Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                           Volume # 25

                                             8/12/2010

             This weeks column is dedicated to the late Eric Koster

 

A little further down in this column, you’ll come across this – what follows.  To me, this exemplifies what Eric Koster was:

Also worth mentioning about that same car a tidbit on the side read something like this, Precisely designed, engineered, built and powered by Eric Koster, and how often in the modern era can one man say that. Must have been just an unbelievable mind and mechanic.”

 

Next:

I started this column on Monday, doing some research on the Internet, as usual.  As usual, dinner was at six O’clock.  And, as usual, we normally get a phone call or two, during dinner.  Monday was no exception.  It was approximately 6:15 when our phone rang.  I didn’t recognize the number of the calling party.  It was Peter Reynolds – better known to us in the racing world here in the Northeast as “Crackers”.  As soon as he said his name, I knew what, and who, the call was about, and, to be honest, I had been expecting it. He called me to tell me of the passing of Eric Koster.  Some of you might know the name - some might not.

I first knew of Eric quite a while ago when he raced at OCFS.  At the time, I suppose you’d say he was a “middle of the pack” runner.  Over time, to the best of my knowledge, he only won one Small Block feature at the track.

I got to know him quite a lot better when he took over the operations of Kneisel’s Speed and Sport, when he had a couple of places in the Middletown/Goshen area.  My son, Eric, worked for him.

After the closings of the Middletown/Goshen places of business, my son continued to work for him out in Clarks Summit, PA.  Why?  Well, in my son’s own words, he wanted to learn “from the best in the business”.  And, in a way, he did.

Koster had a Small Block – a tan colored # 62.  Once, when I was out in Clarks Summit, I gave the car a pretty good looking over.  What was of particular interest to me was the inside sheet metal – especially at the back of the car.  I questioned him about it, with my thinking that the way it was, it would be a deterrent as far as having the car go fast.  His response was “Tell you what, Tom, you know where you go into the pits at OC, to enter them, between the third and fourth turns?  Well, from that point on, into the first turn there will be hardly any cars passing me, and to be honest, I ain’t the best driver on the track, either”.  Well, to be honest, I really don’t recall him being passed on that section of the track, when driving that car, but I do know that at the Eastern States Weekend that year, Eric Koster managed to qualify that Small Block in the top 12, in the Big Block time trials.

There are quite a few out there that build dirt modifieds.  I can’t think of anyone that has the knowledge that Eric Koster had.  Hell, he had more in his little pinky than what most have in their heads, today.  From the very front of the front bumper to the very back of the rear bumper, Eric Koster could do anything on a car.  You name it, he could work on it, and in most cases, be better than anyone else, too.  I made mention of this to “Crackers” while on the phone.  Everything that Eric Koster knew was self-taught.

I can still recall a time I was at the shop in Clarks Summit and he showed me a photo in a magazine.  It was a photo from “Gasoline Alley” in Paterson, NJ – a photo of one of the machines in one of the places of business there – a photo that was taken many, many years ago.  He told me that when he goes there, he uses that machine today.

So now it is with a heavy heart that I continue on with this column.  We knew his time was short when my son talked with Eric on the phone within the last week, and we were informed that it was not in the best interest to plan on making a visit to see him. 

Knowing that you won’t mind, my column this week will be dedicated to Eric Koster, who on July 2nd, celebrated his 59th birthday.  Rest in peace, my friend.  Those racers up above are sure getting a winner!

 

Note #1:  At the end of my column will be his obituary.  But I did find this in a forum that I frequent:

 

“His ashes will be strapped into a Modified at OCFS this Saturday night for one last Feature!”

 

Note #2:  I found this on the Dirt Track Digest’s forum, what one person had to say about Eric:

Ive never met Mr. Koster but do have a simple but cool little story that we talk about to this day. We were in the pits at middletown in 2001 and we just happened to be watching Jimmy Hauser who showed up with a sweet looking car went out for hot laps,and pulled pitside and we witnessed the absolute fastest torsion bar change ever, lol, Eric was the man doing the changing and Im telling you Hauser was not off the track for 2 minutes. If any of you have pulled a bar out put a new one in and reset it to height it not exactly a 2 miute job. He makde it look like a routine tire change. lol. Also worth mentioning about that same car a tidbit on the side read something like this, Precisely designed, engineered, built and powered by Eric Koster, and how often in the modern era can one man say that. Must have been just an unbelievable mind and mechanic.”



