Dirt track racing

Eyes on the Prize

2008-08-28T20:08:07Z

The Mod-4 points championship, that is. Team Weaver and Skyler Smith are leading the field by 6 points at our hometown speedway in Bemidji, MN. The final points race is Monday, September 1. If we don't break or wreck, and finish at least in the middle of the pack, we'll win some money and a major trophy. If the Lady Luck of Racing deserts us, we won't. With really bad luck, we could drop all the way to third. Right now, Brian Bourquin and his yellow No. 42 is in second, with Fran Hauber's black and yellow No. 2 not far back in third. Hauber won his first feature last Sunday night, and so is going to be racing hard and full of confidence. Bourquin is always competitive.

We've been preparing all week, making sure our set-up is right. We have on fresh tires, grooved with a hot iron by Skyler himself. His rubber will be just the way he likes it, and so much of everything is now up to chance. We need a good draw, to get good placement in his heat race. We then need to race hard but under control (Skyler's strong suit) and finish if not ahead of No. 42, then within two places. I'm making no predictions. Check back here Monday night late, after 10:30.

Good luck Skyler!

Hanging Tough

2008-08-24T22:57:42Z

Late posting tonight after the races, due to a long but good weekend.... Team Weaver headed to Minneapolis and St. Paul with No. 16 on Saturday, for an appearance at the Red Balloon bookstore on Grand Avenue. Had a nice turnout, including several teachers and librarians from around the Twin Cities. They had fun sitting in the car (with Bill's and Skyler's help) for photo ops. Also some nice kids around, too, who had read SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT.

Then back home late Saturday night to iron out some details with our problematic rear end. If you read last week's blog, you'll know that it went out--as in clear out. Skyler did not finish the feature. This week it was scramble to get it all fit together, or "jigged up", as it's called in the shop. We had some great technical help from Ricky J. at Catco in Bemidji--thanks!

Tonight Skyler finished third in his heat, and fifth in the feature. He thought the rear end set-up was "tight", and the handling not quite there. Bill thought it was more the track conditions tonight (dry slick) plus older tires. In any case, Skyler managed to hold on to a slim points lead--about 6, I believe--going into the last points race, which is next Monday--Labor Day--Sept. 1. If we can hold off the hard-charging No. 42/Brian Bourquin from Grand Rapids, Skyler will win the Mod-4 class. Wish us luck, and stay tuned.

Full Moon Racing

2008-08-17T22:02:57Z

A hot summer night and a full moon rising at the speedway--a combination where anything can happen. Team Weaver has not done well on full moon nights (not that we're superstitious), and tonight was no easy run. Skyler started his heat second row outside--a great position--and got off to a fast start. However, he gradually dropped back, and was clearly having handling problems. He struggled to finish the heat, ending up near the back. Coming into the pits he waggled the wheel, meaning steering problems. Chief Bill Smith, Rick (a motorhead friend) and Billy Smith swarmed over the car and quickly replaced the front steering assembly.

In the feature, Skyler started in the middle of pack, and got off to another great start--only to fade to the back after two laps. He headed into the pits as the race continued, and could not to return. The rear end gave out. However, because he had finished one full lap, he received full points for the feature, and didn't receive a "did not finish" disqualification. Even last place points were enough to keep him in first place in the Mod-4 class, though his lead has narrowed. Still, we were lucky to escape a full moon night with only some broken gears. We have replacement parts and will be back in action next Sunday night.

As a side note, Skyler drove his second ride, the No. 15 Modified, to a strong, fifth place finish in the Midwest Modified class. He loves that Chevy V-8 power, and it seems to like him.

Hard Working Driver

2008-08-11T09:23:08Z

Tonight's hot action at Bemidji Speedway included Skyler taking first place in the Mod-4 heat, and 5th in the feature. In his heat, he started on the pole, raced out front and stayed out front. Conrad Schwinn in the white No. 6 tried and tried to catch him, but couldn't make up any ground.

