News & Columns

August 2005

On July 1st. The BCRA Vintage made the short tow to Sacramento Raceway to join the BCRA Midget-Lites for a great night of Vintage Exhibition Racing and fun. This was the first return to Sacramento for the BCRA Vintage midgets in several years. The track was in great condition and was tacky all night. The weather was the first real hot date so far this season. It was reported to be 101 in the shade and there was no shade in the track infield except for a few small umbrellas.

The Vintage car count (eight cars) was great but our track time was cut short due to their 10:00 P.M. curfew and couple red flags during the night’s program. The Vintage still had plenty of track time and the fans seemed to enjoy seeing the old cars and old drivers having fun.

Just the week before, my car was in the Stu Donaldson Hospital for major Valve repairs. I had not planned to have a car for the Sacramento date. Stu called on Thursday and said bring your hood and your new dirt tires to Sacramento. He and his good neighbor Joe Miller had completed the repair on my car and he was bringing it to Sacramento for the show. What a surprise and man was I happy! This was the best that "ole 47" has run in several years.

Back on June first Rosemarie and I went to visit Frank & Kay Goularte in Brentwood for a day or so before we all left for the June 4th date at Lakeport. While there I asked Frank if he would build me a push bar for my truck some day. About two days later I had one of the neatest and strongest push bar ever made by man. Frank Goularte and Stu Donaldson were cast from the same mold. Anytime a friend asks for help they are both there as long as you need their help.

Both Stu and Frank had birthdays on Friday July 8th. They are both just a little more senior than they were on the Thursday before. Happy Birthday guys from all the BCRA Vintage members. If any other Vintage members have had a birthday or is going to have one please let me know so I can acknowledge (embarrass) you too.

The BCRA Vintage is invited to Roseville Speedway on the 16th. to celebrate Fiftieth Birthday of the Speedway. Each will have one lap on the track under power and then park in the infield. After all the classes of Vintage racecars are in the infield the fans are invited down to meet the drivers and see the racecars up close. I will give full report next month on the event.

If ever Vintage member is not receiving his or her BCRA Newsletter give me a call and I will put one in the mail asap. I always have one or two extra just for that reason.

See ya at the BCRA Hall of Fame Picnic on July 30th at Twin Cities Raceway in Marysville.

Pete