Fubar, continued from page 2
rubber able to run anywhere on the track and pass others with worn tires at will. Cars got out of sequence on pit stops after an early yellow, and there was passing and lead swaps galore. Tire management was crucial, and the driver able to conserve his rubber early was fastest as the sessions wore on. Another contrast to the jam packed Daytona stands (where hundreds of fans went looking for tickets) were the possibly 3/4s full stands at the Rock. Perhaps the weather discouraged fans from driving deep into the rural Carolina countryside, and fog forced us to divert about 30 miles up the road to Southern Pines. But after a brief morning shower the sun came out and stayed until after the checker.
A long tow then faced the teams who had 4 short days to get all the way out to the Nevada desert. The three year old Vegas track sits about 10 miles north of downtown, but still close to the glittering casinos. Local traffic flow has improved in the past year, as we left our hotel before 7:00 remembering last year’s 2-3 hour bumper to bumper jam, but whisked out to the track in a bit over 30 minutes. Weather was definitely a factor, as a mid morning shower coupled with strong winds heralded the arrival of a storm system from the west. The track was dried in time for the 11:30 start, but as we watched from a railing high above the track, the wind made the high 40s damp feel about 25 degrees colder. Maybe it was the wind or something about the mile and a half moderately banked oval, but here again the cars didn’t seem happy running very close together. The field strung out quickly, and about 30 minutes into the proceeding
light drizzle initially brought out yellow and then red flags, as fans huddled out of the wind for warmth. After about 20 minutes the race was re-started, but dark clouds loomed to the west, and just after Jeff Burton slipped by Mark Martin with Tony Stewart in tow the rain began again. The race was just past half distance, and this time it didn’t look like the weather would improve. We joined a large crowd heading for the parking lot, and although it took over an hour to get back to the airport, just before we got to the plane they announced over the radio the race was officially over. More griping ensued, and now the Chevies will get an aerodynamic improvement starting at Atlanta, but the next race I attend in person won’t be until Texas or later.
My thanks to Brainerd’s Rick Iverson, who tipped me off on the Formula Ford Underground website. It features a lively discussion on rules, tires and parts plus a want-ad section, and has already had frequent contributions from Dave Hopple along with other local drivers. The address is a bit complicated but can be accessed through the SCCA.org site even by a computer illiterate such as I. I will now attempt for the second time to E-mail this to Lynn Anderson (the first time I lost the whole file). I join the rest of the club in congratulating Lynn and Lois Bjelke for their recognition and award winning efforts at THE TONNEAU.
The Tonneau is the official publication of the Land O’ Lakes Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Land O’ Lakes Region, its members, officials, or board of directors. Letters to the editor are always welcome. The Tonneau staff reserves the right to edit letters for length.
Editorial staff
Editor 'N Chief
Lois Bjelke
251 16th Avenue NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
Home: (651) 633-7096
Email: testarossa@visi.com
Fax: (651) 635-9473 8am-5pm
Assoc. Editor & Publisher
Lynn Anderson
5312 Shoreview Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Home: (612) 724-9302
Email: Kellison-FV@juno.comTonneau On-Line Publisher
Tom Fisk
947 23rd Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Home: (507) 281-2678
Email: tomfisk@home.com
Contributing Editors:
Greg Youngdahl
Tony (FUBAR) Foster
Bill Medcaff
Tom FiskAdvertising Manager:
Norm Johnson
1705 Stevens Ave. so #103
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 870-9503
Email: NJjohnson@EEAEngineers.comFor commercial advertising rates, please call Norm Johnson.
Classified ads for LOL members are free. Non-members pay $5 for each month. Classified ads run for one month. If you want to place an AD-LIB or if you want your ad renewed, please call Lois Bjelke, (651)633-7096 or Email: testarossa@visi.com
Tonneau On-Line April 2000
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Copyright 2000, Land O'Lakes Region Last revised: March 13, 2003
