[Spridgets] SMRS End of Season and Results

Tue Aug 15 12:11:08 MDT 2023

Thank you Stan and Rick

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________________________________
From: stanbmason at aol.com <stanbmason at aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 2:10:00 PM
To: Andrew Spridget Moore <andrew.more.fsae at gmail.com>; Bruce midget Newcomer <j.newcomer at yahoo.com>; Derek Sprite Chima <derekchima at hotmail.com>; Sieling LemanSprite Roger <sarl45 at hotmail.com>; Steve Myers <steve at skunkriverresto.com>; Nathan Bugeye Burress <nburress at gmail.com>; Jason Stine <stine.jason at gmail.com>; RichardVscdaBugeye McCormack <mccormackr at hss.edu>; Tom Speedwell Colby <tcspeedwell at gmail.com>; Kirk BugEye Kosidowski <kirkkos at yahoo.com>; Harry Spridget Racer Gentry <hcgracing at aol.com>; JohnSqBdyBE Salisbury <salisje at comcast.net>; Tim Spridget McGinley <tim at mcginleyinc.com>; Ed VSCDA Hinsa <edwardhinsa at gmail.com>; Buckley SB Jeff <buks62500 at yahoo.com>; DaveVscdaBugeye Williams <bugeyedave at aol.com>; Tom Sqbdy Cole <tlcnam at aol.com>; Jeff Carloss <jeff at mozer.com>; Greg SpeedwellBugEye Kuzuhowski. <happykozfam at comcast.net>; Skip Bugeye Meyer <skip.meyer at ymail.com>; Dick Rzepkowski <dick at mgcarclub.com>; Steve LeMansSprite Coleman <steve at onecoleman.com>; Ellie Lynch Lynch <esolynch at gmail.com>; CurtVscdaBugeye Fisher <fishnet at essex1.com>; Phil Schaefer <spridget72 at yahoo.com>; John Deikis <deikis at gmail.com>; Steve Bugeye Bisson <steve.bisson at yahoo.com>; Gary.perser <gary.perser at gmail.com>; John McCue <slugthemtrhd at suddenlink.net>; Charles Hall III <charlie at charles-hall.com>; Steve Sprite Wright <stevewright9928 at gmail.com>; Evan Midget Holmes <racingred69midget at rogers.com>; Paul PotentialSprite Racer Harris <pauljharris914 at yahoo.com>; Bob Bug Eye Kanasa <swindrace at aol.com>; Erik BugEye Jacobsen <kekjacobsen at yahoo.com>; Bill VSCDABigHealeyBlue Dredge <mowogbill at yahoo.com>; Grant Gongoll <viggen at bellsouth.net>; Jon Sprite Bauer <jbtruck at dwave.net>; Buzz Bugeye Thcko Merchlewitz <buzzmerk at yahoo.com>; swope david <swope66 at aol.com>; Jeff SB Bakker <jeff.bakker at yahoo.com>; Dave Brown <dbrown07 at aol.com>; Rick Bug Eye Michalek <rickdmichalek at gmail.com>; Tom Spridget Daly <tom.daly at westsidevw.com>; ptgbhtl at aol.com <ptgbhtl at aol.com>; Kevin SBSpridget Clemens <wrtr at aol.com>; Colin Comer <colin at colinsclassicauto.com>; Thomas SqBdy Spridget Wilcox <ta.wilcox57 at