Motorsports Thread

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Anybody interested?

Drag, Local Roundy Round, NASCAR, whatever . .

The paper seldom, if ever, reports about much involving Motorsports, although usually NASCAR gets a blurb on Sunday morning . . not about anything that happened Saturday, but about what might happen Sunday . . And NEVER reports on NHRA or any other National Drag Racing events unless there's blood and guts evident.

I have noticed a little more ink about Beacon Hill Racing, although it's mostly about personalities and little reporting the whole event . . unless they post a "Box Score" . . which in itself would be great, if they were consistent . .

It's kinda Odd, because Tracy Renck is a capable writer, and was brought up around a father that would get in anything and drive it WFO even if it was on fire! But even he, most of the time, seems like he would rather write about anything involving a Ball than a ball bearing . . .

And . . Let's keep the local politics out of this one . . just about the sport and people in it . .

Y'think?

[Loren Swelk]

Saw Lee Beard at Bandimere a couple of weeks ago. That is sure a "local boy makes good" story. The Chieftain may have run an article on Lee several years ago, but of course I was not intelligent enough to save it.

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Yeah, I've known Lee for years, since he was about 15-16 or so . . He was a good student of Ed and Bob Renck (previously mentioned, Ed is Tracy's dad) who was , I believe, the first to field a Front Engined Top Fuel Dragster from Pueblo . . wayyy back when . . and Lee was a "gopher" for Ed and Bob for several years . . Paid his dues, and has stayed with it . . one of the "Brain Trusts" in NHRA Top Fuel Racing today . .

[Loren Swelk]

Here is one of Ed Renck, from my scrapbook

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Yeah, and he's still a "Piece of Work" . .

They're finishing putting the "paperweight" (The Bonneville roadster) together and firing it this morning . . Speed Week is coming up fast . . They're running it as a B/GR this year, I think . . Lettered crew names on th' trunk lid, but never asked . . Bobby Hull (the ace fabricator, who welded it all together) said something about the class change from B/FR . . First year they went out, the record was kind of soft, but Ed Stuck blew it (the class record) out of the water and it's been a tough record ever since . . B Gas Roadster is a little easier . . if there is an "Easy" class out there . .

Incidentally, that's their "Roy" Car, a "SPE" chassis, Tom Hanna Tin and Tony Nancy upholstery, with a Renck built 392. Tommy Stratton painted and lettered it. It was the last T/F car they had, as Ed went to a rear engined Alcohol car, then raised a pair of twins and Bob retired for several years and eventually got into Modifieds on Dirt . . Partnered with Jerry Robertson (driver) and was pretty successful in the Denver and East series . .

And then, if Bonneville and the salt wasn't enough, ole Ed drives a "Formula Ford" road racer . . and of course has his street rods and the Merc . . Don't get in the Black Deuce Roadster with him unless you have your nuts screwed on tight . . Yeah, he's a piece of work . . Neat guy though!

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TODAY . . .

Kyle Busch . . . ?

Like him or not . . he's a hell of a driver . . !

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How about this?

Alan Johnson has announced that he won't be back with Schumacher Racing next year . .

He will field his own team, funded by support from the country of Qatar . .

Cubic Dollars rule!

And Drag Racing has made a major step . . .

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More . .

Looks like the theory that 1000' racing's easier on motors has been proven wrong . . Looks like the Fourth of July from the 660' mark on . . Both the long engine stands and Fuel Coupes . . bangin' em hard too!

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Incidentally, Pueblo Motorsports Park's Team went to the BracketNationals at Bandimere's and won the Team Title . .

Good job to Darrel, Jay and Erlene . . AND THE TEAM!

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RIP, Paul . . a good man, a dedicated racer . .

[Maninbox]

I have a few friends that race up at Bandimere. One friend actually was involved with the show "Pink's" a few months ago. I use to have a 90' Mustang 5.0. I loved that car, but when gas went through the roof and I was working 70 hr weeks, I got rid of it. I could never find the time to enjoy it.

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Serious racing, no matter whether roundy round or Drag (and most others) is a full time job, usually making your real job almost an avocation that makes money to support the racing . . Goofy as that sounds . .