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Hi Everyone, Johnny was so busy recently, that he did not give me a turn-by-turn description of the race at Thunderbolt Raceway in Milville, New Jersey that was held on September 5-7, 2008. Despite Hurricane Hannah barreling down on the East Coast, the good news I am happy to report is that he won the race and clinched the title of 2008 USSK FE Class Champion! CONGRATULATIONS, JOHNNY!
The 2008 season will come to a close at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, October 31—November 2, 2008 (BSS/WKA) (www.roadatlanta.com), where the USSK will crown our 2008 Class Champions, and kick off the 2009 season all on the same weekend.
P.S...Johnny will be debuting his new Anderson chassis with some custom made finishing touches at the upcoming race in Atlanta. Hope to see you there!
Johnny will see you in Atlanta!
Debbie
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West Racing News JOHNNY WEST WINS AT THUNDERBOLT! |
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Contents Edited October 2008
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Date: 10/15/2008 |
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West Racing News JOHNNY WEST WINS AT ROAD AMERICA! |
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Contents Edited July 20, 2008 Date: 7/20/2008 Update following Mid-Ohio |
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Hi Everyone, Road America was excellent! We arrived Thursday. Andy Kiker, Donnie Souter’s son, Chris, Jim Brannon’s helper, Leonard, and I went up the hill to secure what was the USSK pitting area. Upon arrival, we found the HUGE tent. I was told we could use the tent for the weekend. We started to put the racers in place as they made it up the hill. As we were putting up the pits, a downpour started. It was coming down on us pretty hard. The tent was a blessing, to be sure. Once everyone was in place, all of us good friends went out to dinner. I have said it many, many times, there is nothing like getting together with your buddies for having a good meal and a good time at the races. FRIDAY: I take the track for a few laps. My times were in the 220’s. I came in and made a couple of adjustments for the track width. Everything was fine. It was good to see Steve Rhodes and his son, Craig, arrive from Canada. They have been very busy making a living and were able to make the trip. I spoke to Alan Rudolph for a bit. What a first class guy! What can I say? Here is a man who shows up alone, no pit crew! He prepared his kart and it was FAST! Alan and I went out to practice...we went back and forth a bit. Talking in the pits, he said I had the same top speed, and he had a bit more mid-range. When I asked what he weighed, he said 487 lbs. This man is really on his game. With the weight at 485 lbs., that is playing it tight. I weighed in at 509 lbs (just a little chubby). I believe Alan qualified with a 214.7. I had a 217.5. I was three seconds off. In any event, I was happy everything was running well. No blown engines, no mishaps. SATURDAY: Alan took the lead and never looked back. I was in hot pursuit (or at least as hot as I could go). The red flag came out on lap ten. The race was over. At that time, I was back by 12.5 seconds. If the race were to have continued, there would be three more laps to go. It was not to be. Alan WON the heat. Good job Alan. In the pits, I looked at the data from my Mycron. I noticed I could change the gearing a bit and it could get me better acceleration, and still have top speed. I took the engine apart for inspection. Everything looked good. The lower piston ring was stuck slightly, so I replaced the lower ring. Changed the gearing, new Dunlop tires and topped it off with fuel. I was ready for Sunday. On Saturday, my wife, Debbie, drove up with daughter Charity and four year old grandson, Matthew. Matthew sure enjoyed watching his grandpa race! Matthew was in for a big surprise when I presented him with his own Kid Kart. It came with a little driving suit. He was a little leery at first, then reluctantly, he let me help him put on the driving suit. It was a perfect fit! After a while, we could hardly get him out of the kart. If I knew the grandkids could be this much fun, I would have just had grandkids! Being a parent is a lot harder! SUNDAY: Alan led the field to the flagman and OFF we go! Alan took the lead and I got under him into turn one...he got by me in turn four...we ran up the hill to turn six, nose to tail. We swapped back and forth for two laps. That’s when I had a brain fart going into turn six under the bridge. I was right on Alan’s bumper, when he went in a little deep and hit the brakes. I, too, hit the brakes, only to do a SLOW spin that put the rear of my kart off the track. I held the clutch and kept it running. I got back in the race and pressed on. If you look at the MY LAPS, it shows just how the race