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| Classic Auto Racing Series Gears up for New Smyrna, CARS Series Looking for "A Few Good Drivers" | by Dave Westerman
The Classic Auto Racing Series makes its first visit of 2002 to the high banks of New Smyrna Speedway as part of the annual evening dedicated to local legend Tommy Patterson.
After two races, including a win two weeks ago at Orlando Speedworld, Palm Harbor's Bud Spencer and his "Lavender Love Machine" are leading the point standings by four markers over current Door Operating Systems Rookie of the Year point leader Ben Booth of Deland.
Another rookie, Orange City's Greg Helton, is third in points with E.B. Carr of Okeechobee and Deland's Daryl Grief, who won the season opening event at Thundercross, fourth and fifth in the standings.
Clermont's Jim Rahman, the 2002 CARS champion, hopes to turn things around at New Smyrna. Rahman missed the opening race at Thundercross, then blew his engine at Orlando putting him 18th in points going into the weekend.
Spencer feels he has the car and the capability to run for the championship this year. "If I can just get a little bit of luck, I think we'll be right there at the end of the year," says Spencer.
Although the competition is keen for 2003, Spencer says he'd welcome even more drivers getting involved in the Classic Auto Racing Series.
"I go to tracks on the off weeks and all I hear is guys complaining about spending too much money, about rules not being enforced etc. I just wish they could see how much fun I have in my Classic. I do it on a limited budget and I'm having a ball. These guys and gals are a blast to race with and when I win, I really feel I've accomplished something," he says.
Ben Booth was a terror in the FASCAR Modifieds at Orlando and New Smyrna several years ago but the high dollar cars and engines forced him out of the sport. "I couldn't even afford to go out and look at my modified, much less go out and race it," says Booth. "But the Classic Series has given this old man a new lease on life. I may not be running as fast as I used to in the modified, but here I'm competitive and have a legitimate chance at winning rather than watch the guys with all the money drive by me," he says.
Booth is even in the process of building a second car so he'll have a back-up available in his run for the championship.
Another driver who has been given a new shot at his racing career is Florida State Senator Bill Posey of Rockledge. Posey's tight schedule in Tallahassee makes it difficult for him to race much at all, and that's why the Classic Auto Racing Series was appealing to him versus trying to campaign his Super Late Model which he states "was outdated ten years ago."
Posey recently purchased as second Classic from South 40 Motorsports so that he can be sure of having a car race-ready for each event.
"I can actually own two Classics for about one-fourth the cost of running a Super Late Model," says Posey. "There's less work involved in preparation which is good for me because I'm not home that much and when you're at the track it's much more laid back which makes it so much more fun... along with the fact that I know I can win races again too," he says.
Posey also echoes Bud Spencer when he says more racers should become involved in the Classics. "These cars are great, especially if you have limited time to devote to a race car and a limited budget as well. They're different, certainly a conversation piece, but the neat thing is you don't have to be a master mechanic to own and drive one. The cars are very simple and easy to maintain and if you're having a problem, everyone is there to give you a hand if you need it," he says.
"I'd urge anyone wanting to try racing or, like me, wanting to re-start their career in this sport, to try the Classics. Plus I love being able to go to so many different race tracks," says Posey.
Lake Mack's Joey Strehle joined the Series halfway through the 2002 season and picked up two wins after racing just about everything with wheels on it over the last several years.
With a successful business, Strehle can afford to race and raise a family, but was frustrated running against teams with unlimited budgets.
"Being able to afford to race and having the money to win are two different things when it comes to Late Models, even Sportsman cars," says Strehle. "The Classic Car is a whole different ballgame because the cars are so equal it puts everything in the driver's hands and in the proper set-up of the car. This has really been fun for me and my entire family," he says.
In fact, Strehle has put together another car that will be used as both a back-up for his #42 and for his dad Joe to drive at selected races. The car may even be ready for this Saturday night's action.
Greg Helton was a raw rookie when he ran his first Classic Auto Racing Series race in the middle of last year. "I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but the encouragement of all the other drivers in this Series has made it all worthwhile. During Speedweek at Okeechobee I was so frustrated after the heat that I loaded my car on the trailer.
But the guys kept telling me I just needed to get out there and try my best. Before I knew it, I was much more comfortable and at every race I'm getting better. Heck, I might even win one of these things this year!," says Helton.
For drivers like Jim Rahman and Ed Yates, who've been with the Classics since 1997, it's the only racing they've ever done.
"I've had my ups and downs but winning two championships has been incredible," says Rahman. "The neat thing is I still have plenty of time for my family and they enjoy going to the races too," he says.
Yates, who runs a large tree farm south of Orlando, uses racing his Classic as a release from the stress of his business. "I actually find racing the Classic Series relaxing," he says. "It can get a bit hectic at times, especially when you have to fix something that breaks, but it's a good way to get away from everything else and spend time with some great friends and fellow racers," says Yates.
Frank Conrad of Ft. Pierce, who runs a highly successful sandblasting company and moonlights as a clown entertaining kids at Shriner's Hospitals, is in it strictly for fun. "Win or lose, I'm having a good time, and that's what it's all about," says Conrad who travels to as many races as he can with his good friend and DAWB Motorsports teammate E.B. Carr of Okeechobee.
Wayne Ashton, like Conrad, hails from Ft. Pierce and has run everything from Late Models to Dwarf Cars. Ashton, though, has found a home in the Classics. "I've driven just about every type of race car imaginable but these Classic Cars are so much more fun. They're easier to work on, less expensive, and put the driver in charge," says Ashton.
For the Hall family of St. Petersburg it isn't about winning, but about family and being around good people. A stroke like the one George Hall III had at such a young age would have ended most racing careers, but not his. "Having the race car has been his best therapy," says dad George Hall, Jr.
Both father and son compete regularly in the Series. "As long as he has the desire, we'll be there. And it's not just the racing, but being around all the good friends we've made," says Hall, Jr.
And for Sharen Ewing, she saw how much fun her husband Harvey was having and didn't want to be left out. "I told him if he was going to race, then so was I," says Mrs. Ewing. "I may be crazy, but you only live once and this is really a lot of fun," she says.
For more information on the Classic Auto Racing Series, visit www.classicautoracing.com on the web. Updated rules have been posted along with all other information about the Series itself.
If you are interested in trying out a Classic Race Car, a test ride can be made available on practice nights at both Orlando Speedworld and New Smyrna Speedway. Call (407)245-3627 for more information.
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS (Top Ten):
1) Bud Spencer, Palm Harbor #7 106
2) Ben Booth (R), Deland #12 102
3) Greg Helton (R), Orange City #3 96
4) E.B. Carr, Okeechobee #90 88
5) Daryl Grief, Deland #1 87
6) Simeon Spagnuolo, Vero Beach #21 82
7) Patrick Sanders, Winter Garden #8 82
8) Frank Conrad, Ft. Pierce #11 82
9) Joey Strehle (R), Lake Mack #42 80
10) Bill Posey (R), Rockledge #00 76
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