A visit to Citrus

[Boneman]

I just got back from racing at Citrus tonight, and had a great time. The main reason I went was to see Tony Careno's IPSCA, and because they also had mod minis on the schedule, I took my car along.

Gotta say, Tony's group put on an OUTSTANDING feature race. When the traffic settled out, it was Shane Butler and Mickey Kempgens and the front and they put on a tremendous battle for the win.

The car count, well it was not outstanding. Fourteen took the green, but at least they were competitive. The heats were mostly uneventful, but they made up for it with an excellent feature.

Lemme tell ya, this was a long and hot day at the track! I was boiling the whole time, but the guy parked next to me is my new hero. He drove a Citrus Street Stock (#4), and qualified pretty well for their 57 lap race. However the clutch cover broke, so they pulled the transmission and fixed it. He didn't even unzip his firesuit! How on earth he changed the transmission on such a hot day, and did it in a multi-layer, long sleeved suit is beyond me.

I had a good time with my car. It was my first time there in a year, and the first time at Citrus with this particular car. I ended up 6'th out of 9, but I loaded it up without damage, and it will be ready for New Smyrna on 6-30.

All things considered....a pretty good night!

[Boneman]

The memory is clearer after a little sleep...

I had something great happen last night. After the first practice, one of the other competitors drove over to my pits to welcome me. I think we had met a few years before, but he just came by to say "hi", and we had a nice talk. I love that! Racing is too much fun to take so seriously.

I had the chance to meet Critter too. Nice guy, and a real hands-on manager too. He was on the run all night.

They ran the pure stock/street stock figure 8's last night. This is exactly the kind of class that should bring a lot to the show, but I have to admit that the execution of the race was pretty frustrating.

Remember the glory days of figure 8? Didn't they use local cautions, or enduro style rules? In other words, if a car was spun out in the grass you keep racing. If someone dumps some oil or water, you drive through it. I was dismayed to see the delays and yellow laps wasted on track clean-up and for single car spins.

[Gary J]

Was good to see you. I was surprised to see the #14 Danny Jones car that I saw win East Bay last week show up.Do you know who was the track announcer?

[polesitter61]

Tony Modica is the regular track announcer, he was off this week. Tom Cooper filled in for him in the tower, I did the on track interviews, because it's hard for Mr. Cooper to go up and down the stairs after each feature.

Volusia rained out, so the 14 car came to run on asphalt.

[openwm53]

I see

You came and played in my back yard.............Thats awesome.......Critter and the folks at citrus do try hard and there are good people at that track. hopefully get to your backyard soon . D Miller

[owm61]

Rex, it was good to see you. along with your car, over on the west coast. Thanks for coming and checking out the sprint car race, i think that the fans that were there got there moneys worth. two past champions battlin for the win on the last lap dont get no better than that. but the highlight of the night was getting to see your crew chief and mentor mr. ANDY! you guys remember him dont ya? one of the best race reporters EVER! the guy that could describe a race and make you feel like you were there just by reading the article on the computer, but hes promised me that he will come back and do the eddie brann race report this year. CANT WAIT!
T. Carreno

[jacko241]

We raced our super late there for the first time in February, and had a great time. Tough little place to get around. Everyone there was very friendly, and the flagman actually came around to introduce himself and welcome me. if it was closer, I would race there a lot more.

[gator81]

hey rex i was the green & blue car that spun out twice. that was the first race for that car & it was a handful with only 43% rear weight it was loose no matter what i did. anyways the reason we have cautions is because we had a majority vote last year to have cautions in all f-8 divisions.

[dd38]

You mean the track let the drivers vote to make a decision/change? WOW!!!

[Boneman]

Hi Gator,
I really love figure 8, and think that the rules in your class will keep it cheap and lots of fun. Speaking as a fan in the stands, your race would have been so much better without the multiple, and lengthly, yellow flags.

What do you think about that long clean-up in figure 8 turn 1? Should you guys just run through oil and water, or have it cleaned up like an oval car? As I mentioned, I prefer "enduro rules" where the race only stops for something serious.

I had a borrowed car and drove figure 8 once: I loved it! it was like road racing with a really bad attitude. Good luck with your class!

[gator81]

well as an owner/driver i like having cautions because if something happens it gives you another chance to make a run through the field.But as a fan i know action in the crossover is the best part. I think they should go back to the way it was for the fans. I love F-8 racing but it's starting to die in florida & I want to do everything in my power to keep the fans happy even if it cost me some $$ or points.

[Bigbuck]

well as an owner/driver i like having cautions because if something happens it gives you another chance to make a run through the field.But as a fan i know action in the crossover is the best part. I think they should go back to the way it was for the fans. I love F-8 racing but it's starting to die in florida & I want to do everything in my power to keep the fans happy even if it cost me some $$ or points.

Personally I like cautions because I like restarts, generally speaking. Although there is such a thing as too many. I guess people watch figure 8 races (fans) because they like wrecks so maybe driving thru oil and water is what they want. Personally I admit, the reason I would NEVER drive in a figure 8 race is because of my back problem.........as far as f-8 races goes, it has a yellow streak down the middle!! Besides, if Boney was there he'd make it top priority to wreck me!!!