And:

Note:  This originally was “First” in this week’s column.

The 358 Hard Clay Challenge race was held last Thursday at the Orange County Fair Speedway.  40 green flag laps with $10,000.00 gong to the winner, Jerry Higbie.  From what I could figure out, purse wise, the total posted purse came to $50,000.00.  If you qualified for the feature, you would get no less than $400.00.  Unfortunately, some advertised drivers didn’t come and in a way, I imagine that their fans didn’t come, either.  Well, I hate to say this, but those that didn’t come – you lost out on a real good show.

The track was in tip top shape and held up real well.  I figured that, what with only one class running and there not being too many laps run.  I’m not really one for time trials anymore.  In most cases, the fastest start up front and stay there.  It wasn’t necessarily so in the feature.  In the heats, yes.  A “re-draw” for starting positions among the top 12 from the heats did a little to spice up the show.

Was I disappointed in anything?  Yes, I was.  I did figure that with OCFS basically eliminated the 358 class for 2010, the car count would be down some, even with the big bucks on the line.  Thirty-seven cars ran in the group time trials.  Thirty-six ran in the heats.  I was hoping for a little more, car wise.

I was somewhat disappointed in the fan turn out, too.  Where I normally sit, in the ½ covered stands, it was quite a bit better than a normal Saturday night.  I don’t know how the covered stand was, count wise.  The drive-in was a little low, but I have to figure with the heat, and the drive in being in the sun until the sun sets, that might have kept some from going there.

Overall, it was one of the better races I’ve seen at OCFS in some time.

 

Plus:

 

In a little less than a month – on Sunday, September 5th, there will be a “Racing Expo” held at the Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ.  I had plans to attend, then they got squashed.  Now, it looks like I might be attending, after all.

There was some information about this show  and photos from “Back in the day” sent out via Facebook a few days ago.  Here’s a link to that:

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=127240140633682&pid=1050318&id=1594968996&prev=1&oid=127240140633682&fbid=1441867298745

 

Information about the Expo is in photo # 2.

 

 

Some of my thoughts:

 

Sticking with OCFS here.  Something I’d like to see for this up-coming Eastern States Weekend, in October, for the Small Block race – the same rules that were in effect for the Hard Clay Challenge.  And, instead of a “re-draw” or “heads-up” start for the top 6 or 12 in qualifying, how about a race of maybe 10 laps that would require a pit stop and a left rear tire change to set the top six or twelve as far as starting positions go?  Hey, it worked great quite a few years ago with the Big Blocks, that is until Doug Hoffman brought out a yellow.  Now, they use transponders, so, why not?  Could also work for the Big Blocks too.  As for the Sportsman – maybe not enough time on Saturday?

I threw this idea onto a forum I frequent, and the “pit stop” race was knocked down.  But they would like to see rules similar to what was for the Hard Clay Challenge – as far as Small Block engines go, and also maybe an “open” American Racer tire rule.

 

And I wonder, as long as OCFS is operating as an Independent track, why not make the Eastern States Weekend an ROC race – less the sail panels, maybe, on the big block modifieds?

 

Over these past two weeks, I was able to catch a little bit of the Asphalt Modified shows on Versus.  One thing I’ve noticed in these first two shows – the tracks are very narrow with hardly any room to make a clean pass.

 

 

Going back, in time:

Note:  Most of the following information was found here: 

http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html

 

Covering the days of August 5th to August 11th.

 

AUGUST 5
1936

Gordon Johncock ... Born ... Gordon Johncock was one of the premier drivers of Indy Cars for nearly three decades, winning the 1976 USAC National Championship, and claiming two wins in the Indy 500. A native of Hastings, Michigan, "Gordy" Johncock began his racing career in Midwestern modifieds and USAC sprint cars. While he was highly successful in the modifieds, he was something special in the sprint cars. Johncock set a world half-mile record at Winchester, Indiana in 1964, the same year he made his USAC Championship Trail debut on the one-mile dirt track in Springfield. Johncock ran Indy the first time in 1965, finishing fifth. His first major championship win came later that year at Milwaukee as he out-dueled A.J. Foyt for the victory. Johncock was fourth at Indy in 1966, and also finished fourth in the championship points. In an accident-marred, rain-shortened 1973 race, Johncock got his first Indianapolis 500 victory. With new sponsorship from STP, he also won at Phoenix and Trenton. The following year, he was third in the points, with wins at Milwaukee and Phoenix. Following a huge disappointment at Indy in 1975, in which he qualified 2nd and finished 31st, Johncock rebounded in 1976 to grab third place in the Indy 500, a race that propelled him to his first USAC national championship. Beginning in 1978, Johncock had a string of five consecutive Top Ten finishes that culminated with his second Indianapolis 500 victory in 1982. This time he beat Rick Mears by 16/100ths of a second, the closest finish ever at Indy at that time. After winning the 1983 season opener in Atlanta, Johncock suffered season-ending injuries in a crash at Michigan. 1984 was his last full season, and he announced his retirement in 1985. Missing it more than he had anticipated, Johncock came out of retirement briefly in 1987, but raced only twice in 1988 and three times in 1989, retiring for good in 1992. During his career, Johncock competed in 261 races, winning 25 times and earning 20 poles. His winnings amounted to well over $3 million.