In the feature, his position as points leader and heat winner put Skyler well back in the pack as they charged toward the green flag. From fourth row, inside, he ran up against slow traffic and flattened his front bumper when the lead cars slowed on a false start. On the line-up for a re-start, crew chief Bill ran to the on-track flag man and pointed out Skyler's mashed bumper. The chief pit steward and a helper took advantage of the yellow flag pause to bend the red pipe upright into a token bumper--enough to keep Skyler in the race. On the restart, Skyler got tagged in the left rear (see photos) by No. 11x, who broke a wheel and headed to the pits not to return.

The rest of the feature was choppy, with two more restarts, but a pleasing duel developed with yellow No. 42, driven by Brian Borquin. Skyler ran a strong line, and tried high and low, but could not pass the crafty Brian. The checkered flag found Skyler in fifth place. We'll take it. Some bent tin and a front bumper that looks beyond repair--but we'll see what miracles chief Bill can do.

As mentioned last week, Skyler is doing double duty at the race track. In addition to Team Weaver's Mod-4, he also drives the blue and white No. 15 Midwest Modified. When the Mod-4 heat and feature ends, he leaps out and runs to the "B Mod", which is waiting for him along with its pit crew (see photos). This extra seat time is a real gift from a couple of great guys who co-own No. 15, and like how Skyler drives.

In the big Modified, he had a nice heat run, finishing third, and started the feature in the pole position. Early in the race, after a multi-car spin-out and a yellow flag call that no one understood, Skyler ended up at the rear of the 10 car field. But he ran smoothly the rest the race, making up ground to seventh place, before eventually fading to ninth. No. 15's owners had no complaints but for the mystery penalty on the yellow flag. Neither did Skyler. "I'm a beginner in a B-Mod, and those guys are running hard for points," he said, meaning the other drivers. For Team Weaver and Skyler, some free seat time in a B-Mod is great practice for next year.

After the second feature, Skyler said, "Wow--two races is a lot of work. I'm tired!" We all had a good laugh, and then packed up to race another day.

Midweek Team Meeting

2008-08-07T22:18:12Z

Team Weaver's plan was to stay with our Mod-4 and race hard for national points next season (our third). However, Skyler's guest-driver performance last Sunday night in a Midwest Mod ("B mod") might have thrown a monkey wrench--in a good way--into that plan.

We are seriously thinking of moving up to the B Mod class, where we can run under Chevy V-8 power. As I told Skyler, "Thanks for screwing things up!" That got a smile from him.

Running a B-Mod will also give us more opportunity to race in other tracks across the Midwest, something Skyler wants to do. It's an exciting prospect. If we do, we'll keep the same graphics, same number, same look, as we promote the MotorNovels and our main sponsor, FSG Publishers in New York.

Stay tuned for more info on this transition from Ford 4 cylinder to Chevy V-8. Exciting!

Bad Moon Rising

2008-08-07T22:11:19Z

Or at least it felt that way at the race track tonight. In his heat, Skyler made a strong move at the green to take the lead, chased by "Blue", a local adult driver whose son also drives a Mod-Four. Blue and Skyler put on a duel, with Blue taking back the lead, but Skyler showing himself again and again. Late in the heat, Skyler made light contact with Blue, causing a spin-out for both cars. At the end of his loop-de-loop, the Blue car bumped the stationary Skyler in No. 16 hard enough to knock loose a brake line, putting Blue out of the heat. On the restart, Skyler started in the rear, and worked his way back to about 7th place.

In the feature, the driver of Blue seemed bent on payback--and banged Skyler hard on the start. No spin out. A couple of laps later, Blue, running behind Skyler, tapped Skyler's left rear, enough to get Skyler's No. 16 loose and squirrely. But Skyler recovered, though Blue didn't. He spun out and was sent to rear.

Drivers show their annoyances in many ways, including burn-outs and hand "signals". The Blue driver was greatly put out by having to start at the back. On the restart, Skyler pressed ahead, picking off several cars as the laps continued, to finish 4th. Not bad. We'll take it.

