DAY 1 – TO WHAT ENDS OF THE EARTH WILL I GO TRACKCHASING TOUR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S HEADLINES

 

Where would you take your spouse/significant other for your 36^th wedding anniversary/Valentine’s Day trip....................more in “The Objective”.

 

It’s always fun to go “back home”.  That’s what today’s Trackchasing Tourist Attraction was all about. …………..details in “Trackchasing Tourist Attraction”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/february15242008.htm

 

 

 

 

GREETINGS FROM WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT.

 

 

 

 

WE WOKE UP IN SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA THIS MORNING, FLEW TO NEW YORK CITY AND THEN STAYED OVERNIGHT IN STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.  WE WENT TO SLEEP TONIGHT IN PORTLAND, MAINE.  THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED TODAY.

 

 

 

 

PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS

 

 

 

 

The Objective 

 

I have spent the last several years putting together the very best trackchasing systems this hobby has ever seen.  As long-time readers of the Trackchaser Report know, I have shared virtually all of the pieces that make up the “system’s puzzle” with my contemporaries. 

 

There was a time in trackchasing where trackchasers rarely saw any new tracks in January or February.  In recent years, only about 8% of all new tracks have been seen in Jan/Feb by our leading (top 20-25) trackchasers.  Last year’s top trackchasers (excluding my totals) averaged about 40 tracks per person for the year.  That means that the average trackchaser might see five new tracks during Jan/Feb.  Today is my 14^th new track for the Jan/Feb period.  I still find it somewhat amazing that after all the tracks I’ve seen (more than 1,300), it is still so easy to come up with two, three and even four track weekends, every weekend in the middle of winter.     

 

This weekend of trackchasing is tied into three somewhat varied and diverse objectives.  The first is our anniversary (February 13 – 36 years of wedded bliss).  The second is Valentine’s Day.  The final objective is simply the physical pre-staging for what may be my biggest and most adventuresome trackchasing trip of all time.

 

“But, Randy, are you trying to tell us that taking Carol to some ‘dusty old dirt track’ was part of your wedding anniversary/Valentine’s Day celebration?”, the skeptic might ask.  I could try to answer that by saying we are watching races on dust free ice racing tracks and not dusty dirt tracks.  However, that response might miss the point.

 

Yes, we will begin our celebration at some of North America’s most obscure racing facilities.  Then Carol and I will finish the trip by spending two days in New York City, one of the best “Trackchaser Tourist Attractions” on the entire circuit.  There will be more about that later.

 

Our primary reason for trackchasing in the Northeast is so that I can meet up with son, J.J. for an international adventure that may top anything I have ever done.  As usual, for security reasons, I must keep the trip’s details a secret.  I know that you understand.  Keep reading these pages and you will soon find out the details.

 

 

 

The Trip

 

The beginning of this trackchasing trip was originally planned to begin on Saturday, February 16 at an ice track in the Northeast.  However, two things have come up to alter that plan.  The first impact was “America’s race” and the second was the potential impact of global warming.  That seems like an odd combination.  Let me explain.

 

The Daytona 500 is “America’s race”.  The race is held each year in Daytona Beach, Florida during February.  The annual pilgrimage to Florida is called “Speedweeks”.  The only racing I watch on TV is the NASCAR Winston/Nextel/Sprint Cup group.  Lots of other people watch the Daytona 500 as well.  So many in fact that the ‘Mototown’ racetrack in Windsor, Connecticut moved their normal Sunday race to Friday for this week only.

 

That was a perfect move for this trackchaser.  With Mototown on Friday now, that opened up Sunday for another new track.  With any luck, I will get my fourth, "three tracks or more in a weekend" for each of the past four weeks.

 

Our best bet was to fly non-stop from Los Angeles to New York.  However, in order to get up to the track’s location near Hartford, Connecticut (two hours north of New York City), we would have to leave San Clemente at 3 a.m. on Friday morning, then battle NYC Friday night traffic when we landed.  If all of this worked perfectly, we would barely get to the track on time.

 

We decided to dispense with this hassle.  We flew to New York on Thursday.  This allowed a leisurely 8:30 a.m. San Clemente departure for an 11:15 a.m. non-stop flight to New York’s JFK airport.  We landed at about 8 p.m.  There was no rush to rent our car.  We’ll be returning it on Sunday night.  If we picked the car up at 8 p.m. on Friday, we would have to return it by 8 p.m. on Sunday night.  I wasn’t sure we could get back to the city by that time from wherever we trackchased on Sunday.

