I just wanted to thank Denny and EVERYONE at Desoto Speedway for bending over backwards to look out for me this past Saturday night. I was caught up in an altercation in race one of our Sportsman double header and also had mechanical issues too. The staff at Desoto did everything in their power to give us time to repair our bruised and battered 07 Sportsman. All during our repair attempt they routinely stopped by asking how it was going and how much time we needed. They went out of their way to rearrange the schedule to give me and Colin Allman as much time as they possibly could for us to make repairs. In the end we wound up pulling the transmission, replacing the clutch and got it all together in just enough time but a seized throwout bearing made it all for naught. When we notified Desoto officials they sincerely seemed as disappointed as we were that we couldn’t get it fixed. Even though the night was super disappointing I was truly impressed with the understanding and flexibility of track management. I can’t wait to go back for the next Sportsman on June 13th. True we DNF’d and DNS’d but we found some speed and even though I suck at time trials we timed a respectable 3rd. I have to thank Patrick Thomas and Brad May for the speed. We made another change for the feature and the car was even better. However, from there it all went downhill.
I would like to personally invite each and every Sportsman team in Florida to come join us for the next event on June 13th. The racing has been very good, mostly clean and the PAYOUT HAS BEEN GREAT EVERY RACE. For some reason the car count for Sportsman (as with all the west coast tracks) has been a little disappointing. True Jimmy Cope and Critter are no longer at Desoto but I feel that things haven’t changed much and tech is even much improved. Additionally I feel like the treatment of the racers here is about as good as you’ll find anywhere. The track is as racy, fast and challenging as it has ever been. If you haven’t raced at Desoto in a while, come out and race. I’m sure you’ll be impressed. The laps and payout is TBA for June 13th but we have not raced for any less than $800 to win or less than 30 laps all year. The payout doesn’t drop off much either. So I’m calling all you Sportsman guys to come out and race Desoto on June 13th. You’ll be glad you did! I left Desoto late Saturday evening with a beat up and broken car but still had a smile on my face because the atmosphere there is so positive. Come be a part if it!
[QUOTE=scottgarrity07;159420]I just wanted to thank Denny and EVERYONE at Desoto Speedway for bending over backwards to look out for me this past Saturday night. I was caught up in an altercation in race one of our Sportsman double header and also had mechanical issues too. The staff at Desoto did everything in their power to give us time to repair our bruised and battered 07 Sportsman. All during our repair attempt they routinely stopped by asking how it was going and how much time we needed. They went out of their way to rearrange the schedule to give me and Colin Allman as much time as they possibly could for us to make repairs. In the end we wound up pulling the transmission, replacing the clutch and got it all together in just enough time but a seized throwout bearing made it all for naught. When we notified Desoto officials they sincerely seemed as disappointed as we were that we couldn’t get it fixed. Even though the night was super disappointing I was truly impressed with the understanding and flexibility of track management. I can’t wait to go back for the next Sportsman on June 13th. True we DNF’d and DNS’d but we found some speed and even though I suck at time trials we timed a respectable 3rd. I have to thank Patrick Thomas and Brad May for the speed. We made another change for the feature and the car was even better. However, from there it all went downhill.
I would like to personally invite each and every Sportsman team in Florida to come join us for the next event on June 13th. The racing has been very good, mostly clean and the PAYOUT HAS BEEN GREAT EVERY RACE. For some reason the car count for Sportsman (as with all the west coast tracks) has been a little disappointing. True Jimmy Cope and Critter are no longer at Desoto but I feel that things haven’t changed much and tech is even much improved. Additionally I feel like the treatment of the racers here is about as good as you’ll find anywhere. The track is as racy, fast and challenging as it has ever been. If you haven’t raced at Desoto in a while, come out and race. I’m sure you’ll be impressed. The laps and payout is TBA for June 13th but we have not raced for any less than $800 to win or less than 30 laps all year. The payout doesn’t drop off much either. So I’m calling all you Sportsman guys to come out and race Desoto on June 13th. You’ll be glad you did! I left Desoto late Saturday evening with a beat up and broken car but still had a smile on my face because the atmosphere there is so positive. Come be a part if it![/QUOTE]
I agree completely about the track and track management, just good racing, good payouts, plus there tech has pickup and no drama.
Thanks Joe! Unfortunately it’s going to take some time and money to make the 07 sporty again. I was considering towing over if we came out clean Saturday. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Not to worry, I promise to catch up with you before the end of the year and share an ice cold SUDS. Good luck to you Saturday night!
Thanks, Old School. As they say “That’s racing!”. The silver lining to the dark cloud of misfortune is that our work is paying off and we have a hot rod. The damage is cosmetic and the mechanical woes are easily fixed. We will be back in June with a very fast racecar.
PS I didn’t want to put myself and everyone else in a bad spot with a car that would be difficult at best to stop if there was trouble. I felt it wasn’t worth risking the straight car, too. I know most guys would have tried to run it but I felt the risks outweighed the potential rewards. In addition, while trying to “unseize” the throwout bearing something blew and brake fluid was leaking everywhere. Hardly a safe situation.
