We're back...and better than ever!!
After a long 6 months without racing here with the Simi Valley Ground Pounders, we are back. A lot has happened over the past few days, not the least of which is the return of racing to Simi Valley. Read on for the latest info.
Racing Returns
Thanks to the hard work of our track director Jack Kasten and 1 faithful Ground Pounder, Mike Natalie, we have a new OnRoad racing location. Mike took the hand-off from Jack and went to the folks over at Kmart and got us permission to use an area of their parking lot to run our OnRoad events. The generous folks at Kmart of Simi Valley have given us permission to run in the lot on the East end next to Madera Rd. The location is not only in great condition for racing on, it's a very visible site, so our numbers should grow quickly as others see us running. We will have AC power there from 1 of 2 potential sources to be determined later, but there will be power. The site is near Kmart and Am/Pm, so food and drinks will be readily available. A check of the area is well paved, seldom used, and oil free, so it will be an ideal racing surface. Our first race will be Sunday, January 10th 1999, then beginning in February we will run every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month there after until we begin running Off Road again. Of course weather has it's say on our dates, but the fact that we have a date is great news.
When you see Mike Natalie give him a hand shake and a thank you for taking time out of his day to meet with the manager of Kmart, and remember to visit the Simi Valley Kmart for your shopping needs. This is to show them your appreciation for seeing to it that we can again run our races.
UPDATE.... We will be holding a raffle at the January 10th event. It will include RC goodies from manufactures like Integy,Robinson Racing Products,RC Car Action, and 2 $50 gift certificates from MIP good on products from their catalog.
Carshow Event
Well, this years event was as good as ever. 25 entries gave us a lot of great racing action throughout the day. We ran some OffRoad trucks and buggies, as well as 4wd Sedans and one crazy soul, namely me, even tried running a Pan Car in the Open Oval race. While the speed was there, traction for a Pan Car on an sauced track makes for an evil combination. I ended up playing leaf sweeper for the leaders as they lapped me, until Kevin Kasten finally ended my misery by winning the race. But, regardless of the end result the racing action was very fun. I did beat Jack in the 4wd sedan class, even though I think he paid off my wife Barbie to take me out whenever possible. She almost succeeded but thanks to a few missed corners by Jack and a unintentional nudge from me to him, I was able to hold him off to finish a few seconds ahead of him. Robert Hemmingway and his dad raced each other in the buggy class and unfortunately for dad, the younger of the Hemmingways came out on top. Matt Damon took the Stock Truck class over Steven Kasten due to a last lap tangle with a corner board. And, I may be wrong but, Jack Kasten won the Pro Stock Truck race with Ken Kauffman, his closest rival, was sidelined with a broken axle. How does the song go..."You picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel..." What a fun day, lots of racing action, plenty of hot looking cars, raffle prizes and Oh Yeah...did I mention cold wind...brrrrr, but we all survived. Thanks to the Simi Valley Corvette Club for hosting the Charity Car Show and for again inviting us to participate. All the toys collected as entry fees from competitors were given to the folks with the Corvette Club and will be handed out to needy kids for a much deserved Christmas gift.
David Willard
Webmaster
barbwyr@geocities.com
October Newsletter
Be sure to check the SVGP page for info on the club. Also, if you would like to recieve information via Email, send a note to me at the email above and I will add you to the mailing list.
Randy Callaway - President
Jack Kasten - Track Director
David Willard Jr- Webmaster