 

Therefore, by the time we got our luggage and had a small bite to eat in the airport, it was 9:30 p.m.  Getting the rental car at JFK is a real trip.  We had to board a train, which looked and operated, exactly like the New York subway to get to the rental car location.  The rental car location was about five stops down the line.  Now I am REALLY glad we didn’t wait to fly in on a Friday night since it was so time consuming to get our car.

 

We ended up staying at the Stamford (CT) Marriott.  The Marriott’s rate for a double room is $265 per night.  With tax that comes to about $315 per night.  You don’t even want me to tell you what we paid for this hotel via Priceline.  Wait!  You do?  O.K., I’ll tell you.  I paid $50 plus tax ($63).  You can thank me for these tips later!

 

I am a lifetime “platinum Marquis” member in the Marriott frequent stay program.  That means that in a previous lifetime I was sentenced to several years of staying in a Marriott hotel nearly every night of my life.  In addition to all of the rewards, they gave me at the time, they bestowed “lifetime Platinum” status on me.  This gives me several perks, even as a retired pensioner living on a small fixed income or whatever.

 

When we checked into the Marriott, we were given an upgraded room.  Then I was asked to select which of the food and drink amenities we would like delivered to our room upon check-in.  I selected the bottle of Meridian (Kristy and James’ winery) 2004 Merlot along with the pretzels and fruit.  The private concierge lounge was also open for cocktails on the 16^th floor.  The next morning both the Wall Street Journal and the USA Today were waiting outside our door.  Of course, breakfast was complimentary, again in the concierge lounge. 

 

At this stage in my life, I wouldn’t pay $315 for this experience.  However, corporations and corporate employees don’t mind paying this amount.  That’s one of the reasons a tube of toothpaste costs as much as it does! 

 

 

The People

 

It’s fun to have great people in your life.  We really appreciate Bruce Spencer driving five hours round-trip just so he could spend a couple of hours with Carol and me at Mototown.  We had a nice time chatting as we always have.  Bruce, thanks for driving down.  I’ll look forward to a summer time visit when the temperatures are a little friendlier.

 

I also want to give a shout out to my young wife, Carol.  She certainly is a trooper.  I’m pretty lucky to have a wife who’s willing to fly 3,000 miles one-way to sit in 40-degree temperatures to watch mini-sprints battle their way around a quarter-mile dirt track.  To top it off our wedding anniversary (36^th) was Wednesday and Valentines Day was Thursday, our travel day to the East coast.   

 

 

 

 

TRACKCHASING TOURIST ATTRACTION

 

55 Deer Hill Drive, Ridgefield, Connecticut

 

Back in August 1979, I accepted a job transfer from Mission Viejo, California to Ridgefield, Connecticut.  This was a major move for us.  We had grown up in Illinois.  In my first four years with the company, we had lived in Peoria, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio, Phoenix, Arizona and then Southern California.  Moving to the East coast was a move we were uncertain about, but it had to be made for the long-term success of my career.  In the end, it paid off.  We were only in Ridgefield, Connecticut for 15 months before being relocated again to a suburb of Chicago.

 

Today we had time to visit our old neighborhood and take photos of our home of some 29 years ago on Deer Hill Drive.  We lived in so many places that I always enjoy going back to visit the houses we used to own.

 

When we moved from California to Connecticut in 1979, we left a life of convenience for the rustic lifestyle of New England.  In California, every thing was close and everything was open all the time.  In Connecticut, the nearest McDonalds was 45 minutes away.  There were almost no stores in Ridgefield open on a Sunday.  A major heat source in our home was a wood-burning pot-bellied stove that ran out of wood religiously about an hour before we were scheduled to get up each winter morning.  I had my own diesel fuel tank (275 gallons) in the garage that fueled my car.  For the first time ever, I went to work in an office away from the house.  I left our house in the dark.  When I got home from work, it was dark.  The only time I saw my house in the daylight was on the weekends.  Just three weeks after I had taken delivery on a brand new fire engine red Cadillac Sedan Deville, it was broken into at the LaGuardia Airport in New York.  Yep!  Welcome to the East coast sunny boy!

 

Anyway, today’s Trackchasing Tourist Attraction was a visit to Ridgefield.  The town sits on the Connecticut/New York state lines.  Our house was less than a mile from New York.  Today we went back to visit Roma’s Pizza, one of the very few restaurants in the entire town.  Roma’s is no more.  It’s a Planet Pizza location now.  We entered for lunch today with some trepidation.  We should not have worried.

