McKean
County Night Two
Wayland NY- Racing was to start
at 5 but because of a couple showers it didn't start until 7:30 or so. Kyle started his heat in 7th and finished 4th. For
the feature he started on the outside poll but on lap 2 the new part that replaced the part from the night before broke. This
is unbelievable. It is a welded part and the welds broke. Makes me wonder about their welding qualifications and standards.
We were told " ya, I've seen those break." Well they should NOT break especially at the weld. If welded properly
the weld will not break but the metal around it might.
Enough said. I guess a fitting end to an up and down season that was by far more positive then not. What's up for next year?
We are staying with this car and class. McKean is in question, maybe the old Freeom track will open, we can always run the
tour..... time will tell.
McKean County Night One
Wayland
NY- With the threat of rain all night it actually ended up being a good night for racing... weather wise anyway. There was
a slight mist in the air several times but nothing dumped.
This was another Fastrak Northeast Regional race. Kyle started last in the 2nd heat, 8th. There were 33 cars present. Kyle
had a good heat run going to third in a very strong field of cars in his heat, working on 2nd at the finish. We decided to
not touch the setup since the track conditions looked to remain the same all night.
Kyle went up for the redraw but no one was
there. When the finally did the draw Kyle wasn't there so he got the number left... 3rd. Very good starting spot. Maybe this
is the way to redraw.... don't. On the first lap of the race one of the tie rod brackets broke on the left
upper ball joint of the car. We have no idea as to why. Kyle did not get hit nor did the piece show signs of fatigue.
As the say.. "stuff happens". Well I guess.
One more time we knew we had a great car and had something for the field. The lap times in the heat were the best of the field.
I guess we will have to wait and see. Tonight is not looking good. The weather for McKean is calling for 50% chance of rain
through tomorrow night. We will decide what to do later this AM.
Black Rock Cancelled for Us
Wayland NY 8/30- The show we were hoping to run at Black Rock has been cancelled. I spoke with Dean
Hoag the track owner and as he explained it the BRP Series has a fit. Dean runs the BRP cars on a weekly basis and the BRP
series said that their cars will NOT run if the Crates are even at the track.
The BRP cars run an engine that cost $10,000 to 20,000
to run up front. These engines to be rebuilt every year at a cost of $3000-5000. Our engines cost $3500-5500 and come
sealed from GM. Our engines not not need to be rebuilt every year. In fact last winter I spend $110. total on new valve springs.
We run a regular Late Model chassis. The BRP cars take a regular Late Model chassis, cut the front clip off and weld on a
regular 2x4 tubed front end. They also must run a 9" rear end. Both of these cost to install and really cost to maintain.
I
have timed both the BRP car and the Crates at the same tracks. I have found the lap times to be so close that you can't tell
the difference. So... I don't understand why anyone would want to run a BRP car??? There purse is the same or less then the
Crates as well. If some one can explain please send an e mail......
Wayland NY 8/30- The show we were hoping to run at Black Rock has been cancelled. I spoke with Dean
Hoag the track owner and as he explained it the BRP Series has a fit. Dean runs the BRP cars on a weekly basis and the BRP
series said that their cars will NOT run if the Crates are even at the track.
The BRP cars run an engine that cost $10,000 to 20,000
to run up front. These engines to be rebuilt every year at a cost of $3000-5000. Our engines cost $3500-5500 and come
sealed from GM. Our engines not not need to be rebuilt every year. In fact last winter I spend $110. total on new valve springs.
We run a regular Late Model chassis. The BRP cars take a regular Late Model chassis, cut the front clip off and weld on a
regular 2x4 tubed front end. They also must run a 9" rear end. Both of these cost to install and really cost to maintain.
I
have timed both the BRP car and the Crates at the same tracks. I have found the lap times to be so close that you can't tell
the difference. So... I don't understand why anyone would want to run a BRP car??? There purse is the same or less then the
Crates as well. If some one can explain please send an e mail......
Wayland NY 8/24- Last night was the end to the regular season at McKean County Raceway. One has to
wonder if it was the last race at the track excluding the September 26,27 big event. The talk since mid season is that money
was gone and they might not open next year. Time will tell.
Kyle won his qualifier in convincing fashion. The feature line up was determined by the point standings meaning Kyle was starting
third. On the opening laps Blair who was on the poll and Kyle took off from the field though the third place car was not far
behind. As the laps continued the gap between Kyle and third grew. Kyle's time were about the same as Blair's but not any
better. On lap 15 or so they started getting into lapped traffic. This was Kyle's chance to close that gap. The both made
it through the first couple cars OK. Then came the number 24 car who was all over the track and could not hold a line. Kyle
tried the low side but couldn't do it since the 24 shot down on Kyle pushing him almost into the in field. So Kyle set him
up to pass him on the high side going into turns one and two. Between these turns the 24 drove up into Kyle's drivers side
pushing the panel in and sending Kyle around. This was on lap 19 of 25. So back to the rear went Kyle, actually back to 14th.
