RICK @ the RACES (19/20 Nov 2011)
19 Nov 2011 Parts Peddler Show, Syracuse NY
I was back on the road again this past weekend for the first of the ‘out of season’ indoor shows. The location was the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and the event was the annual Parts Peddler Show. It’s a place where drivers and teams from all disciplines of racing come to see what’s new or on offer. Although it’s been many years since I’ve needed to buy race car parts, it’s still one of my favorite shows. For me and many others it’s a social gathering where you meet up and chat with friends.
I traveled down to Syracuse with www.rickattheraces.com web master Craig Revelle and as soon as we arrived in the parking lot, we started bumping into people we knew. Not literally ! but joining us in the ‘drive around ‘ looking for a vacant space to park, we came across Lesley and Dale Planck. We both got lucky, found a parking spot and entered the building at about the same time.
Before going inside we met two of our local Ontario racers, who were making their way out. They were Capital City Speedway (Ottawa) Late Model driver Tim Kirby and 358 Modified driver Luke Stewart.
In fear of leaving anyone out, I wont try to mention everyone that I met at the show, and just mention the ones I spent most time with.
Representing his own company on the Trick Race Parts (of St Albert , Ont) booth was my buddy Stephane Lafrance. ‘Steph’ the current Cornwall Motor Speedway Modified Champion is the nephew of my late friend Roger Aubin who until his sad death at the start of this year, was my constant race chasing companion.
Trick Race Parts wasn’t the only Canadian company exhibiting at the show.
Others included Bicknell Racing Products of St Catherines. Ont , KIRKEY Racing Seats of St Andrews .Ont, and the Quebec companies of BERT Transmission and BABE Design.
Right across the aisle from Trick Race Parts was a booth for 10,000 RPM Inc where I found my good friend ‘Chanty’ Lesage, who introduced me to the company ‘rep’ Becky Hammel from Lancaster, California.
Her company specialize in making racing clutches and fly wheels. Another of my friends, Rob Yetman from Castleton NY , had his DIRT Pro Stock on display at their booth.
Rob became the latest driver to add a www.rickattheraces.com sticker to his race car.
On the other side of Trick Race Parts I found another good friend of mine, Dean Reynolds who was manning the ESS Sprint Car booth. Even though I’m not the greatest fan of the ESS , he is a great guy who I always have a good laugh with.
Accompanying him was his lovely ‘merchandise lady’ Dawn Kampff who I first met at the OCFS last month. For quite a while Dean has been making me jealous with all the pictures that get taken of him next to pretty girls. This time it was my turn, and I asked Dean to take one of Dawn and me !
Not only were there plenty of trade stands at the Parts Peddler Show, but there was an auction taking place too.
Center piece was a brand new Bicknell Modified chassis which stirred plenty of interest when it went under the hammer. I’m pleased to say that the lucky bid came from one of my local race teams, and was bought by Junior David of Akwesasne.
Not long after the auction took place, Craig and I made our exit and put the HHR in a north bound direction 1 81 to head back to Canada.
Before reaching the 1000 Islands border crossing we took time out and tried a new eatery. Since the Hooters restaurant in Syracuse closed down, our show trips have never been the same, and at last we’ve discovered somewhere to fill the void. The ‘Tilted Kilt’ on Watertown . NY’s Arsenal Street, is of a similar style. Pretty girls serving you with excellent food.
What more could a guy want ? .
After dropping Craig off , I was home in Cornwall, Ontario by 10-30pm
Although I’d decided not to attend, the DIRT CAR Banquet was taking place close to Syracuse that night, where one of my friends, Joey Ladouceur from Alexandria, Ont was picking up his Pro Stock Mr DIRT award. Congrats to Joey and a big thanks to my friends Helen and Alex Bruce for supplying me with the photo.
My plans for Sunday were for the warmth of my home, the comfort of my couch , and a few beers while watching some exciting TV racing. It was the climax of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from Homestead, in Florida and the stage was set for the greatest ‘show down’ for many years .Two of the sports top drivers were head to head in the championship, and just a few points apart. The final race of the year would be the decider.
Points leader Carl Edwards had a slight advantage over late challenger Tony Stewart. They are both great drivers but have totally different personalities . Carl has that ‘squeaky clean’ image where as Tony comes over as a ‘one of the boy’s’ types.
When your involved in the media side of racing, it’s not good to show your favoritism, but I couldn’t help swaying towards Stewart. Most of the stuff I watch is DIRT racing and Tony , like me , is someone who gets involved in all forms of auto racing. Carl has raced a Dirt Mod too ( Brett Hearn’s car at the OCFS) but Tony is heavily involved and when not racing in NASCAR can regularly be seen at the ‘grass roots events’ of the dirt tracks.
My daughter , Carla, lives in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, near to the Homestead track and my original idea was to be there for this one. Unfortunately I had to change my plans as Carla had a wedding to attend that weekend and wouldn’t be at home. I had to make do with staying in Cornwall and watching it on TV.
What a race it turned out to be ! it was full of drama as Tony Stewart kept clawing his way back into contention after various set backs. By the time the checkers were in sight, he was out in the lead with Edwards on his tail and unable to make an impression. It was great TV viewing and as Stewart clinched his third Cup Championship, it turned out to be a story book end to the NASCAR season. Check out this weeks pics from my ‘Tony Stewart Collection’
Finally to end this weeks report I have some BIG NEWS to bring you about the CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)
Since talking to promoter Ron Morin at the DIRT TRACK WORLD FINALS in Charlotte, I’ve been keeping a big secret ! He said to me then , that the WORLD OF OUTLAW SPRINT CARS had been tentatively booked for next year (29 July) . After keeping my lips sealed for over two weeks, I spoke to Ron today ( 23 Nov) and was told that it is now ‘definite’ and he gave me the go ahead and break the news.
Wow ! that’s something to look forward to. It should be awesome to watch the likes of Kinser, Schatz and Swindell playing in my own back yard ! MAKE A DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW.