TODAY’S HEADLINES
Why did Carol have to pay for
supper?...............more in “The People”.
To buy a ticket or not? What price for credibility? ………………..details
in “Race Review –
Were ‘
GREETINGS FROM
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WE WOKE UP IN
PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS
The Strategy
The strategy is real simple
now. It’s summer! It’s time to see some tracks.
The Trip
Just minutes after leaving last
night’s track in
Today’s trip is easy. It was just 204 miles up to
The People
When we travel, we like to see the
local attractions. Today, that came in
the form of our lunch and dinner, aka supper, choices. Lunch was at the Hungry Hobo in
I’m not certain whether or not Carol
has ever experienced a Hungry Hobo.
Discerning readers may remember that I frequent this Quad Cities based
sandwich chain whenever I can. I’m good
friends with the company’s CEO/Managing partner, Pryce Boeye. He and I contest the “
The Hungry Hobo in
Our dining experience had both its
good points and areas for improvement.
I’ll start with the improvement opportunities. First, the place was cold. You could hang meat in there. Coffee was on the menu. Carol ordered coffee. The somewhat inattentive order taker told us
they didn’t have coffee. That was a
technically correct statement, I guess.
A follow-up question to the manager about the coffee yielded this response,
“No, we don’t have coffee. The coffee maker has been broken and the
owner doesn’t want to get it fixed.”
O.K. then maybe the item should be removed from the menu.
All of this not withstanding, the
food was good as it always is at Hungry Hobo.
I had the #6, the pepperoni and cheese po’ boy sandwich. Carol went with the #26 baked potato,
broccoli cauliflower combination. Maybe
that’s why she looks the way she does.
We topped it all off with a piece of chocolate cake with creamy white
frosting. The service was incredibly
fast. It was a good quick meal at the
Hungry Hobo.
Supper was very unusual. We stopped in
We stopped at a local Casey’s gas
and convenience store and asked for a good place to eat. The clerk said, “That
really depends on what you’re looking for”. That answer made us think we might have many
culinary choices. I started dreaming
about
My line of thought was broken when
he came back with, “We have the pizza place toward
the end of town. They have a nice
buffet. Then there’s Taco Johns.” He thought a
little more.
“The Dairy Dream is sort of like a diner. That’s about it.” I guess we wouldn’t be having lamb chops
tonight.
We drove through downtown one more
time. A cardboard sign caught our
attention. The AMVETS was having a “steak fry”.
That sounded good given our other choices. We found the AMVETS tavern and walked in.
I told Carol before we walked into
the place, “I just want to blend in with the locals
and have a good meal. I don’t want to
draw attention to ourselves.” She
agreed. We were soon greeted by the
barmaid. I asked her where we paid for
the steak fry. Her reply was
classic. “You
pay right over there. You folks in for
the weekend?” Busted! “Yep!
We’re here for the races. We go
all over the world trying to see as many races as we can,” I told
her. “Sure
you do, honey,” she replied. “Come on over here and sit down.”
When it came time to pay the elderly
cashier, I discovered my cash money was in my briefcase out in the car. I asked Carol to pay. The Midwestern born and raised cashier raised
an eyebrow. You could tell what she was
thinking. “What
kind of ne’er do well did you hook up with honey, if you have to pay?” I didn’t have time to defend myself.
When Carol travels, she keeps her
money buried in the deepest recesses of her purse. It seems like she has to open 4-5 trap doors,
before we seen any green. Then, when she
finally does get her grubby little fingers on the cash, it is folded over about
ten times. She patiently unfolds each
fold like she handling a napkin at a fancy restaurant. Finally, she gives the crumbled bills to the
cashier, while I turn several shades of red in embarrassment. Anyway, that’s our system and it works for
us!
Our meal was good. The homemade salad bar had deviled eggs, Jell-O
and baked beans among other things. I
didn’t know if drinks came with our $12.50 per person steak fry or not. I asked for a Bud Light and soon was
served. A little while later, the waitress
came up and asked, “Can I have two dollars for the
beer?” Sure. Carol do you have two dollars?
CAROL’S COMMENTS
I liked the
I like the AMVETS organization so I
didn’t mind donating, but I didn’t think much of their food at the steak
fry. The steak was way too fatty.