unfolded. I caught back up to Alan by lap ten. I had him in sight, and I knew there was something wrong with his ride. I thought maybe it was his tires or fuel. When I passed Alan, it was just after the carousel before the kink. This was on lap 12. I took the checkered flag and then the red flag came out. After scaling and tech, I saw Alan and Scott Fiesler on the flatbed tow truck. Alan’s tires on the left were blistered and he said he ran out of fuel. I can’t thank my son, Joey, enough. That boy worked his butt off for me. He got all the race coverage from my in-car camera for the entire event. I would like to thank Scott Fiesler, Steve Rhodes, and Craig Rhodes for all their help for the weekend. As always, a special thanks goes out to my sponsors, DUNLOP TIRE/RUSSELL KARTING, WISECO PISTON, KELGATE BRAKES and BADGER KART CLUB for all their support this racing season. The next race is at Thunderbolt Raceway, Milville, New Jersey, September 5-7, 2008. See you guys soon, Johnny
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Contents Edited May 12, 2008 Update following Eagles Canyon, Decatur, TX April 25—27, 2008 |
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Hi Everyone, I thought you would like to know some of the things that occurred over the race weekend. Scott, Joey and I arrived at O’Hare Airport for our flight to Dallas. Since Scott did not make the March Race at MSR, his original round trip ticket was cancelled. He had to purchase another ticket for $350.00, so he could go to the race. Once in Dallas, I rented a car from Enterprise that was supposed to cost $99.00. For two hours of use, the bill was $149.01. The reason I mention this is to let you know how their system worked. Firouz Haghighi picked us up in Tyler, Texas. All I can say is WOW!!! He has a beautiful place and a HUGE workshop. Thanks again, Firouz, for all your help. I really appreciate it. Once at the track, we set up under overcast skies. FRIDAY: During Friday practice, I drove the track to learn it. Checked the jetting, etc. I made a few adjustments, but was still off the pace. 156.00 to 157.00. I asked Mike Spear for a few tips. He advised me to adjust the front. I took his advice and qualified 154.7. I think I made three laps. I saw the time and was happy, as I thought I would be somewhere up front. I think it was good for ninth. I asked Andy Kiker to take the kart out for feedback. He was two full seconds faster than I was , and he said the kart handled good. I knew I needed to adjust my driving style to the kart. SATURDAY: At the start of the Saturday race, I was able to work toward the front to fourth or fifth place. As I came around, I saw all these parts across the track. I knew Jim Brannon was involved in it, as I could recognize his side pod, and I saw Jayce going slow. I did not witness the accident, just the carnage. By the fourth lap, the top EGT went to 543o. Not good. I decided to run to try to finish. I got lucky. The engine would at times run better, then go away. I was able to pull out a second place. An inspection of the engine showed the top ring broke on the intake side (strange). The piston was not stuck. I burned the midnight candle and I replaced the top cylinder and piston. As I was working on it, My good buddy Bobby Butler would from time-to-time lay on his air horn in the motor home. I was losing my mind! I was about to jump out of my skin every time he did this! Scott and Joey were by my side, helping me with other things, like changing tires, setting the front end and fixing the on-board cameras. SUNDAY: I put a couple of heat cycles through the engine, and took a practice session to break in the engine. I got down to 151.03, which was looking good to me. I was getting faster! RACE TIME: I started seventh, and by the fifth turn, I saw Andy going slow by the side looking down. This NEVER happens. Well, I started to settle in for what I hoped to be a good race, only to find I NEVER STRAPPED MY HELMET ON properly. As I would drive, it would float up. I could not secure it more. So, I ran with my chin pushing against the front of the inside to hold it secure. I lead for a lap and you guessed it, here comes Andy, Jayce, and Jimmy Long. I ran behind for a few laps. Then my pit crew told me Frank Witmozer was coming. I pushed harder. One thing I learned was my Anderson will not turn if you are not on the throttle. By the end of the race, I got down to 149.3 (not bad). I also found I needed to add a tooth to the engine. I needed more speed in the back straight. I caught up to Jimmy Long. He said his engine went rich. I was able to pull out a First Place. I was quite happy! Things are coming together. I want to thank my long time friend Scott Fiesler, my son, Joey, and Andy Kiker, who is one hell of a nice guy, for their help with my success. I also want to thank my sponsors, DUNLOP TIRE/RUSSELL KARTING and WISECO PISTON for all their support this racing season. And Thank You SWRA for all your hospitality. We’ll be back! |
