Guess when the East Coast HO Outlaws get together for a club race, we better start having a full staff of medical personnel on standby. It was with unbelievable sadness and concern when we got the news that our Race Host, Greg W’ski  had gone from T-Jet Turnpike Owner to ICU Resident in Room 24 in just a few days after hosting his annual theme race. Most of us are praying type of guys and the great, almighty T-Jet racer above saw fit that Greg should stay on this earth and pass along ALL HIS KNOWLEDGE OF T-JET Chassis building as repentance for smoking cigs, when he should have been giving us technical building seminars (Joking there everyone).

So before he made his presence know to the ICU Staff of his Central CT Hospital, he and his wonderful bride, Lisa, showed us all a big welcome to the 2016 Rockin’ It Old School theme event on a beautiful and warm Sunday.  Of course, the idea is to give some track time to the original Aurora T-Jet slot car bodies that normally just sit on display shelves or storage boxes.  Toronados, Dinos and VWs plus others hit the lanes as well the iconic Good Humor Ice Cream Truck.  Our clubs own class, Hobby Stocks, were first on the T-Jet Turnpike and the 18 racers were ready to see who was Rockin’ it the fastest.  Turned out that Dave Lockwood was the fastest Rock’n Old Guy and he takes the Victory by running 115 laps. Second place was Dave “Old School Flasher” with a close 113 laps and 3rd was Mike B, a local pal of Greg’s who ran 111 laps but his gear plate had a expanded idler post, which is a modification to the stock plate and therefore not allowed.  So he, became our day’s DQ victim which then gave 3rd place to Greg B who ran 108 laps. 4th was Steven N. with 107 and 5th was Peter L with 106.

The second race of the day, which most of us were ready to skip from being in a food coma after the great buffet of edibles Greg and Lisa had ready for us at noontime, was our clubs coolest class, the Grand Nationals. It was either in this class or the Hobby Stocks, he shows up with a original Green Hornet Imperial complete with a T-Top roof custom cut (It was in Hobbystock – PR). Wasn’t quite to his level of expertise, so it’s a good guess that some 11 y/o kid did that to it sometime about 1969. But, it looked cool.  Dave L. took his second top spot of the event by running 121 laps and was again followed by Flash with a equal 121 laps but less overall track sections. And guess who came in 3rd??….same guy as the first race too, think they planned it that way.!! Greg B gets it by running 120 laps. 4th was Greg W with 117 laps and 5th was Steve N. with 117 also.  (Boldly running Dune Buggy bodies, Paul R and Pat D had a close buggy battle with Pal taking the Buggy win in an as usual mid-pack finish.  If you were behind us you got beat by Dune Buggies.  – PR)

I see a bunch of 142 Lap totals came out of the SS race at the end of the event. Steve N, Pat D and Greg B all had great runs but the 142 didn’t cut it to Flash’Man’s 147 total giving him Top Honors in the big dog class, ECHORR SS. Steve got 2nd, Greg B got 3rd (again) and Pat D. got 4th place. 5th was Greg W. with 140 laps. Should have known Greg W. was not at max abilities seeing he never took a podium at his home track. Guess having your heart damn near sputter and quit is a good excuse!!!

We’re all so happy Greg W is home with Lisa and making some lifestyle changes to get better and improve his cardiac health.  Hopefully he will be up to racing on April 17th at Paul Ryer’s event which will feature some Trans-Am class Limited Sportsman stuff plus others. Check out the website for full details.   The weekend before that though is the place for everyone to be. Stafford Speedway’s big automotive flea market/swap meet on the 10th. Pay your $10 and get in for the steals/deals at our clubs swap meet tables.Bring your extra stuff and walk out with less stuff and maybe more money in your pocket. You’ll probably, most likely, buy wicked cool stuff for your  home pit areas so, forget going home with more money. BUY…BUY,,,BUY.   BYE for now!!!