The figure 8 cars at
The races in
STATE RANKINGS
These were
my 62nd and 63rd lifetime tracks to see in the Hawkeye
state. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t
tell you I am disappointed in my fourth place ranking here. You see,
Somewhat
incredibly, today’s tracks were only Carol’s third, fourth and fifth in her
trackchasing career. She has not made a
trackchasing visit to the corn state since seeing both ovals at the
She is now
tied for 33rd place in the Hawkeye state. She has now matched the total of Chris Economacki
and P.J. Hollebrand among others.
RACE REVIEW –
It’s not easy to get a regularly
scheduled new track on a Saturday afternoon.
The
This track is built for
go-karts. It’s 1/5 of a mile in length
and highly banked. Today, there was only
one countable class. The countable class
was the “Adult Mini Winston Cup” group. In other parts of the world, these racing
machines might be called mini-cups. They
also have a class called “Wing Champ Kart Adults.” They had just one of these today and he ran
by himself, making this a non-countable class according to www.trackchaser.net.
An hour or so after I submitted my
trackchaser press release, I was called to the pit office. Earlier in the day, I had approached the pit
office and asked the price of admission to the pit area. I was told it was eight dollars to get in the
pits and free for the main grandstand.
Based upon that information, I chose the grandstand.
When I returned to the pit office to
answer their page, the woman working the pit office recognized me from our
earlier encounter. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were? I would have let you in for free!” However, the RANLAY does not roll that
way. I don’t want any obligations to
anyone in trackchasing. What if I had
been admitted for free and then found out the track and/or promotion was
terrible? Then, I might feel
conflicted. Should I tell my loyal
Trackchaser Report readers that the place was a dump and piss off the
promoter. Should I say the place was
great and mislead my readers? I choose
to pay my own way out of my “small retirement
stipend” so I can be true to you, the loyal Trackchaser Report readers.
In point of fact, I had no conflict
today. The
Randy Perkins worked for UPS during
his business career. He told me “because UPS stock did so well, I was able to purchase
the land for this track. I used to
promote go-kart racing down in Adel.
When the politics got to great, I moved up here and bought ten
acres. The weeds were as tall as we are
when I bought the land. The town has 251
people. When the city council went to
vote on my project, 231 people showed up and not one person spoke against the
track. I built the track in 1999. We just have fun with the track, and for the
most part, it pays for itself.”
Mr. Perkins took me on a tour of his
tech facility. Here they measure the
octane of the fuel. If you are running
fuel that is too rich, you will be disqualified. I also spent time talking with the owners in
the Adult Mini Winston Cup class. They
have both adults and teenaged drivers racing in this group. Go karting at this level is a lot like little
league baseball only for the automotive-minded folks.
By the way, when I talk to go-kart
track promoters and/or racers, I often mention that flat go-karts do not count
in trackchasing. I know, I’m too honest
for my own good. I wish everyone reading
this could see the look of both astonishment and disappointment that comes over
the faces of my go-karting friends. I
quickly point out that I had absolutely nothing to do with this ruling. These trackchasing rules were established
long before I got here I always tell them.
This explanation usually puts me back in their good graces.
The announcer was unusual in that
she was a woman. You probably guessed
that before you got to the word “woman.” Women probably make up less than 1% of all
the announcers, I hear so that makes it worthy of comment.
There were seven mini-cups racing
today. Each of the 6-8 classes races two
heats and a feature. They take an
intermission after the first set of heats and again after the second set of
heats. We stayed for both sets of heats
for all classes. Most of the fans in the
stands appeared to be family members. If
a person lived locally, this would be an excellent place to buy a go-kart and “go racin.”
Overall, Carol and I had a nice time on a cloudy day in the middle of
RACE TRACK STATS:
Track
details
Website: http://www.jamaicaraceway.com/
Weather: Temps in the low 70s on an overcast day.
Track
type: high-banked oval
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 1/5- mile
Grandstands: 5 row wooden bleacher grandstand with
overhead roof.
P.A.: Loud and clear in the pit area and the
grandstand.
Announcer: Today most announcements were limited to car
number and driver name.
On
time: We arrived a few minutes late and
they were already racing. Scheduled
start time was 1 p.m.
Pit
area: Located beyond turns three and
four.