But in the pits afterward, there was a confrontation, words exchanged, and the Blue team threatened to "take Skyler out next time." That would be Sunday, August 12. Stayed tuned for the results. Tonight we ended up with a brand new rim ruined, but no other damage.

As Team Owner, I had to yank my crew chief's chain a bit, because our team agreement is simple: prove ourselves on the track, and avoid BS in the pits and off the track. It's disappointing all around--and expensive for racing teams when they start banging and bumping each other on purpose.

On the plus side, Skyler continues to lead his car class at Bemidji Speedway, though No. 42, Brian Bourquin from Grand Rapids, MN, is only 11 points behind. Their competition is the fun kind--two guys who get along and who don't take things personally. Now that's good racing. . . .

p.s. A fun sidelight tonight: a local top-notch racing family has an "extra" Midwest Modified ("B Mod"), and asked Skyler if he'd like to try it out. Skyler was happy to get behind the wheel. In the heat, he stayed at the rear, and got used to the big tires and the Chevy V-8 power. In the 15 car feature, however, he put the hammer down and worked his way from last place to 9th, before a carburetor issue sent him to the pits. It was really impressive to see him handle that heavier, faster, B-Mod.

Dry Slick Drifting

2008-07-27T21:54:35Z

After last week's muddy track, tonight's quarter mile banked oval at Bemidji Speedway was dusty and dry. Temps were mid-80's, and a fine field of 14 Mod-Fours clashed for points and a checkered flag. Those drivers who managed a dry slick did well; other cars had serious handling problems.

Skyler started well up in his heat, thanks to a good draw, and ran a nice, controlled race to finish third. This placed him (because he is points leader) in the 8th slot in the feature. He was not real happy about starting there, but when it came to the feature race, he put that aside and got after it.

Within three laps he had picked off two cars, and gradually worked his way up to the 4th slot behind No. 42, Brian Borquin. It seems like Borquin and Skyler end up dueling it out in nearly every race--good thing they are friends! It took Skyler several more laps to make the pass, and on a restart yellow flag--and then another yellow--he locked up third place.

It was great racing. Lap after lap the leaders hit the corners hard, drifting but with full power, then came out the straightaway as tightly group as a school of quick-moving fish. However, the two leaders, No. 6 of Conrad Schwinn, and the 1x of Kevin Bahr had more power than Skyler tonight. While he couldn't make up ground on the straightaway, his handing in the corners kept him close to Bahr in the second place car. On the last couple of laps he closed within a short car length of No. 1x, but didn't double-down and try pick up one more place. Racing is like poker; there's a time to gamble, and a time to hold back and take your winnings. For us that meant third place--which we were happy to take.

No photos available with this blog posting, as tonight I used my trusty old 35 mm camera rather than my digital. I'll have pix of tonight's action in a week or so.

P.S. We raced Weds night in Grand Rapids, and got beat up. A car ahead of Skyler spun out, and Skyler couldn't avoid him. He tagged Skyler in the "pretty side" (opposite the driver), and he wasn't able to finish the heat. Now we have wrinkled tin on both sides, but there was no structural or front-end damage. In the feature, Skyler had his own spin-out, and finished 9th of about 14 cars. That's racing.

Mud Track Racing

2008-07-20T22:22:25Z

When it rains, dirt track racing turns into mud track racing. This was the case tonight at Bemidji Speedway, where afternoon showers turned the track greasy if not downright sloppy. Light rain also blew through just before heats, delaying racing action for at least an hour. All car classes were required to "pack", that is, take slow laps to help dry out the track. Be sure to see the photos of all the mud action!

Finally the sun came out, a rainbow arched across the east, and the fans stood up to cheer their favorite drivers.

Starting in the pole position in the Mod-Four heat, Skyler raced smart and avoided spinning out--which is mainly what it took to win it. He started out front, stayed there, and notched another heat win.