In the closing laps Kyle headed toward the front finishing 7th.
This is not the finish we were looking for. When in comes to points, it probably dropped Kyle from 2nd to 4 or 5. I didn't
do the math but if Kyle had been able to win he would have been close to the point title but I'm not sure and I guess at this
point it doesn't mater. Now my commentary..... lap traffic is a part of racing that is a given. I can recall many races where
Kyle was taken out by lapped cars. A couple that come to mind... Rolling Wheels, Patriot race, lap 10 of 20, Kyle was leading
by a straightaway, putting a lap on the 10th place car when the 9th place car spun out collecting Kyle. Another one was coming
to the checkered flag in a micro sprint, leading the race and a lapped car pushes up into Kyle's line blocking him off
turn four. He ended up second that night. Then there was the time in karts at Syracuse that on the last lap another kart cut
down on Kyle in turn three. Kyle ended up flipping and as he lay on the ground he could look up at the checkered flap waving.
There
has also been times that the lapped cars have helped. Like I said they are a part of racing. My only wish is that drivers
would think. If you are being given the move over flag then do it. Hold a line and let the lead cars go by. Seems simple and
it is called respect for others... people and equipment.
Updates to follow in the next few days. Next and last race of the year will be the September Fastrak Regional race at McKean.
Please note the October race at Black Rock will not happen. Read about it later.
Makup-
2nd; Regular 8th
Wayland NY 8/17- What a long day it was, not just the racing but the travel. We left Wayland
around 11:30 AM and we arrived back in Wayland this morning around 3:30. It brought back memories of sprint car touring.
We fought a tight condition all night. In
hot laps Kyle was fast but the track was smooth. During the first feature the track developed ruts which in turn made the
car tight when it was going through them. Well this condition continued to get worse throughout the night. As Kyle said later
"we were one step behind the changes." That about sums it up. Even though 2nd is something to feel good about we
knew we could have done better.
In the regular show Kyle finished second in the heat. He started 4th in the feature but was turned on a lap 9 restart in turn
two. If Our car was working a little better this might not have happen because he could have pulled away from them. Anyway...
to the back of the full field of car. The drive was on to get back to the front. We saw some real racing out of Kyle at that
point passing cars on the high side or low even with a car that wasn't what it should have been. Kyle crossed the line in
8th. I guess that when you get a top ten finish on your worse night things aren't to bad.
Up next... season finals at McKean this Saturday
night. Hardly seems possible.
A 6th Place Finish
Wayland NY8/1- Kyle came home with a sixth place finish last night which wasn't bad considering
where he started. The original start had Kyle11th, but (you knew there was going to be a but), on the start coming out of
four there were several cars checking up including Kyle. Unfortunately the car behind Kyle didn't and Kyle ended up spun around...
so to the back he went restarting in 19th. Coming from19th to 6th was a great job. The track was anything but good since the
Limited Late Models were there and the extra horsepower tore up the track. We will take the spot and move on.
Next up is Mercer for the rain-out from a
few weeks ago. We hope to take in the double features on the 16th at Mercer then go to Tri City on Sunday night before heading
home.
(I had Kyle 5th across the line but after 3
days the offical posing is out and they show Kyle 6th)
A Night to Forget
Wayland NY-7/20- The toughest part about the high of winning is that it does end and a low
sets in. The low of our late model racing was last night. Kyle started his heat race in third. On the very first lap the on
the back straight away the 14 car appeared to loss control or something and literally drove down across the right front of
our car... on the straight away no less. I do have an in car video of it so there is no doubt about the incident. The
entire right front suspension was damaged. We had to replace the lower control arm, tie rod, and spindle. Thanks very much
to Bob Close for getting the parts for us. I have to say a very big thank you to John Lacki as well. John is the best. John
and Kyle we under the car putting it back together as the feature was being called up. John was just not going without Kyle
and that is all there was to it. As John got in his car he made sure Kyle was getting in his. John is why I've always said
that I've met some of the nicest people at the tracks. John..... thank you very, very much. Thank you crew guy as well since
I didn't catch his name. Tom Taber needs a big thank you as well. Tom was leaving for vacation after the race.... I hope he
was able to find a shower to get the dirt off. Thanks Tom.
Kyle was able to start the feature from the back and worked his was into the top ten. On a lap 8 -10 restart he took the high
side into turn 1 to get past a few cars that had been holding him up. Apparently a chuck of debre got up into the fan belt
which runs the power-steering as well as the water pump, knocking it off. A lap later Kyle was pit side with an
over heating car. Like he said "I can drive it without the power-steering but I couldn't do anything with the overheating."
So...
we have a few weeks to regroup, make fixes, and get ready for Mercer on August 16. A few weeks ago I picked up a small camera
to put in the car. Finally figured out how to work it. Now I need to figure out how to get the clips onto the site.... next....