Episode 405
July 31, 2022
LTA Speed Trials done for 2022
The Loring Timing Association decided several weeks ago to host only the summer land speed races, The Maine Event, for 2022 race season. The numbers of pre-registration for fall races did not justify the time and money that goes into such large-scale races.
The LTA at one time hosted or attempted to host three land speed races in one season with a spring, summer, and fall dates. I remember seeing photos of snow on the runway a few days before the scheduled spring race. I do not recall if the spring event occurred that year.
With action compacted into a four-day time period the turn out for the races was exceptional and as usual more stories than time available. Seems like every racer has a story. I have a few that I talked with while visiting the venue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday July 14-16.
Upon arrival on Thursday, I noticed folks looking down the course. Here is what was going on near the end of the course. The Avenger race car was owned by Pierre Babin, Caplan, Quebec. I hope Pierre will rebuild and return to Loring. (LTA photo)
Connecting rod from Pierre Babin Avenger race car. The blown engine was the cause of the fire. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Waiting in staging lane is Ron Keselowski with his loyal mechanic Ricky Golombeski. Ricky has been part of the Keselowski team in NASCAR as well as land speed racing. (Ralph Bruner photo)
LTA officials Joe Daly on left and Tim Kelley on right award the Bill Warner Top Speed Award for the 2022 land speed race at Loring to Michigan native Ron Keselowski in his modified Corvette. (Tom Shay Photography)
The skeleton driving suit caught my eye on the start line at LTA 2022. White Plains, New York’s Ed Fox with his restored 1975 Kawasaki 750 H2 two-stroke with 85 horsepower. Fox described the bike as “Violent”. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Ed Fox, White Plains, NY with friend John Spies, Newtown, CT work on a race official’s bike while he was working on-course. Spies said, “LTA event is well-run with a family atmosphere. Get lots of runs down the track.” Both men met at a motorcycle repair shop where they worked in their younger days. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Maine native Marcia Barker exiting the Chevomet to receive congratulations from team owner Tom Pease. Barker went 155 in the mile and 160 in the 1.5 mile. Pease remarked, “She is my number two driver”. (Theresa Lynn photo)
2022 Chevomet crew left to right, Tom Pease, Marcia Barker, Frank Walka, Theresa Lynn Brown, Rudy Pfeiler, Rooster Warren and Mike Higgins. Look closely on the back upper left panel you will notice how the team developed the name for their transporter the “Cool Bus”. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Compound turbocharged Suzuki getting a clutch seal replaced by team owner and bike builder Don Hass, Meridian, CT on tight. In foreground is team mechanic Tony Dipasquale, Maine and left is driver Scott Horner, Heber City UT. The team is working their way up to goal of 275 mph. They ran low 200’s at the 2022 event. (HTF Motorsports photo)
A better view of the complex compound-turbocharged Suzuki of Don Hass with driver Scott Horner awaiting the command to go from Paul the longtime LTA starter from East Windsor, CT. (HTF Motorsports photo)
Team RecMech Jason White on left with his father Fran and his VW Beetle Classic. The two came to the 2022 event to support the LTA and put a few runs on Fran’s VW. Jason is in the process of rebuilding his record holding Corvette for action in 2023. (LTA photo)
Race the Bus with the Chevomet Racing Team
https://www.facebook.com/1142558965/videos/pcb.10227284582797329/1019744608727076
Swanson takes two sprint car races in 8-day span
Kody Swanson, a six-time USAC Championship winning driver UpNorth Motorsports is following again this race season, put on two dominant performances over an eight- day period of time at races in Indiana.
With a 10-second plus race-winning margin at USAC Silver Crown race at Winchester Speedway, Kody Swanson celebrates in Victory Circle with sons Trevor on left and Adam on right. Swanson’s wife/spotter Jordan is in center. Kody spent from Tuesday until Friday in the Doran Racing shop, Lebanon, Ohio helping the team make sure the car was well prepared for racing action. ( C. Scott McIlwain photo)
Only eight days after his victory in the USAC Silver Crown race at Winchester Speedway, Kody Swanson wins the inaugural Gene Nolen Classic at Anderson Speedway. Anderson is the host track for the Lil 500 which was won by Swanson for team owner Gene Nolen in 2018 with Swanson at the wheel. Swanson said “It was nerve-wracking in traffic.
This series doesn’t allow any radios, so without a spotter I had no idea how close second place was. I was trying not to lose the lead while still being careful and pick my way through the lapped traffic.”
Swanson’s spotter in other series is his wife, Jordan, who offers valuable insight as well as letting him know how close he is to the cars around him.
“Our car was really good,” he continued. “This racetrack has been tricky this year, and it’s been tough to tell what we’ve needed on shorter or longer runs to be better. We had a little of both tonight, and I’m glad we were still hanging in there since the last half of the race went green.”
“Our tires were pretty worn, but I think that just about all of us were sliding around at the end,” he added. (500 Sprint Series photo)
There is no rest for the Doran Racing team since the 500 Sprint Car Series will be at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for a rare Monday evening race. Fans simply need to register online for free tickets to the race courtesy Bald Spot Sports.
Big Motorsports weekend in the County
The Northern Maine Fair will be the site of motorsports activities Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday will feature truck and tractor pulls in front of the grandstands.
Saturday will include the largest Rods, Rides, and Relic Show in Maine from Noon to 8 pm and truck and tractor pulls at 6 pm. The Rods, Rides, and Relics Show continues on Sunday from Noon until 3 pm. A demo-derby follows at 4 pm to close out the 167th Northern Maine Agricultural Fair.
Mega Autocross at Loring
Several Cumberland Motor Club (CMC) members pose in front of the iconic Arch Hangar at the former Loring Air Force Base, Limestone, Maine. CMC will be hosting the largest autocross in Maine as well as top speed event. Read about what Rick Drangmeister from the club has to say about the event below. CMC photo
“I wanted to make sure you were aware of a couple events scheduled for Loring in early August,” said Rick Drangmeister from Cumberland Motor Club, “Cumberland Motor Club will be holding their annual “Mega Autocross’ August 5-7.”
“There will be a “Test & Tune” course on Friday and autocross races both Saturday and Sunday. Spectators are welcome. Racers wishing to enter can do so on MotorsportsReg.com.”
“New for that weekend will be a ‘Top Speed’ benefit event for veterans. Spectators are welcome and anyone can enter to see how fast their car can go. More details are available on MotorsportsReg.com including cost to enter. Link to CMC autocross; https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/sac-racing-2022-loring-commerce-centre-cumberland-motor-club-441691 Link to “Top Speed” event; https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/2022-new-england-top-speed-for-veterans-loring-air-force-base-masstuning-944890?fbclid=IwAR0yxCgFzlUuNGFUEzaFWBgUxZ4fNdH9DuNSeH9InqNy2xYYjNWbBSJf6cc
Let’s go racing,
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria (Matthew 5:16)