However (as last week), his heat win put him back in the middle of the pack for the start of the feature. Rolling toward green in the second row outside, he powered up hard but didn't try to pass until about lap five. He made a nice inside move to get into 3rd place. Up front, last week's feature winner Kevin Bahr sped out to sizeable lead--but was slowed for a yellow flag (one of three).

On the restart, Skyler dogged yellow No. 42, Brian Borquin, attempting to get around him for several laps. He finally made the pass on turn one, and quickly put several car length's distance between the Team Weaver No. 16 and Borquin. On the third and final yellow flag, Skyler tucked in tight behind the leader, but Bahr's car was running very strongly, and Skyler could not catch up.

Final results: 1st in heat, 2nd in feature, for another fine night of racing. This increases Skyler's lead in the Mod Four class at his home speedway.

Look for Team Weaver at Grand Rapids, MN, Speedway this coming Weds night, July 23.

Midsummer Dirt

2008-07-14T18:14:55Z

Another strong showing for Skyler Smith and Team Weaver. Starting in the pole position in his heat race, Skyler stayed out front and ran away from the pack. "Saves on tear-offs," crew chief Bill said. Point well taken: if there are no cars in front throwing back mud, none of it gets on Skyler's helmet and visor.

In the feature, Skyler started second row outside. This positioning happened because of a complicated system of "most points most recently". Placing a fast driver farther back in the pack makes him work hard to get back to the front--which makes for better racing, or so the theory goes.

In tonight's race, that proved true. After some bumping and banging in the first lap, Skyler threaded the needle between the 3rd and 4th place cars to gain 2nd place. The lead car, driven by Kevin Bahr, stayed well out front. Though Skyler gradually "reeled him in", Team Weaver needed a yellow flag and a restart to close up the distance and give Skyler a chance to pass for the checkered flag. But the race was clean, fast, and had no yellow flags, so Skyler finished a strong second place. This deepens his lead atop the Mod-Four class at Bemidji Speedway. We'll take it--especially since we had no damage to our No. 16.

We'll be racing in Grand Rapids, MN this coming Friday night, July 19.

Other news: Crew Chief Bill had a nice holiday to Chicagoland Speedway earlier this weekend, where he to got to see NASCAR action close-up. He also presented copies of SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT to several the top racing teams, including those of Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, and Dale Jr. Bill was pleased at their interest in what Team Weaver is doing at the grassroots, dirt track level. See photo (7/11/08) of Bill with Michael Waltrip's crew chief Bobby Kennedy. Two crew chiefs, talking. I love that photo (taken by Brandon Smith, Bill's son).

Another Feature Win!

2008-07-07T08:35:59Z

On this beautiful, warm and sunny 4th of July weekend, Skyler capped it all with his second feature win. Earlier we spent a long, hot afternoon pulling our No. 16 in a big parade, and were rewarded by the racing gods--and some great driving--with the checkered flag.

After a good draw, Skyler started second row outside in his heat, and with some fast cars pressing hard, he settled for 3rd place. One of the fastest cars, the white No 6 driven by Conrad Schwin, edged out Skyler for second place, and it was clear that the feature held excitement to come. Skyler and yellow No. 42, driven by Brian Bourquin of Grand Rapids, were neck and neck atop the Bemidji Speedway points standing. Skyler's goal is to win his home speedway's Mod Four class, so No. 42 was the car to beat--along with No. 6.

After the green flag dropped, Skyler kept his nose clean and No. 16 out of tight, banging traffic in turn one. By the second lap he was running 4th on the outside--which suited him nicely. He stayed close and let the lead drivers make mistakes. Conrad Schwin, trying to take the lead, went up in smoke, which drew the yellow flag. Schwin's engine blew apart big time, and took him out of the race. On the restart, Skyler found some good lines, but still kept biding his time. Soon he was running second (No. 42 faded several places), and Skyler and the lead car drag-raced down the far straight-away. With a calculated move to the high side, Skyler drew the lead car up, then dove down on the low side, making the pass in front of the grandstand and a cheering crowd. He stretched his lead nicely through the white flag to the checkered.