 

The Planet Pizza restaurant in Ridgefield, Connecticut earns a RANLAY Racing Money Back Guarantee.  This place is great.  It’s run by grumpy men that fit into their geographical locale perfectly.  They offer 33 different toppings on their pizza.  They also serve several different Italian entrees.  I went with the linguini in white clam sauce.  It was gourmet.  I have never had any better.  It was fun going back to our old town.  It sure didn’t seem like we lived there almost 30 years ago.

 

 

 

STATE RANKINGS

 

Connecticut

 

Today I saw my 8th lifetime track in the Nutmeg state that was home to the Lewis family during 1979-80.  This moves me into a tie for 10^th place in the state with Mike Knappenberger and Pam Smith.  The best thing about this track is that it improves my NGD score here from 15 points to 10 points. 

 

This was Carol’s third lifetime track to see in Connecticut.  She moves into a tie for 24^th place with Andy Ritter among others.  Guy Smith holds down first place in the state with 17 tracks.

 

To view the complete state ranking click on the link below or paste it in your browser.

 

http://trackchaser.net/statregion.asp?country=USA&region=CT

 

 

 

 

TRACK TYPE

 

In the world of trackchasing, we have three types of tracks that are considered countable.  These include ovals, road courses (circuits) and figure 8 tracks.  Generally, a road course includes both left and right turns.  Figure 8 tracks cross over themselves.

 

Today’s racetrack is located indoors.  In trackchasing, we have a special category of rankings for indoor tracks.  This was my 25th indoor track (Carol’s 3rd), giving me a 14th place indoor ranking (Carol’s rank – 24th). 

 

Click on the link below or paste it in your browser to see the complete indoor and dirt oval rankings at www.trackchaser.net.  Please note my totals are always the most accurate as posted in this Trackchaser Report.

 

http://trackchaser.net/statindoor.asp

 

 

 

 

 

RACE REVIEW

 

MOTOTOWN USA (OVAL), WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT

Tonight’s racetrack was most unusual.  First of all, the racetrack is located indoors.  How unusual is that?  Only 25 of my 1,312 lifetime tracks have been indoors.  That’s less than 2%, so it fits in the  unusual category.

 

The second thing that separates this track from my normal visits is that the building is located in what can best be described as a small strip shopping center.  I can’t recall ever seeing another track in a place like this.

 

The Mototown USA is brand new.  They opened up to indoor motocross events during the past year or so.  Countable car racing started soon after.  When Carol and I entered the front door, we noticed a large retail store selling motorcycle related clothing and bike accessories.  It wasn’t too dissimilar to a Harley-Davidson accessories store you might see at your local shopping mall.

 

Just behind the ticket counter was a large flat screen TV broadcasting the action that was taking place inside.  Mototown USA accepts credit cards for the purchase of race tickets.  Very few small tracks do that.  It’s a sign of progressive management.  I did feel the $15 admission fee was on the high side.  However, I am certain that building this major complex cost a good deal of money.  I reminded myself, that we are in America.  The promoter has a right to a return on his investment.  In the end, it will be the customer who decides whether or not the entertainment value justifies a $15 ticket.  I am betting in the long run it will not and prices will have to be lowered.  It will probably be easier for the promoter to lower prices in the future rather than raise them.

 

The lobby was warm and inviting.  We noticed several spectators sitting on sofas watching the action through large glass windows.  I thought to myself, “This is going to be a very comfortable evening, despite the below freezing temperatures outside.”  I smiled and we walked through the doors from the lobby to the spectator seating area.

 

Foiled!  There was no heat in the building.  You could hang meat in this beautiful indoor speed palace.  A nearby thermometer told us the temperature was in the 42-44 degree range.  Carol and I were not expecting that.  This would have been a great opportunity for the promoter to provide some heat lamps or some form of comfort for the fans. 

 

Tonight there were two classes of mini-sprints racing along with some modified lites and a class or two of street stocks.  I loved the idea of the mini-sprints having self-starters.  This really kept the program moving along, as there were numerous spins.  If sprint car racing wants to attract and then keep new spectators, they would be wise to go with self-starters.

 

The announcer was very animated (vocally) and on top of his game.  Unfortunately, the P.A. system was not.  It is rare indeed that an indoor P.A. system can be heard well, so Mototown USA was probably not to blame.

