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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Jim asked me help out with this
months newsletter, to share a little about my family's involvement in racing and
some perspective about changes over the years and how much time it takes in the
shop to be competitive, so here goes, even though it is late.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>First of all for those who don't really
know me I come from a family that has been involved in racing for years. 21
years in a Mod for me. My father Johnny Logan started racing jalopies back in
the late 40's and raced all his life up until he was 74 years old. The one
thing most may not know about him was that he really never owned his own race
car until he bought one for me to drive in 1969. He was a hired gun per say and
drove Super Modified and Sprint cars for 40-50% of that nights winnings.
Still then he never drove the car he bought for me to drive, but
finally bought a Mod of his own in the early 90's. He raced it at
Spartan, Owosso, Galesburg and a few times on the dirt, up until the day he
retired.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>At the time he bought his Mod my
brother and I were both racing them and we competed against each other as hard
or harder than anyone else. He was Spartan's Rookie of the Year one of those
first years and was appalled at the banquet when they announced him as the
Rookie of the Year. He stated he was no damn rookie and to give the trophy to
someone who was a real rookie. Dad had a lot pride, as those who met him would
know, just ask Bill Lackey.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>One thing dad told me early on was to
prep the car in the shop and try to never take off the hood. Yup! there were a
few times over the years when we had to break that advice.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Over the years things have changed as
much or more from a driver's perspective as the fan's. One thing that has
really changed the last 10 years in all classes is the fact that everyone
has gotten faster and you can buy any part you need to go faster. In my early
days we had to build what we thought was the new widget that would get us to
victory circle. What with CNC machine programs and the less
expensive engine parts that come from outside the US, (note I said less
expensive not better) more HP can be made now for a lot less money, with cyl
heads being the largest factor.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Years ago the engine claim was in place
for $325 and I feel it worked fine for awhile, until the claims got to be grudge
claims, rather than buying someone because their engine was beating you. Most of
the time it was setup, not more HP that was beating you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Fans still come to the races for the
entertainment value they feel they can get. Today the fan has so many choices of
entertainment, be it the movie theater that has 6-8 movies to choose from. The
internet, for learning, blogging, google searching, you tube, online poker, you
name it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>We as a group of drivers and promoters
HAVE to give the fan what they perceive as a good value or they will not come
back. We all need to encourage friends and family to bring new people who may
have never been to the race track a taste of what it is like. Offer to bring
your new neighbor, let your kids bring a friend, who may ask mom or dad to go
again and watch little Johnny's dad, mom or brother race.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>I have never been one for what some
call the circus acts, but the fans like the excitement. For anyone who has been
to the school bus races you know what I'm talking about. So we the die hard
racers need to support the race tracks decision to bring in and try new things.
I would think these trailer or chain races would help to bring new spectators
and help turn them into fans. The tracks need to put butts in the seats to
help with profits or we may some day not have a place to play out the passion we
have for short track racing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>I have been guilty of this myself in
the past, but have become a little wiser as I get older, but we need to respect
the track officials. These folks get paid very little for the abuse we some
times inflict on them. Think about your work place and how long you might last
if you acted at work as you may have on a Friday night at the race
track.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>For some it takes more prep time than
others, but for us, we try to have one or two work nights a week to prep the
car. There are times if you had a bad weekend that it might take each and every
night. If we race on Friday, then it might take 2-3 hrs in the shop Saturday
morning to make changes and the regular maintenance needed, providing that
Friday was a good night.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>I know we are facing some very tough
economic times, but we all need to do our little part to support the race tracks
or we may not have them around in the future. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>One other thing to remember, in most
cases we rely on family to help us get to the track, so make sure you give them
the thanks that they deserve or you may not get the help when you need it
the most.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>I know Jim is working on some creative
ways to help get people to the races that would be affordable. ( RIGHT JIM!
)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Dan, (The Governor)
Loughan</FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>