Several other drivers--including No. 42's--stopped beside Skyler in victory lane to give him a thumb's up. We all appreciate this kind of sportsmanship. Speaking of which, once a driver starts to win, his car comes under increasing scrutiny for cheating. Track officials from the WISSOTA racing organization gave No. 16 a thorough "teching" after the race. Crew Chief Bill Smith had to remove the carburetor and exhaust header (see photos). This allowed the official (in the green vest) to see inside the engine and measure key parts with a caliper. We passed with flying colors. Our win tonight was further proof that Bill has the car set up just right, and that Skyler is in top form as its driver.

Skyler is now points leader in his Mod Four class at Bemidji Speedway. You can find all the standings at Allthedirt.com.

Bitten by Turn Two

2008-07-04T11:27:33Z

Team Weaver went to Grand Rapids last night (July 3) for a special event race, including fireworks afterward. On the track, Skyler created some fireworks of his own, finishing second in his heat. In the feature of 13 cars, he started in row one, outside. Running near the front, he and a tight group of points-leading drivers put on a show. Four lead cars (Skyler running third) gradually pulled away from field. The drivers tucked in bumper-to-bumper down the straight-aways, then jockeyed inside and out through the turns. Twice Skyler and No. 87 criss-crossed at full throttle on the high banks, as they swapped positions quicker than a finger snap. Our No. 16 was set up perfectly, and Skyler hit the turns hard and faster than the lead two cars--which forced him to brake more than he wanted. On lap 17, Skyler pressed too hard into turn 2 and spun out. This sent to him to rear on the restart, where he finish 10th of 13th. In the pits afterward he climbed out of the car very annoyed with himself. But the Team Weaver pit crew was smiling. Except for one little mistake, it was great racing.

At one point during the race sparks flew between Skyler and another car, and upon close inspection of No. 16, saw why. His left rear rim peeled (see photo). Chili dogs and fireworks finished a fun race event, and we headed home on the warm, dark, bug-filled night, arriving after midnight. We're back in action Sunday evening at Bemidji Speedway.

Calendar note: No. 16, Skyler and I will be appearing at Red Balloon book store in St. Paul, MN on August 23, 2 p.m.

Pit Crew Saves the Night

2008-06-29T23:06:24Z

Whenever the weather is perfect, when the car runs well, when there seem to be no problems of any kind--look out. Team Weaver's night started with a great draw for pole position in the Mod-Four heat. Call me superstitious, but I think the inside slot, first row, is way over-rated.

Skyler quickly had some handling issues, including dealing with a large rock slowly surfacing in turn 3 (see photos), and fell back to third. The heat field strung out, and that's where he finished.

After a long intermission wherein drivers met kids and fans close up to sign autographs and photos, the feature began with Skyler third row outside. However, as the cars came onto the track to line up two-by-two, Skyler stalled. A push truck came and got him going, but I could tell something was wrong. After a slow, positioning lap, Skyler headed into the pits. There crew chief Bill and the rest of the gang worked frantically to figure out what was wrong. Turns out that a spark plug wire or two had come loose. As the rest of the field gave Skyler a courtesy lap, he sped back onto the track but was waved "tailback" or to the rear.

Starting last among 13 cars, he took only a couple of laps to get into 9th position, thanks to a some good driving. But on the next yellow flag, Skyler again headed to the pits! This time he had a flat tire, which had to be changed the old-fashioned way. The flat left insufficient clearance for the car jack, so Billy Smith and some helpful fellows nearby yanked the front end off the ground and held it while Bill spun the tire wrench. Skyler was able to make it back onto the track before the restart, but again was waved to last place.

Then the race got serious, with Skyler pushing hard and driving smart. One by one he picked off cars, and put on a crowd-pleasing duel with No. 11x, driven by 18 year old Brandon Bahr. Skyler worked, high, low, and showed himself beside Brandon's door again and again. The crowd cheered for both drivers. Finally Skyler got by Brandon on the inside and the two went side by side deep in the turns, with Skyler eventually pulling away to finish a very respectable 4th place.