 

During intermission, Bruce, Carol and I headed to the lobby area for warmth.  We had been sitting in the large aluminum grandstand area that gives a great view of the racing action high above turns three and four.  There is also some “catwalk” viewing along the front straight.  This is a beautiful facility and the indoor winter racing is a great concept.  What can they do to improve?  Heat the spectator area!

 

 

 

 

CAROL’S COMMENTS

 

This was a very unusual location for a racetrack.  It was in a shopping center.  I thought it was going to be in the middle of a field somewhere.  It was such a nice place.  It had a nice gift shop (Editor’s note:  This retail store sold motorcycle accessories and clothing).  The ticket desk had a flat screen TV.  This place was first class.  Then we left  the lobby area and entered the track’s grandstand.  It was like an icebox!  The temperature was barely above 40 degrees.  That was a bummer. 

 

It was nice of Bruce to drive all that way to meet us.  Tonight’s announcer was really enthusiastic.  He brought real life to the show.  This place is nice, but we’ll see if they’re around in five years.

 

RENTAL CAR UPDATE

 

New York – Thursday/Sunday

 

We’ve rented a National Rental Car Racing Pontiac Grand Prix for this trip.  It had two important winter season options.  First, the heated leather seats are fantastic.  Secondly, the car has front wheel drive, which might serve us well if we run into any winter snowstorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

 

Randy Lewis

Alberta’s #1 Trackchaser

The real judges of your character aren’t your neighbors, your relatives or even the people you play golf with.  The folks who really know you are waiters, waitresses and clerks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL DETAILS

 

 

AIRPLANE

 

Los Angeles, CA – New York, NY – 2,430 miles

 

 

RENTAL CAR – NEW YORK, NEW YORK

 

John F. Kennedy International Airport – trip begins

Windsor, CT – 133 miles

 

 

 

 

 

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

 

Mototown – $15

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANKINGS

 

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

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

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,312

 

 

 

 

Other notables

 

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

 

26.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania – 439

 

27.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 354

 

28.  Ken Schrader, Concord, North Carolina – 353

 

29.  Max Allender, Des Moines, Iowa – 349

 

 

 

 

 

2008 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 14

 

2.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 5

 

3.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania – 4

 

3.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 4

 

5.  Bruce Eckel, Easton, Pennsylvania - 2

 

5.  Pat Eckel, Easton, Pennsylvania - 2

 

5.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 2

 

5.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 2

 

Several trackchasers with one track.

 

Tracks have been reported by 16 different worldwide trackchasers this season.

 

 

 

 

 

LIFETIME COUPLES TRACKCHASING STANDINGS

 

1.  Allan & Nancy Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 1,671

 

2.  Randy & Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,666

 

3.  Guy & Pam Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 1,658

 

 

LIFETIME NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY STANDINGS

 

2007 NGD results are posted at www.ranlayracing.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

The ice racing season in North America is short.  It runs pretty much during January and February only.  This means there are only 3-4 more weekends for ice racing.  Most of the ice racing in the Northeast has been canceled due to lack of ice in the Northeast.  That situation has forced me to search for Hardwater in the upper Midwest and Canada to this point.  Since ice tracks run so infrequently, it’s important to get them when I can.  Fellow competitors should look for me to add to my ice racing totals before that season ends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2008 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

 

1,299. Barnes Lake Ice Track, Ashcroft (road course), British Columbia, Canada - January 13

 

1,300. Bira Circuit, Pattaya (road course), Thailand - January 19

 

1,301. Cameron Lake Ice Track (oval), Erskine, Minnesota - January 26

 

1,302. Birch Lake Ice Track (oval), Hackensack, Minnesota - January 27

 

1,303. Mille Lacs Lake Ice Track (road course), Garrison, Minnesota - January 27

 

1,304. Mille Lacs Lake Ice Track (oval), Garrison, Minnesota - January 27

 

1,305. Ozark Empire Fairgrounds (oval), Springfield, Missouri – February 1

 

1,306. Atlanta Motor Speedway (road course), Hampton, Georgia – February 2

 

1,307. Brainerd International Raceway Ice Track (road course), Brainerd, Minnesota – February 3

 

1,308. Bay of Green Bay (road course), Marinette, Wisconsin – February 9

 

1,309. Lake Speed Ice Track (oval), Tilleda, Wisconsin – February 9

 

1,310. Shawano Lake – North Shore (oval), Shawano, Wisconsin – February 10

 

1,311. Cecil Bay Iceway (oval) – Cecil, Wisconsin – February 10

 

1,312. Mototown (oval) – Windsor, Connecticut – February 15