OSCAR NASCAR Race at Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway - November 14th

The annual OSCAR NASCAR Race at Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway is coming Saturday Novemeber 14th. I am dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of the OSCAR races! In my mind the OSCAR races have always been the premier races for hardbody cars held in Oregon. I was glad to add Inslot's Checkered Flag in Vancouver to the list of tracks considered as OSCAR host tracks.

I know there are racers that do not particularly care for the extended format of the traditional OSCAR races. I was once in that camp, and I agree that four rounds of racing four minute heats makes for a long day. With the split divisions for "A" and "B" mains it makes the day seem even longer. But I will also admit when I look back at the OSCAR races I have attended, those long hard races mean something to me! They are tough! Tough on me as a racer, and tough on my equipment! I've never won an OSCAR race, but I really feel like I've accomplished something if I manage to finish, and even more if I can beat somebody!

Years ago OSCAR races were normally attended by anywhere from 15 to 25 racers. In the last few years the attendance number has dropped by about fifty percent. Nine to fifteen racers is generally the norm. With that said, I have done the math on the time it takes to run an OSCAR race using the traditional A & B format as well as a straight round robin format with all the racers together. The time required to run the entire race is the same between the A & B format and the round robin format. Where the difference lies is in the racer's time spent turn marshalling, waiting for his turn to race. Typically A main racers turn marshal for the B main racers, and vice versa. It makes it seem like the turn marshalling stints are longer when you're sitting out one of the mains, but actually it is all equal. Each racer stills gets 64 minutes of on track racing time. As in the round robin format, the time spent not racing is usually spent turn marshalling. The other tradition racers may have negative opinions about is the pre-race qualifying. This is also OSCAR tradition and I will be observing that tradition for the November 14th race.

The climate in the group of Oregon hardbody racers has changed over the years. We have aged and there aren't as many of us that enjoy travelling out of town for races. But there are still a few old diehards, as well as a few new racers that enjoy the challenge. I know there are racers that do not like OSCAR races for one reason or another, and will not attend. That is fine, we are fortunate enough to have lots of racing in our area, featuring various tracks and types of cars. There are plenty of opportunities for all racers! I invite you all, veteran OSCAR racers and new racers as well, to come and enjoy a traditional OSCAR NASCAR race! I promise you it will be a long challenging day, highlighted by fun with good friends!