1963

Craig Breedlove drove the "Spirit of America" on the Bonneville Salt Flats to a new Land Speed Record of 407.45 mph.

1969

Kenny Irwin, Jr. ... Born ... He was a NASCAR stock car driver. He had driven in all three major of forms of NASCAR and had two total victories. Before that, he raced in the United States Auto Club against Tony Stewart who was one of his fiercest rivals. He died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash during a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway.

 

AUGUST 6

2002

Jim Crawford... Died ... USAC/CART driver 1984 to 1995. Ran the Indy 500 eight times with a best finish of 6th in 1988.

 

 

AUGUST 7

1915

Ralph Mulford , in his Duesenberg, won the AAA sanctioned 300 Mile Des Moines Race on the 1 Mile Board Oval, Des Moines Speedway in Valley Junction, Iowa

1962

Don Davis ... Died ... USAC driver from the late 1950's to the early 1960's. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1960-1962 seasons with 15 starts, including the 1961 and 1962 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 8 times, with his two best finishes in 3rd at Trenton and in 4th at Indianapolis, both in 1962. He died in a sprint car crash in New Breman, OH.

 

AUGUST 8
1929

Jimmy Davies... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1940's - 1960's. He was the second man to win three USAC National Midget Championships. When Davies won the 100 mile AAA Championship race at Del Mar, California on November 6, 1949 - aged 20 years, 2 months, 29 days, he became the youngest driver to win a race in a major U.S. open wheel series, a record not broken until Marco Andretti won the IRL race at Sonoma, California in 2006. Davies raced AAA on a false birth certificate showing him older, (as did Troy Ruttman and Jim Rathmann), and was racing illegally. He ran the Indy 500 5 times with a best finish of 3rd in 1955. He died on June 11, 1966 aged 36 from injuries suffered in a midget crash at Santa Fe Speedway in Chicago. He was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1984

1953

Nigel Mansell... Born ... A British racing driver from England who won both the Formula One World Championship (1992) and CART World Series (1993). He is the only person in history to hold both titles simultaneously, and was the first person to win the CART title in his debut season.

 

AUGUST 9

1925

Len Sutton... Born ... Sutton became involved in auto racing after serving in the Navy during World War II. He spun out in the first corner on his first lap at a dirt track. Sutton won Oregon Racing Association championships in 1949, 1950, 1954, and 1955. He flipped his car to avoid cattle during the 1954 Carrera Panamericana road race (now Baja 1000). He was in a body cast for 4 months. He also won midget car racing championships in Portland before he headed east to become a national touring driver. He raced in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series from 1955 to 1965, with 76 career starts, 43 top ten finishes, and 3 victories. Sutton completed his rookie test for the Indianapolis 500 in 1956. He flipped his car while attempting 140 miles per hour for the 1957 Indianapolis 500. He slide upside down with his helmet scraping the asphalt for nearly 1000 feet. A report in the following day's Indianapolis News said "Sutton was at first believed dead by observers on the scene." His injuries included broken shoulder, serious abrasions on his back, and a fractured skull. He returned to Indianapolis the the following year and made his first start in the event. That year he finished 32nd after being eliminated in a multi-car accident during the first lap. He competed in the 500 six more times and had his best result in 1962. After starting the race 4th, he led 9 laps and finished second behind his teammate Rodger Ward. The next year, he set an unofficial Indianapolis Motor Speedway record when he went over 155 miles per hour during a tire test. Known for his versatility as a driver, Sutton also competed in roadsters, midgets, sprint cars, and stock cars. He finished 31st in the 1963 Daytona 500. Sutton decided to retire from driving during a 1965 race at Langhorne Speedway. Fellow competitor Mel Kenyon was severely burned in the race. After retiring from driving, Sutton went into broadcasting and was a member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network for many years. Sutton died at his home in Portland at age 81 after a long battle with cancer.

