Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

On behalf of myself and Dennis Gage, what a pleasure it was to host many of the original members of this board and many of the new ones who were friends with Mike Avilla. We at Silver Dollar Speedway had a blast seeing some familiar faces at the barbeque on Saturday. It felt like old times and that makes me happy! Big thanks to all the people who offered such a good array of food. The turnout was amazing! It was wonderful to have the memorial lap, all the money raised for the Hard Luck award and even Bobby Gerould recording his thoughts about CarWash and e-mailing them to me in the booth so I could share that over the P.A. system. I also took requests on Saturday to play some of Mike's favorite tunes over the airwaves. I think he would of been pleased with the collaboration between the track and HoservilleCA and the great racing we saw in the main events each night. I thought it was also very touching to have Jason Meyers and his wife offer $500 for next years fast time award in memory of Mike at the 2012 Dave Bradway Jr. event in Chico. We miss CarWash, but its comforting to know that his legacy will live on at the Silver Dollar Speedway for years to come! Big thanks to the Thomas family for making always feel so welcomed and the amazing sandwich I was able to gobble down Friday before the event. It was nice to hang with Paul, Jim Dale, to see Rich just for a bit, JMAC, Steve Gomez, the Tollers, Larry, Chowchilla, the Durica's and I am forgetting people but it was just a great day to be involved. - Thanks again - Troy

I totally agree, it was a great tribute to Mike. The food and friends were terrific and as usual everyone was very generous in their giving money for the Hard Luck award. Awesome time had by all. Thanks again everyone.

Linda

That is very kind of you Troy.

I too would like to thank everyone involved. For many years in the name of HoserVilleCa, Rich, Mike, Al (both of them) and I along with others would plan BBQ's, Bean Bags, collections (was great to see Bullet The Racin' Pig back), the Bradway heat race give aways and the list goes on. I told Troy and Gary this last week... although we wanted to, we just didn't have the energy to plan something for Mike. I know I speak for the others, we were hurting pretty bad.

But then Gary, Troy, Dennis, Cindy and others stepped up and got the ball rolling. We are so thankful to those who made this past weekend an awsome tribute to Mike. The "shrine" that Larry and Sally had set up (I hope everyone got to sign the checkered flags for Mike's parents) was awsome. Dave and Diane... much love to you both for what you do. It was great to see George Hague and Gary being race fans for the weekend, don't see that often! The Suggs, thank you for what you do, I still haven't met any of you! Jon Allard, Cowboy, Jason Meyers and the other drivers, thank you. John and Robbie... you ain't fooling me! Thank you for all you have done.

Also, to those of you who patted my back and squeezed my shoulder during Jon and Evan's memorial laps, even though I couldn't look at you, I thank you.

As so often happens in times like this, I know I failed to acknowledge somebody so a little twist on my good friend CarWash Mike's famous line... If you ever do a memorial lap for me around the camp ground, don't say any particular fan that contributed to HoserVille was my favorite because you are all awsome and by the very definition... you are Hosers.

Remember, HoserVille isn't a place, it's an attitude.

Jim

We were so disappointed we couldnt be there. The bottom line was funds. Its just too far for an up and back. I appreciate the fact that Dennis and Troy took care of HoservilleCa. Even though we couldnt be there, it means a lot to me. The last few weeks have been nothing short of the craziest version of a rollercoaster you can imagine. Jim nailed it in sayin we were just drained. What you guys did at Chico with the wall and hardluck funds was astounding. Hats off! Mikes service had my heart in my stomach, and I hadnt seen a lot of you in quite a while. It wasnt the time and place for the reunion I wanted. But it did light a fire under my ass to get back to the track and say hello in a better time. I got a nice note from Tooch the other day that really made me smile. I miss that shit. God help you all when I get back on the game, lol

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