Final results: 3rd in the heat, 4th in the feature, in a true test of the pit crew and Skyler's ability to come from the rear. We'll take it.

Wild Night

2008-06-23T14:01:39Z

On a hot summer night at Bemidji Speedway, Team Weaver came away with some serious points. Skyler took 1st in his heat, and 3rd in a wild and crazy feature.

Starting in the second row outside in the heat, Skyler moved quickly to the high side where he found a good line. By lap three, with a nice "dive" move down low, he picked off two cars to take the lead. He held off everybody to win by half a lap.

The feature was another kind of race--totally. Drivers were aggressive, including Skyler. Starting second row inside, Skyler was boxed in. His goal, in his words, was to "get out front and stay there, so he didn't get wrecked." He powered up underneath the green flag, but the car beside him got loose. Several cars swerved and spun to avoid a pile-up, and for reasons unknown to Team Weaver, Skyler was sent to the rear on the restart.

However, a good racer doesn't let a bad call ruin his night. He fought back, picking off cars one by one. Two more yellow flags sent at least three cars to the pits for good, which allowed Sklyer to close up tight on the single-file restarts. He moved up from 5th to 4th, and eventually to 3rd. However the lead cars had too much on an advantage, and Skyler finished in the 3rd slot--enough to put him atop the points chase in the Mod-Four class at Bemidji Speedway.

We'll take it. No damage except some bent tin, and one rim that got nicked. Overall, a great night of racing.

Taking Care of Business

2008-06-22T09:56:15Z

Racing doesn't happen without sponsors. A race team always needs to take time to make sure its sponsors are happy and getting their money's worth. For Skyler and I, that meant taking Saturday to promote Saturday Night Dirt by visiting a couple of independent bookstores on behalf of my book publisher, Farrar Straus and Giroux of New York.

The first stop was Beagle Books in the Park Rapids, MN (pop 3,200), and the second was Borealis Books in Wadena, MN (pop 4,000 or so). As an author I'm always happy to help support small town, indie bookstores, which have a hard time competing against giants like Barnes and Noble.

We brought the race car along (see photos), and Skyler gave "tours" while I talked with readers and book buyers. Met a lot of nice folks and sold a lot of books. Kids love sitting inside the car. Their eyes really get wide when Skyler fires up the engine.

Skyler also had some time to wander around inside the stores, and started reading a book written by a game warden. Skyler's an excellent hunter and fisherman, so I bought him the book, my gift to him for coming along today. On the way home, I snapped a photo of him reading in the car. Skyler said he loves the book--stories about guys getting caught poaching and doing other illegal stuff.

Racing resumes tomorrow (Sunday) night. Stayed tuned for the results and photos.

Back in Action

2008-06-23T14:02:44Z

Finally some sunny if breezy weather for a night of racing. Team Weaver rolled east to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, arriving early in the pits—but not too early, as it turned out. Chief Bill Smith spotted a frayed throttle cable. It was held together by a single strand of wire. Since we were at our first out of town show of the 2008 season, we didn’t have all the parts needed. Bill borrowed a car and raced off to an auto parts store to find a cable. The repair took most of an hour, with Billy Smith doing some seriously upside-down work on the floor of the cockpit as he attached the cable to the pedal. (Check out the photos of Billy’s shoes poking up from the cockpit.)

In his heat race, Skyler started second row outside. From the stands where I went to sit, the car looked slightly loose. On lap one Skyler made a smooth move and threaded the needle between two other cars. Briefly in third place, he soon had all he could do to stay straight. Gradually he dropped back to fourth, where he finished the heat.

Between the heats and the feature, Bill made some adjustments to the rear shocks to give the right rear tire more bite. Starting fourth row outside in the feature, the car handled better. A tight group of leaders went turn to turn, bumper to bumper for several laps. After a spin out by No. 95, Ev Barrett from Bemidji, Skyler took advantage of the restart to move into fourth position. He held fourth deep into the 15 lap feature, but hit turn two a bit too hard and got loose--one small mistake--but enough to allow the trailing car to slip by him on the inside.

