’s my responsibility to abide by the rules of the group. 

 

The funny thing about this new figure 8 proposal and its retroactivity was that the person who proposed the rule had FORTY tracks added retroactively to his list.  With the stroke of a pen, I was saddled with a 30 track deficit and they say politics happens only inside the beltway.

 

I’ve been plugging away at figure 8 tracks ever since 2001.  I’m happy to announce that today I saw two new figure 8 tracks in Iowa, a very rich figure 8 racing state.  This gives me 128 lifetime figure 8 tracks.  Since figure 8 tracks are run mostly at county fairs, that’s a lot of corndogs.

 

Just as I was about to announce my figure 8 superiority, Ed Esser posted two recent figure 8 tracks (Aug 1 & 3) giving him 128 as well.  However, I am looking to post several figure 8 tracks in the coming days myself.

 

My nearest figure 8 competition will come from Ed Esser (128 F8 tracks) and Guy Smith (120 F8 tracks).  These two trackchasers are fierce figure 8 track competitors.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they are plotting right now on how they can once again achieve superiority in this important trackchasing category.  We’ll see how it goes.

The Trip

 

It is extremely hot and humid today.  I don’t know which is worse this summer weather or the iceberg stuff that comes in the winter.

 

 

 

The People

 

I have long maintained that Iowa people are the nicest folks in the country.  In recent years, I have modified that statement to include Nebraska and Minnesota.  I still believe that.  Today’s visit to the Carroll County Fairgrounds did nothing to make me want to change this view.

 

I was standing near the driver’s meeting just outside the fence of the pit area.  The leader of the meeting was speaking loud enough for me to hear the instructions being given.  When the meeting was over I took a few pictures and began to make my way into the grandstand area.

 

Just at that point, I heard someone say, “Are you from California”?  O.K., I admit I probably don’t look like I’m from Iowa but exactly what does a Californian look like.  The woman asking the question was Linda Schroeder who is the Secretary/Treasurer for the fair board.

 

I had been talking with Linda during the day over the phone about their weather and whether or not they would race.  Often I will tell the person a bit about my trackchasing interest during my phone contact.  Experience has told me that I’m likely to get more and better information if the person I’m talking too knows that I’ve come a long way for their program.

 

Linda was nice enough to invite me up to the press box/scoring tower.  Here I was sheltered from the sun and had a plastic lawn chair to sit in.  Considering the grandstand was packed with the sun beating down on people, my position was outstanding.

 

Linda told me they had a crowd of some 3,500 fans at a show earlier in the season with around 150 figure 8 cars.  Those numbers are nearly unheard of.  Tonight, she told me, we “only have 78 cars”.  That number trumps 95% of the figure 8 shows I attend.  Linda, if you’re reading this, thank you very much for your Iowa hospitality.

 

 

 

 

STATE RANKINGS

These were my 66^h and 67th lifetime tracks to see in the Hawkeye state.  I trail Max Allender’s 71 tracks for third place.  Jack Erdmann leads in Iowa with 83 tracks.

RACE REVIEW – MAXVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIGURE 8 COURSE – TRACK #1,242

As far as I know the Maxville Fire Department runs figure 8 races just once a year.  They almost didn’t run this one.  There were heavy rains overnight.  The forecast for today called for rain.  I phoned the fire department a couple of times and was told, “We’re going to play it by ear”.  That wasn’t good news but it was better than the alternative.

 

By the time the afternoon came around, the rain problems had moved through.  We would be figure 8 racing with a late afternoon, 4 p.m. start.

 

The track was unusual although I have seen a few of these designs at other Iowa figure tracks.  The actual racing surface was cut BELOW the ground about 2-3’.  Couple this with the fact that the racetrack itself was a good 40-50 yards from the grandstand and it wasn’t that easy to see the racing.

 

Many county fair figure 8 tracks use large tractor tires as markers for the cars to race around.  By cutting out the “8” to a depth of three feet, this left large dirt mounds as the track’s markers.  The dirt mounds was somewhat circular with a diameter of 30 feet or so.  “Corner” flagmen stood atop these mounds and flagged the cars as needed.

 

I believe this is a permanent figure 8 track due to the description above.  There were 40-50 cars racing today.  The main class was the “open” class.  For dirt figure 8 racing, the cars don’t get much more sophisticated and fast than these boys.  There was also a more basic stock class and just four front-wheel drive cars.  The little guys looked like toys after watching the big V-8 cars race.

 

Overall, the racing was mediocre.  It was difficult to see the cars because of the track’s surface being three feet below ground level.  I sat to the left of the press box for most of the event.  The P.A. speakers where I was at barely worked at all.  Therefore, I had a hard time understanding what the program was all about.  However, once I relocated (by accident) to the other side of the grandstands, I could hear the announcer.  It was a strange set-up.

