Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

...there are people out there that are trying.

I would like to give kudos to Chris Kearns and the entire Santa Maria Speedway staff for a memorable night of grass roots, dirt track auto racing. I had a blast and met some incredible people, which is usually the case when I travel north of home. Last nights program was an excellent example of how one promoter is doing everything right, and I wasn't the only one that took notes.

The last time I visited the track had to be in the late '70s or early '80s. If I remember correctly, I believe it was for a NARC-sanctioned (non-wing) sprint race. I'm not even sure if my age had double digits at that time, so my recollection of that last show at SMS is foggy at best. I was really excited to return yesterday, and the USAC-CRA boys headlining a four-division night of clay-slinging, hammer-down action was all the incentive I needed. I was extremely glad I made the trip.

Immediately after peeling off the highway and into the pit area, my eyes were wandering as I gazed at the facility, tucked neatly into a piece of hillside and surrounded by shade trees. Suddenly, fond memories from that historic bullring were coming back to me.After a quick tour of the pits and greeting the drivers and teams, I was introduced to Chris Kearns. He was busy...this was an important night and he had his hands full with four very different organizations racing later in the evening. Yet he took the time to introduce me to key players at the speedway and made me feel at home.

Talking with some of the crews and drivers before hot laps, the opinions were positive about returning to SMS. It seemed the sentiment was unanimous regarding the new promoter and the night's event. The following are some random thoughts and observations from last night's program that I feel deserve mentioning:

- Excellent Time Management. Four divisions were run and the final checkered flag waved around 10:00 pm, despite several main-event crashes.

- Great Clay. The track was very well prepared. Heavy, but not too slick and not too rough. Lots of moisture and plenty of racing grooves (the Factory Stocks were four-wide for a while).

- Monster Truck Stock Car?! The speedway has one of the trickest push trucks I've ever seen. It looks like something straight out of the Transformers movies...a jacked up, 4X4 Blazer chassis fitting with a Late Model cage and body. A huge powerplant featured dual carbs and an intake scoop that pokes out of the hood. Huge meats deliver the horsepower to the clay. Way cool!

- Trophy Girls. Those who were there know what I'm talking about! I'm glad the Central California tracks are carrying on the tradition. I understand the pressure to be PC these days, but c'mon...this is fun for the drivers, fans, photographers, and even the young models that volunteered to do it!

- Trophies. Chris went all out. Not only were the trophies multi-tier, tall beauties, but he buys two sets every week...one for the winners and one for the winning driver to give away to a lucky child in the grandstands. The winner last night received a billet aluminum trophy with the likeness of Ron Otto on it, which wasn't cheap to have custom fabricated. That is top-notch!

- Giveaways. It seemed like everytime there was a second of downtime, Chris was throwing something into the crowd. Hacky-sacks, shirts, coozies, etc. And, every single week two brand-new bicycles are given away...one to a lucky boy fan and one to a lucky girl fan. Wow!

- Radio Interviews. The USAC-CRA purse isn't cheap. Along with traditional promotions, Mr. Kearns had live radio interviews scheduled with the local radio station on Friday morning for drivers to promote themselves and the sprint car races. Good idea...duh.

- Friendly People. Everyone that I met last night were very cordial and hospitable. The personnel seemed to be as passionate as they come about dirt track racing. I was told by some crew members that when you call the office, Chris answers the phone. That is a refreshing change from years past.

I just wanted to share this with everyone to show that, despite the current economic situation shrinking car counts and reducing ticket sales, promoters out there are trying to make a difference. I appreciated what I saw in beautiful Santa Maria last night.

