| |
 MEET
ME IN ST. LOUIE
Towards the end of June, the ‘ol Lenster gets a special treat.
He gets to go back to one of his all-time favorite haunts. That’s
right, it’s time for my semi-annual trip to St. Louis International
Raceway. Oops, I mean Gateway International Raceway. Oh, I’ve been
there a few times since the old place was leveled and the new “state
of the art” facility was built. But this time it will be in a working
capacity (the man upstairs and the NHRA credentials department willing).
Most people probably love the new place - and it does have it’s
advantages - but I still have a lot of good memories regarding the original
“Strip in the Swamp.” Home to the old AHRA Grand American
tour,  SLIR
offered some unique vistas from which to view the action. Fans entering
the track drove around behind the starting line to get to the parking
lot. There just isn’t anything like driving by right as Don Garlits
and / or Jerry Ruth fire up to get a drag racing fan primed to throw
Jacksons at the ticket takers.
Once in the gate, the hard-core amongst the masses usually headed right
to a particular stretch of chain link fence hard by the starting line.
Oh, there were plenty of good seats available, but the fence seemed
to be the “in” place. My first time on the fence, I had to
ask myself why I was there. After the first Nitro Funny car went through,
I had my answer. I used to have a photo of the fence scene that pretty
well summed up it’s appeal. The shot shows Ray Beadle smoking the
tires, blades wide open, eyes as big as beach balls, header flames THROUGH
the fence, and the people trying to get OVER the fence ONTO the Blue
Max!! They weren’t mad, they were just diggin’ it!!
The other main memory of my times at the Swamp come from my time as
a writer / photog for Super Stock magazine. My first time on the other
side of the fence, I noticed something “wrong with the picture.”
If you wanted to get a good spot to shoot from, you had to stand on
the edge of the track, as in, with no guard rail between you and the
race cars. After an initial period of fear and loathing, I got used
to the setup, and St. Louis became my fave track to shoot photos at.
One thing for sure, it wasn’t a place for posers!
At any rate, it should be fun strapping on the NHRA short order cook
apron and revisiting one of my all-time favorite drag race places. But
someone should really tell them the track’s going the wrong way!
On another note, the Large Editor recently lamented the lack of a “really
big show” in drag racing. I couldn’t agree more, so here’s
an idea on what to do about it. How does Drag Race of Champions sound
as a working title? Yes, yes, it’s model is the International Race
of Champions, that sometimes vilified made-for-TV event that is on network
TV and draws some of the best driving talent on a global level, and
has real money paying sponsorship. Who would be in it, you ask? Well,
that’s the first problem. MY first thought would be about three
reps from the Pro categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock), and one
each from all the other eliminators. I’m talking NHRA and IHRA.
How many, you ask? I wouldn’t have a problem with as many as 64
contestants. If the NCAA basket ball tourney lets that many in, why
not drag racing?
Problem number two: what would they drive and who would provide the
rides? I got no clue on this one, but with a TV deal it might prove
one of the lesser stumbling blocks. Failing all else, maybe the powers
that be could prevail on one of their “official vehicles”
providers to help out.
And now, the DEAL KILLER. That’s right, how much dey gonna pay,
and where dey gonna get it? Hey, don’t look at me, I’m only
the idea guy. But it needs to be for large coin, no stipulations, no
contingencies! If ya wanna make sports headlines these days, serious
money has to change hands.
OH, OH - I almost forgot the best part of my insane idea. Why not let
the fans in on it? Why not save eight spots (at least) for any brave
souls willing to take on the “real” racers? Sure, that approach
would limit the types of cars you could use. And the liability wonks
would probably insist on some training for the fan entrants. Hey, what
else has Frank Hawley got to do anyway?
To be sure, many problems exist, beside the ones discussed here. And
the chances of such an event happening are slim and none. But ya gotta
start somewhere, don’t ya?
|
|
|
Lightweight
Aluminum
Storage System 
.
Mobile work bench .
6-inch locking wheels .
Integrated T-slot tool mounting system .
Lista cabinets with locking drawers - 150 lbs. per drawer .
A wide variety of colors .
60W x 24D x 39-1/2H or 84W x 24D x 39-1/2H 60-inch
w/Lista
$2525.00 84-inch
w/Lista
$2820.00 Customized
options
available to fit your needs. Phone
630-495-3774 Fax
630-495-3785 Bridgeview,
Illinois |
 |
|
