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POSTED ON THE NORCAL BOARD BY A THANKFUL BRIT
Having been in California since January 2009, we got the news last week that we are heading back to the UK in the summer. I have to say it has been a pleasure living here and watching the racing from the first WOO race that we saw at Chico in March 2009 up to the Civil War race at Placerville last Saturday.
I didn't know too much about the California sprint car scene until we arrived, but you have some fantastic tracks and events here. Our real highlights/observations have been, in no particular order:
- The first exeperience of Chico and seeing experienced drivers like Steve Kinser disappear over the cushion at regular intervals.
- Watching a 30 lap non winged race at Perris go caution free with 4 potential winners dicing it out almost every lap.
- Can't believe how cold it can be at the likes of Petaluma and Ocean in the middle of July
- What a fabulous place Tulare is, despite the smell!
- What a brilliant format the Trophy Cup is, and what a brilliant event the 2009 version was.
- That Jon Allard, Tim Shaffer and Lucas Wolfe all walked away from a couple of the worst crashes I have ever seen.
- The Wild Winged Wednesday event in 2009 when the thunder and lightening came in before the end of the A was amazing.
- Wine and beer tasting at Calistoga - that would not happen at a race meeting in the UK
- Kyle Larson, I think he is going to be very good.
....and too many more to mention.
To everyone who enjoys sprint car racing here I encourage you to appreciate what you have in Norcal, we love it. We have a few more chances to get to races before we head over the pond, starting with Chico on Saturday and intend to enjoy everyone, and the blow will be softened by first trips to the Indiana speedweeks, Williams Grove & Eldora, and a return to Knoxville before we board the big bird.
If you hear the British accents at any of the tracks before the end of June please say hello and have a chat, or if you see my son Tom on the simulators if DAKS is still around give him an encouraging word.
As I said at the start, thank you California, you're a bit special and I hope the people who live here long term appreciate it.
All the best
Darren
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