gmail.com>; Jim Donato <spridget at aol.com>; Rick Spridget Fisk <refisk at chartermi.net>; Dave Sprite Thomas <spridgets at autox.team.net>; DavidBugEyeTx Lee <dlee1967 at sbcglobal.net>; Mathew Midget Meixner <ccstickleback at yahoo.com>; Erick Zanner <ezanner at gmail.com>; ScottSpridget Schmidt <scthsc47 at gmail.com>; MalVscdaMidget Fay <mg72racer at juno.com>; Terry Speedwell Cowan <terry at toyshop-resto.com>; Ron Soave <soavero at yahoo.com>; Ed Sprite Forrest <edwforrest at gmail.com>; Derek Sprite Shannon <kered_2004 at yahoo.com>; Buckley SB Greg <buckleyproperties at gmail.com>; ThadSqBdy Evans <thadevans at windstream.net>; Scott SquareBody Appli <saeppli at aol.com>; Jim50 Midget <bmwwxman at gmail.com>; Mark Huffaker Maehling <mmaehling at comcast.net>; Chip Starr <dynamic881961 at yahoo.com>; Chris SquareBody Beukema <christopher.beukema at gmail.com>; John Sprite Race Jones <nadadawgracing at yahoo.com>; Ted Hershey <thershey at frontiernet.net>; Don Kelly <devildogracing9 at gmail.com>; Steve SpridgetSCCA Best <stevebest3131 at gmail.com>; Rob SMRS Futcher <rob.futcher at yahoo.com>; Ted Bugeye Canada Michalos <ted at hoyes.com>; Brian Lynch <brian at stagecraftplayers.com>; TimVscdaSprite Moran <tmoran at moranconstruction.com>; Dave SMRS Walters <d.walters at lackstrim.com>; Kevin SridgetRacer Fay <k_hund59 at yahoo.com>; Jeff WinnerCircle Porada <wc at spridget.com>; Greg Bug Eye Newcomer <gregnewc1981 at gmail.com>; Ron SpriteChamp Bartell <ron.bartell at comcast.net>; Severin Bill Thompson <wsthompson at thicko.com>; Doug Bruce <dbruce at taborbruce.com>; RogerThicko Heil <rfheil at aol.com>; Richard BugEyeHP Duncan <mgvadick at aol.com>; Clancy Sprite Schmidt <clancy at sunflower.com>; Craig E. Seifert <cseifert at tombrowninc.com>; Larry SB Race Smith <larsmg at aol.com>; Joe BugeyeRace Chiarello <chia219 at comcast.net>; Ashley SpridgetRacer Burress <ashleyburress27 at gmail.com>; Max Spridget Speedwell <maxspeedwell773 at gmail.com>; Rod Hahnemann <spridgetech at ameritech.net>; Cana Comer <cana.comer at gmail.com>; Dan Spridget Rudd <sgthui at yahoo.com>; Adam Sprite Mozdzien <adammozdzien at gmail.com>; David SBTx Lee <dlee1967 at sbclgobal.net>; John Spridget Basnik <jbasnik3 at gmail.com>; Brian Spridget Ulinski <brian.ulinski at gmail.com>; Dave Spridget Kessinger <dbkessinger at yahoo.com>; James SqBdy Vogel <bravenrace at yahoo.com>; Leah Sprite Bauer <leah at leahbauerdesigns.com>; David SMRS Long <dstantonkc at gmail.com>
Subject: SMRS End of Season and Results

