SMRA Inviting Diversity

by Gerald Laurie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Supermodified Racing Association is inviting owners of radical race cars to participate in their Western States Racing Series. The SMRA sanctions Supermodified Racing throughout the Western United States. The Association’s rule book has a couple of major changes from previous editions published by predecessor sanctioning groups SRL and WSSRL. The sections banning independent suspension have quietly vanished. In addition, the restrictions on engine placement have also disappeared  thereby inviting owners of rear engine machines to participate. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, there was a great diversity in the design of Supermodified Race Cars. Virtually anything was allowed. There were upright coupes, sprint cars, radical offset cars and rear engine designs all competing in the same series. The SMRA is looking to possibly bring back that diversity. The one thing that is banned by the new rules is four wheel drive.

 

In the early 1980’s, rear engine cars were banned and the norm became a 17 inch offset race car with 65% or more of its weight on the left side. In 1989, Ed Hyder brought out a car that was offset nearly 24 inches and carried as much as 72% left side weight. The Hyder and its copies became the norm for Western States Supermodified Racing. Since 2000, the weight percentage has been limited to 68% left side and the weight to cubic inch formula has favored a 410 cubic inch engine.

 

The new rules now allow any car that was legal prior to 2000 to run with SMRA and weights are standard above 360 cubic inches. The Weight rule now allows any car with an engine between 361 and 488 cubic inches (small blocks limited to 454, big blocks to 488) to compete as long as it weighs 1725 lbs after the feature race with driver and limits left side weight to 68%. Cars with less than 361 cubic inch engines can weigh as little as 1625 lbs after the feature. These specification limits include rear engine and independent suspension designs. Unusual designs coming on line after 2000 must be approved by the Association before they can compete. However, all of the older designs except four wheel drive are grandfathered in. Wing size is determined by left side weight percentage. More offset equals smaller wings.

 

There are quite a few older Supers sitting that could not compete with the earlier twenty first century rules. These cars are now eligible if the owners choose to race them. Of course, the technology has been advancing and current teams are very familiar with radical offset designs. But the opportunity is there to bring out an independent suspension or rear engine car and bolt on the latest tires and shocks and see if the perceived advantages that got the cars banned in the first place are still present. It would be very interesting to see a diverse smattering of race car designs darting and swooping around the paved ovals of the West. Hopefully, some ex racers and current collectors will take up the challenge and pull their vintage cars out of the barns, bolt on some new Hoosiers and try to kick some butt. Do we have any takers? I know the fans would be enthused.

Jeff Russell Bags Pombo Feature

By Gerald Laurie

 

The SMRA Supermodifieds joined with the Madera Speedway 360 Supermodifieds for an exciting five race event in the Annual Al Pombo Classic. Jeff Russell pulled off his third victory of the season, but only after a tremendous run at the front by fellow Idahoan Bryan Warf. More on that later.

 

The evening started with two lap time trials on the 1/3 mile banking. Kenny Kinchen posted fast time for the 360 Supers with a lap of 13.698 followed by Lance Tatro at 13.761, David Tuey at 13.807, Lance Jackson at 13.835, and Donnie Large at 13.972. Top SMRA qualifier was Troy Regier at 12.715 followed by Jeff Russell at 12.784, Bryan Warf at 12.951, Bobby Dalton at 13.238 and Whitey Janssen at 13.369.

 

The 360 Trophy Dash lined up with Donnie Large and Lance Jackson on the front row pursued by David Tuey and Kenny Kinchen. At the drop of the green flag, Large lead from the outside followed by Tuey, Jackson, and Kinchen. Jackson brought out the yellow on lap two with a spin in turn two. On the restart, Tuey and Kinchen soared around Large who was passed by Jackson a lap later. Tuey won the four lapper over Kinchen, Jackson, and Large.

 

The SMRA trophy dash featured Bryan Warf on the pole followed by Jeff Russell, Troy Regier and Bobby Dalton. Warf and Regier forged out front over Dalton and Russell who slowed dramatically with an engine misfire. Warf just pulled out a commanding lead in the short sprint and no one challenged for the lead. Finishing order was Warf, Regier, Dalton, and Russell.

 

The 360 Supermodified Heat lined up with Donnie Large on the pole with Lance Jackson, David Tuey, Kenny Kinchen, Lance Tatro, and Larry Hinz in pursuit. Large and Jackson went into turn one side by side with large pulling out the lead on the backstretch. Tuey got around Jackson in turn four and the lap one order was Large, Tuey, Jackson, Kinchen, and Tatro. Kinchen passed Jackson on lap two and Tuey took the lead on lap four. The yellow flew on the sixth circuit when Kinchen blew a power steering line and belched smoke down the front straight. Kinchen retired to the pits with Jackson and Tatro benefiting from his exit. At lap eight checkers, Tuey won over Large Jackson, Tatro, and Hinz.

