The lights are on late these nights in the garages and shops of the BCRA car owners as they prepare for the 2002 season. Even in these times of economic downturns, BCRA goes into the new season quite optimistic.

It is expected that all three divisions will realize an increase in competitors with new owners and drivers signing on.

In the midget division among the new members are Desi Bray, son of Vintage Division Coordinator Pete Bray. Desi purchased the Arata Bros. Pontiac/Stewart in which Chuck Gurney won four main events in 2000. This will mark his first ventures in the cockpit since his sprint car days ten years ago. Also from the sprint car  ranks will be Don O'Keefe with his recently acquired Fontana/Stealth formerly campaigned by Bill Montgomery with Scott Clark winning several features. O'Keefe has put his Silver Crown car up for sale.

The most recent move from the sprinters is 2000 Antioch Speedway All Pro Spec. Sprint Car driving champion Travis Berryhill who will drive for former midget lite campaigner Jeff Trout. Trout will have a Gaerte/Ellis for dirt and a Gaerte/Beast for pavement ready for Berryhill. Trout may also have a backup car for pavement.

One of the midget lite division's most accomplished and popular drivers A.J. Martin came out at the last pavement race last season and looked exceptionally good, He will campaign the full midget season. Also from the lite division will be veteran Cameron Beard who made the last three races in 2001.

Last season Frank Guerrini Jr. brought out his beautiful Scat V4/Stealth dirt car. For 2002 Frank has added a Stealth pavement machine for driver Rob Russell. The Lindsey clan, dad Joe, son Barry and Joe's veteran brother Bill, will add yet another car and driver to the roster, that of Joe's son Rob. Former sprinter Jim Booth will have his Pontiac/Ellis ready for the season.

In a surprising turn of events, Dallen McKenney will drive the Bill Ferrari Pontiac/S&S at the pavement shows, although McKenney is obligated to run all of the USAC dirt shows in his own car. Filling in on several BCRA pavement shows that conflict with USAC dirt venues will be veteran Sterling Pratz. Pratz was without a ride last season and competed at times in the midget lite division. Ferrari is having noted craftsman Bill Silviera prepare a four-coil over car for the asphalt.

In the midget Division-2, long-time member Mike Mosekian hopes to have a Chevy-II ready. Rumors have it that several other new midgets entries will make the 2002 roster.

For the midget lite division I have not received much in the way of specifics, but judging by the new owner and driver membership list, a number of first-time lite entries should be expected. Among the new owners and drivers will be Bob Filippi Jr. and Richard Ogden.

Kevin Hunter will return after running just a bit at the end of the season. Former midget driver Scott Clark, having run a bit last season, will have a new Bill Montgomery lite ready for the full season.

The vintage division too is expected to increase.  Midget lite hotshoe Don VanDyke won top honors at the 17th Annual Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma. Don drove a brand new 1137cc Honda powered ART in the first outing for the 1200 class at the oval that proceeded the Chili Bowl run there the following week. A pair of cars were entered by dad Harley VanDyke with Grass Valley's Brad Sweet handing the driving chores in the second Honda. Don won the second heat race with Sweet second. Starting the feature in the second row, he inherited the lead on the second lap when the leader spun. Don then held off the top mini-sprint/midget lite driver in the country.

In the 16th Annual Chili Bowl itself, the BCRA entries were absent from the final Saturday night feature after three previous nights of heats, semis and mains involving 173 entries. The best result came from BCRA champion Floyd Alvis who made one of the final night's B-Mains, but was unable to transfer. Alvis was in good company finishing the semi just behind Sammy Swindell and Jack Hewitt.

One of the endearing monikers for the midgets is "Mighty Midgets". Although not a term used much in present day racing, BCRA's Bill King has brought it back by way of a license plate frame. At the top is "BCRA" with "Mighty Midgets" on the bottom panel. Bill also had plates made with "Vintage Midgets" at the bottom. He will have them for sale at the races. Spectators wishing to purchase one can spot Bill on his "Bill's Taxi" 4-wheel Odyssey style vehicle that he uses to push midgets and vintage cars into position for the regular pushoff. He also has BCRA key fobs available.

Inquiries have been made as to the legality of the Honda S2000 engine for use in midgets. Stock, this powerplant puts out 250 hp at 8500 rpm and is two inches within the legal limits for such an engine. Modified and using menthol alcohol, this could be a relatively inexpensive powerplant. We've also had inquiries as to the legality of the new Ford Focus midget engine that USAC is adapting into a single engine format division that will run a number of USAC races this season. The Focus is legal in BCRA, although at 185 hp it would lend itself more to BCRA's Division-2.

MIDGET LITE SCHEDULE: The division is still awaiting John Soares Jr's return from Australia to finalize the lite schedule. Firm races include Placerville on April 13 and 20, May 18, June 22, July 13, and August 31 for six events. Marysville's Twin Cities Speedway is inked in on May 4, June 29, July 27, and August 17 for four shows. Chowchilla has one date, September 28, when BCRA will run all three divisions and the midgets will compete in the Johnny Boyd 100. There are eight tentative dates at Antioch and Petaluma.

Fans from the 1960's will remember midget driver Roland Lokmor who ran with BCRA from 1961-1967. Continuing the Lokmor heritage is grandson Brian, who currently runs a spec sprinter at Antioch. Brian's father Mike also gave driving a shot some years ago. Mike now wrenches for Brian on the sprinter. We cannot look forward to having Brian in the midget ranks. At a rather massive 6-foot, 8-inches, it is doubtful that he could fit into any midget. Unfortunately, his grandad Roland passed away five years ago from cancer, but had run in the NCMA modified ranks until several years before his death.