Classes: There were several flat kart divisions. Jr. Champ karts – 7, Sr. Champ karts – 1,
Adult NASCAR Mini-Cups – 7
Radio
Frequency: Unknown
Concessions: All types of hot sandwiches and cold drinks
were available. We ate at the Hungry
Hobo before arriving at the track.
Scoreboard: No
Restrooms: Serviceable
Extras: The track owner/promoter gave me a history of
the track and a tour of the pit area and tech center. I saw my first ever “fuel-tester.”
RACE REVIEW –
This was my second visit to this
facility. I was here last September for
their oval racing (track #1,107). This
was not the best figure 8 racing I have ever seen. They started 33 minutes later than the
website advertised. Then, they took a
20-30 minute break when one of the workers dumped his four-wheeler and broke
his leg!
Speaking of broken legs, I narrowly
avoided breaking my own leg tonight. The
track announcer came upon my trackchasing press release. The announcer at the
The track played good country music
over a robust P.A. system. They played
continuously right through all of the racing.
I liked that. The racing wasn’t
much. They didn’t put very many cars in
any of the heats. Even when there did
look like a crash might happen one or the other of the oncoming cars stopped to
avoid a collision. Fans come to see
figure 8 blood, not namby pamby efforts from accident avoiding weasels.
This was a down-home crowd of folks.
The incidence of unsightly tattoos is
now beginning to infiltrate even
Following my track interview, I took
my seat with Carol and we enjoyed some red and blue ice pops. About that time, I received a tap on the
shoulder. The fellow behind me said, “Just wanted to let you know, that we’re not all
hillbillies around her.” His wife
nodded her head in agreement. Yes, there
were folks from all backgrounds at the track tonight. Auto racing often attracts people from lower
socio-economic backgrounds. I don’t mind
that a bit.
I find that people from all backgrounds,
regardless of their uniqueness, be it social, economic, racial or ethnic can be
interesting and quality people. I enjoy
learning more about people that just is what is on the outside. If you’re reading this, and I’ve met you,
I’ll bet I can tell you something about your family, your background or your
interests. I just like learning about
what people have been up too. Of course,
you can same the same thing about me, if you’ve been reading the Trackchaser
Report very long.
Anyway, the racing wasn’t that great
here. However, I had a fun interview
with a very enthusiastic and jolly announcer.
I met some interesting people in the stands. We had a fun supper at the AMVETS steak
fry. Therefore, the visit to the
RACE TRACK STATS:
Track
details
Website: http://www.rockwellcityracing.com/
Weather: Temps in the low 80s on a very pleasant
evening.
Track
type: Traditional dirt figure 8
Surface:
Length: ¼ - mile
Grandstands: 10 row fiberglass seat bleacher grandstand,
P.A.: Excellent.
They played good country music throughout the program even when the cars
were racing.
Announcer: Local and enthusiastic.
On
time: Website said the races would begin
at 7:00 a.m. First started at 7:34
p.m. They also had a 20-minute delay
when a track worker dumped his four-wheeler and broke his leg!
Pit
area: Located beyond turns one and two
Classes: Front wheel drive cars – 13, Rear wheel drive
cars 21
Radio
Frequency: Unknown
Concessions: We ate at the
Scoreboard: No
Extras: The track announcer interviewed me from atop
the flag stand. This required me to
ascend an aluminum ladder some 20 rungs!
RACE REVIEW –
The
We went to the
The
We arrived just as the limited
modified feature was wrapping up. There
were still three features remaining on the track with the blackest dirt in
If this had been a new track for me,
I would have rated their program one of the best I’ve seen in 2007.
It had been a long day of
trackchasing. We had been to three
different racetracks. We weren’t through
with the weekend by any means. I finished
up the evening by having a brief skirmish with the hotel clerk over their
inability to honor our non-smoking room reservation. In the end, an equitable solution was found
for everyone. This is
RACE TRACK STATS:
Track
details
Website: http://www.hamiltoncountyspeedway.com/
Weather: Very comfortable with temps in the low 70s
Track
type: oval
Surface:
Length: 1/2- mile
Grandstands: Classic old-style county fair covered
grandstand. The grandstand have more
than 50 poles, which blocked the view of the racing, supporting it.
P.A.: Not all that loud.
Announcer: O.K., couldn’t hear him too well
On
time: We arrived at 10 p.m. We saw the completion of one feature and the
final three features of the night. This
was a very efficient program.
