WEATHER IN SOUTHLAND MUCH IMPROVED FOR RACING.

The weekend was bright and sunny as many race teams are putting the finishing touches on their equipment before the opener coming next week at Perris. Imagine what the race shops must look like everywhere with some new cars, many old cars refreshed, and parts and tires all poised for the new season.

Word from the USAC/CRA camp comes the name of the new Chief Steward for the Southern California start-up club. This important position has been filled by Russell Bliss. Russell is not a stranger to race official work as he held similar positions with Perris, Irwindale and Victorville the past few years. He will have some USAC help as National Chief Steward, Bill Cary, will be out to help train and get Russell settled in to the new position. Bob Pool, the local Western Midget and Sprint car Steward, will be here to help as well. Russell has been on the mechanic side of the fence working on many different cars over the years and doing some other promo work, all proving his desire to be involved in the local racing scene. Russell’s wife Teri will be assisting in registration as the club opens on Saturday at the PAS. Chris Morgan, newly appointed So Cal coordinator for USAC/CRA will also assist the startup learning curve. Most of the USAC staff will be out from Indiana to be heavily involved in the opener and help make things get off to a good start. There have been 34 cars registered with the new club already, but there will be a registration table set up for those who haven’t joined yet.

Nothing new from SCRA hit my ears this week, but their opener is coming April 3rd at Tulare. Hopes for the new Antelope Valley track progress to have it ready soon, but no date set for completion and no schedule adds or changes yet.

A little trivia question for you this week since I missed the WOO show at Perris. Where did Buster Venard win his first trophy dash and main event? Answer next week, but think hard, it is not obvious.

I spent the day assisting Sharon Baker SR in taking off all the old decals on my motorhome in preparation for some racing graphics to be applied in the near future. My thanks to Sharon because his knowledge on how to do this properly probably saved me weeks of the heat gun pattern I already tried that was too work intensive and took too long.

Next week’s opener might be a problem for me if Mission Viejo wins again on Tuesday. That game is up near Valencia, so it will be a road trip in the afternoon thru the freeway parking traffic at 5 pm. The finals are next Saturday and I want to be there to watch them! Hopefully, they will win and then play real early in the 8 division final games that will be played that day at the Pond. Whatever, I be racing soon.