 

The Supermodified Racing Association cars lined up for their eight lap heat with Whitey Janssen and Bobby Dalton on row one. The remaining runners were Bryan Warf, Jeff Russell, and Troy Regier. Dalton took the lead from the outside to beat Janssen to the line followed by Russell, Warf, and Regier. Russell faded badly on lap two with Warf moving to second, Janssen to third and Regier to fourth. Regier moved to third on lap five. Warf finally managed to take the lead from Dalton on lap six while Russell took fourth from Janssen. And that was the race. Warf took the checkers over Dalton, Regier, Russell, and Janssen.

 

The fifty lap feature event included cars from both the 360 ranks and the SMRA. Donnie Large and Lance Jackson led the parade followed by Kenny Kinchen, David Tuey, Bobby Dalton, Whitey Janssen, Brian Warf, Jeff Russell, and Troy Regier. Lance Tatro and Larry Hinz elected to start in the rear of the field due to engine woes and handling difficulties respectively. The cars pretty much lined out in order as Large and Jackson ran the first lap side by side. Janssen move d to second on lap two with Tuey, Kinchen, and Warf rounding out the top five. Lap three saw Janssen take the lead over Large, Warf, Tuey, and Russell. Large fell to third on lap four, fourth on lap five, and fifth on lap six. The yellow waved on lap six when Jackson spun in turn four. On the restart, Warf was working the inside of Janssen and finally completed the pass on the backstretch on lap seven. Russell took second on lap eight making the order Warf, Russell, Janssen, Regier and Large. Dalton moved into the top five on lap nine.  Warf began pulling away from the field and utterly dominated the next segment of the race. Regier passed Janssen for third on lap nine and Warf began lapping cars consistently on lap twelve. Warf was extremely smooth and concise as he took the inside line and passed cars at will. Regier and David Tuey had contact on lap thirty seven sending Tuey to the infield with drive train problems. Russell and Regier could not keep pace with the flying Warf through lap twenty five.

 

Both Russell and Regier began to press the issue in the last half of the fifty lapper and although both were gaining slightly on Warf, he was still maintaining a sizeable lead. Dalton finally took fourth from Janssen on lap forty making the order Warf, Russell, Regier, Dalton, and Janssen. Then Warf’s engine went up in smoke going into turn one on lap forty five. Russell, Large, and Regier all got into the oil, but managed to slow enough to avoid Warf who came to halt in turn two. Russell managed to get past on the infield grass while Large and Regier went high and just managed to stay out of the wall.

On the restart, Russell after inheriting the lead began to pull away from Regier and Dalton and motored on to his third win of the season, matching Regier’s win total. Final finishing order was Russell over, Regier, Dalton, Janssen, Kinchen, Large, Tatro, Jackson, Warf and Tuey.

 

Although the car count left something to be desired, the racing was quite exciting and entertaining. Bryan Warf was very impressive in his drive to the front and his ability to slice through lapped traffic. He really did have the field covered. Although Jeff Russell was gaining a bit on him, he was not going to catch Bryan in the last six laps had not the crankshaft broken on Warf’s mount. With several wounded cars slated to return to the wars and least two new entries scheduled for Madera Speedway’s fifth Super Saturday in August, the next show should feature nearly double the count of the Pombo Classic. From the Sunnyside of Fresno, California, I am the Racing Widow’s Husband.

Aug. 1, 2008

 

SMRA Teams Gear Up for Super Saturday Five

by Gerald Laurie

 

The Supermodified Racing Association Winged Roadsters will be the featured group at Madera Speedway’s Super Saturday Event on August 9, 2008. Several teams that have had mechanical and other issues during the recent races have been able to effect repairs and are planning on running the high banked 1/3 mile oval.

 

Current point leader Jeff Russell of Idaho headlines the all star cast of drivers. He is closely challenged by perennial champion Troy Regier and veteran Bobby Dalton, both Californians. Much improved Driver Whitey Janssen from Nevada is sitting fourth in points due to strong finishes all year.

 

Young sophomore competitor Brian Warf from Idaho will return with a fresh engine after suffering a catastrophic failure while dominating the last event. Teams returning after missing one or more races include Pat Whittet of Idaho, David Prickett, 2007 Champ Martin McKeefery, Jim Birges, and Kenny White of California, along with Dale Lamborn of Nevada.

 

Tony Thomas heads up a new team out of Washington which will compete in their first Supermodified event. Veteran California campaigner and former winner Jim Tartaglia is planning on competing for the first time this season as well. Former Champion Lonnie Adamson of Utah has teamed up with Chassis Wizard Jim Belfiore and will also compete at Madera. Several other teams are listed as possibilities if all the pieces come together as planned.

 

The SMRA Competitors run with the 360 Supermodifieds of Madera Speedway in combined events during the Super Saturday Events. Top 360 competitors expected to show include Larry Hinz, Kenney Kinchen, David Tuey, Lance Jackson, Donnie Large, and Lance Tatro. In addition, the 360 car formerly campaigned by Kenny White is supposed to make an appearance with one of the Vanderpool clan at the wheel.

 

The Supermodifieds will compete in time trials, trophy dashes, heat races and a fifty lap feature event. Come out early on Saturday to catch all of the action. Madera Speedway is located at the Madera District Fairgrounds and is accessed from Freeway 99 via the Cleveland Avenue exit. We’ll see you all on August 9.