Note:  Len was a member of the Yahoo! Race History Group.  There is a “Len Sutton” rule with the group – whenever you send an e-mail, you post your name and where you’re from.

1963

It was on August 9, 1963, that our second daughter, Sandra Lucienne Avenengo was born.  It’s been a fast 47 years!

1975

Mark Donohue set an American closed-course speed record of 221.120 MPH at Talledega, Alabama, in a Porsche 917/30.

2000

Herb Thomas... Died ... A NASCAR pioneer who won the Grand National Racing (now Winston Cup) championship in 1951 and 1953; ranks 12th on the career victory list with 48 wins in 230 starts; won Southern 500 three times in the 1950s; inducted in International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994.

 

And, in 2010:  It's a boy for Gordon: From JeffGordon.com, "Announcing the arrival of Leo Benjamin, born to the proud parents Jeff Gordon & Ingred Vandebosch, August 9, 2010 at 8:52am, 7 lbs, 2oz, 19in."(8-9-2010)

 

 

AUGUST 10

1986

Tim Richmond won the NASCAR Winston Cup Bud at the Glen over Darrell Waltrip at the Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY.

 

AUGUST 11
1926

Frankie Schneider ... Born ... Schneider was a stock car, modified, midget, and sprint car racer. He had one NASCAR Grand National victory at Old Dominion Speedway in 1958. He also won the 1952 NASCAR modified title, where he may have scored at least 100 wins. Schneider began his career in 1947 by winning $70 for driving his street car to a seventh place at Flemington Speedway. Schneider is believed to have won at least 750 races in the next thirty years. He routinely raced eight races per week (in several classes). He reportedly scored at least 100 wins in 1958. Schneider won the Langhorne National Open, the country's most noted event for Sportsman and Modified racers, in 1954 and again in 1962. He scored his last feature win in 1977 at the 1/2-mile dirt track Nazareth Speedway.

 1991

Ernie Irvan won the NASCAR Winston Cup Bud at the Glen over Ricky Rudd at the Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY.

J. D. (John Delphus) McDuffie ... Died ... A NASCAR Series driver. He made his debut in 1963 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, finishing 12th out of 18 drivers. He went on to finish in the top ten in points twice in his career and won the pole position for the 1978 Delaware 500. He fielded his own team for most of his career. His underfunded efforts made him a fan favorite, especially as his career ran down and he only ran selected races. McDuffie was involved in an accident in the opening laps of the 1991 Bud at the Glen race at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Turning into turn 5, a brake failure resulted in the loss the right rear wheel on his car, at perhaps the worst place in racing to have such a failure. Unable to slow the car at all, and with an absence of a gravel trap, McDuffie skidded across the grass and slammed with tremendous velocity into the tire barrier outside the high speed right-hander. The force of the impact flipped the car and kept it airborne as Jimmy Means, also collected in the accident, crashed underneath him. Means was able to slow his car substantially before crashing and avoid injury, but the sheer violence of the J.D.'s impact with the tires made the impact unsurvivable for McDuffie. McDuffie's fatal wreck, and a serious injury to Tom Kendall six weeks earlier in the Camel Continental VIII, led to a new bus stop chicane shortly before Turn 5 to slow down cars entering the turn.

 

 

 

Racing on TV - http://www.racefantv.com/USTV.htm

 

Starting this week, I’ll let you go to the link, above, and see what’s on and when.

 

 

 

Track news – (for tracks in my area):

Accord:  http://www.accordspeedway.com/

This week:  Sportsman, Pro Stocks – Pure Stocks & ARDC Midgets

 

OCFS:  http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/

 

This week:  Modified Elimination Race – Northeast Vintage Modifieds - M/SP/PRO/PS/V

 

 

Bethel:  http://www.bethelmotorspeedway.com/BethelMotorSpeedway/Home_Page.html

 

This week:  Dirt Sportsman, Pro Stock, BMS Modified, Street Stock, 4 Cylinder, Legends and Bandoleros

 

 

OVRP – the dirt track:  http://www.oaklandvalleyspeedway.com/

 

This week:  Practice session on Friday night and Kart and Slingshot racing on Saturday.  No Bikes & Quads on Sunday.