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West Racing News JOHNNY WEST WINS AT MID-OHIO! |
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Contents Edited June 17, 2008 Update following Mid-Ohio |
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Hi Everyone, Road America was excellent! We arrived Thursday. Andy Kiker, Donnie Souter’s son, Chris, Jim Brannon’s helper, Leonard, and I went up the hill to secure what was the USSK pitting area. Upon arrival, we found the HUGE tent. I was told we could use the tent for the weekend. We started to put the racers in place as they made it up the hill. As we were putting up the pits, a downpour started. It was coming down on us pretty hard. The tent was a blessing, to be sure. Once everyone was in place, all of us good friends went out to dinner. I have said it many, many times, there is nothing like getting together with your buddies for having a good meal and a good time at the races. FRIDAY: I take the track for a few laps. My times were in the 220’s. I came in and made a couple of adjustments for the track width. Everything was fine. It was good to see Steve Rhodes and his son, Craig, arrive from Canada. They have been very busy making a living and were able to make the trip. I spoke to Alan Rudolph for a bit. What a first class guy! What can I say? Here is a man who shows up alone, no pit crew! He prepared his kart and it was FAST! Alan and I went out to practice...we went back and forth a bit. Talking in the pits, he said I had the same top speed, and he had a bit more mid-range. When I asked what he weighed, he said 487 lbs. This man is really on his game. With the weight at 485 lbs., that is playing it tight. I weighed in at 509 lbs (just a little chubby). I believe Alan qualified with a 214.7. I had a 217.5. I was three seconds off. In any event, I was happy everything was running well. No blown engines, no mishaps. SATURDAY: Alan took the lead and never looked back. I was in hot pursuit (or at least as hot as I could go). The red flag came out on lap ten. The race was over. At that time, I was back by 12.5 seconds. If the race were to have continued, there would be three more laps to go. It was not to be. Alan WON the heat. Good job Alan. In the pits, I looked at the data from my Mycron. I noticed I could change the gearing a bit and it could get me better acceleration, and still have top speed. I took the engine apart for inspection. Everything looked good. The lower piston ring was stuck slightly, so I replaced the lower ring. Changed the gearing, new Dunlop tires and topped it off with fuel. I was ready for Sunday. On Saturday, my wife, Debbie, drove up with daughter Charity and four year old grandson, Matthew. Matthew sure enjoyed watching his grandpa race! Matthew was in for a big surprise when I presented him with his own Kid Kart. It came with a little driving suit. He was a little leery at first, then reluctantly, he let me help him put on the driving suit. It was a perfect fit! After a while, we could hardly get him out of the kart. If I knew the grandkids could be this much fun, I would have just had grandkids! Being a parent is a lot harder! SUNDAY: Alan led the field to the flagman and OFF we go! Alan took the lead and I got under him into turn one...he got by me in turn four...we ran up the hill to turn six, nose to tail. We swapped back and forth for two laps. That’s when I had a brain fart going into turn six under the bridge. I was right on Alan’s bumper, when he went in a little deep and hit the brakes. I, too, hit the brakes, only to do a SLOW spin that put the rear of my kart off the track. I held the clutch and kept it running. I got back in the race and pressed on. If you look at the MY LAPS, it shows just how the race unfolded. I caught back up to Alan by lap ten. I had him in sight, and I knew there was something wrong with his ride. I thought maybe it was his tires or fuel. When I passed Alan, it was just after the carousel before the kink. This was on lap 12. I took the checkered flag and then the red flag came out. After scaling and tech, I saw Alan and Scott Fiesler on the flatbed tow truck. Alan’s tires on the left were blistered and he said he ran out of fuel. I can’t thank my son, Joey, enough. That boy worked his butt off for me. He got all the race coverage from my in-car camera for the entire event. I would like to thank Scott Fiesler, Steve Rhodes, and Craig Rhodes for all their help for the weekend. As always, a special thanks goes out to my sponsors, DUNLOP TIRE/RUSSELL KARTING, WISECO PISTON, KELGATE BRAKES and BADGER KART CLUB for all their support this racing season. The next race is at Thunderbolt Raceway, Milville, New Jersey, September 5-7, 2008. See you guys soon, Johnny |
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West Racing News JOHNNY WEST WINS AT EAGLES CANYON! |
