DAY 6 – WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER TRACKCHASING TOUR

TODAY’S HEADLINES

What kept Mark from snoring this week?...................more in “The Trip”.

 

Day 2 results from the World Golf Championship Summer Trackchasing Tour …………..details in “Trackchasing Tourist Attraction”.

 

Have you read the RANLAY Racing disclaimer recently? …………..details in “The People”.

 

 

We’re not racetrackers, we’re trackchasers. …………..more in “Mark’s Memories”.

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 CORUNNA, MICHIGAN.

 

 

 

 

MARK AND I WOKE UP IN GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN AND WENT TO SLEEP IN GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN AGAIN.  THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY.

 

PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS

 

 

 

 

The Objective 

 

My trackchasing objective is to see as many tracks as I can while managing my trackchasing expense budget.  This objective was achieved today when we had less than 100 miles of driving and that included our ride out to the golf course.

The Trip

 

Over time, I have spent a large number of nights in Super 8 motels.  During my business career we would not have been got dead (why would you want to be?) in a Super 8.  It’s funny how things change when you’re spending your own money.

 

I earn points with each Super 8 stay for future free travel.  In order to keep my expenses down and keep the bandits from Super 8 from giving me points I would never redeem, I used my points to get two free nights at a Knight’s Inn here in Michigan.

 

There is an old saying “that you get what you pay for”.  That’s a true statement especially as it applies to this Knight’s Inn.  The hotel did not have wireless internet.  I was able to overcome that obstacle with my new “anywhere in North America” technology system.

 

Next, our bathroom sink would not drain.  I had no readily available backup system for this one.  Fortunately, when we explained the problem they fixed it while we were out golfing.  Next, the air-conditioning went on the blink.  Again, our complaint was answered quickly and it soon became colder than a morgue in our room.

 

I have discovered “Breathe-Right” nasal strips.  They seem to give me a better night’s sleep.  Fearing that Mark might snore me out of the room, I gave him some of the strips and he slept like a baby.  I endorse this product 100%.

 

 

 

TRACKCHASING TOURIST ATTRACTION

 

HUNTER’S RIDGE GOLF COURSE, HOWELL, MICHIGAN

 

Today was day two of the three-day match play event with my brother, Mark.  We had arrived late back to our motel last night.  By the time I woke up, Mark had already found a Golf Digest four-star course located just 30 miles away.  Good job, Mark!

 

Recall that Mark and I are playing a three-day, 54-hole match play tournament.  In case you are not a golf aficionado, let me explain what “match play” is.  In match play, each hole is its own contest.  That means if I make an eight on the first hole and you make a four, you win the hole.  You are one hole up.  It doesn’t matter how many strokes you beat me by, you’re just one hole up.  A tie score by each fellow competitor on a hole does not give anyone an advantage.

 

Recall that after our first day of competition in East Lansing, Michigan young Mark found himself three holes down.  He had to play well today or face the possibility of annihilation in our last round scheduled to be played in Michigan next Saturday.

 

Today’s course was a “links” course.  That meant it had virtually no trees but lots of thick brush and tall grass.  That’s how they do it in Scotland.  We played the blue tees.  They only measured 5,927 yards, but they gave us a decent test.  The course rating today was 69.2 with a slope rating of 125.  Those are solid numbers to show the difficulty of today’s layout.

 

This was a “country” golf course as opposed to a “country club” type course.  That meant it was located out in the country.  The amenities weren’t great, but the course was in excellent shape.  The greens fee was a steal as well.  Mark, because he is still a young man paid just $35.  As a “senior”, over age 55, I paid the small sum of $20.  Where I come from, that’s like playing for free.

 

Mark began our match by winning the first hole and reducing his tournament deficit to just two holes.  However, by the 10^th hole I had come on strong and was now up by five holes overall.  Mark was not about to give up.  In the next six holes, he won three of them.  After today’s 16^th hole, he was just two holes down for the tournament.  However, his good luck ran out and he lost both the 17^th and 18^th holes today, to finish at “four down” after the first two days of our three-day tournament.  It’s going to be tough for him to come back, but I wouldn’t put it past him.

 

We finished up at the 19^th hole.  Again, for you non-golfers, golf courses have just 18 holes.  The 19^th hole is the bar.  We enjoyed our Mike’s Hard Lemonade after a nice day on the links.  Today the temperature approached 90 degrees but the humidity was much less.  I was thankful for that.  As always, I enjoyed playing a round of golf with my brother.

 

 

 

The People

 

I’ve noticed a couple of things about Michigan during this trip.  First, they have tons of golf courses.  They remind me of Canada in this regard.  They have many four-star and better courses at really cheap prices.

 

I am also surprised at what a rural “backwoodish” population Michigan has.  The folks at the tracks we’re visiting remind me of some of the most rural populations I see when I travel to the south. 

 

Mind you, I grew up in a “hillbilly” factory atmosphere of mainly Southerners who had moved north for work in factories (Caterpillar Tractor) and the higher pay that came with it.  I suspect the Michigan people we have seen have strong ties to the U.S. auto industry, which has been in the tank for 20-30 years.