 

 

 

Hamlin:  http://www.hamlinspeedway.com/

 

This week:  A regular show which consists of:  600 cc Wingless Micro's, 270 cc Winged Micro's, 600 cc Wingless (Rookies), 270 cc Winged (Rookies), Regular Slingshots, Super Slingers and Junior Slingshots

 

The History of the Sport:

NASCAR – some race fans of today more than likely are not aware that “Back in the day” NASCAR also sanctioned some open wheel races.  Yep, sure did -  Midgets and cars similar to the days “Indy” cars.  Back then, most of their races were held on the east coast.

Last week I covered the “Big Cars”

This week – some midget history

Along with the “Big Cars”, back in the 50’s, NASCAR also promoted midget racing.  Yes, it was all on the East Coast, with races held in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Delaware, Georgia and Maryland and the last race, on October 5th, in Asheville, North Carolina.

To the best of my thinking, a good portion of the NASCAR midget top five finishing positions for the years 1957, 1958 & 1959, were sent to me from John DaDalt, a noted racing photographer here in the Northeast.

 

In 1957, there were 31 races, starting out with four in Daytona Beach, in February, on February 10th.  After that it was up into New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, then into South Carolina, North Carolina, with the last race, on October 5th, in Asheville, North Carolina.

Some names, and feature winners:

Bob Tattersall, Curt Lehmann, Roger Bailey, Vernon Land, Jim Whitman, Steve Lyzak, Johnny Coy, Tommy Elliott and Bill Johnston.  Six of those races were won by Ford powered midgets, while the Offies won the other 25.  They ran on both paved and dirt tracks, with ¼ mile tracks being the most they ran on.

In 1958, they started out in Hallandale, Florida on February 8th.  After that it was Daytona Beach, Asheville, N.C. Atlanta, Columbia, S.C., Richmond then up into New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey, to complete a 29-race schedule.

Feature winners:

Willie Wildhaber, Dwight Brown, Johnny Coy, Bob Tattersall, King Carpenter, Steve McGrath, Bob Day, Ed McVay and Tommy Elliott.

Eight of those races were won by Ford powered midgets, with Offies taking the rest.

In 1959, they ran in only two states – Florida and New York, with a 23-race schedule.  In Florida it was Orlando, Hollywood and Daytona Beach.  Feature winners there were Ed McVay, Johnny Coy, Barney Davis, Steve McGrath, Bob Tattersall and Bob Harkey.

Up in New York, they ran at the Polo Grounds on eight occasions, with the feature winners being Jim Whitman, King Carpenter, Johnny Coy (2), Tommy Elliott, Don Morris and Lou Fray (2).  At Islip, they ran six races and they were won by Steve McGrath, Lou Fray and Johnny Coy (4).  Tommy Elliott won a race at Riverhead, while Buddy Martin won in Rochester.  Rochester was the only dirt track.  Ford powered cars won four of the races.

Some names of other drivers that ran in those NASCAR midget races over those years:

Jim Florian, Bob Williams, Danny Frye, Ralph Ligouri, Jerry Kemp, Jim Shaffer, Shorty McAndrews, Al Bettinger, Steve Yanigan, Jack Duffy, Art Gottier, Danny Daniels, Al Graeber, Ed Hawkins, Larry McCloskey, Mel Jones, Willie Hunziker, Oren Snyder, Ed Flemke, Jim Packard, Dick King, Harry Kern, Bud Hoppe, Bob Miley, Walt Boyd, Vern Harriman, Hal Horan, Dorsey Truitt, Bill Shockley, George Tures, Eddie Wendt, Bob Day, Howie Marotti, Tom Saunders, Lou Johnson, Jackie McLaughlin, Bill Chennault, Herb Moak, Joe Lacy and Johnny Mann

 

 

 

Former Dirt Oval (Oakland Valley Speedway) runners:

In the 358 Hard Clay Challenge race last Thursday, Michael Storms was 8th and Danny Creeden 11th.  John Lodini and Matt Hitchcock were both DNQ’s.

Kyle Armstrong was 7th, Kolby Schroder 8th and Alex Bell 18th in the Sportsman feature at Lebanon Valley.  In the Budget Sportsman feature, Bobby Hackell, III (or is it IV?) was 2nd.

