01/03/2004

RACE TRAVELER - MOUNTAIN
by Walter Johnston

What started out as a dreary day, weather wise, ended up the same way, but what happened in the middle was quite unique. Yes, I was at the Beaters with Heaters race run by Billy Bartley at Mountain Speedway today, and I'm very happy I went.

  As I walked through the pits, looking at various cars and meeting their drivers, I was impressed with how these guys were so happy to be there to race, in January, a time they normally only dream of racing. Today was going to be real, and they all seemed to know they were winners, even if they weren't the first across the line at the end of their race. Over 100 cars, some decorated for the Holidays, were being prepared to race, and the enthusiasm could be felt everywhere.

  Billy B. had greeted us at the sign-in gate, very happy at having received so many entries for a race that had never been done before. He expressed the idea that what started out as a race that maybe 30 or so cars would run could turn out to be so big. I had to agree, it was amazing that any of us were there, since January usually means shoveling snow, and other cold weather chores we'd rather not do.

  The stands had filled up nicely by race time, and the small car enduro rolled out onto the track, and despite instructions to the contrary at the driver's meeting, some chaos caused the officials to go through a longer than expected line-up of the cars in their proper starting order. Hey, what else could you expect, there were 62 cars to run this race! Incredible, but happily true.

  The small car race was a good one, run under wet track conditions, and occasional rain showers. But the drivers adapted to the conditions as best they could, and there were probably less incidents than most people would have guessed under the circumstances. The red flag was used more than once, but only for safety reasons, as no bad crashes took place, and the drivers had themselves a fun event, with Dale Garrison of Mountain Speedway coming out the winner. The weather, which had worsened along the way as the race progressed, would only get worse.

  The big car race was next, and they were ready to do battle as well, 52 cars strong, running their inaugural January Beaters with Heaters event. Rain was becoming an even bigger factor than during the previous event, but these drivers handled it well. It was obvious from the start that this was going to be a race where respect would be the biggest factor, since the wet conditions of the track would cause a slightly tapped car to spin out, not just wiggle as it would if it were dry. It happened once or twice, but these guys and gals showed a respect for one another that should carry over to every division, every race, at every track. For that, I applaud them. Unfortunately, the rain and cooler temperatures of the latter part of the day brought in a condition no one anticipated earlier, FOG. Not thck, but enough so that it was hard to see the cars, which by now were becoming covered with a light film of mud, from the dirt that was kicked up on the track combining with the moisture from the rain. It was almost as if it were a wet dirt track, as the only way to really see a car's number was to look on the roof. So, track officials smartly reduced the race to 100 laps, and made the announcement during a red flag period at lap 79. Racing resumed for a 21 lap shoot-out, and that's exactly what it was. Having bunched up the head of the field, we were treated to lap after lap of side by side racing for the lead, and Gary Walls came out on top after a very hard fought battle for the lead.

  It wasn't over here, either. Billy B. had arranged an after race party for the participants, inside the Crossroads Inn, a few miles from the track, where the conditions were warmer and dryer, thankfully. Drivers arrived at this after race bash with wide smiles on their faces, having taken part in racing history that day, and knowing they got to have a lot of fun doing it. Watching from the spectator's area, I really got a great appreciation of what these racers do to prepare for a race and unwind afterwards, in a division of cars that's within reach of just about anyone who desires to race. I couldn't have asked for a better experience or day at the races.

Sources:  Walter Johnston/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:  January 4, 2004