 

It was also unusual that the open class and the stock class of cars raced in different directions on the figure 8 track.  No, I cannot count this as two different tracks.  I enjoyed a “brat patty” and was most pleased to get to count a track that races just one time per year.

 

 

 

 

RACE REVIEW – CARROLL COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, COON RAPIDS, IOWA (FIGURE 8) – TRACK #1,243

It’s not often that I get a day/night figure 8 trackchasing double.  My two figure 8 tracks today were 70 miles apart.  I arrived at the Carroll County Fairgrounds just as the driver’s meeting was being held.  Figure 8 racing is a big deal around these parts.

 

I had called a couple of times earlier in the day inquiring about the weather.  Each time I was told there had not been any rain and they didn’t expect much.  They did point out that their races were not “rain or shine”.  I kept my fingers crossed.

 

They run an excellent program at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Coon Rapids, Iowa.  By the way Coon Rapids only has about 1,000 residents and they had many more fans in the stands than that tonight.  It was 89 degrees when I came to the track and very breezy.  The humidity has been high everywhere I’ve gone so far.

 

There were two figure 8 classes.  These included front wheel drive cars and rear wheel drive cars.  I suspect the field was about evenly divided between the two groups.  The track is again what I was called a permanent figure 8 track.  The markers and fencing are all fixed. 

 

Tonight’s track was a large one.  I estimate the markers were about 80 yards apart.  Quite often figure 8 markers are just 20-40 yards apart.  The people that run here RACE they don’t crash.  There were virtually no hits at the “X”.  The turns did get busy, but the track was wet and there wasn’t much danger of anyone getting hit hard in a turn.

 

The heats ran 8-9 cars.  This meant there was a good deal of action all over the track.  It was fun sitting next to the scorers.  Frequently, they had to hold up their clipboards to shield themselves from the mud being thrown from the track into our pavilion.  Linda manned (womaned?) the track’s radio and was in charge of posting the results.  Her announcing sidekick did a good job of keeping the fans informed.  Tonight was his mother’s 75^th birthday.  She was sitting next to me and seemed to be having a great time.

 

The fair board sells billboard sponsorships.  The first year the rate in $150 and $100 per year thereafter.  This is a big community event.  Everyone knows each other.  Maybe that’s why I was recognized as “not being from around here” which is often the case.

 

The concession area is a large building near the track.  I ventured in there after hearing they were selling pie and ice cream.  Soon I was feasting on a huge piece of blueberry pie and vanilla ice cream.  Truth be told I also had a hamburger.  It was all delicious but they really need to do something about those flies.

 

I had a fun time at the track tonight.  They were well organized, had a great field of cars, and the racing was very good.  I highly recommend the Carroll County Fairgrounds to my trackchasing fellow competitors, just don’t use this track to try to overtake my newfound figure 8 trackchasing leadership.

 

RENTAL CAR UPDATE

 

Omaha – Friday-Wednesday (12-day rental)

 

Other than a quarter size ding to the front windshield, the Avis Rental Car Racing Pontiac Grand Prix is doing fine.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

 

Randy Lewis

Alberta’s #1 Trackchaser

I live in my own world.  People know me here.

 

 

 

 

 

AIRPLANE

 

Orange County, CA – Denver, CO – 845 miles

Denver, CO – Omaha, NE - 472 miles

 

 

RENTAL CAR – OMAHA

 

Eppley Field – trip begins

Washington, Kansas – 154 miles

Maxville, Iowa – 475 miles

Coon Rapids, Iowa – 546 miles

 

 

 

 

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

 

Washington County Fairgrounds - $8

Maxville Fire Department Figure 8 - $8

Carroll County Fairgrounds - $5

 

 

 

 

 

RANKINGS

 

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

There are no trackchasers currently within 100 tracks of my lifetime total. 

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,243

 

 

 

 

Other notables

 

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

 

 

29.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 333

 

30.  Tom Schmeh, Knoxville, Iowa – 330

 

31.  Dwight Bucks, Topton, Pennsylvania – 325

 

 

 

 

 

2007 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California - 105

 

2.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 66

 

3.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium - 64

 

4.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania – 44

 

5.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 41

 

6.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 39

 

7.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 35

 

8.  Pam Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 31

 

9.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 24

 

10.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 23

 

Tracks have been reported by 39 different worldwide trackchasers this season.