Final results: fourth in his heat, and fifth in the feature. No damage but for some slightly bent tin and one dented rear rim. “We’ll take it,” as we’ve come to say. The combination of heat and feature placement gave us some solid national points in the Mod-Four class.

As well, we always enjoy the Grand Rapids Speedway. It’s well run, plus there’s more competition—which makes Skyler a better driver, he says. The other racers are friendly and welcoming. They told us to “come back soon.” That says a lot about Skyler as a driver, one that other drivers respect.

Next race: Sunday, June 21, Bemidji Speedway.

Race Canceled

2008-06-16T07:27:13Z

Meant to log on last night (Sunday June 15) and tell you that rain washed out yet another race. We were all depressed.

However, the sun is shining this morning, and tomorrow night we're headed to a special-event race in Grand Rapids, MN. Cross your fingers for good weather. Some tracks have gotten in only 2 of 6 shows so far. However, in the Minnesota the summer usually dries out in July and August, resulting in some serious, hot summer nights of racing.

Rainy Night Racing

2008-06-23T14:04:06Z

Well, not rain rain. But gray clouds and light mist at Bemidji Speedway tonight, which made for a heavy track--sticky and tacky--which made for some great racing. The Team Weaver No. 16 was dialed in. After last weekend's race, Crew Chief Bill Smith noticed some front end issues with caster and camber. Skyler had said the car wasn't handling right, but guessed that was because of track condition last weekend, a dry slick that was hard and sandy. But Skyler also had a couple of bump-and-runs last weekend, which must have thrown off our front end set-up. Bill spotted the issue, and fixed the front-end alignment in time for tonight's race.

After a high draw, Skyler started last in his heat race. Planted on the inside, back row, he moved to outside where there was more bite. But lap four he was running third. He found a smooth, tight line and stuck with it. The car had plenty of power and traction, and Skyler ran away with the heat for a first-place finish.

Thanks to a fine, light mist, no watering was required for the track in any of the features. In the Mod-Four main race, Skyler started third row inside. Again he moved to the outside. As traffic strung out, he challenged for third place, but settled into a tight group of four. One car ran away with the feature in the same way that Skyler ran away with his heat, so the action was within the 2-5 slots. There the group of four put on a great display of racing--tightly bunched down the straight-aways, then side-to-side and bumper-to-bumper through the turns. It's beautiful thing to see drivers going flat out, touching sheet metal and tires, no one backing off the throttle. It takes the right car, the right set-up, the right drivers--and a lot of trust between them. None of the 2-5 drivers gave an inch, and none could gain on each other. The crowd loved it, and Skyler came underneath the checkered flag in fourth place.

We'll take it. A heat win and a 4th place main netted us some serious points. We're near the top of the points ranking at our home speedway. Next weekend, we're heading to Grand Rapids on Friday night. I'll post those results on Saturday....

Rainy Day Racing

2008-06-06T17:14:56Z

Team Weaver had planned to roll east to Grand Rapids Speedway (MN) tonight, but heavy rains across the Midwest shut everything down. So we did some "rainy day racing". We met for lunch in downtown Bemidji at The Cabin Coffee Shop on 3rd Street. I've been trying to get Skyler and Bill to eat healthy, and break their fast-food habit. It's an on-going amusement with Team Weaver, and I actually think I'm making some progress! Bill has even cut down on his smoking....

Anyway, we ate and took care of some details. I had my computer along (the coffee shop has wireless), and we ordered a new radiator for No. 16 from Speedway Motors in Nebraska. Then Bill looked at all the pix on the motornovels website, and we also talked about Team Weaver teeshirts. We agree on a basic design--car on front, and our sponsor FSG Publisher on the back. Skyler and Bill were headed to our design place, Thunderbird Graphics in Bemidji, after lunch.