Billy VanInwegen was 14th in the Modified feature and Corey Ziegler 12th in the Sportsman feature at Penn Can.

At Big Diamond, Mike Mammana was 6th in the Sportsman feature.

Davie Franek was 3rd in the 358 Sprint Car feature at Selinsgrove.

At Utica Rome, AJ Filbeck was 8th in the Sportsman feature

Tiffany Wambold was 11th at Kutztown in the 270 Micro Sprint feature.

At Wyalusing, Jacob Hendershot won the make up 270 Micro feature and was 3rd in the nights regular feature for the 270’s.

Cori Tufano had a 4th place finish at Whip City in the 270 Sportsman Micro Sprints.

At Stafford, David Webb was 6th in the SK Light Modified feature.

Nick Pecko had a 16th place finish in the Modified feature at Sundance Vacations Speedway.

At OCFS, in the Modified feature, Tim Hindley was 1st, Danny Creeden 11th, Billy VanInwegen 15th, Mike Ruggiero 16th, while Clinton Mills was a DNQ.  In the Sportsman feature, Matt Hitchcock was 1st, John Lodini 3rd, Keith Still 5th, Joe Conklin 6th, Matt Janiak 8th, Brian Krummel 9th, Doc Young 20th and Zack Vavricka 22nd.

At Accord, in the Modified feature, Greg Hastie was 12th, Jimmy Johnson 17th, Clinton Mills 21st and Tom Hindley 23rd.  Danny Creeden is shown as a DQ.  IN the Sportsman Feature, Brad Szulewski won his first ever feature in the Sporstman class, followed by Brian Krummel 2nd, Mike Ruggiero 13th, Anthony Perrego 14th and Kyle Armstrong 19th.  In the Spec Sportsman feature, Kyle Rohner was 3rd, RJ Smykla 4th and Kayla Smykla 16th.

Johnny Guarino was 4th in the Modified feature at New Egypt.

As for Michael Storms, he was 7th at Utica/Rome, 6th at Brewerton, 7th at Fulton, then a 20th at Brewerton and a 23rd at Fulton

At Penn Can this past Tuesday, in the ROC Modified race, Danny Creeden was 24th, while Billy VanInwegen was a DNQ.  In the 602 Crate Sportsman race, Kyle Rohner was 6th and Anthony Perrego 8th.

 

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

While checking out the Track Forum, I came across an interesting article about NASCAR.

Economic Slowdown Catches Up With Nascar

In part:  After years of jam-packed races, sky-high television ratings and record merchandise sales, Nascar has seen attendance at nearly every track slip this year as recession-weary fans continue to cut costs.”

“Some in the sport say that the family dynasty that controls Nascar is also to blame for its recent woes.”

More can be seen if you go here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/09/sports/autoracing/09nascar.html?_r=1&hp

And, from Jayski’s website:

Hearing that the deal with Robby Gordon Motorsports and Beth Ann Morganthau / BAM Racing is no longer in place, and that RGM is in the process of taking legal action against BAM and former sponsor Warner Bros for lack of payment and breach of contract.”

And:

Kahne to Red Bull in 2011

In part:  “Red Bull Racing has emerged as the likely place for Kasey Kahne in the 2011 Sprint Cup season, the Observer and ThatsRacin.com have learned. Under a proposed arrangement, Kahne would drive one of Red Bull Racing's Toyota's next season as he waits to take over Hendrick's #5 Chevy in 2012, sources close to the situation confirmed Sunday.”

“Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has completed a deal to put Kasey Kahne in a Red Bull Racing Toyota in 2011, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.”

“Kasey Kahne will drive a Red Bull Racing Team Toyota in 2011, the team announced. "We were fortunate to have the opportunity to hire a very talented driver for the 2011 season and we took it," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing Team Vice President and General Manager. "This is a unique situation that doesn't happen every day. Kasey is a perfect fit for our company, team and Red Bull."

“Statement from Rick Hendrick: "Kasey is going to a competitive organization that made the Chase last season and has great leadership and resources," said Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Of everything we looked at, he and I agree it's the best opportunity for him to be successful in 2011, which was always our number-one priority. The process went on longer than any of us anticipated, but I'm glad that we took our time to make sure it was right. And although I'm not looking forward to racing against him next year, I'm comfortable knowing this is the best situation for Kasey." As announced in April, veteran Mark Martin will continue to drive Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Chevys in 2011. "We're looking forward to another year with Mark Martin, one of the true class acts in racing, driving for Hendrick Motorsports," Hendrick said. "There aren't many things in this world I'd rather do than win a championship with him, and that will be our goal with the #5 team for the rest of this year and in 2011."