 

 

 

 

 

Past trackchasing reports are available at:

www.ranlayracing.com

 

 

Official trackchaser standings can be viewed at:

www.trackchaser.net

 

 

Some of the data in this report comes from www.trackchaser.net

and my Garmin GPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING TRACKCHASING PLANS

 

Tomorrow I will contest the “Illinois Cup” against long-time fellow competitor and good friend, Pryce Boeye.  I currently hold the cup and we’ll see if I can keep it.  I have just one track planned for tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2007 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

 

1,139.  Meremere Dirt Track Club, Meremere, New Zealand - January 1

 

1,140.  Meeanee Speedway, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand - January 1

 

1,141.  Top of the South Speedway, Richmond, New Zealand - January 2

 

1,142.  Woodford Glen Speedway, Christchurch, New Zealand - January 3

 

1,143.  Robertson Holden International Speedway, Palmerston North, New Zealand - January 5

 

1,144.  Taupo Motorsports Park, Taupo, North, New Zealand - January 6

 

1,145.  Waikaraka Park International Speedway, Auckland, New Zealand - January 6

 

1,146.  Angels Stadium of Anaheim (inner oval), Anaheim, California - January 13

 

1,147.  Angels Stadium of Anaheim (outer oval), Anaheim, California - January 13

 

1,148.  West Valley Speedway, Surprise, Arizona - January 14

 

1,149. Sandia Motorsports Park (road course), Albuquerque, New Mexico - January 28

 

1,150. Grand Prix De Lanaudiere, Lavaltrie, Quebec, Canada – February 3

 

1,151. Ste-Eulalie Ice Track, Eulalie, Quebec, Canada – February 4

 

1,152. St Guillaume, St Guillaume, Quebec, Canada – February 4

 

1,153. Caldwell Rodeo Arena, Caldwell, Idaho – February 10

 

1,154. Balsam Lake Ice Track, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin – February 18

 

1,155. Northeast Pond Ice Track, Milton, New Hampshire – February 24

 

1,156. Lee Pond Ice Track, Moultonborough, New Hampshire – February 25

 

1,157. New Hendry Country Speedway, Clewiston, Florida – March 3

 

1,158. Florida Sports Park, Naples, Florida – March 4

 

1,159. Honeoye Lake Ice Track – Road Course, Honeoye, New York – March 10

 

1,160. Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas – March 16

 

1,161. Houston Motorsports Park, Houston, Texas – March 16

 

1,162. Dawgwood Speedway, Chatsworth, Georgia – March 17

 

1,163. Toccoa Speedway, Toccoa, Georgia – March 17

 

1,164. Tazewell Speedway, Tazewell, Tennessee – March 18

 

1,165. Malden Speedway, Malden, Missouri, Tennessee – March 23

 

1,166. Dacosa Speedway, Byhalia, Mississippi – March 24

 

1,167. Swinging Bridge Raceway, Byram, Mississippi – March 24

 

1,168. Florence Motor Speedway, Florence, South Carolina – March 25

 

1,169. Foothills Raceway, Easley, South Carolina – March 30

 

1,170. Mileback Speedway, Gray Court, South Carolina – March 30

 

1,171. Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida – April 1

 

1,172. Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas, Nevada – April 8

 

1,173. Huntsville Speedway, Huntsville, Alabama – April 13

 

1,174. Low Country Kartway, Aynor, South Carolina – April 14

 

1,175. Dillon Motor Speedway, Dillon, South Carolina – April 14

 

1,176. Valley Dirt Riders, Berthoud, Colorado – April 15

 

1,177. Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Lancaster, California – April 22

 

1,178. Sertoma Speedway, Tularosa, New Mexico – April 27

 

1,179. Sandia Motorsports Park (outer oval), Albuquerque, New Mexico – April 28

 

1,180. Sandia Motorsports Park (inner oval), Albuquerque, New Mexico – April 28

 

1,181. Hollywood Hills Speedway, San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico – April 29

 

1,182. Meridian Speedway, Meridian, Idaho – May 11

 

1,183. Diamond Mountain Speedway, Vernal, Utah, Idaho – May 12

 

1,184. Rocky Mountain Raceways (oval), Salt Lake City, Utah – May 12 

 

1,185. Rocky Mountain Raceways (figure 8), Salt Lake City, Utah – May 12

 

1,186. Modoc Speedway, Modoc, South Carolina – May 18

 

1,187. Possum Kingdom Super Speedway, Belton, South Carolina – May 19

 

1,188. Laurens County Speedway, Laurens, South Carolina – May 19

 

1,189. Fairplex at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, Pomona, California – May 20

 

1,190. Lowes Motor Speedway (inner oval), Concord, North Carolina – May 24

 

1,191. Lowes Motor Speedway (road course), Concord, North Carolina – May 24

 

