Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
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Hey Race Fans

Things are coming together for the upcoming Louie Vermeil Classic in Calistoga over Labor Day weekend. Steve Howard is still collecting donations that will add over $20,000.00 to the regular USAC purse. After talking to him many times over the phone I finally had the pleasure to meet Steve in Calistoga a few weeks ago. He is an old school racer all the way. He has a dry sense of humor and is a bit quiet and that makes him a little hard to read. I perceive him as a guy who works hard from sun up to sun down trying to get as much done as possible. He is very appreciative for all the donations that people have given for this race.

Thanks to Jeanie Hunt, the tickets are now on sale. I must say that I am a little blown away at the effort or maybe even enthusiasm that the Hunt’s have displayed in working on this race. I figured that this race was just going to add a pile of paperwork to some people that not only run their own business, but run an entire series along with helping their own son compete. I actually asked Jeanie if they were getting paid more or if the success of this race would benefit their existing series etc and she basically said "no". She told me that even though their son concentrates his efforts on pavement that her husband raced on Southern California dirt a lot in his younger days. Wagtimes.com lists "Tom Hunt" as a three-time CRA main event winner. Jeanie has been very helpful and has been in constant contact with everyone involved to make sure that we are doing things right, and that’s no easy job.

Bill Sessa was talking about the Vermeil Classic over the PA at the last Calistoga race and the people were excited. I was told that Bill would be doing a lot of the write-ups for the newspapers leading up to the event. I am also exited to hear that Bobby Gerould will be there to announce. From what I understand, Bobby sent a heartfelt letter to the Hunt’s and USAC stating his long standing affection for Calistoga Speedway and it’s history and that he wanted to be a part of the upcoming event. One minute on Bobby’s web site HammerDownUSA.com and you can see that it’s true.

As for the track itself, Calistoga ran a pretty successful 360 show a few weeks ago. They had a good car count and there were a lot of people in the stands as well. Other than a glitch with the caution lights on the back chute and some over anxious drivers, it was an exciting race. Cars were running three abreast many times and the cushion seemed a little heavier than the recent past. Charlie and Augie prepare the track and one thing I know is that they do care about it a lot. Charlie has been put in charge of the grounds and I have heard that things are looking good. He started watering the track early in the week and still seemed a little frustrated with the surface when I spoke to him on Saturday. There is one more 360 race before the Non-Wing show so I’m sure his efforts will pay off. I hear that the RV spots are sold out at the fairgrounds and we are hoping that since USAC is selling the tickets, that this has reduced some of the work load that the fairgrounds has dealt with in holding races in the past. We want this to be a good experience for all.

Greg Sowers has been working in many different areas to ensure the success of this event. He has been back to other parts of the country trying to find a way for out of state drivers to get here and or get a ride for this event. He is in charge of the Wine Tasting and Autograph event that is being held on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. before the first night of racing. It will feature many of the regions finest wineries pouring their delicious vintage along with legendary drivers from the past and today’s hot shoes all signing autographs. For only $8 you will receive a commemorative tasting glass and a raffle ticket. Taste all you want, meet and mingle with the drivers. NFL SuperBowl winning Coach Dick Vermeil will be there along with other family members to greet you. Then we will raffle off many prizes including items signed by Dick Vermeil and Francis Ford Coppola. Dale Frye (http://www.dalefrye.com/) has donated some prints to be raffled off over the two nights of racing. Most notably two sets of Jones’ prints that we are planning on having signed by 2007 USAC/CRA Champion Tony and his famous father Bubby Jones. We will mat and frame these beauties and raffle off one set at each night’s race. Hunt’s Race World is donating a signed Dale Jr. piece along with a complete sprint car…I’M JUST KIDDING; THERE IS NO SPRINT CAR! Remember Jeanie is the one who keeps track of what we say, so I just thought I would see if she’s paying attention. Anyway, there are a lot of great raffle prizes and it should be a fun weekend.

We are especially happy that the ticket prices are so reasonable. You can basically take your family for half the price of last year’s Labor Day race.

So get on the phone and call Jeanie at Hunt’s Race World (916) 863-7223 and order your tickets today! And please don’t mention the "complete sprint car" joke. She is really gonna be mad at me……oh well, someone is always mad at me.

See you at the races