 

 

 

Other forums/message boards and websites:

 

You might find some interesting reading if you go to the links below.

 

Track Forum: - http://www.trackforum.com/forums/

 

Frontstretch.com:  http://www.frontstretch.com/

Jayski: - http://www.jayski.com/

Open Wheel Racers3:  http://www.openwheelracers3.com/

Race Pro Weekly:  http://raceproweekly.com/

 

Other sports:

Jets' Ryan offers plan to settle Revis holdout

In Part:

The brash New York Jets coach has come up with a game plan to get holdout cornerback Darrelle Revis back on the field. And, everyone in the organization is invited.

"We'll call off practice," Ryan said Wednesday. "We'll have our whole team there and meet. That way there's no, 'he said, she said' or whatever. Just get the thing done, and let's work it out that way."

The All-Pro cornerback has missed 11 days, including Wednesday, since the team reported for training camp at SUNY Cortland. He's scheduled to make $1 million in the fourth year of his six-year rookie deal, but wants to become the league's highest-paid cornerback.”

“Revis is being fined $16,523 for each day he misses, meaning he is already out $181,753. By sitting out, he also waived a clause in his contract which would have guaranteed him $20 million over the last two years of his deal. Also, by not reporting by Aug. 10, Revis will not get credit for this year as an accrued season toward free agency.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100811/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_jets_ryan_s_revis_plan

Note:  What I’d like to know is why even have contracts if this kind of sh*t can happen?  As far as I’m concerned, you signed a contract – ABIDE BY IT.

 

Video time:

How about some racecar crashes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce7OyXQVrEU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

 

Other (non racing) news:

German mosque used by Sept. 11 attackers shut down

In part:  BERLIN – A small Hamburg mosque once frequented by Sept. 11 attackers was shut down and searched Monday because German authorities believed the prayer house was again being used as a meeting point for Islamic radicals.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100809/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_mosque_closed

Note # 1:  And still our elected politicians and others want a mosque close by where the World Trade Center was?  And, as the mayor of NYC said – “I don’t care where the money comes from for it”.  Unbelievable!

Note # 2:  It was said on the news on Tuesday evening, that they might move the location of this new mosque, in New York.

And:

Oiled crabs stoke fears spill is tainting food web

In part:  “To assess how heavy a blow the BP oil spill has dealt the Gulf of Mexico, researchers are closely watching a staple of the seafood industry and primary indicator of the ecosystem's health: the blue crab.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gulf_oil_spill_blue_crabs

Plus: 

Florida AG proposes tougher illegal immigrant curbs

In part:  “Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on Wednesday proposed tougher curbs against illegal migrants in his melting-pot state which he said would go "one step further" than a similar contested Arizona law.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100811/ts_nm/us_usa_immigration_florida

 

Is this true?:

Got this in an e-mail on Tuesday.

Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart Every hour of every day.
 
This works out to $20,928 profit every minute! 
 
Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than
Target sells all year. 
 

Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined. 
 
Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private Employer, and most speak English. 
 
Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World. 
 
Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only 15 years. 
 
During this same period, 31 supermarket chains sought bankruptcy. 
 
Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world. 
 
Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the  USA  of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 Years ago. 
 
This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur At a Wal-Mart store. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.) 

90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart. 

You may think that I am complaining, but I am really laying the ground work for suggesting that MAYBE just MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to Fix the economy.

And, along with the above, there was this, below (in part), with a few of my interjections:

The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775.  You have had 234 years to get it right and it is almost BROKE.

Social Security was established in 1935.  You have had 74 years to get it right and it is almost BROKE. 

Fannie Mae was established in 1938.  You have had 71 years to get it right and it was BROKE. 

War on Poverty started in 1964.  You have had 45 years to get it right; yet trillions of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more. 

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965.  You have had 44 years to get it right and they are almost BROKE.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970.  You have had 39 years to get it right and it was almost BROKE.

The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before.  You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal FAILURE. 

You have FAILED in most every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars. 

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM??