1,192. Madison International Speedway (inner oval), Oregon, Wisconsin – May 25

 

** Madison International Speedway (outer oval), Oregon, Wisconsin – May 25

 

1,193. Thunderbird Stadium (figure 8), Bremerton, Washington – May 26

 

1,194. Thunderbird Stadium (oval), Bremerton, Washington – May 26

 

1,195. Whispering Pines Motorsports Park, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada – May 27

 

1,196. Magic Valley Speedway, Twin Falls, Idaho – May 28

 

1,197. Owyhee Motorcycle Raceway Park, Boise, Idaho – June 1

 

1,198. Race City Motorsports Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – June 2

 

1,199. Edmonton International Raceway, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada – June 2

 

1,200. Castrol Raceway, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – June 2

 

1,201. Hidden Valley Motorsports Park, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada – June 2

 

1,202. Boyd’s Speedway, Ringgold, Georgia - June 8

 

1,203. Fayette County Fairgrounds, Washington Courthouse, Ohio - June 9

 

1,204. Brush Creek Motorsports Park, Pebbles, Ohio - June 9

 

1,205. Brown County Speedway, Russellville, Ohio - June 9

 

1,206. Vinton Speedway, Vinton, Ohio - June 10

 

1,207. Hilltop Speedway, Millersburg, Ohio - June 10

 

1,208. I-70 Speedway – dirt (outer oval), Odessa, Missouri - June 13

 

1,209. L A Raceway, La Monte, Missouri - June 14

 

1,210. Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, Missouri - June 22

 

1,211. Jamaica Raceway, Jamaica, Iowa - June 23

 

1,212. Calhoun County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Rockwell City, Jamaica, Iowa - June 23

 

** Hamilton County Speedway, Webster City, Iowa – June 23 (new for Carol only)

 

** Iowa Speedway (outer oval), Newton, Iowa, Iowa – June 24 (new for Carol only)

 

1,213. Butler Motor Speedway, Butler, Missouri - June 24

 

** Peoria Speedway, Peoria, Illinois – June 25

 

1,214. Kart Kanyon Raceway, Aztec, New Mexico - June 30

 

1,215. Aztec Speedway, Aztec, New Mexico - June 30

 

1,216. Sunvalley Speedway, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada – July 1

 

1,217. Georgetown Speedway, Georgetown, Delaware – July 6

 

1,218. Delmarva Motorsports Park, Middleford, Delaware – July 6

 

1,219. Hunterstown Speedway, Hunterstown, Pennsylvania – July 7

 

1,220. Shippensburg Speedway, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania – July 7 (Randy only)

 

** Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, Maryland – July 7 (new for Carol only)

 

1,221. Blanket Hill Speedway, Whitesburg, Pennsylvania – July 8

 

1,222. Lincoln County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Troy, Missouri – July 13

 

1,223. Pike County Speedway, Pittsfield, Illinois – July 13

 

1,224. Iowa Speedway (road course), Newton, Iowa – July 14

 

1,225. Mitchell County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Osage, Iowa – July 14

 

1,226. Scott County Fairgrounds (oval), Scottsburg, Indiana – July 15

 

1,227. Barry Expo Center (figure 8), Hastings, Michigan – July 16

 

1,228. Lycoming County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Hughesville, Pennsylvania, Michigan – July 17

 

1,229. Delaware County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Muncie, Indiana – July 18

 

1,230. Delaware County Fairgrounds (oval), Muncie, Indiana – July 18

 

1,231. Van Buren County Youth Fairgrounds (road course), Hartford, Michigan – July 19

 

1,232. High Banks Speedway (oval), Philpot, Kentucky – July 20

 

1,233. High Banks Speedway (figure 8), Philpot, Kentucky – July 20

 

1,234. SOIL MX, Bone Gap, Illinois – July 21

 

1,235. Western Kentucky Speedway, Madisonville, Kentucky – July 21

 

** Windy Hollow Speedway (oval), Owensboro, Kentucky – July 23

 

1,236. Windy Hollow Speedway (small figure 8), Owensboro, Kentucky – July 21

 

1,237. Teton County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Jackson, Wyoming – July 26

 

1,238. Gallatin International Speedway, Belgrade, Montana – July 27

 

1,239. BMP Speedway, Billings, Montana – July 28

 

1,240. Sweetwater County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Rock Springs, Wyoming – July 31

 

1,241. Washington County Fairgrounds (oval), Washington, Kansas – August 3

 

1,242. Maxville Fire Department Figure 8 Course, Maxville, Iowa– August 4

 

1,243. Carroll County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Coon Rapids, Iowa– August 4