The Return of ANRA
The ANRA is coming back! And they want to talk sportsman
nostalgia racing. I know all of it is technically sportsman
racing, even the nitro classes, but these folks are going
to concentrate on highlighting what the VRA calls “sportsman
classes” and bring them to the forefront as they have
long deserved. For sportsman teams who have felt like they
are always the “opening act,” now they get to
be the stars! Butch Hedrick has gathered a group of dedicated
VRA sportsman racers to spearhead his association and plans
to run a series of races at Bernie Longjohn’s LACR
for the 2005 season. Here is what the ANRA schedule looks
like and, might I add, that it in no way conflicts with
the Goodguys VRA race schedule.
2005 SCHEDULE
ANRA Classic Opener Saturday April 2nd, 2005
ANRA Classic Spring Nationals Sunday May 15th, 2005
ANRA Classic Summer Nationals Sunday June 12th, 2005
ANRA Classic Fall Nationals Sunday September 18th, 2005
ANRA Classic Finals Sat & Sun November 19th & 20th,
2005
The classes are based on Goodguys VRA classes
A/Gas 7.60 index
B/Gas 8.60 index
C/Gas 9.60 index
D/Gas 10.60 index
NE1 7.60 index
NE2 8.60 index
NE3 9.60 index
NE4 10.60 index
Hot Rod Eliminator will be a full-bodied car dial your
own class 9.99 to 13.99 and will run off a .500 tree (all
others will run a .400 tree)
ANRA hopes to fill the need of most sportsman VRA racers
that want to run more than five times per year against cars
like their own. Check out the website for all the latest
news and rules info: http://www.anra.com/
Nostalgia Guys Go Big Time
Troy Cagle got to step up and be one of the nitro interns,
along with another nostalgia fan Charlie Nichols, for Bob
Gilbertson’s funny car at the World Finals. Troy didn’t
come to the job a complete beginner, however. Along with
being the kid of T/F legend Gary Cagle, he also used to
wrench for the little people (Tedford, Hester and McGee’s
AA/FD and…ahem…Gaynor’s funny) back in
the old days (oh, about three month ago). Not only did Troy
give his all to the Gilbertson team that weekend, he also
donated his dad’s Pomona Drags 160 Club jacket for
bettering 160 MPH in about 1960 which, along with a photo
of his dad from the time, fetched about $1600 for the Darryl
Russell benefit auction. Way to go, Troy!
Last but not Least
Ruthi Hedge, a.k.a. Mrs. Rootbeer, who you may know as part
of the Mastercam-Barrick Gaming teams, is going big time
too. You of course know her as the heart and soul of Rootbeer’s
teams, but what you may not know is that she was also the
gorgeous voice who sang the Star Spangled Banner at the
Goodguys Fuel and Gas Finals. I just found out that she
scored a prestigious gig singing old western tunes at the
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma
City. You know what they say, the cream rises to the top.
Congratulations, Ruthi!
Well, happy holidays to everyone in our nostalgia racing
family. And this year may Santa only put 100% in your tank.