Pit
area: Located in the track’s
infield. Does not block the view of the
races.
Classes: Features started 15-20 Street stocks,
modifieds and late models.
Radio Frequency: Could not find the local frequency. My radio may be damaged from a recent drop at
the I-70 dirt track.
Concessions: Didn’t buy a thing.
Scoreboard: Lap counter and one-position scoreboard
Extras: Before the last completed race was having its
cars pull off the track, the next feature was pulling onto the track. This is
the way to run the railroad. The racing
was some of the best I have seen all season.
This is a very competitive, racy, multi-groove track. Well above average.
RENTAL CAR UPDATE
We
picked up a Dodge Charger from Dollar Rental Car. I really didn’t want one of these; I had a
bad experience with one in
Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,
Randy Lewis
A good system is better than a good
shovel.
CUMULATIVE TRAVEL DISTANCES:
AIRPLANE
Los Angeles, CA – Chicago, IL (Midway) – 1,709 miles
RENTAL CAR –
TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:
Valley
RANKINGS
LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:
There are no trackchasers currently
within 100 tracks of my lifetime total.
1. Randy Lewis,
Other notables
These worldwide trackchasers are within 10 tracks (plus or minus) of Carol’s current trackchaser total.
30. Dwight Bucks,
31. Carol Lewis,
2007 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS
1. Randy Lewis,
2. Ed Esser,
3. Roland Vanden Eynde,
4. Carol Lewis,
5. Mike Knappenberger,
6. Guy Smith, Effort,
7. Gordon Killian, Sinking
Springs,
8. Paul Weisel,
9. Pam Smith, Effort,
10. Roger Ferrell,
Tracks have been reported by 37 different worldwide trackchasers this season.
LIFETIME NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY STANDINGS
2007 (current thru 6/11/07)**
1. Randy Lewis,
2. Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs,
3. Allan Brown,
**Until the end of the year, NGD rankings are unofficial. Rankings are affected not only by the leader’s activities but also by other trackchasers impact on the leader’s position in each state.
Some of the data in this report comes from www.trackchaser.net
and my Garmin GPS
We’re trying to dodge the
raindrops. In this part of the country
that can be difficult. I have a major
surprise planned with my trackchasing in just two days.
1,139. Meremere Dirt Track
Club,
1,140. Meeanee Speedway,
1,141. Top of the South
Speedway,
1,142. Woodford Glen Speedway,
1,143. Robertson Holden
International
1,144.
1,145.
1,146. Angels Stadium of
1,147. Angels Stadium of
1,148.
1,149.
1,150. Grand Prix De
Lanaudiere,
1,151. Ste-Eulalie Ice Track,
1,152. St Guillaume, St
1,153.
1,154.
1,155. Northeast Pond Ice
Track,
1,156. Lee Pond Ice Track,
1,157. New Hendry Country
1,158.
1,159. Honeoye Lake Ice Track –
Road Course,
1,160.
1,161.
1,162. Dawgwood Speedway,
1,163. Toccoa Speedway,
1,164. Tazewell Speedway,
1,165.
1,166. Dacosa Speedway,
1,167. Swinging Bridge Raceway,
1,168.
1,169. Foothills Raceway,
1,170. Mileback Speedway,
1,171. Grand Prix of
1,172. Vegas Grand Prix,
1,173.
1,174. Low Country Kartway,
1,175. Dillon Motor
1,176. Valley Dirt Riders,
1,177.
1,178. Sertoma Speedway,
1,179.
1,180.
1,181. Hollywood Hills
1,182. Meridian
1,183.
1,184. Rocky Mountain Raceways
(oval),
1,185. Rocky Mountain Raceways
(figure 8),
1,186. Modoc
1,187.
1,188.
1,189. Fairplex at the
1,190. Lowes Motor
1,191. Lowes Motor
1,192.
**
1,193. Thunderbird Stadium (figure
8),
1,194. Thunderbird Stadium (oval),
1,195. Whispering
1,196.
1,197.
1,198.
1,199.
1,200. Castrol Raceway,
1,201. Hidden
1,202. Boyd’s
1,203. Fayette County Fairgrounds,
1,204.
1,205.
1,206. Vinton Speedway,
1,207. Hilltop
1,208. I-70
1,209. L A Raceway, La Monte,
1,210. Valley
1,211.
1,212.
**