All Spridgetines,

Below is the copied version of the SMRS end of season report.  Attachments above include Donato Award .

2023 Sprite Midget Race Series End of Season Report & Overview

(revised August 15, 2023)

  1.  Overall - It is hard to believe that we have been having this great fun on and off the track for 12 years as the Sprite Midget Race Series.  Before SMRS we would be excited if we had 5 Spridgets racing for the weekend.  This year we had up to 17 at several events.  In the beginning there was a lot of time spent promoting through magazine article and internet social media.  In my opinion we have grown to a self-sustaining point that is comfortable requiring less promotion.  Our numbers have allowed us to have our own exclusive race at all 3 designated points race weekends.  I have seen other groups try to have their own exclusive races with less success.  Thanks to all of you we have been able to keep up the numbers that allows for these exclusive races.
  2.  Grattan – Parking was less of a problem than in the past.  I will continue to encourage a Spridget Paddock, but am not going to over organize where everyone locates.  This year’s Grattan Finale started off with a glorious comfortable Friday, with an oily unpredictable track.  The overnight heavy rain gave us maximum adhesion for our 13 inch tires Saturday and Sunday.  We broke out the Cape of Good Hope Friday night.  Janet Carloss provided a really cool Cape of Good Hope keg end with Cape of Good Hope on it to add to the display!  We recognized our friends that passed last year.  Duane (Ottie) Ottman remembered for his positiveness and a big smile that will never be forgotten, particularly when racing his Bug Eye.  Jeff Kelly (Don’s Father) had many remember his calmness and passion for Family and Sprites.  Ron Soave reread the eulogy he presented at Jeff’s memorial.  Our end of season awards were cool navy blue wool look baseball caps with tan bills including SMRS logo on front and SMRS overall finishing positon in the rear for the top 3 in each class.  We had enough brats and food, but I realize that we have less people contributing.  This lunch only works if we have everyone contributing.  It only takes going to a grocery store and picking up beans, cole slaw or potato salad at your deli and precooked brats. Thanks to all our SMRS Chefs: Clancy, Jeff, Brad and Stan, along with table organizers Janet and Sheryl Carloss. Bruce Newcomer raced a Midget with us and his brother Greg has a Bug Eye and hoping to race more with us in the future.    We have a new Paddock member created by the Burress Racing family.  Dad put baby Jensen in Ron Soave’s Sprite and he started to cry.  In the background we heard “I don’t want to sit in a Square Body” in a high voice.  Dad moved him to a BugEye and he stopped crying (is anybody shocked by this result?).  Lots of laughter throughout the weekend, but that was the funniest. The end of season results are attached.  Rick Fisk graciously volunteered to take over the responsibility of compiling results and has done an outstanding job. Please let us know if any inaccuracies occurred.
  3.  SMRS Account – If you have any interest in being a sponsor of have some suggestions of someone that maybe interested, please let me know.  Our treasury is minimal and probably can make it through next year if we keep award cost down and collect more funds from hats, posters and stickers.
  4.  Contributors - Jeff Carloss who has been providing our fantastic posters over the past 10 plus years, which helps contribute to our treasury so we can purchase awards, plates, condiments, propane and propane accessories.  Cana and Colin Comer’s contribution towards our annual stickers is also greatly appreciated.  Recently our awards have been baseball hats and we ordered additional hats for sale.
  5.  Driver Incidents Spridgets and Group 2 – As the VSCDA Group 2 representative I can say this past year has maintained less incidents equal to or better than last year.  Thanks to all of you that maintain the Vintage Spirit while on the track.  I will provide any additional details from the Driver Committee as they become available
  6.  Race Attendance – Below is a highlight of the Sprite Midget race attendance numbers.  These numbers are as accurate as I can make them.  In cases where I was not in attendance there may have been more Spridgets than results reported due to mechanical issues or Driver School attendees that may not have raced after Driver School.

Race Track

2012

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

2023

Gingerman

14

14

12

16

9

12

18

17

0

21

16

17

Blackhawk

13

11

11

14

12

12

12

14

9

26

10

17

Grattan

17

14

20

23

15

14

16

18

12

28

15

17

Pittsburg GP

21

Waterford H

6

ELVF 60th

47

Blacktober

15

9

SMRS Total

44

39

43

53

36

38

93

49

21

84

62

57

6.       Season Overall Winners (requires having a perfect score of 48 points from at least 2 of the 4 race weekends)

2013

Cana Comer

2014

Greg Cory and Nathan Burress

2015

Colin Comer and Randy Byboth

2016

None qualified

2017

Ashley Burress, Nathan Buress and Jim Donato

2018

Ashley Burress and Ron Soave

2019

Doug Bruce and Jim Donato

2020

John Salisbury

2021

John Salisbury, Doug Bruce & Nathan Burress

2022

None

2023

David Lee

7.       Special Spirit and Driver Awards:

Gary Kropf Spirit Award (started in 2015 in honor of Gary’s attitude that we all admire). This Huge piston award was donated by Paul Fitzsimmons and polished up with name tags by Charlie Hall’s vision of this spirit award.

a.       Previous Winners: 2015 Salisbury, 2016 Donato, Salisbury, 2017 Soave, Kelly, Mason, 2018 Kropf, Salisbury, Hall, 2019 Bruce, 2020 cancelled, 2021 Hall, 2022 Clancy Schmidt and Mark Maehling (who may still have award).

b.      Criteria:  Promotes the Vintage Spirit, Assists others within the paddock, with repairs, parts, advice and encourages racer in making next session.  Quick to organize group activities with race and banquet.  Volunteers with other VSCDA activities and committees.

c.       This year’s winners were   David Lee

Jim Donato Most Respected Driver (started in 2016 in honor of Jim’s contribution and example of a great respected driver)

Criteria: A driver that exemplifies the meaning of a Vintage Sports Car Most Respected   Driver includes:

Predictable (Stays on racing line and points racers by when being passed or when passing.  Makes sure that over taking driver knows they are about to be passed and allows room and good judgement),

Confident & Observant (Uses mirrors and is aware of others racing nearby)

Respectful (Confirms that their race car is mechanically sound and will not cause others to be injured from improper maintenance.  Can sit down with other competitors and enjoy their company after any session)

Objective (open to other’s comments) Drives Defensively (adjusts for conditions safely regardless of other driver’s interaction).