 

Editor’s note:  I have added several new readers in recent months.  This might be a good time to mention a disclaimer.  From time to time, I will offer critical analysis about the sights and sounds I encounter along the trackchasing trail.  I will rarely try to be politically correct, so don’t be looking for that. 

 

As I mention frequently, I don’t let anyone be part of the Trackchaser Report email group without a full background check and I.Q. report being on file at the headquarters building of RANLAY Racing.  I know you can tell the difference between critical reporting and the alternative.  I must be honest.  I have had to remove some folks from the list who couldn’t tell one from the other.

 

If I say Fords are crap and you like Chevies, you might think I am a genius.  However, if you like Fords, you might think I am an idiot.  Everyone needs to understand that if I say I like or dislike something that’s simply my opinion.  Opinions are like #$%%^, I mean elbows, nearly everybody has one.

 

I’m certain that most people would like to read about how it really is, from my point of view anyway, than some namby pamby effort where everybody is good and gets a blue ribbon.  I know you feel that way, because that is what your background check revealed.

 

 

 

 

 

MARK’S MEMORIES

 

We’re not racetrackers, we’re trackchasers. 

 

Editor’s note:  O.K., he got most of that right.  It might have been better to say “we’re not racechasers, we’re trackchasers” but you get the point.  Mark was pointing out that we didn’t have to see good racing in order to enjoy ourselves.  Back to what Mark had to say.

 

I want no more part of fair food.  All of my innards are gurgling.

Editor’s note:  Mark can eat twice as much as I can in half the time.  I bought him a 32 oz. shakeup county fair lemonade.  He finished it off before we had passed by two more food booths!  He finished his culinary evening off with a ½ dozen serving of fried Oreos.  O.K., I had one in the time it took him to eat the other five.

STATE RANKINGS

Tonight was the big SIX OH, my 60^th lifetime track in the Wolverine state.  I am in 8^th place in the Michigan state rankings here.  I trail Rick Schneider’s 63 tracks for seventh place.  Allan Brown leads in Michigan with 153 tracks.

 

RACE REVIEW – SHIAWASSE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS (FIGURE 8) – TRACK #1,248

Today was out best day of trackchasing and touristing so far in Michigan.  We didn’t have to drive very far, about 100 miles.  The weather has finally improved.  It’s still warm, but the oppressive humidity has left us.  We found an excellent golf course and the racing was good.

 

Carol and I were at the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds last year for their oval sprint car racing.  Mark and I were here tonight for racing on the figure 8 track.  The fair is a good-sized one with lots of food choices, large livestock barns and figure 8 racing.

 

Tonight’s program is promoted by the USA Derby folks.  I believe they are my favorite promotional group in the area.  They bring the “big iron” to their shows.  Tonight there were about 25 V-8 figure 8 racing machines.

 

They ran 6-7 heats and then a 25-lap feature.  The crowd was huge; like they are everywhere we go.  The P.A. system was stout and “Sonny” the promoter does a good job with the announcing.

 

Tomorrow we have a very long drive ahead of us, as I could not find any new racetracks to see anywhere close to where we are now.  Mark and I will simply enjoy each other’s company while we motor to the East.

RENTAL CAR UPDATE

 

Omaha – Friday-Wednesday (12-day rental)

 

Through tonight, I’ve covered almost 2,500 driving miles in the Avis Rental Car Racing Pontiac Grand Prix in just six full days of trackchasing.  The car gets about 470 miles to the tank.

 

 

 

 

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

Newton, Iowa – 817 miles

Springfield, Nebraska – 993 miles

Fremont, Michigan – 1,777 miles

Fremont, Michigan – 2,187 miles

Corunna, Michigan – 2,435 miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

 

Washington County Fairgrounds - $8

Maxville Fire Department Figure 8 - $8

Carroll County Fairgrounds - $5

Iowa Speedway - $10 (pit pass)

Sarpy County Fair & Rodeo Arena - $10

Newaygo County Fairgrounds - $9

Newaygo County Fairgrounds - $9

Shiawassee County Fairgrounds - $13 ($3 fair & $10 figure 8)

 

 

 

 

 

RANKINGS

 

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

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

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,248

 

 

 

 

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 - 110

 

2.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium - 69

 

3.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 68

 

4.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania – 53

 

5.  Pam Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 43

 

6.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 41

 

6.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 41

 

8.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 39

 

9.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 24

 

9.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 24

 

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

 

We expect to drive more than 1,000 miles over the next 36 hours in order to one county fair figure 8 track.  There is no better way to indoctrinate Brother Mark into the world of competitive trackchasing than to throw him into the fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1,244. Iowa Speedway (temporary inner oval), Newton, Iowa– August 5

 

1,245. Sarpy County Fair & Rodeo Arena (figure 8), Springfield, Nebraska – August 5

 

1,246. Newaygo County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Fremont, Michigan – August 6

 

1,247. Newaygo County Fairgrounds (road course), Fremont, Michigan – August 7

 

1,248. Shiawassee County Fairgrounds (figure 8), Corunna, Michigan – August 8