BARONA GETS IN SOME PRACTICE TIME ON MEDIA DAY.

It was a frustrating day for the SCRA and CRA on Saturday as both clubs got rained out by a late arriving storm that made mud pies instead of racy dirt tracks. What was destined to be a defining weekend for Southern California racing, turned out to be a false start of sorts, but not for long. The resulting dew point experience makes April 24th the newest conflict date as Perris rescheduled their rainout for the next Saturday on an already scheduled USAC midget race day making it a double header. It falls on what was an open date for CRA and goes against the SCRA’s 2nd visit to Tulare.

There was a media day at Barona on Friday with some 15 or so sprinters scattered around the different finger like locations of the pits. The sprawling pit area has many little satellite parking areas, and on multiple levels, over terrain that is among many trees and boulders, making it one of the most scenic pits in the country. The only thing missing was a creek running nearby, like at North Vernon in Indiana, to make it even more countrified. A free fan day and $10 pit entrance brought out a small crowd of onlookers wanting to see the new venue for SCRA.

From my last visit here, it looked much the same, with some important changes. There were newly created parking spots for the bigger haulers that was lacking last time. There was a new safety fence complete with the top bent towards the track like most tracks, and more dirt on the track than before, I think. A lot of work has been done around the place, by many including some volunteers, yet the grandstands still need more seat room for anticipated crowds.

The beautiful evening was spent with plenty of practice for those in attendance. They included Mike Spencer, Rickie Gaunt, Charles Davis Jr, Mel Murphy, Jeremy Ellerston, Alex Pruitt, Mark Nation, Dennis Reeves, Randy Waitman, Seth Wilson, and a few more. The Moose # 92 car was waiting for Mike English, but he was back at the shop repairing a transmission and missed out. The day also allowed some lightning sprints plenty of practice also. The evening ended with a ten lap race with nine cars running in it, The front row starter, Charlie Davis, won the quickie exhibition and back row starter, teammate Rickie Gaunt, ran 2nd. The anticipated first 20-car, 30 lap feature will have to wait until the next SCRA appearance.

Check out my picture story on the media day by clicking here.

The cool clear star filled night ended with no hint of rain, but early in the morning the bucket brigade opened up from above and ruined the days fun for many. There was no way haulers could get in the pits on the muddy paths that went around the pits. Perhaps the Barona Casino had a racy day? At Perris, even though it is pretty flat, too much water fell in two hours to allow getting the rigs in so they could work it in. Some came, circled around in the mud, and left to find higher more solid ground to wait for the outcome. Perris really tried to get it in and waited until after 3 PM officially, to make the call. It was obvious earlier, when the rain continued to come down, that no racing could happen. It did clear up in the evening, but too late! A lot of money was wasted, both promotional and from racers and fans who traveled, so it is a shame. Not many rainouts in SO Cal, but it is curious that the only measurable rain in some time happened just in time to ruin everything, except at Ventura, which usually loses when moisture is anywhere in the area.

Last week Danny Sheridan won at Hanford again as success looks like it is coming to him. This week Chris Wakim won his first race of the year at Ventura in his new coil over car after struggling a little to this point. In the Midwest, John Scott was second at Gas City for his best USAC finish so far. Ooops, it was not a USAC race. Cory Kruseman was 6th and Jay Drake 18th.

Next week it’s back to basics as Perris hosts the CRA Sprint cars and USAC Midgets in the double header and SCRA travels up the 99 highway to Tulare. Till then, Ta Ta.