Previous Winners: 2016 Namesake Jim Donato, 2017 Mal Fay, 2018 Ashley Burress, 2019 Buzz Merchlewitz, 2020 John Salisbury, 2022 Charlie Hall & Nathan Burress.

This year’s winners is David Lee

SMRS Perseverance:

All of us as Sprite / Midget Racers recognize that our cars are not for the weak of heart and require lots of time to keep our temperamental little friends running so we can make the next race session.  We know of many examples over the years where this dedication by many has allowed what we all know as comradery and is probably greater in SMRS than any other race groups I can think of.  There were many examples of providing parts and time in the late hours of the day this past weekend.  It is great to see someone who has come from outside our group doing the same thing.  David Lee is that person.  I want to thank him for his generosity and knowledge to everyone he helped this weekend.

8.       Spridget Contributors to VSCDA - We appreciate our group’s unselfish contribution to VSCDA and the Sprite Midget Race Series making us one of the best groups within VSCDA for volunteering their time and making this club continue to thrive for our enjoyment, which is listed below (I was at Gingerman and Grattan and apologize if I overlooked any names.  Please let me know who those omissions were):

a.       Tom Wilcox Blackhawk Event Chairmen.

b.      Carl Goodwin, Brad & Jeff Carloss for their contributions to Scrutineering / Tech Barn

c.       Stacey Donato for her overall running of VSCDA registration and all that she does along with her family.  Registration assistance from Sheryl Carloss & Janet Carloss.

d.      Charlie Hall, Gary Kropf, Roger Heil & Jim Donato for Drivers Committee.  Gary Kropf initiated the Driver’s Committee Summary of actions, which is greatly appreciated and time consuming.  I think measuring something as important as safety is the key to reducing incidents and allowing us to improve.

e.  Doug Bruce for Homologations and Corner / Paddock Worker Sprite Door Annual Award selected for the best Grattan worker selected by their peers.

f. Jim Donato as VSCDA Vice President

j. Bob Danielson continuing to support the Donato Most Respected Driver Award that he crafted and provide updated driver plaque.

h. Charlie Hall continuing support of the Kropf Piston Spirit Award that he initiated and continues to provide updated plaques for.

i. Stan Mason as VSCDA Group 2 Representative and SMRS lead.

I apologize for anyone I have overlooked from this great group.  Please let me know other that may have helped.

9. End Of Season Awards -Every driver that met the 2 race weekend or more requirements received awards if they attended Grattan finale. Results are attached to this email.  We traditionally distribute points by having 3 sessions that go towards end of season awards.  We try to balance out points for everyday of weekend of a 3 day race weekend, so anyone with mechanical problems has an opportunity to recover.

10. Classifications - I would like to revise our SMRS classifications for the 2024 season and I have several thoughts of how we can improve.  If you have some thoughts of how we can group Spridgets for fair competition I would like to hear from you.  Our criteria up to this time has been to follow VSCDA requirements, which include conformance to SCCA 1972 GCR/PCS guidelines and exceptions as spelled out by VSCDA.  Even under these conditions there is varying shades of gray that we need to clarify for fair classifications.

      11. SMRS Past / Future - Like all organizations including SMRS we will only be successful if we have new people stepping up to fill positions.  I have been at the helm for the past 12 years and will step down on or before 2026.  It would be nice to have someone that is retired or will retire in the future to pick up this baton before my departure.  Maybe even mirror me and assist before 2026.  I have started a job description / overview of what I currently do.  I know there are others out there that can take SMRS to a higher level, learning from our past and improving the future.  If you have an interest now or in the future please let me know.

12.  VSCDA Upcoming 2023 events:

1.      Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival Road America September 15-17, much more than racing with reenactment of the original street course and car shows in a fabulous lake tourist area.

2.      New! Ozark International Raceway October 13-15  This track is praised by the racers that attended last year and allows for late season fun further South.

  Thanks for a Great 12th Season and Enjoy a Spridgetly Life of Relative Speed!  Now back to working on our favorite ride!

Stan Mason

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