Doug Bushey

Passionate Fan / Announcer / Media & Public Relations 
Agent 

The Ron Otto trophy was done by a young man who we happened to meet in the stands. He along with brother, rj5150 (wonder what the 5150 means Randy?) are two very dedicated sprint car fans and I think just racing fans in general. Though I believe they are "wanger" fans (first clue was Randy's TK shirt). As Randy mentioned, "my brother does the all the creative work and I handle the p.r.", he doesn't say what his job is, but I supply the words following his hand language illustrating the world famous "yaking" sign. They were both way fun to talk with, but I have forgotten Randy's brothers name. Shame on dead memory cells. Randy's brother created the Ron Otto trophy for eventual winner Garrett Hansen. And by all accounts it was impressive. He explained the great care in designing the memorial to a Santa Maria legend. I caught a glimpse of the trophy as the two trophy girls (that Doug Bushey mentioned) drove by on a small carry all. Sorry guys it was just a glimpse, but with the high quality of the two blondes, err... trophy girls, you can well understand. Randy's brother I think is involved in a local machine shop (maybe the family's) and not sure what our friend Randy does, though at one time he ran the Outback Steakhouse near the old Baylands race track. Anyway, we enjoyed meeting the brothers and are looking forward to maybe seeing them again @ Calistoga and then later at the PAS. Its to bad that I can't give the brothers their well-deserved credit. Maybe someone can help out here?

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

I spoke with the brothers after the races as well. However, I too am guilty of not catching their names. Our conversation was cut short just as they were explaining to me how they're currently working with a few drivers to create some unique merchandise. Possible names include Danny Sheridan, Kyle Larsen, and some future stars from the Outlaw Karts. They showed me a picture of a custom sprint car trailor hitch made of billet aluminum that is simply amazing! Apparently, the Otto trophy required 36 hours of machining...wow! Best of luck to both of them...hopefully they'll post on here with names and a website so we can take a look at their creations.

Doug Bushey

Passionate Fan / Announcer / Media & Public Relations 
Agent 

Thanks for filling in some of the blanks doug. I too was shown the trailer hitch photo. It looked very impressive - only it had a barn door on top.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

From the looks of things Chris Kearns is doing a great job at Santa Maria. We had a chance to chat with him early in the afternoon, and he is truely dedicated to take the track back to how most of us remember it years ago. He and his crew started working the clay on Monday - and all week. From reading several of his posts, he is also working hard to promote the track, and from the looks of the stands, he's doing a wonderful job of it. They also let us know that you can camp there the night before and the night of the event. We wish him great success and hope we will all be racing there again come 2010.

thank you Chris for a great evening

Tom & Laurie
Moose Racing

"Winged or non-winged its all about 
the sprint cars for me!"
http://mattmusselldesigns.daportfolio.com

Doug, Thank you for the praise. It is nice to feel appreciated. I am doing the best that I possibly can, but I still have ALOT to learn. I have incredible help and support from a lot of people that make me look good.

I was going to give info about the AWESOME Billet Trophy, but I see Matts info on here. His work is incredible, and I feel honored to be able to present such a nice trophy (ok so the trophy girls really present it)

Once again thank you for your very detailed post about Santa Maria Speedway.

Chris Kearns
www.ChrisKearnsPresents.com
805-714-8538
[email protected] 

Thanks for the nice comments. It was great to meet you Bob and your son as well. I love all forms of open wheel dirt track racing. Just happens to be that TK is my favorite driver. As for what i'm currently doing.....I work for a County agency here in Santa Maria feeding the elderly and underprivileged kids at the moment. Hopefully with some financial backing I can make the hitch-cover and trophy business a full-time deal for myself to go along with my brother. It's always been a dream of mine to be able to manufacture and sell great quality products that represent this great sport. I LOVE giving back to the racers and really get great satisfaction in seeing their reactions to the quality products that my brother designs and gives to them. I love doing P.R. and selling the products, so as for a team my brother and I are a perfect fit for one another. I will be taking you up on your offer of coming to visit your lounge very soon. You will definitely be seeing me in Calistoga, Perris and Tulare for the non-wing shows this year. Also a big thanks goes out to Chris Kearns and his great staff who we've gotten to know over the past few months. They are a top-notch crew IMO. And thank you as well Doug for the kind words too. Hope to see every-one back out at Santa Maria Speedway very soon for some more fun times. Randy Mussell

Trophy Cup......Best race of the year hands down!