Note:  I really do wonder – do our elected officials really have a clue as to how the American public really does feel about things, today?  You bet they do!  As an example – we have a “Village” in our county that does, in a sense, belong to one particular religious sect.  They seem to get, from New York State, most everything they ask or beg for, at the taxpayers expense.  Last week, when tow of our “politicians” that are running for governor of NY met with some people, they were asked about this particular “village” and all the things they get handed to them.  Neither one would give a direct answer.  Why?  VOTING BLOC.  It’s people like those politicians that should not get elected, really!
 

 

The obituary for Eric Koster:

Eric William Koster, 59, of Newton Twp., died Monday afternoon at home. His wife, the former Ann Kneisel, died in 2007.

Born in North Haledon, N.J., son of the late Erich Willi and Johanna Konrad Koster, Eric was known as a master fabricator, engine builder, driver and innovator of motorsports. His career started at Gasoline Alley in Paterson, N.J. In 1983, he came to Clarks Summit to work at Kneisel's Speed Sport. As chief engineer, he was responsible for car and engine development. In 1999 Old Dominion University's Research Foundation hired Eric as its director of motorsports operations and marketing for the Langley Full Scale Tunnel at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Eric laid the foundation for ODU to build and operate a rolling road wind tunnel in Southside Virginia. He made significant contributions to the vision for and development of the Virginia Motorsport Technology Park, bringing university research to the commercial sector. Eric found his work with the ODU students extremely rewarding, as he shared his enthusiasm and passion for the motorsports industry. He improved the quality of so many lives and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by two daughters, Lynn Hiza and husband, Robert, Clarks Summit; and Marcee Kneisel Adams and husband, Ed, Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Helen Calcines and Jane Draeger, both of New Jersey; five grandchildren, Elena Kneisel Bush and fiancé, Michael O'Connor; David Hiza and wife, Joyce; Jason Hiza and wife, Jennifer; Ashley Kneisel Bush and Mitchell Kneisel Davis; six great-grandchildren, Abigail and Morgan Hiza, Zackary Scott, Zachary Hoover and Kayleigh Hiza and Lila Ann; a niece, Elena Calcines Klarberg; a nephew, Joaquin "Jack" Calcines; and three great-nephews.

The family would like to thank Lisa, Jessica and Kristy from Diakon Hospice for their compassionate care, and would also like to thank Aunt Ronnie for her loving care in the past two months.

Eric's dear friends are invited to share in the celebration of his life, Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Ramada Inn, Routes 6 & 11, Clarks Summit. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Arrangements by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA.

For online condolences, visit www.lawrenceeyoung funeralhome.com.
Published in Scranton Times on August 11, 2010

 

Closing with these:

 

New Viruses on the loose!

 

AT&T virus:
Every three minutes it tells you what great service you are getting.

 

Oprah Winfrey virus:
Your 200MB hard drive suddenly shrinks to 80MB and then slowly expands back to 200MB.

 

MCI virus:
Every three minutes it reminds you that you're paying too much for the AT&T virus.

 

Politically Correct virus:
Never calls itself a "virus", but instead refers to itself as an "electronic microorganism."

Arnold Schwarzenegger virus:
Terminates and stays resident. It'll be back.

 

Government Economist virus:
Nothing works, but all your diagnostic software says everything is fine.

New World Order virus:
Probably harmless, but it makes a lot of people really mad just thinking about it.

Federal Bureaucrat virus:
Divides your hard disk into hundreds of little units, each of which does practically nothing, but all of which claim to be the most important part of your computer.

 

Texas virus:
Makes sure that it's bigger than any other file.

Adam and Eve virus:
Takes a couple of bytes out of your Apple.

Congressional virus:
The computer locks up, screen splits erratically with a message appearing on each half blaming the other side for the problem.

Airline virus:
You're in Dallas but your data is in Singapore.

 

Freudian virus:
Your computer becomes obsessed with marrying to its own motherboard.

Public Television virus:
Your programs stop every few minutes to ask for money.

Elvis virus:
Your computer gets fat, slow and lazy, then self destructs only to resurface at shopping malls and service stations across rural America.

Nike virus:
Just does it.

Congressional virus #2:
Runs every program on the hard drive simultaneously, but doesn't allow the user to accomplish anything.

Star Trek virus:
Invades your system in places where no virus has gone before.

Health Care virus:
Tests your system for a day, finds nothing wrong, and sends you a bill for $4,500.

 

 

May “Guardian Angels” sit on the shoulders of all of our race drivers and race fans, and guide them safely around the tracks!

Drive safe! 

As usual, you can reach me at:  ygordad@yahoo.com