I'll be the backmarker!

52

(7 replies, posted in Gallery Photos)

We would LOVE to see you back racing, Monte!

53

(7 replies, posted in Gallery Photos)

Thanks!

54

(2 replies, posted in Cars)

Fine with me, it's my fastest/best car....

Sounds good to me.

Doc, it's a little bit of #1 for me as well. I wish I had more time to "tinker" with my cars, but that's just me. A lot of classes means a lot of cars (I have a lot, but they're not really fit for many of the classes we run), and a lot of money to fit the upgraded parts that they need to be competitive. That's why mostly "box stock" appeals to me.

The old KISS saying applies.

The biggest issue for me is time and the drive. It takes a good 2+ hours to drive to Al's on a Thursday from my house, and the traffic is awful. I always have the intention to show up on Thursday, but when 3:00 rolls around (the time I usually have to leave to get to Al's by 5:30 or 6), either I'm involved in something at home, or I've forgotten to get ready to go, so just give up. But that's just my reason/excuse for not coming. I don't know what's preventing others—the past "usual suspects"—from showing up like they used to.

My old club in SoCal had all the classes run as described, which was basically "box stock" except for whatever performance parts the original manufacturer provided, such as enhanced tires. But that was it, so it made the racing less expensive for folks and just allowed for basic tuning which is pretty much within everybody's capability, and if not, pay Zack to tune for you! For those who really like to tinker, keep an "open" class for scratch-builds and things like 3D bodies and brass or 3D chassis.

It might encourage more folks to come out to race. I would have come tonight, but just got real busy at home.

59

(9 replies, posted in Events)

Agreed. It's hard enough preparing a car for a single class, let alone for all the ones we run. But does that answer the issue of non-attendance? I know for me, sometimes it's a bit tough making the drive to Portland with what I have to do here in Newberg (Airbnb guests, goats and sheep, etc.). We have the Airbnb blocked for the rest of the year, so that won't interfere. I hope to be racing again very soon!

60

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

Would easily have been two places up if you were there, Doc!

61

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

Monte, several of the racers from other teams (that we've had fun with before) mentioned that they missed seeing you there...

62

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

Also, we finished our heats on the slower 6-lane track, as opposed to the quick 8-laner. That was a huge factor in our less that stellar finish.

63

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

So the 24 hour race is over. The Oregon Donors/BC team finished in 6th place (out of 9), which was actually pretty good considering that we had teammates who had never run the track before. The team consisted of me (Stan), Darren, his son Damian, Ray (who has raced with us before), Jake (from Tualatin), and Alwyn (known as "SuperSlab" on the forums). Darren and Alwyn also raced for a team called "CanAm" that finished in 3rd place. The car (a silver BRM Ferrari 512) was prepared by Darren and another CanAm team member named Dwayne to a really splendid performance. We only had to change braids and tires once, so very few pit stops. For the most part, racing was pretty non-eventful as far as we were concerned; no "offs" to the floor or hard crashes, unlike what happened for other teams. We lost the exhaust detail from a rather tame rear-end, but that was the only real damage the car took.

Damian and Jake had never run the track before, and Damian had not run slot cars for "about 20 years" in his estimation, so their heats were not as successful as we might have hoped. Damian improved markedly over the 24 hours, and Jake was a bit overmatched, but did pretty well considering. We were, in fact, the only team whose performance improved in the second 12-hour session. Had we had a few more drivers of the skill of Darren or Alwyn, our results would have been much better. And if Chris had been able to attend, there's no doubt we would have finished higher.  All in all, an enjoyable time—but we'd love to see more Oregonians next year!

64

(9 replies, posted in Events)

It's a good idea, Mitch. Now that I'm back to my regular routine (no play rehearsals/productions), I can go back to racing. Aside from the Tacoma 24 hour race, I'll be ready to go back to odd Thursdays!

I've got play rehearsals on Thursdays. I'd love to be racing, but I also love acting, so....

66

(6 replies, posted in Events)

The play runs the last 2 weekends in October and the first weekend in November, so you should be out of quarantine by then. Hopefully, you and Chris are feeling better already!

67

(6 replies, posted in Events)

Once more (and the last time, I promise) a reminder that I'm doing a play in McMinnville at the Gallery Theater:


https://www.gallerytheater.org/and-then-there-were-none

68

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

The dates are good for me. My play is over the weekend before. Hey, it looks like 4 6-hour shifts for each of us...

69

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

As always, Chris, I'll be there, provided the date coincides with my availability.

70

(17 replies, posted in NASTE)

As always, Chris, I'll be there, provided the date coincides with my availability.

71

(2 replies, posted in NASTE)

Many thanks, Monte. It's a good cast; should be fun.

72

(2 replies, posted in NASTE)

None!

It's happened again; Stan's been bitten once more by the acting bug. He'll be appearing in the Gallery Theater's production of Agatha Christie's enduring mystery, "And Then There Were None" the last two weekends in October, and the first weekend in November, at the Gallery Theater in McMinnville.

Stan plays "General MacKenzie" in the production.

Showtimes, prices, and theater info here: https://www.gallerytheater.org/and-then-there-were-none

The Oregonian had a nice photo review of the Derby here: https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2022/ … tabor.html

I plan on being there, Chris. I would need a Large. Do you need help on any days prior to the 20th?

It even LOOKS fast! Scary fast!

Confucius say "Woman who fly upside down have crack up!"