But one more thing needed attention. As the "writer', I usually summarize Skyler's race and post the results. However, I want to hear more from him--his own description--so I asked him to write about last week's race. Here it is in his words:

"My best race I feel was last weekend in my heat race. I was racing against Conrad Schwinn, one of the fastest guys that races at Bemidji Speedway. I sat 1^strow outside, with him right behind me. Going into the first turn I led Schwinn. He was behind me pressuring hard trying to pass me. He showed himself beside me lap after lap and I kept shutting the door on him 'till about 5 laps in. Then he got the lead from me and won.

In the feature it was a different story. I started second row inside. We had a dusty dry track and when I punched it I couldn’t get my car to hook up. It just spun the tires, so coming out of turn 2, I was in fourth and I made it a few laps and my car was really loose--but I lost it and spun out. On the restart I was in eleventh. Coming out of turn 4 for the green flag, a racer spun out in front of me. I had nowhere to go and I hit her (Ev Barrett) which threw my front end all out of wack. After that my car really didn’t handle well, so I did everything I could to make it around and pick up a few places . I ended up finishing 7^{th ."}

I kinda like hearing directly from Skyler. I think we'll make this a regular feature! All for now, and look for the upcoming Sunday night results by 10 p.m.

Race Report

2008-06-02T11:33:21Z

Team Owner goes on vacation and misses race! Calls his crew chief from the airport to get the results! Bill Smith was happy to fill me in on last night's race at Bemidji Speedway. He reports that Skyler finished second in his heat, edged out by a top Minnesota driver from Little Falls, Conrad Schwinn. After the heat Schwinn came over to congratulate Skyler. "Great driving, kid," he said. "I had to pull out ever trick in the book to get by you, and I didn't think it was going to happen!" Skyler was pleased to get a compliment like that from a current points leader....

The feature race was "learning experience," Bill told me over the phone. The track was dusty--a real dry slick. Running fourth, Skyler took a line that broke him loose. He spun out ("looped it") without contact to other cars, and had to go to the rear. Still, he fought his way from the back to finish in the number 8 position. We'll take it. No damage to the car, and lessons learned.

Back atcha this weekend, with Skyler's race report posted Sunday night by 10:00 p.m Central time--I promise.

"That's Racing"

2008-05-26T12:10:58Z

Today, May 25, was the Indianapolis 500. It was a race out of synch, with lots of mistakes on the track and in the pits, including one that knocked Danica Patrick out of the race. The pit incident wasn't her fault, and she was steamed.

Well, a million miles away at Bemidji Speedway's dirt track, it was the same story with Team Weaver. After winning last week's Mother's Day feature race, Skyler came out strong and won his heat race. Our car was dialed in and so was Skyler. However, this feature race was another story.

Starting in second row outside, Skyler made a move on lap one to pass two cars and take second place. However, a spin-out back in the pack brought out the yellow flag. On the restart, Skyler again surged into second. However, another spin brought out another quick yellow. After Skyler's win last week, one local driver seemed determined to not let that happen again. His No. 11x car bumped Skyler on the first restart, and harder on the second restart. Overly aggressive driving usually works against the aggressor, and this happened big time. In front of the grandstand, No. 11x tried to pass when there was no room. His wheel rocked Skyler, pushing him toward the wall, and rode up high on the driver's side of our car.

Skyler fought the wheel and kept his line, but No. 11x car wheel-jumped ours, then spun hard into the wall. His car was badly wrecked, and, as medics converged, the driver took some time before emerging from the car. Luckily he was uninjured. Our No. 16 got by with a broken tie-rod and some bent tin. From the impact (Skyler will have sore elbows tomorrow), our quick-lock steering wheel flange broke off. The combined damage was enough to put us out of the race--but not enough to keep us from racing tomorrow. Crew Chief Bill Smith and Skyler will be up most of the night working on the car. As we say, "That's racing."

p.s. As always, check out race night photos in album.